Precious Polish wetlands must not become badlands
Poland’s environment minister Jan Szyszko agreed to the routing of the Augustow city bypass through the wetlands in the stunning Rospuda Valley which lies in the Augustow Primeval Forest. A Polish natural treasure, Rospuda is a refuge for a number of extremely rare species of animals, some on the brink of extinction, and plants as well as habitats. What’s more, as part of the European Natura 2000 Network, the Rospuda Valley is a protected area.
The Augustow city bypass is part of the Via Baltica transport corridor, an EU instigated road project running the length of Poland to improve transport connections between the Baltic countries and the rest of Europe. An alternative route for the bypass, conceived by independent road designers, which is a less harmful and less expensive option exists but has been completely ignored by Polish decision-makers.
Rospuda Valley is our European natural heritage. This highly controversial decision has to be reconsidered by the Polish government.
You can view a map of the proposed alternative route here.
