Polish government backs down for now over road construction

10-09-2007

BirdLife International and a number of NGOs have welcomed reports in the Polish media that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has received an official declaration from the Polish government, stating that construction work on the controversial section of the Augustow bypass will not start until a final ECJ judgment on the case, which is expected within the next two years.

The area, including the Rospuda Valley, is a designated Natura 2000 site for its status as an area of outstanding biodiversity value. Bird species threatened include Lesser-spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina, White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus.

"If these reports are confirmed the Augustow Forest and the unique Rospuda Valley mires are safe for the time being." —Malgorzata Znaniecka, OTOP (BirdLife in Poland)

"However, residents of Augustow risk facing further delays of an essential bypass, unless the Polish Road Agency and authorities undertake a serious analysis of all alternative routes, in compliance with European legislation," added Znaniecka.

At the end of July, the European Commission applied to the ECJ for the temporary suspension of construction works that directly threatened the Augustow Forest Natura 2000 site. This followed a shock announcement from Polish officials that construction would start within the Natura 2000 site on August 1, as soon as the breeding season for birds was officially over.

Members of the European Parliament's Petition Committee visited the site in June and are likely to adopt a critical report on this case on September 13.