Press Releases
[Press release] Polish government backs down for now over road construction – breathing space for threatened Rospuda Valley
(September 6, 2007)
 © WWF/P. Malczewski |
Environmental NGOs welcomed Wednesday's reports in the Polish media on the Rospuda motorway case describing how the European Court of Justice (ECJ) received an official declaration from the Polish government. This stated that construction work on the controversial section of the Augustow bypass through the Natura 2000 designated Augustow Forest, including the Rospuda Valley, in north- east Poland will not start until a final ECJ judgment on the case, which is expected within the next two years.
Malgorzata Znaniecka, of the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife Poland), said: "If these reports are confirmed the Augustow Forest and the unique Rospuda Valley mires are safe for the time being. 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."
Anna Roggenbuck, of Polish Green Network, a CEE Bankwatch Network member, said: "Alarmingly, despite today's developments construction works continue on sections of the Augustow Bypass outside the Natura 2000 site, posing significant financial implications if Poland loses the case in the ECJ. Augustow could be left with a road to nowhere."
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 they are likely to adopt a critical report on this case, on September 13.
Malgorzata Znaniecka, Ogolnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptakow, tel. +48 605 072 963, e-mail: malgorzata.znaniecka AT otop.org.pl
Anna Roggenbuck, Polska Zielona Siec / CEE Bankwatch Network, tel. +48 509 970 424, e-mail: aniar AT gajanet.pl
Marta Majka Wisniewska, WWF Polska, tel. +48 602 888 143, e-mail: mwisniewska AT wwf.pl
Magda Stoczkiewicz, CEE Bankwatch Network, Tel: +32 475 867637, email: magdas AT bankwatch.org
Ellen Townsend, BirdLife International, Tel: +32-498-542292, e-mail: Ellen.Townsend AT birdlife.org
Malgorzata Znaniecka, of the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife Poland), said: "If these reports are confirmed the Augustow Forest and the unique Rospuda Valley mires are safe for the time being. 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."
Anna Roggenbuck, of Polish Green Network, a CEE Bankwatch Network member, said: "Alarmingly, despite today's developments construction works continue on sections of the Augustow Bypass outside the Natura 2000 site, posing significant financial implications if Poland loses the case in the ECJ. Augustow could be left with a road to nowhere."
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 they are likely to adopt a critical report on this case, on September 13.
For more information
Malgorzata Znaniecka, Ogolnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptakow, tel. +48 605 072 963, e-mail: malgorzata.znaniecka AT otop.org.pl
Anna Roggenbuck, Polska Zielona Siec / CEE Bankwatch Network, tel. +48 509 970 424, e-mail: aniar AT gajanet.pl
Marta Majka Wisniewska, WWF Polska, tel. +48 602 888 143, e-mail: mwisniewska AT wwf.pl
Magda Stoczkiewicz, CEE Bankwatch Network, Tel: +32 475 867637, email: magdas AT bankwatch.org
Ellen Townsend, BirdLife International, Tel: +32-498-542292, e-mail: Ellen.Townsend AT birdlife.org
CEE Bankwatch Network gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.