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TIME TO RECONSIDER?
The Editor
Morgunbladid
Kringlunni 1
103 Reykjavík
Iceland
Dear Madam,
Dear Sir,
Earlier
this year the Icelandic Nature Conservation Association, Náttúruverndarsamtök Íslands, appealed to conservationists worldwide
to support them in their campaign to prevent the irreversible environmental damage that would be caused if the Kárahnjúkavirkjun
hydroelectric project was to go ahead without consideration of the environmental impact.
Very many of us wrote to
the State Planning Agency (Skipulag), the Environment Minister, Siv Fridleifsdottir, and Norsk Hydro (who need the hydroelectric
project for their planned aluminium smelting plant). We received no reply from any of these organisations. Environmental protection
and international concern is obviously not very high on their list of priorities.
Some of us did receive a reply
from The National Power Company of Iceland, Landsvirkjun, who stated i.a.:
"We did extensive research on the
habitat of all forms of life in the area affected, including birdlife. ..... The conclusion of that research is that your
fear for birdlife and endangered species is groundless. Effects on bird habitats will be minimal ..... ."
We
are therefore delighted to read the results of the environmental impact study which have now been made public by the Environmental
Planning Agency. This report clearly identifies the grave consequences for the environment should the project go ahead as
planned.
We hope that the responsible ministries and agencies do not ignore, or act against, the findings of this
report. We also hope that the reports from Iceland that speak of a smear campaign at the highest level against the EPA, in
order to discredit its findings, are unfounded. The credibility of your elected representatives would suffer irredeemably,
both in Iceland and the rest of the world, as a result. We hope that they will act courageously in this matter and not be
diverted from this to serve shabby, short term personal and political interests. We will be following developments closely.
We have again written to all concerned to appeal to their common sense and to take this opportunity to reconsider
the Kárahnjúkavirkjun project.
In the hope that your national decision-makers will stick courageously to the ruling
of the EPA, and secure the unspoilt regions of your magnificent environment for the benefit of future generations of Icelanders
- and for the common European natural heritage, we remain,
Yours sincerely
[Add Name & Address]
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