State Council Blocks Hydroelectric Plant Construction in Küre Mountains

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) announced that State Council cancelled Environmental Impact Assessment Report (ÇED) of Cide Hydroelectric Plant which was planned to be constructed on Devrekani Stream nourishing Küre Mountains National Park in Black Sea region of Turkey.

WWF Turkey, Doğa Derneği (Nature Organization) and Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects’ Chamber of Landscape Architects had participated in the case.

Objections

WWF-Turkey’s Conservation Director, Dr. Sedat Kalem, reminded Cide regulator would drain more than 75% of Devrekani Stream for eight months.

“In ÇED report that we wanted to be cancelled how that great amount of water draining would affect ecologic life wasn’t mentioned.

“On the other hand, 10 thousand trees planned to be cut off are within the borders of Küre Mountains National Park. Cide Hydroelectric Plant Project wasn’t included in total water basin plan.

“Other Hydroelectric Plant projects and additional environmental pressures were ignored.  

“State Council gave the right decision about Hydroelectric Plant project which would do great harm against region’s ecological balance.

What happened?

WWF indicated ÇED report was approved in 2009 and at least 8 thousand trees were cut off in the region by Orya Energy in spite of objections and judicial process.

“A building site was formed in village pasture. In 2011, Kastamonu Regional Administrative Court stopped the execution of building site with justification of “causing irreversible damages”.

Regional folks appealed to the court and then State Council canceled the aforementioned ÇED report.

Rich ecosystem

According to WWF Turkey, Küre Mountains are famous for their ancient forests, running waters, wildlife and biological diversity. (YY/BD)

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