For the attention of.
S. Repnikov, Head of the Organisation of Public Hearings Working Group
Dear Mr Repnikov,
Although the notice given of the public hearing on the "Creation of the Danube-Black Sea Deep-Water Navigation Canal on the Ukrainian Part of the Delta – Complete Development", and the time available to send objections, is ridiculously short, the fact that a public hearing is being held at all is a positive development.
It is to be hoped that the public hearing will be conducted in a democratic manner. In this context we would be grateful if copies of this email be lodged with the officials conducting the public hearing.
Based on all available information it is clear that this project will result in degradation of the natural biodiversity of the Danube delta, will destroy traditional ways of management, and could also result in a worsening of economic conditions in the region. It conflicts with the principles of the function of a biosphere reserve defined by UNESCO’s program "Man and the Biosphere".
The proposals to construct this channel through the reserve are based on the conclusions of the environmental assessment conducted by Kiev National University. This assessment is basically and factually flawed and several NGOs already have lodged complaints against its conclusions.
We urge that the report of the joint mission which was carried out by the Man and Biosphere Programme (MaB) of UNESCO and the Ramsar Secretariat to the Danube Biosphere Reserve and Kyliiske Mouth Ramsar Site in October 2003 is considered by this hearing. The report at
[url=http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.ukraine_danube_ram53.htm]http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.ukraine_danube_ram53.htm[/url] This concludes that the canal construction as presently proposed will irreversibly change the hydrological regime of the delta, disturb natural processes of delta formation, inescapable pollution of the ecosystem by oil products, change the habitat for most of the species, decrease of the trade fishery amount, will threaten endangered species inhabiting the area. In particular the nesting of tens of thousand
birds will be threatened. The reserve will lose almost all staging areas for migrating waterfowl and waders. Altogether 223 species of birds, including 5 on the European Red List and 31 in the Ukraine Red Book will be affected as well as many rare and disappearing species of mammals and insects.
The outcome would be that the Danube Biosphere Reserve will lose its importance on an international and national level. Furthermore the proposed construction project violates both national legislation and international obligations of Ukraine. It would be wrong to implacably and thoughtlessly oppose ship transit through the Ukrainian part of the Danube delta. We do however feel that you should positively consider other alternative canal variants; which also have a chance of attracting investment and sparing the taxpayer and the environment. On this basis we herewith lodge our objection to the project as planned on the grounds that the heritage of present and future generations of all Europeans is at risk.
We remain,
Yours sincerely,
Hannes Cloete and Isaiah Tefutor,
c/o Proact International
Marathonallee 16
D-14052 Berlin
Germany
< [url=http://www.proact-campaigns.net/]http://www.proact-campaigns.net/[/url] >
and the fol?owing members of the Proact Team representing the continent of Africa
David Aboagye Ashante, Winfried Ashiaghor, Russel Berry, Francis Bilto, Mark Brown, Lydia Burger, Clayton Burne, Terry Burne, Veonna Burne, Herbert Byaruhanga, Mel Cardwell, Peter Carson, Callan Cohen, Roy Astley Fryer, Hlorbu Godson, Mutebi A. Hassan, Johnnie Kamugisha, Dawie Kleynhans, John McPherson, Tabitha Saaki Nettey, George Ofey Nyarko, Rita Du Preez, Ronel Du Preez, Duncan Pritchard, Jacqueline Reeve, Isaac Sackey, Itai Shanni, Neels Taute, Ellen Tefutor, Raphael kwaku Tefutor, Belinda Beauty Tefuttor, John k. A. Tefuttor, Peter Thompson, Dennis White, Malcolm Wilson.