The Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted Decree of mountain tourism development program in the area of Stara Planina Mountain (Official Gazette of Republic of Serbia: No. 85/2007) in September 2007. Continue reading →

A petition has been filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking the agency to set rules regarding pollution that comes from the large ocean going ships, both cargo and cruise ships. The petition is a joint effort of several environmental groups, namely Oceana, Friends of the Earth and the Center for Biological Diversity and it was filed in their names by Earthjustice, the leading U.S. public interest environmental law firm. Continue reading →

We, the representatives of NGOs from 7 European countries, have concluded
thefollowing:

RECOGNISING the efforts of the Ukrainian Government to promote the socio-economic development of the Danub? region and to increase the well-being of its people by revitalizing the shipping on the Danube;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the high internatioinal status of the Danube Delta as one of the most important European wetlands, part of the UNESCO “Danube Delta” Biosphere Reserve, the biggest reedbed complex in the world, Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance, and one of the 200 Global ecoregions selected by WWF; Continue reading →

"On arctic drilling and global warming, they are the worst of the worst," said Athan Manuel of U.S. PIRG, an environmental group that has teamed up with the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, MoveOn.org and others to mount the protest campaign. Last week the groups held press conferences in 50 U.S. cities to announce a global boycott of ExxonMobil’s service stations and products. They also launched the website exxposeexxon.com to publicize their cause and gain support for the joint campaign.

The groups claim that ExxonMobil spent $15 million since 1998 to fund organizations that publicize junk science in order to cloud the international debate about global warming. They also accuse the company of failing to invest in clean energy technology, and berate it for not paying $4 billion in punitive damages to fishermen and others harmed by the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. The groups are also appalled by the company’s open desire to drill in ANWR, even though other major oil companies have pulled out support for drilling in the disputed area.

In response, ExxonMobil spokesperson Russ Roberts told reporters that the company recognizes global warming risks and will be investing $100 million over the next decade in climate research as such. Regarding ANWR drilling, Roberts said his company supports environmentally responsible development there. "We believe that with more than 30 years of industry experience on Alaska’s North Slope and with recent technological advancements, ANWR can be developed with little threat to the ecology of the Coastal Plain," he said.

by Roddy Scheer

"Stock depletion has implications for food security and economic development, reduces social welfare in countries around the world and undermines the well being of underwater ecosystems," says Ichiro Nomura, FAO Assistant Director General for Fisheries.

The report details how seven of the world’s top ten fish species are stretched to their limits. Populations of Chilean jack mackerel, Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, blue whiting, Atlantic herring and capelin are already fully exploited or over-exploited. "Serious biological and economic drawbacks are likely if fishing capacity for these stocks is further increased," warned the report.

As world fish consumption is expected to rise by more than 25 percent by 2015, FAO officials are stressing the urgent need to rebuild depleted stocks. Fish populations–not to mention the marine ecosystems and human livelihoods dependent on them–are at greatest risk in the Northeast Atlantic, Black Sea and the Southeast Pacific, according to FAO.

The Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR) is a non-governmental organization founded in March 2001. It uses democratic and participatory processes in order to peacefully transform conflicts and human rights violations. It also promotes sustainable development, diversity and environmental protection.

Gabriel Resources (TSX: GBU) is a junior Canadian mining company which, via RMGC, intends to realize Europe’s largest open-cast mining development in Rosia Montana. The project entails, amongst other, the involuntary resettlement of over 2000 people as well as the destruction of unique archaeological and natural sites. From its onset the development has been beleaguered by scandals, operational problems and vehement local, national and international opposition. The movement to save Rosia Montana has given rise to Romania’s largest civil society coalition; comprising the support of numerous NGOs, universities, academic institutions, churches, personalities and opinion leaders.

As RMGC is desperately trying to obtain its’ environmental license it needs to try appeasing civil society opinion which also involves so-called ?constructive dialogues’ with civil society leaders. PATRIR’s contribution to the save Rosia Montana campaign consisted of a team of volunteers who, for over two years, regularly stayed in Rosia Montana and were actively involved in all of the movement’s aspects. An important policy amongst all involved partners has been to?only talk to the mining company during official and legally constituted meetings; such as public consultations. The ?Save Rosia Montana’ team’s separation is due to senior PATRIR staff holding private meetings with representatives of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation (RMGC) and Gabriel Resources.

?Mining companies all over the world are using these kind of tactics to green-wash their dirty projects and to portray those refusing to engage in ?constructive’ dialogue as ?fundamentalists.’ Truth is that meeting RMGC only consists of listening to their monologue,? says Bogdan Bindea of Greenpeace CEE.

?RMGC has no social license; neither in Rosia Montana or in Romania. Therefore the only way out is for them to fake dialogue and social responsibility,? says Eugen David, president of Alburnus Maior.

?The movement is a colorful and creative action built on values such as integrity and responsibility. It is obvious that we will continue to support and work with those who defend such values,? comments Luminitia Dejeu of Mindbomb’s ?Save Rosia Montana’ working group.

?Our decision to leave will only make us stronger. Just as is the case with the struggle to save Rosia Montana: if you stand up for what you believe in, you will win,? concludes Tudor Bradatan from the ?Save Rosia Montana’ team.

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.

Please note that the hearings were announced a month ago (on November 15, 2004) but the public did not know about this decision. The invitation to the DBR was sent on December 9, in 25 days after the the decision was made. The DBR received it two days prior to the date of the hearings.

We enclose the English translation of the invitation below.

Yours faithfully,
Sergey Shaparenko,
Pechenegi Environmental Group’s Advisory Council Head

================================
Ukraine
Izmail City Council
Executive Committee

68600 Izmail, 62, Suvorov Pr.
ph.: 2-03-74, fax: 2-50-12, e-mail: [email]izmgik@te.net.ua[/email]

December 9, 2004 Ref # 07/18-3041

To: A.Voloshkevich
Director Danube Biosphere Reserve

Pursuant to the Article 13 of the Law of Ukraine "On Local Self-Governance in Ukraine", public hearings of the project "Creation of the Danube-Black Sea Deep-Water Navigation Canal on the Ukrainian Part of the Delta — Complete Development" have been scheduled in Izmail by a November 15, 2004 order of City Council’s Head S. Borysenko #724p.

The hearings will be held at 11:00 on December 17, 2004 in the meeting hall of the Izmail City Council at 62, Suvorova Str.

We invite you to take part in the public hearings and send your representatives.

Should you have questions, please f?rward them to the Izmail City Council’s Internal Policy Department, tel number (04841) 2-26-43.

S. Repnikov,
Head of the Working Group on Organizing Public Hearings

At a recent international summit of NGOs in Vienna ? preceding the EU Ministerial Meeting of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) ? WWF, together with 18 NGOs, called on Danube Basin countries and the European Commission to ensure that future shipping projects do not destroy the river.

"In contrast to many other European rivers, the Danube and its tributaries have a unique biodiversity," said Michael Baltzer, Conservation Director of WWF’s Danube-Carpathian Programme.

"It is a living lifeline that offers crucial benefits for people, such as drinking water, fisheries, tourism and forests that help flood prevention."

The EU Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) proposes to use the Danube more intensively for inland shipping and so-called "bottlenecks" ? the shallow waters of the Danube with the greatest ecological value are to be modified or destroyed. However, more than 65 per cent of the "bottlenecks" are either existing or potential Natura 2000 sites protected under the EU Habitats Directive.

The work would also affect three national parks ? Dunau Auen in Austria, and Duna-Ipoly and Duna-Drava National Parks in Hungary ? as well as 11 Ramsar wetland sites and one world heritage site in Wachau, Austria along the Danube basin. White pelicans, white-tailed eagles, and sturgeon are some of the species that will be threatened to any development.

WWF and the other NGOs have adopted a resolution that calls for ecologically sensitive implementation of shipping projects along the Danube basin, following the EU Water Framework Directive. It also asks to ensure public participation and to avoid new depth requirements beyond existing legislation. In addition, NGOs are calling for a European Environmental Co-ordinator to be appointed to help protect the environment.

WWF and its partners also urge the government of Ukraine and the European Commission to stop further construction works on the Ukrainian Danube?Black Sea Canal and to restore the damage that has been already done.

Notes:
? In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This international agreement aims to protect landscapes of outstanding beauty and variety from destruction and to protect them as world heritage.

Three landscapes on t?e Danube have been declared World Heritage sites: the Danube Delta in Romania, the Srebarna Nature Reserve in Bulgaria, and since December 2000, the Wachau Cultural Landscape in Austria.

? The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1973. It aims at protecting internationally significant wetlands, which host rare or threatened animal or plant species. Most States along the Danube have Ramsar sites.

? On May 11, 2004, the Ukrainian government launched the construction of a canal to aid shipping through the Danube Delta. The government has chosen a route called the Bystroye Canal that will cut through the heart of the Ukrainian Danube Delta Biosphere reserve. Up to eight alternatives have been suggested for the route of the canal, including two endorsed by a special Ramsar and UNESCO mission to the Delta.