P. Malczewski

Rospuda Valley is threatened by construction of a bypass around the city of Augustow
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Poland officially warned over Via Baltica road plans

18-12-2006

The European Commission has officially opened legal infringement procedures against the Polish government for consenting to a series of eight road developments along the Via Baltica route which would severely damage important, and protected, natural sites. This move has been welcomed by environmental NGOs BirdLife International, CEE Bankwatch Network, WWF, and their Polish partners OTOP (the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds) and Polish Green Network.

The road developments as they are currently proposed run straight through the Augustow and Knyszyn Primeval Forests and the Biebrza Marshes National Park. These areas contain a magnificent array of threatened wildlife including wolf, lynx and Lesser-spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina and White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla. The Biebrza Marshes are also the most important breeding site in Europe for the globally-threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola and the Greater-spotted Eagle Aquila clanga. All of the areas in question are protected as Special Protected Areas (SPA) under the Birds Directive and are or should be proposed as Sites of Community Interest (SCI) under the Habitats Directive – Europe’s strongest laws for the protection of natural environments.

“We understand the need for upgrading the road system, but we do take umbrage at the way decisions have been bulldozed through by the Polish government without the proper environmental evaluation. There are some very precious areas at risk, and a full appraisal of the areas would identify the best – and potentially a less damaging – route for the Via Baltica. With the opening of the legal infringement procedure, hopefully all environmental considerations will take place.” said Malgorzata Znaniecka, Policy Officer from OTOP.

The Commission’s warning letter for this infringement relates to the breach of several provisions which aim to mitigate deterioration of these sites of European importance. If the Polish authorities continue to breach these provisions, ultimately the case could be taken to the European Court of Justice.

“NGO’s are extremely pleased the European Commission has committed to taking legal action if Poland continues with construction of these roads as currently planned.” said Konstantin Kreiser EU Policy Manager at BirdLife in Brussels. “The Commission’s decision will be vital to protect these internationally important wildlife sites and also sends a clear signal to Poland and other countries that the Commission will not tolerate developments which are planned without proper compliance with EU nature legislation.”

“This is not the first legal action taken against the Polish government and their stance on environmental issues. Another infringement procedure is underway relating to Poland’s failure to designate sufficient Natura 2000 sites and yesterday the Commission sent Poland a final warning in relation to this infringement. It’s time the Polish authorities started taking environmental legislation seriously.” said Marta Wisniewska, EU Policy Officer at.WWF Poland.

Over the last few years, environmental NGO’s across Europe have continuously warned the Polish authorities of the need to plan these road developments properly to avoid damage to the wildlife sites and a breach of European law. The groups recognize the need for transport infrastructure improvements in north-east Poland, but want to see projects planned in a way which has the least damaging effects on nature. The Polish authorities have however shown a blatant disregard for wildlife and their legal obligations.

“The Polish government has broken its promise to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment before starting construction of the Via Baltica corridor by starting to upgrade its preferred route in advance of the SEA results. At the same time, expert reports show that there are shorter, less damaging and more economically viable routes available. It is time for construction to stop and due thought and process to be given to the law.” said CEE Bankwatch Network representative Robert Cyglicki.