nord stream gas pipeline - a nature conservation perspective jochen lamp wwf baltic ecoregion...
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Nord Stream Gas Pipeline - a nature conservation perspective
Jochen Lamp
WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme
Warsaw, 28.05.2007
WWF Position
• WWF is not against gas pipelines or natural gas in principle
• It is possible to construct gas pipelines in the marine environment
without major negative impacts
• Environmental Impact Assessments are important and necessary
• Transparency and stakeholder participation will improve the
process and the construction
What can you expect?
• A brief review of the current procedures
• Major impacts of the pipeline on biodiversity and risks
• Information gaps and uncertainties in the current
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• EIA process and timelines
• WWF-suggestions
Major Impacts of the pipeline
• Modified seabed
• Change of currents/sedimentation and erosion (G. of Finland, Sweden)
• Sediment dispersion over large areas
• Effects on cultural heritage (shipwrecks)?
Concerned biodiversity: • Habitats (sandbanks, reefs, gas vents, benthos and seabird areas)
• Protected Areas: Gotland, offshore banks, Finnish Archipelago, Germany landfall, Russia
New challenges: • How will latest additional routes (Estonia, north Bornholm) be
assessed?
Risks
• Pipeline could break due to limited flexibility of
steel/concrete pipes in a very divers topography
• Pipe-laying techniques at limits in deep water
• Non-homogeneous sediment (crystalline rock to
mud) is a challenge for safe pipe laying and stable
positioning
• Water chemistry may cause corrosion of the pipe
• Dumped ammunition and hazardous substances: no
precise handling concept
• Safety Anchorage could conflict with pipeline
Lack of Transparency
• Bathymetry and substrate not detected in detail
• No data on harmful substances
• No sediment data
• Out-of-date data (Birds, seals, shipping, fish) used
• Handling concepts missing
• Disposed material (dredged ridges and fill-up of
valleys)
• Ammunition handling in detail
• No information on inspections during operation
• Compensation for damages?
WWF-Suggestions for EIA: procedure
• Agree on a joint research standards for the project • Make research results accessible to concerned states and
NGOs/public• Agree on final research programme based on results from
Espoo-process and implement agreed comprehensive EIA
• Revise timeline and secure time for EIA and revision of plans according to the EIA results
No permission before critical questions have been solved!
WWF-Suggestions for EIA: content
• Detailed mapping
• Detailed technical concepts
• Alternative routeing
• Handling of ammunitions
and dumped hazardous
substances
• Risk assessments
• Cumulative effects
• Full compensation for
losses New route alternative
New route alternative
Route alternative?
Timelines
According to Nord Stream:• Autumn 2007: Presentation of EIA report• 2008: Start of construction• 2010: One pipe in operation
Realistic timeline:• Autumn 2007: Agreement on EIA Research Programme• 2008: Field research • 2009: Decision about permit