WWF proposes a sustainable solution to the Wloclawek dam problem
Copyright 2001 WWF
December 26, 2001
Warsaw, Poland – As the result of a one year study, WWF, the conservation organization, has compiled a report that shows how best to solve the series of problems caused by the Wloclawek dam on the Vistula river.
WWF's assessment, based on economic, social and environmental criteria showed that building a new Nieszawa dam down the stream would not solve most of the problems, and could even worsen some of the existing ones. However the report says that two other options have to be treated seriously – these are either decommissioning of the old dam or its complex modernisation.
The multi-criteria study identifies the option of dam decommissioning or modernisation as much better that construction of a new dam to ensure safety of the eroded Wloclawek dam. The decommissioning option got the highest score, not just due to environmental criteria, but also social and economic ones. This option is seven times cheaper than the option of constructing a new dam. The latter would have to be co-financed in at least 30% by the state to become feasible for commercial investors.
"Experts hired by WWF conclude the there are the option which allow for significant state budget savings. At the same time these solutions guarantee people’s safety and let avoid loss of natural river values,” said Jacek Engel, "Vistula” project leader. "The comparative analysis shows that decommissioning or full modernisation of the Wloclawek dam are better and more sustainable solutions that supporting one dam by another.”
The team of experts on hydro-technical constructions, hydrology, economy, regional development, power industry, and ecology, assessed economic, social and environmental consequences of all probable options. This was the first time that such a study was based on recommendations of the World Commission on Dams which were issued in November 2000.
In July 2000 a governmental group of experts gave a positive opinion on a new Nieszawa dam project. Though the expert group also recommended that alternatives be examined, it was WWF and not the former Minister of the Environment who took on this task. WWF was aware that the new dam could increase problems caused by the existing Wloclawek dam, and therefore last year started "The study of complex solution for the Wloclawek dam and reservoir problems: Prognosis of environmental consequences”. Because of Polish and EU legal requirements inherent in environmental impact assessments, the fundamental assumption for the study was that none of the alternatives should be rejected before a full analysis was complete.
"The Wloclawek dam and reservoir will be still a source of problems and threats as well as a burden for the state budget, no matter if new dams on the Vistula river are going to be constructed or not,” said Ireneusz Chojnacki, WWF Poland's Programme Director. "The WWF study should support the Polish government in making rational decision, which would be favourable for tax payers and take into account a role of the Vistula river in modern, sustainable development of Poland and the whole of Europe."
For more information:
Jacek Engel – “Vistula”project leader, e-mail: jengel@wwf.pl
Marta Kaczyńska - Communications Coordinator,
e-mail: mkaczynska@wwf.pl