The last moment to step in and stop the destruction of primeval swamps and forest in Central Europe: the Rospuda Valley Bypass. A letter by Adam
Dear Ladies and Sirs,
I do not know if You are aware that Poland is building a road through a part of Europe’s last primeval forest- the Rospuda Valley Bypass.
The primeval swamps in pictures:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=rospuda%20valley&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
The investment is contradictory to EU regulations on preparation of transport investments, however, the Commision has not informed yet about the results of the inquiry, nor threatened the Polish government with penalties high enough to deter it from running the most controversial transport investment in Europe without having the decision process inspected by the EU.
Concerning thae whole decision process that took place, never in my life have I seen less democratic procedure. There was not a correct transport investment appraisal procedure, nor any democratic dispute or public inquiry. It was all done as in a totalitarian state.
There were two variants that were saving the valley: one- the Chodorki variant, and second one- the Augustów Eastern Bypass variant. Both were left out of transport appraisal procedure due to no clear reason except for wish to manipulate with the results to support one particular variant that was destroying the nature but was saving the paperwork needed to buy out the plots of land from local peasants.There is no other argument in choice of this particular corridor than the savings in paperwork!
Herewith I accuse Polish government of willfull manipulation with the data in order to protect incompetence of the people who prepared this investment. In my opinion the formal documents were prepared after the decision has been taken, and their goal was not to find the best bypass variant, but to justify exactly this option by strategic manipulating with the choice of variants analysed.
The variants included by government:
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty2.jpg
The variants excluded from formal appraisal:
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty2.jpg
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty4.jpg
I would like to inform You that now it is expected that within no more than a week the trees will be chopped off. I think that You should act promptly enough, if You want to save the valley.
Adam, Transpolska
Earlier documents on the issue:
1. UK Indymedia – EMERGENCY ACTION: WE NEED 100 HARDCORE DIRECT …
“The bulldozers will start destroying the Rospuda Valley wetlands – unless they meet … The Rospuda Valley is a natural treasure, protected by Nature 2000. …”
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/362519.html
2. UK Indymedia – Polish ultracatholic government is building a road …
“In the first step of the Via Baltica corridor the by-pass of Augustów through the Rospuda Valley will be built. Currently it is the the most controversial …”
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/355034.html?c=on
Transpolska
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/