The problem - Via Baltica yes, but not this way!
The Polish Minister of Environment, Mr Jan Szyszko, given his approval for four road projects in north-east Poland along road no 8 (the Polish Government’s preferred route for the Via Baltica international road corridor). These are the Augustow City Bypass, Bialystok-Katrynka Upgrade, Wasilkow Bypass, Sztabin Bypass, and it building works starts at the end of 2006. The proposed roads run straight through some unique – and protected – natural areas.
Under Europe’s Birds and Habitats Directives, the Rospuda Valley, the Augustow and Knyszyn Forests and the Biebrza Marshes – the biggest wetland area in central and Western Europe and the most important breeding site for the Greater-spotted Eagle and the Aquatic Warbler – should be safe from unsustainable development projects through their listing as Special Protected Areas and proposed Sites of Community Interest standing. Other important species found in these beautiful areas include the wolf, lynx, White-tailed eagle, Lesser-spotted eagle and Black woodpecker, and the areas themselves are stunning in their natural beauty.
Unfortunately, the logging of forests already starts in violation of EU legislation and against initial results of Strategic Environmental Assessment currently undertaken on request from Standing Committee of Bern Convention. European Commission took action to stop this violation, however Polish government does not want to give up and start undermining initial results of strategic analysis prepated by international consultancy group Scott Wilson.
Read more about the Commission initiativies: Via Baltica – an expressway to the European Court of Justice – Commission gives final warning to Poland || Polish government backs down for now over road construction – breathing space for threatened Rospuda Valley