July 12, 2005
Ukraine make obstacles to enquiry procedure under Espo Convention
Inquiry Commission, established under Appendix IV to the Convention on the initiative of Romania to determine whether construction of canal in Danube Delta is likely to have a significant adverse transboundary impact met on 26 January and 24 February 2005. It was expected to make a field visit on 10-16 April, then to meet and decide on its final opinion on 13 May 2005. So far this programme has had to be postponed, however, due to the lack of support by the Ukrainian authorities.
July 12, 2005
Ramsar Secretariat follows the process of Ukrainian canal construction
Expert of Ramsar Secretariat, Tobias Salathe, prepared update on recent developments in Danube delta.
He mentioned main facts about phase I of canal construction and gave his impressions on the context of the international seminar on the monitoring of the environmental impacts of Phase I, held in Odessa in April. As is mentioned in report: “Many of the reports (during seminar) presented the monitoring approach and methodology, but still very few detailed results. No detailed results on monitoring of fish populations and fisheries were presented yet”. Along this, the Ramsar Convention representative deplored the absence of biodiversity information, notably on indicator species and habitats.
In report he mentioned about the letter sent by the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention to the Ukrainian President on May 3, 2004 expressing concerns for canal construction in Danube Delta.
He concluded that the environmental impacts of navigation through the Danube Delta need to be addressed in cooperation with all parties involved and Ukraine need to present all the relevant information on phases I and II, including EIA study.
July 12, 2005
UNESCO did not approve withdrawal of Bystre arm from core zone
We were informed, that the MAB International Coordinating Council, during its 18th session at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 25-29 October 2004, formally replied to the unilateral change of the zonation of the Danube Biosphere Reserve proposed by Ukraine, and requested Ukraine to provide the official version of the zonation, together with the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment of Phase II of the project. In its report MAB Bureau expressed its concern on the way in which this zonantion had been revised unilaterally and in particular without fully respecting the role of DBR, as a platform for dialogue with MAB National committee and local population.
July 12, 2005
Bern Convention criticizes action of Ukraine
Standing committee of Bern convention stated the modification of limits of protected areas to accommodate development projects should in general be avoided, as it weakens any system of protected areas in connection to the change of limits of core zone of Danube biosphere reserve to allow navigation in Bystre arm.
It asked Ukraine to suspend works on phase II until EIA for phase II is undertaken to international standards, until public consultations on the EIA for phase II takes place and proposals are duly considered.
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