Ukrainian Canal Project Poses Huge Threat To Danube Wetlands- Reuters

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The Bystroe Canal project has sparked tensions between Ukraine and Romania, which share the Delta, and drawn sharp criticism from the European Union and environmental groups. Ukraine, which says the canal will give a boost to the depressed economy on its side of the border, began dredging and construction work in 2004 without formally notifying Romania.

Romania asked the UN's Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), which manages the 1991 Espoo Convention committing signatories to consult on development projects which could affect their neighbours, to set up the study the same year.

The finding of the scientists, headed by a Dutch professor and including Ukrainian and Romanian experts, "show that the Convention must be applied in this case," said Kaj Barland, director of the ECE's division handling environmental issues.

The report was delivered to the ambassadors of Ukraine and Romania at the ECE on Monday. The ambassadors indicated their governments would now consult on how to tackle the problems, officials said. Under the convention, Ukraine will also have to discuss the project with inhabitants of the Delta and non-governmental organisations. Ukrainian environmentalists have been among the most vociferous opponents of the scheme.

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http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/37181/story.htm