The construction of a limestone quarry near the Veliko Tarnovo village of Balvan has stirred up public opinion and united institutions, local authorities and civil society organizations against the investment, bTV summarized.
The project has been defined as an “ecological bomb“, which according to experts can cause irreparable damage to groundwater, air and nature, and in a wide area.
The tension escalated after the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water (RIOSV) in Veliko Tarnovo gave a positive opinion on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the investment intention.
Two expert councils, a signature, initiative committee and a protest that closed the main road Sofia - Varna for an hour. These are part of the actions against the future quarry for limestone extraction. Residents of the area are adamant that they will not allow the project to be implemented due to the expected environmental consequences.
The main concerns are related to water resources and the risk of their drying up during the blasting activities.
Civil associations also warn that the damage to nature will be irreversible.
There are also concerns in neighboring settlements, which fear air pollution and depopulation. According to experts, there is a serious risk to the waters and soils in the karst region.
Back in the summer, the Municipal Council in Veliko Tarnovo adopted a protest declaration against the project, and a few days ago authorized the mayor of the municipality to appeal the decision of the Regional Inspectorate for Environment, Water and Environment, which gives way to the construction of the quarry.
The municipal administration has also submitted negative opinions. The RIEW told bTV that the procedures for the EIA report have gone through all legal stages and have been coordinated with the competent institutions.
According to the inspection, if the set conditions and measures are met, the impact on the environment will not be significant.
In a statement to bTV, the investor states that the positive opinion of the RIEW is proof that the investment intention meets all the requirements of Bulgarian and European legislation.
In addition to the legal actions that are about to be taken by the Veliko Tarnovo municipality, civil society organizations and residents of the area warn that they are ready to block all the main roads in the country as a sign of protest.