1 / 10

Nord Stream Gas Pipeline - a nature conservation perspective

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

rance
Download Presentation

Nord Stream Gas Pipeline - a nature conservation perspective

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Nord Stream Gas Pipeline- a nature conservation perspective Jochen Lamp WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme Warsaw, 28.05.2007

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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?

  5. 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

  6. 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?

  7. 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!

  8. 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 Route alternative? New route alternative

  9. 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

  10. Thank you! More information: www.wwf.de, www.bsh.de

More Related