Nord Stream Gas Pipeline - a nature conservation perspective

Jochen Lamp

WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme

Warsaw, 28.05.2007

WWF Position

• WWF is not against gas pipelines or natural gas in principle

• It is possible to construct gas pipelines in the marine environment

without major negative impacts

• Environmental Impact Assessments are important and necessary

• Transparency and stakeholder participation will improve the

process and the construction

What can you expect?

• A brief review of the current procedures

• Major impacts of the pipeline on biodiversity and risks

• Information gaps and uncertainties in the current

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• EIA process and timelines

• WWF-suggestions

Major Impacts of the pipeline

• Modified seabed

• Change of currents/sedimentation and erosion (G. of Finland, Sweden)

• Sediment dispersion over large areas

• Effects on cultural heritage (shipwrecks)?

Concerned biodiversity: • Habitats (sandbanks, reefs, gas vents, benthos and seabird areas)

• Protected Areas: Gotland, offshore banks, Finnish Archipelago, Germany landfall, Russia

New challenges: • How will latest additional routes (Estonia, north Bornholm) be

assessed?

Risks

• Pipeline could break due to limited flexibility of

steel/concrete pipes in a very divers topography

• Pipe-laying techniques at limits in deep water

• Non-homogeneous sediment (crystalline rock to

mud) is a challenge for safe pipe laying and stable

positioning

• Water chemistry may cause corrosion of the pipe

• Dumped ammunition and hazardous substances: no

precise handling concept

• Safety Anchorage could conflict with pipeline

Lack of Transparency

• Bathymetry and substrate not detected in detail

• No data on harmful substances

• No sediment data

• Out-of-date data (Birds, seals, shipping, fish) used

• Handling concepts missing

• Disposed material (dredged ridges and fill-up of

valleys)

• Ammunition handling in detail

• No information on inspections during operation

• Compensation for damages?

WWF-Suggestions for EIA: procedure

• Agree on a joint research standards for the project • Make research results accessible to concerned states and

NGOs/public• Agree on final research programme based on results from

Espoo-process and implement agreed comprehensive EIA

• Revise timeline and secure time for EIA and revision of plans according to the EIA results

No permission before critical questions have been solved!

WWF-Suggestions for EIA: content

• Detailed mapping

• Detailed technical concepts

• Alternative routeing

• Handling of ammunitions

and dumped hazardous

substances

• Risk assessments

• Cumulative effects

• Full compensation for

losses New route alternative

New route alternative

Route alternative?

Timelines

According to Nord Stream:• Autumn 2007: Presentation of EIA report• 2008: Start of construction• 2010: One pipe in operation

Realistic timeline:• Autumn 2007: Agreement on EIA Research Programme• 2008: Field research • 2009: Decision about permit

Thank you!

More information: www.wwf.de, www.bsh.de