Nord Stream Pipeline Project Completes Public Participation Phase in Baltic Sea Region
16th meeting of international working group discussed handling of submitted statements
June 16, 2009 | Stralsund | A two-day meeting of the international Espoo working group, which brings together representatives from various ministries and authorities of the nine Baltic Sea countries, ended today in Stralsund, Germany. The countries informed each other about the statements submitted by the public and stakeholders in recent months about Nord Stream’s transboundary environmental report for its planned gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea.
In March, Nord Stream as the project developer provided the Baltic Sea countries with the transboundary environmental report (‘Espoo Report’) in the nine languages of the Baltic Sea states and English. According to the United Nations Espoo Convention, countries under the jurisdiction of which a proposed activity is envisaged must inform neighbouring countries about potential transboundary environmental impact. Nord Stream’s Espoo Report follows intensive dialogue with authorities throughout the Baltic Sea region to ensure that the pipeline is safe, environmentally sound and in line with all national and international requirements.
National permits to build and operate the pipeline are required from the countries through which waters the Nord Stream pipeline will pass: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. These countries also involved the other Baltic Sea countries in determining potential transboundary impact as part of the Espoo process.
As a result of the public participation period from March to June, statements relating to the project were submitted to the competent authorities from associations, authorities and private bodies in all countries of the Baltic Sea region. These statements have been distributed among the countries. The authorities of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany will now discuss the remaining issues regarding Nord Stream and will consider the effects of the pipeline in the national permitting decisions.
Comprehensive base for environmental assessment
The findings presented in the Espoo report are the result of detailed surveys and desk studies dating back to 1997 of the project’s potential environmental and socio-economic effects. Nord Stream has conducted 40,000 kilometres of seabed surveys along possible routes. This research has enabled the Nord Stream consortium to propose a safe and environmentally sound route, avoiding environmentally sensitive sites, cultural heritage and munitions wherever possible.
The international consultation processes began in spring 2006 and as of today, 16 meetings with officials from the nine Baltic Sea countries have been held. Nord Stream looks forward to further cooperation with the authorities to resolve outstanding issues over the summer, with a view to permits being granted before the end of 2009. Construction of the 1,220 kilometre pipeline is scheduled to start in early 2010.
