Green light for NGOs to appeal against incinerator in Hajdúböszörmény
In a recent decision of the Environmental, Nature Conservancy and Water Policy Inspectorate of the Trans-Tisza Region gave a green light to the planned incinerator in Hajdúböszörmény, and formed into a decision to submit the Environmental impact assessment and the single authorisation of environment usage. However, the investor has to address 20 additional questions. Joined coalition of Hajdúböszörmény Green Circle and other NGOs fighting against the incinerator is planning to appeal against the Inspectorate?s decision, mostly because of its professional deficiency. NGOs submitted a 23-paged document concerning the planned incinerator?s preliminary impact assessment. Environmental engineer, biologist and geographer recorded the study.
The study concludes that the impact assessment cannot be accepted because of several reasons. First, it does not suit into the regional waste management plans either at local, county or regional level. Furthermore, it does absolutely not take into account either the impact of the 80 meters high chimney (the church is 100 meters high) on the landscape, or the health impact. Moreover, the calculation of the effected territory is incorrect, and lacks to examine the impact on the village of Pród.
NGO?s generally disapprove the necessity and reasonability of incinerators. Theoretically most of the waste would come from Debrecen where the AKSD Ltd. is took responsibility for public services. However the investor does not have any statement neither from the city of Debrecen, nor from the AKSD Ltd. to prove that the later will feed the incinerator with all the waste they handle. In this case the assurance of full capacity utilization is questionable.
Taken together we believe that the impact assessment is incorrect to an extend that it cannot fulfil its role for a preliminary assessment on environmental impacts. It has to be also considered that the candidate company aiming to manage the incinerator is involved in real estate business at the same time. We do believe that running an incinerator requires skills and knowledge which is not possessed by the candidate company.
Due to the all the above mentioned points and the ignorance of the professional objection in the Decision, NGOs will appeal the Decision and hold a press conference in the Green Circle advisory office in Debrecen (Piac u. 9/b, Debrecen, can be reached from the parking place located behind the Golden Bull (Arany Bika) on the issue at 10 a.m. on 29th of June. The Representative Body of Hajdúböszörmény will consults the issue too on 28th of June 2007.
Author: Attila SZUHI
Translated by Ildikó Udvaros and Tamás Szikra