“Balkanka” association and the efforts to protect

Bulgarian Rivers –

sharing experience

Pencho Pandakov, 2017

“Fishing Club Balkanka” association was found in 2013 by a group of about 25 anglers.It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, registered in Bulgaria for action in publicbenefit. It`s main goal is to protect Bulgarian rivers.

Dam “tsunami” on Balkans is speeding up more than 2 800 hydropower projects planned, 187 underconstruction and more than 1,000 of them inside protected areas.

In Bulgaria: About 247 HPPs are operating, not counting the plants under the big dams, most of which are

constructed more than 40 years ago; Another nearly 250 HPPs investment plans are at a different stage of progress and have already

received Water permits for use of a surface water body from the River Basin Directorates. Some of theseare under construction, but most are in a stage of searching for finances.;

At least 400 additional locations are planned and subject of interest.

Map of all potential HPPs in Bulgaria considering the issued Water permits

http://dams.reki.bg/ - Our web platform, where we upload and expose allinformation that refers to commissioning, design, construction andoperation of HPPs in Bulgaria.

HPP Siroko, Cherni Vit River, Natura 2000 site Centralen Balkan – Bufer BG0001493

HPP Hristo Peev, Yantra River, Natura 2000 area Yantra River BG0000610

HPP Sveta Petka, Kriva river, Rila mountain

HPP Davidkovo 2, Davidkovska river, Natura 2000 area Rodopi – Sredni BG0001031

HPP Slivka, Davidkovska river, Natura 2000 area Rodopi – Sredni BG0001031

HPP Hladilnika, Davidkovska river, Natura 2000 area Rodopi – Sredni BG0001031

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS – 35 pieces on 120km of the Iskar River

Blue dots – operational HPP

Yellow dots – future HPP

29.06.2015

05.01.201629.06.2015

20.06.2016

14.01.2017

19.06.2017

15.11.2017

Seven consecutive complaints were lodged with DG Environment so far:

We took part in all possible meeting and public debates. We conveyed hundreds of signals for registeredriver destruction, reports, complaints and positions regarding investment projects, River basinmanagement plans, violations of the law etc.We managed to achieve sympathy, empathy, consent, some small and some big victories..., but noconsiderable commitment by the Government institutions so far.All this forced us to inform the EU Commission that the Bulgarian state authorities are breaching EU law.

Signal to the Prosecutor'sOffice, Ministry ofEnvironment, Ministry ofRegional Developmentand National ConstructionControl Directorateconcerning at least 140illegal built HPPs.

Complain to DG-Environment andgiving themadditionalinformation aboutalready reportedcases.

Complain to DG-Competitionagainst unlawfulstate aid ofalmost 170 HPPsin Bulgaria.

Join letter to EBRD alarmingfor the issues with thepermitting process andrequiring the revision of allalready funded projects andthe immediate suspension ofall those who are in theapproval procedure.

On 12th of November, 2017,an investigative film wasshown on one of the twomost popular TVs inBulgaria during the primetime.

Case study: Pchelina Dam / Struma River system Protected area: Zemen (BG0001012)

Case study: Iliyna RiverProtected area: Rilski manastir (BG0000496); Rila Monastery Natural Park

Here is the P.S. of our letter to the EBRD on the matterSorry, forgot the message from the fishermen’s gathering. Here it is: “Dear friends from the EBRD, For all we know, the EBRD operates with the public resources of the European Union, collected among all the Europeantaxpayers. It means that part of those finances come out of our pockets hence we have the right to an opinionYou have financed several hydropower plants here alright, killed the life in several rivers, where the damage caused is irreparable. If you are in such a need for hydropower, look for it in your own countries, please! If there are no rivers to kill anymore at home, look for it wherever else you like, but not in our country! Here you are not welcome anymore. If you can’t help it - check as thorough as you can for every case the legal viability, before you try to kill a single river here again. Otherwise we’ll meet in court, every time you try to kill the next! Stay Away From Our Rivers! ” After this letter the EBRD cancelled a 2.5 million € grant

Case study: Botunya RiverProtected area: Bilernitsite (BG0000593)

Case study: Gold mining intention in Tran municipalityProtected area: Ruy (BG0000313)

Case study: Rumyantsevo - 2 sHPP at Zlatna Panega RiverProtected area: Карлуково (BG0001014)

Thank you!