Nord Stream Leads Open Dialogue With Russian Public
Nov. 23, 2007 | Zug | Nord Stream today presented its technical environmental study on the Russian sector of its proposed pipeline through the Baltic Sea along with the preliminary data and documents it has prepared for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project.
The presentation and subsequent discussions – at a public hearing hosted by the Leningrad Region Vyborg District Administration – brought together local officials, senior executives from regional enterprises, representatives of leading Russian and international environmental organisations as well as local residents.
Nord Stream officials spoke about the project and similar environmental studies already conducted, and presented results from the preliminary version of the EIA material. These show that the Nord Stream pipeline will not significantly affect the environment, with any impact localised and temporary. Any negative changes to the Baltic Sea's ecosystem are expected to be insignificant and reversible, linked solely to the construction phase. Pipeline operation should have virtually no environmental impact.
Nord Stream AG and its representatives answered questions from representatives of the environmental community. Their concerns will be taken into account when the final version of the EIA documentation on Russian section of the Nord Stream pipeline is drafted.
Public hearings form an important part of Nord Stream’s dialogue with the community on minimising environmental impact. Written comments and suggestions on the preliminary EIA materials are being accepted by Nord Stream and its representatives until December 24, 2007.
Additional information on public discussions and on environmental aspects of the Nord Stream project is available on the Nord Stream website www.nord-stream.com. It includes notification materials prepared in compliance with international EIA procedures under the Espoo Convention.
The preliminary EIA materials have been open to the public at the Vyborg District municipal administration building and at Alvar Aalto Viipuri Library in Vyborg since 23 October 2007 until 24 December 2007. They are also accessible on the Nord Stream website which contains the technical requirements set out for conducting the EIA.
