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A CHANCE FOR NORSK HYDRO TO RETIRE GRACEFULLY!
TV2 Oslo Norge Dear TV2, Here are a few questions for Norsk Hydro to answer! 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 the 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.
In this respect light needs to be shed on the involvement of Norsk Hydro. They are keeping a very low profile indeed.
No mention of Iceland is made on their website and they have not responded to earlier communications. In view of the unclear
position and motives of Icelandic politicians to the report; the clear findings of the EPA report; the negative prognoses
of a profitability study of the project (on our site - below); and the interests of the citizens of Iceland whose pension
funds may be at stake, it is probably time for Norsk Hydro to retire gracefully. We have urged them to do this (letter on
site). To continue to be allied with the project could easily be interpreted as an unjustifiable intrusion in Icelandic internal
affairs. We have again written to all others concerned to appeal to their common sense and to take this opportunity
to reconsider the Kárahnjúkavirkjun project. In the hope that the Icelandic 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] Further information on this campaign at < https://proaction.tripod.com/Iceland/index.html
> and on Proact at < http://proaction.tripod.com >
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