Каспинфо
февраль 2003

[закрыть]
Название: Проект Баку-Тбилиси-Джейхан (на англ. яз.)
Главные Пункты:
* WWF предупреждает о серьезности негативных последствий проведения трубопровода Ваку-Тбилиси-Джейхан для окружающей среды региона и просит компанию БиПи/БТС пересмотреть решение о проведении трубопровода через долину Боржоми.
(20.02.2003)

Полный Текст
Проект Баку-Тбилиси-Джейхан (на англ. яз.)
Проект Баку-Тбилиси-Джейхан (на англ. яз.)

***


WWF'S POSITION STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH BAKU-TBILISI-CHEYHAN
PIPELINE
WWF has been in intensive discussions with BP and its Georgian
subsidiary BTC regarding the routing for the Baku -Tbilisi - Ceyhan
pipeline particularly with respect to the proposed passage through the
Qtsia -Tabatskuri Protected Area and the Borjomi - Kharagauli National
Park Support Zone. WWF's prime concern is to minimize the negative
social and environmental impact of the pipeline.
BP/BTC has been co-operative in providing available information to WWF
in order for WWF to make a proper assessment of the situation. WWF
recognizes that BP has done substantial scope of work to minimize
environmental risk in case spill occurs. However WWF remains extremely
concerned about the potential environmental and social impacts of the
pipeline in the highly sensitive Borjomi and Tabatskuri areas. The
Borjomi - Kharagauli National Park, the prized Borjomi Mineral Water
catchments area and the officially designated Support Zone of the
National Park are areas where WWF has been very active in stimulating
environmental and social improvement programs over the past 12 years.
These programs include support for the National Park and the improvement
of water supply, sewage and waste-disposal systems for the town of
Borjomi as well as other towns and villages in the area. WWF has been
able to attract funding for these projects from the German government as
well as other donors.
During the discussions with BP/BTC it has become very clear that a
variety of major issues still surround the proposed pipeline route.
Despite any planned mitigation measures in the Tabatskuri area, any oil
spillage could rapidly result in widespread contamination of either Lake
Tabatskuri or the Qtsia River and through the river to Lake Tsalka.
Internationally renowned wetland and bird migration areas would also be
seriously affected. The Qtsia-Nariani wetland is one of the largest high
altitude wetland areas in the Caucasus. Following the discussions BTC/BP
and WWF have agreed that BP/BTC will now work more closely with
organizations in the area to develop a comprehensive management plan
aimed at reducing the risk to the area of any potential oil spill.
The situation in the Borjomi area is much more dramatic. WWF remains
totally convinced that this area would be irreversibly damaged by any
leakage of the pipeline. This would not only affect the drinking water
resources of Borjomi and surrounding villages but also destroy the
reputation, international standing and tourism potential of one of
Georgia's most famous national treasures. In addition any potential
threat to the renowned Borjomi Mineral Water springs, even if they were
not directly polluted, would be immeasurable. WWF's hydro-geological
experts are in total agreement with the Dutch Commission for
Environmental Impact Assessment the Georgian Academy of Sciences and
others that BP/BTC has not carried out sufficient research and analysis
of the impacts to justify putting a pipeline through this area. The risk
is aggravated by the fact that the proposed route would cross-areas of
high seismic activity and frequent landslides, especially in the Kodiana
section. WWF's main concern is that it would be impossible to
effectively clean up any polluted stretches of the river systems and
despite mitigation measures proposed by BP/BTC, the water supplies and
the life of the river will be seriously affected for a period of many
years. WWF's position is based on many years of experience in other
countries with similar river systems.
It is also worth noting that the threat to the ground and mineral water
systems remains uncertain as BP/BTC have been unable to provide
sufficient, reliable data to demonstrate a clear understanding of the
functioning of the groundwater catchments system in Borjomi. Without
this information it would be extremely difficult to put effective
containment and recovery plans in place in the event of a leakage from
the pipeline. In spite of WWF's serious concerns BP/BTC have no plans to
carry out any further research into this issue.
Given all the above information, WWF must conclude that the pipeline
should not cross the Borjomi region, as the threat to the environmental,
social and economic future of the area is too great. Furthermore WWF is
urging BP/BTC to thoroughly re-evaluate other possible routings such as
the Kara-Kaia option proposed by the Georgian Academy of Sciences and
others and cannot accept BP/BTC's argument that the Borjomi route is the
only possible choice. WWF has reiterated its commitment to work closely
with BP/BTC and other organizations to find the least damaging routing
for the pipeline.
Kakha Tolordava
Communications Officer
WWF Caucasus Program Office