May 25, 2007
North-east Poland's Rospuda Valley is the scenic stage for a showdown between the Polish government and the European Commission (EC). On the EC's recommendation, Poland faces a date with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for breaching EU environmental law by commencing with construction of the Via Baltica Expressway through the valley — a legally protected Natura 2000 site.
The EC is even resorting to special "interim measures" for quick intervention, as construction crews are already on site. Environmentalists are deeply concerned that unless decisive court action is taken immediately, the valley will suffer irreversible harm.
Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski proposed in February that the issue would be put to referendum, but critics argued that a referendum cannot be held on whether or not to break EU law.
"It's very unfortunate that Poland is being taken to court [...], but it's no surprise either, given the government's rash approach to European law in this instance," Bankwatch Policy Coordinator Magda Stoczkiewicz commented in late March. "The EC's firm stand is encouraging, however, and it can only be hoped that the court verdict will be positive for the valley."
