News newer than 15.10.99
 

15.10.99 : EEB Workshop on the Water Framework Directive in  Brussels on the 2nd. and 3rd. of December 1999

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

At present the EEB is organizing a workshop on the Water Framework Directive (WFD). As you might know, the negotiations on this crucial piece of legislation are reaching their final stage, as the Second Reading of the European Parliament will start at the end of this month. Since the entering into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the timeframe for second reading has strictly been set at 4 months. This means that all-important decisions will be made between November 1999 and February 2000. 

In general one might say that we have 4 months to support the European Parliament in its struggle with the Council on the Water Framework Directive. 

Given this situation, were we find the European Parliament very close to the position of the EEB (and other European NGOs), the focus of the workshop will be on the improvement of the WFD and the things we as NGOs can do to realize such an improvement. So there will be a strong focus on how every individual member organization of the EEB can help to realize such an improvement.  Since European Chemical and Water Polities overlap in many ways, there will also be a joint session with the chemical experts of the EEB network, to discuss the connection between the 2 issues. To make this possible we have to link these 2 networks together. 

Therefore the Workshop will be held in Brussels on the 2nd. and 3rd. of December 1999. Please write these dates in your agenda immediately. 

An official invitation, background papers, registration forms and the agenda will be sent out within a couple of weeks. But before that, we would like to ask your organization a favor; In order to reach all persons and NGOs which are interested in European water policies, we would like to verify and complete our address lists. Therefore, we would like to ask you whom in your organization is responsible for EU water policies in general and the Water Framework Directive in particular. 

Could you help us out and send the names of these persons, their E-mail, phone number and postal address so that we can reach all people who are working on this. Also we would like to know if there are other NGOs in your country that are working on water. If your organization has a list with all corresponding NGOs, we would be very happy if you could send this to our Brussels office trough Email [eu.policy@eeb.org] or regular post? 
We hope to see you all in Brussels on the 2nd and 3rd of December in Brussels. 

Yours sincerely, 

Martijn W. F. Peijs, Co-ordinator EEB water Campaign 
Uwe Buesgen, Assistant EEB Water campaign 

PS. If possible, could you please pass this message through to all those in your organization who might be interested? 

-- 
Martijn W. F. Peijs 
EEB Co-ordinator Water 
Amsterdam 
E waterpakt.int@bart.nl 
T 00-31-20-470 0772 
Brussels 
E eu.policy@eeb.org 
T 00-32-2-289 1090 

Below are two items on Namibia's Epupa Dam. The first is a story that
appeared in Southern Africa on a sign-on letter (sent previously) about the
project; the second is a response from the European Investment Bank, a
recipient of this letter, stating it will not support the project.

07 October 1999

Campaign mounts against Epupa Dam
International groups lobby against Nambian hydropower scheme

Christof Maletsky
WINDHOEK - More than 50 environmental pressure groups and individuals have
teamed up to campaign against the the controversial Epupa hydropower scheme
on the Kunene River in northern Namibia.

The groups have written to several potential funders of the dam, including
the African Development Bank, urging them not to get involved in a high-risk
project.

Among the campaigners are Himba leaders Chief Hikuminue Kapika and
Muatjindika Mutambo from the Epupa Action Committee, and a host of
international organisations and foreign individuals.

They argue that the Epupa scheme involves considerable risks - many of which
would affect the project's bottom line.

"At R2,5bn, the cost of the project is equivalent to one-fifth of Namibia's
1996 gross domestic product. Undertaking this project would increase the
government's annual expenditure on capital investment by more than four
times," the protesters wrote in a letter to all possible funders.

The campaigners said that because of the risks inherent in large
hydroelectric projects, Epupa has a high probability of low economic
returns. In addition there was the probability of cost overruns.
"Namibia has better, cheaper sources of power. SA exports power to Namibia
t less than half the estimated cost of Epupa electricity. The proposed Kudu
gas project will likely produce twice as much electricity as Epupa at a
lower cost.

"Secondly, the feasibility study's calculations do not account for any
amount of efficiency per user of power over time.
" Finally, the tragic fact of AIDS in southern Africa is likely to lower
demand for electricity."

They said the project assumed population growth in Namibia despite the fact
that AIDS was expected to slow such growth.

A 1998 United Nations AIDS/ World Health Organisation report estimates the
HIV infection rate at 19,98%, a rate which will substantially reduce
population growth and have a severe effect on the economically active
section of the population. Other UN reports in 1998 estimated that Namibia's
population would grow at only 2,4% a year between 1995 and 2000 and decrease
further after that.

Another major risk for the Epupa project is drought, which is plaguing the
upstream Ruacana Dam. Ruacana is operating at 13% of its capacity due to
falling water levels in the Kunene River.

"Since Epupa's economic viability depends on the reliability and
predictability of the Kunene River, several decades of stream-flow records
are needed to make reliable predictions about its long-term profitability."
The campaigners claim that the project will also have serious implications
for the Himba pastoralists who live in the area where the dam would be built
and are overwhelmingly opposed to the dam.

"The dam will change their way of life forever, and yet the official
feasibility study does not have a proper social impact assessment.
"Even without a proper assessment, however, there is ample evidence that the
social effect of this project will be great.

"As pastoral herders, the Himba community need extensive lands in order to
raise their cattle, and there is already a shortage of suitable land without
large-scale inundation by a dam," the protesters said in the letter.
To take land away from the Epupa community would put serious pressure on the
Himba livelihoods.

The group said the reservoir would also flood Himba graves, which are focal
points for important religious and cultural rituals.

They also argued that the flooding would bring an end to gardening in the
fertile soils along the riverbank and would destroy the riverine forests on
he riverbanks, a natural resource that is essential to the Himba economy.
"The loss of all these resources are likely to lead to the Epupa community
being increasingly dependent on the government for financial support and
social welfare."

Flooding the Kunene basin at Epupa would result in the loss of an annual
crop of hundreds of tons of the palm nuts which are a crucial food resource
for the community.
 

-------------------------

Luxembourg, 22 September1999

International Rivers Network/Attn: Mrs. Lori Pottinger

Subject: Namibia: Epupa Hydropower

Dear Mrs. Pottinger,

We refer to your letter dated 24 August 1999 addressed to a number of EIB
board members.

In reply we would like to inform you that the article dated 8 December 1998
in "The Namibian" newspaper contains certain references to EIB which are
misleading and erroneous.

We can confirm that EIB is not considering the possible financing of the
Epupa Hydropower Project. Like the other funding agencies mentioned in the
article, EIB is financing (by means of a EUR 55m loan to Nampower) the
400kV Interconnector between Namibia and South Africa, which is the least
cost solution for providing additional power to Namibia at the present
time. With its substantial capacity the new Interconnector should amply
cover Namibia's energy needs for the next few years.

We trust that clarifies the situation.

Yours Sincerely,
European Investment Bank

(Signed:

F. Carpenter and F. Weber Krebs)
 
 

      Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
        and Editor, World Rivers Review
           International Rivers Network
              1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
                  Tel. (510) 848 1155   Fax (510) 848 1008
                        http://www.irn.org

07.10.99 : Mass Extinction of Freshwater Creatures Forecast

(ENS) - The first estimate of
extinction rates of North America's freshwater animals, just released, has
found they are the most endangered species group on the continent. The
Canadian study warns that the U.S. could lose most of its freshwater
species in the next century if steps are not taken to protect them.

"A silent mass extinction is occurring in our lakes and rivers," says
author Anthony Ricciardi of Dalhousie University in Halifax. Ricciardi's
study with coauthor Joseph Rasmussen of McGill University in Montreal is
published in the October issue of "Conservation Biology."

Relatively little media attention has been given to freshwater species, the
authors say, but these animals are in at least as much danger as land
species. Since 1900, at least 123 freshwater animal species have been
recorded as extinct in North America.

Common freshwater species, from snails to fish to amphibians, are dying out
five times faster than land species, and three times faster than coastal
marine mammals, the researchers found. Their estimate of the loss of
freshwater biodiversity "is probably conservative," the researchers say,
"because there have likely been extinctions of species that we did not know
existed, as suggested by the fact that several extinct fishes are known
from only a few specimens."

Freshwater animals are dying out as fast as rainforest species, considered
by many to be the most imperiled on Earth. The authors predict that about
four percent of freshwater species will be lost each decade if nothing is
done to conserve them.

Worldwide the situation is even more perilous for these creatures. The
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in September that 51 percent of
freshwater species, from fish and frogs to river dolphins, are declining in
numbers. The 1999 Living Planet Report, an annual index on the state of the
world's natural wealth, presents the most reliable data available on forest
area and populations of marine and freshwater species worldwide. It also
examines consumption of critical resources in 151 countries and its
consequences.

"This report is a graphic call to reduce these negative trends as the world
enters the 21st century," said Claude Martin, director general of WWF. "The
observed declines in populations of freshwater species is particularly
alarming as they indicate the extent of deterioration in the quality of the
world's rivers, lakes and other wetlands."

Freshwater amphibians are hard hit. The disappearance of the golden toad
and other amphibians in Costa Rica has been attributed to climatic changes.
Many losses have been recorded in national parks and nature reserves,
indicating pervasive threats even in protected areas. In Australia, Panama
and the US, about 20 frog species have been decimated by a previously
unknown fungus. Deformities are also widespread, caused by pollutants such
as pesticides and other factors.

The report, produced by WWF in collaboration with the New Economic
Foundation and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (IUCN), found that
the total of marine and inland fish caught reached a record level of 95
million tonnes in 1996, up 11 million tonnes from the annual average in the
preceding five years.

To get a picture of how rapidly species extinction is accelerating, the
Canadian researchers compared current extinction rates with those from the
fossil record. They calculate that the background rate of extinction for
freshwater fish species is about one species every three million years.

The modern extinction rate in North America, the study says, is about one
extinction every 2600 years - about 1,000 times higher than the background
rate.

Ricciardi and Rasmussen predict that many species considered at risk will
disappear within the next century. At risk species account for 49 percent
of the 262 remaining mussel species, 33 percent of the 336 crayfish
species, 26 percent of the 243 amphibian species, and 21 percent of the
1,021 fish species.

Non-native species pose a serious threat to indigenous freshwater animals.
European zebra mussels are outcompeting native mussels in North American
lakes and rivers. Sea lampreys invade lakes and attach themselves to native
fish, killing them. Even sport fish transplanted from one lake to another
can take over an ecosystem, driving less aggressive native fish toward
extinction.

Dams that obstruct river flow are also threats. Of 5.2 million kilometers
(3.2 million miles) of stream habitat in the lower 48 states, less than two
percent, or about 100,000 kilometers, is pristine enough to be federally
protected, Ricciardi and Rasmussen say. Excess sediment, toxic contaminants
and organic pollutants from agriculture threaten most U.S. waterways.

Only 40 rivers longer than 200 kilometers (125 miles) remain free flowing
in the lower 48 states. "Such massive habitat deterioration threatens some
of the world's richest freshwater faunal assemblages," the study says.
Ricciardi and Rasmussen note that hundreds of U.S. dams are coming up for
federal relicensing soon, providing an opportunity to reestablish natural
flows in many rivers.

© Environment News Service (ENS) 1999. All Rights Reserved.

(Agence France Presse) The World
Bank has sent a team of experts to
China to evaluate criticisms of a vast
dam and irrigation project it wants to
support, a Bank official said here
Tuesday.

The team is expected to visit the site
of the project, located in western
Qinghai province, on the week end
and will spend 20 days carrying out
studies and interviews, according to
Antonia Macedo, assistant director of
the World Bank's inspection unit.

The controversy centers on plans to re-settle some 58,000 people,
essentially Chinese farmers, to land inhabited by Tibetans.

Critics contend that the resettlement will make Tibetans in the
region even more of a minority and will also have an adverse
environmental impact.

The inspection team will prepare a report for World Bank officials
by the end of the year. A decision by the Bank's executive board
on whether to go ahead with the project is not expected before
early 2000, Macedo said.

The overall venture calls for loans of 160 million dollars, of which
40 million would be for the contested resettlement.

The Bank approved the project in June but financing has been held
up pending an assessment of the criticisms. ((c) 1999 Agence
France Presse)

Emssperrwerk: Der Staufall ist ein Stoerfall
WWF-Studie zeigt verheerende oekologische Folgen der Ems-Aufstauung zur
Ueberfuehrung von Ozeanriesen
From: WWF Infostelle <info@WWF.DE>

Bremen, 07.10.1999.
Das Aufstauen der Ems durch das Emssperrwerk zur
Ueberfuehrung von Kreuzfahrtschiffen der Meyerwerft aus Papenburg zur
Nordsee kann katastrophale Folgen fuer die lebende Natur in und am Fluss
haben: Durch einen radikalen Sauerstoffabfall im Wasser und die Versalzung
reiner Suesswasserbereiche droht ein Massensterben von Fischen und anderen
Lebewesen. Brutvoegelgelege sind bedroht und Rastvoegeln wird durch das
Absterben der Kleinlebewesen die Nahrungsgrundlage entzogen. Auch Tiere und
Pflanzen in den wertvollen Auwaldresten an der Ems sind stark gefaehrdet.
Insgesamt droht durch die Aufstauungen eine oekologische Veroedung der Ems.
Das sind die Ergebnisse einer Studie von Dr. Joern Hildebrandt von der
Universitaet Lueneburg ueber die oekologischen Auswirkungen der geplanten
Ems-Aufstauungen, die die Umweltstiftung WWF-Deutschland heute vorgestellt
hat.

"Die Studie zeigt ein Horrorszenario, das auf keinen Fall Wirklichkeit
werden darf", sagte WWF-Expertin Beatrice Claus. "Der Staufall zur
Ueberfuehrung der Kreuzfahrtschiffe wuerde der durch Baggerungen stark
vorbelasteten Ems den Todesstoss versetzen." Die Ems wurde seit 1984
bereits viermal vertieft, um die Ueberfuehrung von Kreuzfahrtschiffen der
Meyerwerft zu ermoeglichen. Als Folge davon sind viele der dortigen Tier-
und Pflanzenarten bereits heute selten geworden oder befinden sich an der
Schwelle zum Aussterben. Eine weitere Belastung des Flusses koennte zur
endgueltigen Ausloeschung von Arten in der Ems fuehren. 

Im Staufall kann der Sauerstoffgehalt weit unter die toedliche Schwelle
von 4 Milligramm pro Liter absinken. Dies bedeutet: Die meisten Organismen
im Wasser, am Flussboden und am Ufer der Ems wuerden den Staufall nicht
ueberleben - weder Fische, noch Ringelwuermer oder Muscheln und Krebstiere.
Die Folgen waeren weitreichend, denn diese Tiere sind eine wichtige
Nahrungsbasis fuer Fische und Voegel. Im Staufall wird sich auch Salzwasser
flussaufwaerts ausbreiten und die Tiere und Pflanzen im Suesswasser durch
Salzgehalte bedrohen, die das Normalmass um das Sechsfache ueberschreiten
koennen. Solche Anstiege des Salzgehaltes ueberleben viele Tiere wie
Flohkrebse, Wasserasseln und Jungfische nicht.

In der Ems kommen viele seltene und hochgradig geschuetzte Lebensraeume
und Fische wie Finte, Meer- und Flussneunauge oder Voegel wie Blaukehlchen,
Nonnengans und Saebelschnaebler vor, die nach deutschem und europaeischem
Naturschutzgesetz geschuetzt sind. "Ein Sperrwerk mit so katastrophalen
Folgen fuer Tiere und Pflanzen, das zudem mitten in ein
EU-Vogelschutzgebiet gebaut werden soll, haette von den Behoerden nie
genehmigt werden duerfen", kritisierte Beatrice Claus. Die im
Planfeststellungsbeschluss festgelegten Bestimmungen zur Vermeidung von
Sauerstoffmangelsituationen und der Versalzung von Suesswasserbereichen
sind nach Berechnungen der Umweltverbaende unwirksam. Dies hat auch die
EU-Kommission erkannt und geht ebenfalls von einem Massensterben von
Fischen und Kleinstlebenwesen durch Versalzung im Suesswasserbereich der
Unterems aus.
Vor dem Hintergrund, dass das Vorhaben nicht der langfristigen
Zukunftssicherung der Meyerwerft dient, es zum Kuestenschutz
umweltvertraeglichere und billigere Alternativen gibt und im Falle der
Umsetzung der billigeren Deichbauvariante mit dem eingesparten Geld die
dringendsten Kuestenschutzmassnahmen in Niedersachsen umgesetzt werden
koennten sowie der zweifelhaften Finanzierung, sieht der WWF das
Emssperrwerk als eine oekonomisch sinnlose Massnahme an, die auf Kosten der
Natur und des Steuerzahlers umgesetzt werden soll. "Es ist noch nicht zu
spaet. Bund und Land muessen sofort die Pruefung von Alternativen zum
Sperrwerk in Angriff nehmen!" appelliert Beatrice Claus an die zustaendigen
Politiker und Behoerden.
Fuer Rueckfragen wenden Sie sich bitte an:

Beatrice Claus, 
0421-6584619, 
am 7.10.99 Tel.: 0171-3426928

Holger Wesemueller, 
Tel.: 0172-4212396
Weitere Informationen unter www.wwf.de 

01.10.99 : Five european countries accused of coservation failure

BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 1, 1999 (ENS) - The World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) has identified five European Union countries where, it claims,
economic interest groups are successfully pushing their governments to make
weak nature protection plans under the EU habitats directive.
Published in cooperation with ENDS Environment Daily
Website: http://www.ends.co.uk/envdaily }
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/oct99/1999L-10-01-09.html

Dear friends!
     "Days of Volga" will be held  from  October  21  through  October
23! We have a Jubilee!  We are terribly happy to inform you , that the
Coordination Center of the Movement "Let's help the river" have  star-
ted to prepare for the Jubilee 10-th Days of Volga.
This has  become  possible thanks to the financial support of the
Institute of Sustainable Communities (ROLL project) and the Department
for nature protection and rational nature use of the Administration of
Nizhni Novgorod province.
We won the grant competition and were awarded  a  grant  for  the
project "Days of Volga - for the Rivers of Russia"!

What is the "Days of Volga-99"
This is a part of our new project, which is called "Days of Volga
- for the Rivers of Russia".  Environmental activists from Amur,  Ob',
Irtysh, Chusovaya,  Angara,  Baikal,  Northern Dvina and other  rivers
will come to the conference, as guests to learn from our experience.

For the  10  years  that passed we managed to create a network of
groups which fight to protect the Volga  river,  implement  many  pro-
jects, conduct various actions and campaigns - accumulate a lot of ex-
perience of work.

For this 10 years,  thanks to annual "Days of Volga" ,  where  we
plan our  common  actions  we have turned into a rather well organized
movement, which is able to act and to render mutual support.

Now, having a lot of experience behind us we have stepped up with
the initiative of establishment of the Rivers Network of Russia.

Draft program
* Results of the activities of the movement "Let's help  the  ri-
ver" for 10 years:  from the program to the movement (the Coordination
center and NGOs of the Volga river basin).
* Presentation of specific directions of the movement. About more
detailed structure of the movement in accordance  with  directions  of
activities.
* Presentation of the projects of the movement.
* Cooperation with the governmental bodies : results and perspec-
tives: Round table "Experience of cooperation of  the  authorities  of
Nizhni Novgorod  province  with environmental NGOs",  how to replicate
and disseminate this experience?
* Developing  a section about public participation in the Federal
program "Revival of Volga".
* Continuation  of  work  on the issue "Persistent Organic Pollu-
tants": public actions, planning for a joint Russian - American confe-
rence  on the problems of POPs.

Day of Rivers of Russia
* Development of the Russian anti-dam campaign.
* Actions for the protection of small rivers.
* NGO from the other rivers of Russia introduce themselves. Crea-
tion of the Network of Rivers of Russia and developing an action plan.
 

603134, Nizhni Novgorod, Kostina str.
House 2, off 164,"Let's help the river".
Days of Volga 99"
E-mail: dront@glas.apc.org
Phone number for contacts:
(8312) 30-28-81 - Coordination center of the movement "Let's help
the river".
Fax: (8312) 30-28-90

The indefinite fast by Medha Patkar and six other Satyagrahis in Dhule jail
continued for the third day today (Monday, 4th Oct.) as the junior court in
Taloda rejected the application for release of over 386 men and women from
Narmada valley on personal bond. They have been remanded for further 14
days judicial custody. Already, the people have undergone 12 days in jail,
without being tried.

The learned judge of Taloda court did not give any reason for rejecting the
application of release of the detainees under Section 144 of the Indian
Penal Code (which prohibits the gathering of groups of more than five
people). The Satyagrahis fasting inside the jail, others who are jailed
illegally and the ones who are on indefinite Dharna in front of the jail
have decided to further intensify the agitation. Declaration of the actions
will be done later. The Andolan would also be approaching the higher courts
for appeal on this order.

The same judge had rejected the appeal for release on personal bond of the
386 detainees on October 1. The Andolan has challenged the earlier order as
unwarranted. It is a normal procedures to get Personal Bond when arrested
under Sec.144. Mr. N.D. Suryavanshi, Advocate of Andolan, today made a
strong plea for the unconditional release of all the detainees as they have
lready undergone detention without trial for over 10 days. It is learned
that the court has given another 14 days of detention.  The police and
administration has been acting illegally, after the Chief Minister Mr. Rane
had made uncharitable comments on NBA and Medha Patkar. Mr. Suryavanshi
wondered why the normal procedure of releasing the people detained under
s.144 on personal bond is not followed in the case of the satyagrahis of
NBA.
Curiously, the police did not produce the detainees before the court citing
flimsy and false reasons. The detainees, including Medha Patkar insisted on
taking them to Taloda for the hearing.

Munde Has No Answers

Meanwhile, a delegation of NBA met the Deputy Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, Mr. Gopinath Munde today at Dhule. Mr. Munde, who had earlier
came to Manibeli and extended support for the cause of the Andolan, had no
answers to the questions raised by the delegation. The delegation made it
clear that the Maharashtra Government is responsible for the submergence
which has occurred in the Narmada valley, destroying thousands of hectares
of agricultural lands and houses. The delegation also challenged him to
come forward for a dialogue with facts and details on availability of land
for rehabilitation, rather than uttering irresponsible statements from
far-off places, particularly by the Chief Minister, Mr. Rane.

All the satyagrahis in jail - including Medha Patkar, Sitarambhai Patidar
(Kadmal), Doorsingh Vasave (Domkhedi), Naharsingh Pavara (Savariya),
Mahadeo Patidar (Chhota Barda) and Dadliya Munda Vasava (Domkhedi) and Ms.
Komal Patidar who are on indefinite fast against the illegal detention and
the indifference and frigidity of the State - are weak physically but high
in spirits. They are determined to take this peaceful agitation ahead, and
not to yield to the wicked tactics of the State. A further five people who
are jailed and 11 of the Satyagrahis outside, observed 24 hours of relay
ast. Prominent among them are Tembarya Vasave (Gaman village), Bhimabhai
Tadvi (Waghadia village, Gujarat), Narsing Vasave (Amli rehabilitation
site) and Nikki (England). Ms. Mercy Mathew continued her fast for the
second day.

As the Dharna entered the 10th day, more and more people are coming down
from different parts of Maharashtra and the country to strengthen the hands
of the people against the unjust callousness of the State. Students from
Delhi, representatives of students unions from Kerala and others
organisations have come today. Oustees' representatives from Gujarat too
have joined the dharna on Monday. Senior activists like Bhaijibhai Tadvi,
Kalpanabehn Tadvi and Bhimabhai Tadvi are among those who came in support
for the struggling people. Senior economist, Mr. H.M. Desarda today visited
the dharna and expressed support.
www.narmada.org
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
b-13,  Shivam Flats,  Ellora Park,  Baroda-390007   (Ph. 0265-382232)
Camp: 16, Ashoknagar, Dhule- 424001  (Ph. 02562-34519, 37367)
www.narmada.org
Joe Athialy, Alok Agrawal, Sanjay Sangvai

Dear Friends

URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP - PLEASE SEND YOUR VERSION OR COPY OF THE SUGGESTED LETTER BELOW BY POST,
FAX AND/OR E-MAIL TO MEMBERS OF THE POLISH PARLIAMENT AS LISTED.

Below is a brief background to our request for help and the suggested letter.

Brief Background

We write from Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczno-Kulturalne "Klub Gaja" (Ecological and Cultural Association "Klub Gaja"). 
SEK "Klub Gaja" is an independent, non-governmental organisation which has led the national campaign
"Teraz Wisla" ("Vistula Now") for several years.  This campaign works to stop the building of a cascade of seven dams
on the lower Vistula river and to work towards the development of alternative methods of working with the river and its valley 
to enable social and ecological needs to be met.

The Vistula River, known in Poland as the "Queen of Polish Rivers" is one of Europe's largest rivers and one which remains close
to its natural state with very close to natural river dynamics, unique and rare habitats, flora and fauna.  In terms of naming, 
the Vistula is divided into 3 sections, the upper, middle and lower Vistula, due to its different characteristics in these three sections. 
Ecologically it is one of Europe's most important corridoors linking the Dniestre Basin and the Danube to Scandinavia and Siberia.
 The Vistula rises in south west Poland and runs northwards through the centre of the country finally forming a delta which runs 
into the Baltic Sea.  In addition to its ecological value, there is tremendous cultural heritage along the Vistula.  The Vistula provides
a unique opportunity for Poland to develop in a pro-ecological, sustainable way.  The building of the cascade series
would take away this opportunity for new ways of development. Between the middle and lower Vistula is one existing 
large dam located at Wloclawek which has had many negative effects.

The Current Situation

The Wloclawek dam has erosion of the riverbed by 3 metres on its downstream side.  Behind the dam is a collection
of 29 years pollution of untreated city, town and village waste and heavy industrial pollution.  This sediment is highly
toxic and has formed a strange substance which in some places is 3 - 5 metres deep. The argument is that the second dam
is necessary to reduce erosion and stop the first dam collapsing.  Some scientists do not agree with this argument and have
other ideas such as the building of a by-pass.

Forced by civil actions and scientific opinion a study was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment to examine 3 options: 1) 
to keep the existing dam at Wloclawek only; 2) to build one more dam at Ciechocinek; 3) to build the full cascade.

At the beginning of 1999 a consortium was established to build the next dam in the cascade series at Ciechocinek. 
This consortium includes the largest Polish company Elektrim and ABB.

The decision whether to build the next dam at Ciechocinek is a parliamentary one.  Our sources of information lead 
us to believe that the majority of politicians are ready to vote in favour of the building of the next dam at Ciechocinek.

We expect the Polish parliament to be making the decision very shortly.  We therefore ask for your support by posting, 
faxing and E-mailing your version or copy of the following letter urgently to:

The President of the Republic of Poland

Sz.P Aleksander Kwasniewski
Prezydent Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
Wiejska 10
00-902 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: + 48 22 695 29 00
Fax: + 48 22 695 22 38
E-Mail: listy@prezydent.pl
***
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland

Sz.P Jerzy Buzek
Premier RP
Al. Ujazdowskie 1/3
00-950 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: + 48 22 694 69 83
Fax: + 48 22 62 86 946
E-Mail: civinfo@kprm.gov.pl
***

The Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sz.P Bronos³aw Gieremek
Minister Spraw Zagranicznych
al. Szucha 23
00-580 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: + 48 22 628 96 23
Fax: + 48 22 625 76 52

Please also send us a copy of your letter to:

klub@gaja.most.org.pl
Fax:  + 48 33 8 12 36 94
SEK "Klub Gaja"
PO Box 261
43-301 Bielsko-Biala 1
Poland

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear

We are the (NAME OF ORGANISATION).

It has come to our attention that the Polish parliament is to make a decision about the future of the lower Vistula
river and its valley.

We here express our deep concern about the proposed plan to build new stages of fall in the lower Vistula River relating 
to the "Lower Vistula Cascade" project and further to express our belief that a decision in favour of building any new dams 
would be seriously flawed.

The Vistula is one of Europe's largest rivers and one which remains close to its natural state.  The Vistula River is 
very important for Europe, it has unique and rare habitats, flora, fauna,  very close to natural river dynamics 
and tremendous biodiversity.  In addition, it is one of Europe's most important ecological corridoors.

Information received from the Ecological and Cultural Association "Klub Gaja" relays that the Polish parliament
has to decide from three options relating to the development of the lower Vistula.  In our opinion the variation which
does not propose the building of any new dams is good as this variation provides the best opportunities for nature, 
culture and people.

Additionally, the building of any new dams would be against Poland's current commitments to a number of
international Conventions including Resolutions under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Berne Convention. 

We urge the Polish parliament to take the best of the three options, the option which does not propose the building
of any new dams.  We look forward to receiving your reply.

Yours sincerely
 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From everyone here at Klub Gaja we thank you very much for your support.

Jacek Bozek, President and Sally Naylor, International Co-Ordinator
Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczno-Kulturalne  "Klub Gaja"
PO Box 261
43-301 Bielsko-Biala 1
Poland
Tel/fax: + 48 33 8 12 36 94
E-Mail: klub@gaja.most.org.pl

23.09.99 : India : Narmada : 484 Arrested in Dhadgaon as Police clamp sec.144 :
many beaten up badly, dragged, without food

Four hundred and eighty four people sitting on an indefinite dharna
in Dhadgaon (Maharashtra) were arrested today morning as the
authorities clamped Sec. 144. in this tehsil HQ. The police behaved
in a very bad manner, beating and badly dragging the people including
women. Medha Patkar, who is also among those arrested, was also dragged
by the police. Activists Ravi, Ashish were among those badly beaten.

The arrested people were presented before the Magistrate after the
arrest. The people unanimously refused to take personal bond for the
release but demanded that the police release them unconditionally as
they had committed no crime. The people have been charged under Sec.
144, 188 of the IPC and 37/1/35 of Bombay Police Act. It is not known
what orders the magistrate has made after the people refused personal
bond, but the police are taking them to some unknown place, possibly
Dhule or Aurangabad.

Just outside Dhadgoan, the police stopped for food but as there was not
enough food for everyone, the arrested people moved on to the roads and
blocked the road in protest. The people were still sitting on the road
block as this note was being written.

It may be recollected that Medha Patkar and 300 people were arrested and
 brought to Dhadgaon, by the police late Tuesday night after an intense
fight by people of the Narmada valley, as the waters reached neck-deep
level of the Samarpit Dal at the Domkhedi Satyagraha House and as waters
entered villages destroying fields and homes, for the third time this
season. After these, hundreds of tribals started moving towards
Dhadgaoan, and even as Medha Patkar and others were released, had
started an indefinite dharna in Dhadgaon since yesterday evening.

The dharna was started with a demand that the Government initiate a
dialogue with the people and answer their questions and to protest
against the suppression of the real issues through the police actions
against the satyagrahis who have been challenging the increase in back
water due to the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

In a statement Medha Patkar had said "When people have been raising the
basic issues and have been challenging injustice, the response of the
State Government was to trivialize it with the police actions. This is
not at all a law and order problem but the situation has arisen due to
the wrong policies and actions regarding the dam and displacement on the
part of Maharashtra rulers. It is the question of tribals' rights."

The people arrested are demanding that the Government stop cat and
mouse game with them of arresting and releasing and rearresting. People
are serious on their demand and their resolve. The State Government
cannot shrink from its responsibility by hiding behind the police. They
demanded that the Chief Secretary or some such functionary of the State
Government must come to Dhadgaon where the people were detained and
answer their questions.

OTHER ACTIONS

Meanwhile, the water levels in the Jalsindhi Satyagraha centre in M.P.
receded today even as the tribals had braved and stood in 1.5 feet deep
water for 24 hours.

About 50 people from Kerala, Bangalore and other places have reached the
satyagraha centres today to express solidarity and support to the
struggle.

From Thailand, the people affected by the Pak Mun dam, who have occupied
the dam site since April this year, setting up de facto township with
over 8000 people demanding that the dam be removed, have conveyed their
solidarity to the Narmada struggle and have said that everyday at 7.00
pm, the people sitting at the Pak Mun dam are offering prayers in
support of the Narmada struggle.

Nandini Oza, Sukumar M.K.,  NBA
for more Information : www.narmada.org

17.09.99 : S.O.S. Loire Vivante, lauréat des Trophées de l’eau 1999 de l’Agence de l’Eau.

Le projet « Rivières d’Images et Fleuves de Mots » a été désigné lauréat hors catégorie de la première édition des Trophées de l’eau organisée par l’Agence de l’Eau Loire-Bretagne.
Ce concours récompensait les initiatives les plus exemplaires dans le domaine de la protection de l’eau dans le bassin Loire-Bretagne. Les collectivités territoriales, les entreprises industrielles, les exploitations agricoles et les associations étaient invitées à concourir en présentant des actions réalisées dans des domaines tels que : la gestion cohérente de l’assainissement, la gestion de l’eau dans l’industrie, la protection ou la gestion économe de la ressource, la gestion des cours d’eau et des milieux naturels, la réduction des pollutions agricoles, etc.
Le projet « Rivières d’Images et Fleuves de Mots » ne relevait pas des catégories qu’avait défini le règlement des trophées 1999. « Rivières d’Images et Fleuves de Mots » consistait en effet à inviter les écoles (maternelles, primaires et collèges) de tous les départements du bassin15 de la Loire ou de ses affluents à participer à un concours de poésie et d’arts plastique. Au travers d’une œuvre collective, plastique et/ou poétique, les enfants étaient invités à représenter leur « coin » de ruisseau ou de fleuve, à partir de leur expérience –sur le terrain- d’exploration de ce cours d’eau, l’ensemble des œuvres créant ainsi une « carte artistique du bassin ». Cette action était accompagnée par la réalisation d’un guide pédagogique développant la notion de bassin versant et la notion d’éco-citoyenneté: il faut protéger son ruisseau à l’amont pour protéger l’aval. Les cinquante toiles géantes (2,5 m sur 1, 5 m) sont depuis leur création régulièrement exposées sur différents points du bassin de la Loire.
L’attention du jury a notamment été retenue par la qualité du concept de ce concours qui mêle approche de terrain, contenu pédagogique et expérience artistique visant ainsi une sensibilisation durable. Par son exemplarité, ce projet a amené l’Agence de l’Eau à s’interroger sur la nécessité d’une nouvelle catégorie de ces trophées de l’eau : celle de la sensibilisation et de la communication.
 

L’équipe du projet : 
Edith PLANCHE, coordinatrice du projet - responsable pédagogique et artistique ; Stéphane PARAISOT, animateur nature / éducation à l’environnement - logistique ; Timmy EPPLE, logistique
Sous la direction de Roberto EPPLE