– We are one step away from the creation of the National Park – assured Mikołaj Dorożała's deputy minister of climate and the environment at a recent press conference. Now the promise of establishing a new park is closer to fulfillment after three of the four municipalities on which the Oder Park were on the Oder Park, where the area would be built.
Dorożała said that it was a “historical moment” because the new national park in Poland has not been established for 24 years. The last was the Warta Ujście Park established in 2001.
Why has no new park has been established for almost a quarter of a century – although the inhabitants of various parts of Poland have ideas and projects of national parks? In 2000, the provisions of the Act on nature protection were changed, which since then require the consent of each of the local governments where this form of nature protection would be created.
In practice, municipalities can veto the creation of any national park. And they are often opposed to them, because they are afraid of restrictions, lack of financial support or changes as such. That is why voting in municipalities in the planned National Park of the Dolna Odra Valley is crucial.
Three municipalities for …
The park is to be founded in four municipalities, where the interior is located – the area between the two Odra branches.
On Friday, the Kołbaskowo commune voted in the case, where the northern part of the park will be found. The commune council supported the creation of the park unanimously, with 13 votes (with two absent). During the discussion before voting, both of nature preservation for future generations and the benefits that residents are to have thanks to the parking.
Earlier, councilors from Szczecin voted for. Only a small fragment of the park – one of the islands in Międzyodrza – will be within the city limits. But it matters to the city, because it will allow you to stand out – after the creation of the Lower Odra River Valley, Szczecin will be the only voivodship city with the National Park within its borders.
In mid -April, the creation of the park by a vast majority (13 votes in favor, 2 against) was supported by the Widuchowa Commune Council. This is the southern part of the new National Park. However – as you can see on the map – in the first stage of creating a park between the north and south there is a break. This is the Gryfino commune.
… in Gryfino question mark
Wyrwa in the central part of the park is Gryfino, whose local government – so far – has not supported the creation of the park. Therefore, its creation was divided into stages. The first includes three municipalities that want a park. If they were voted over the whole, even despite the support of Szczecin, Kołbaskowa and Widuchowa, Gryfino's opposition would be a veto and could block the park. Thanks to division into stages, the park can be built in three municipalities, and Gryfino will have time to make a decision and – if the local government decides – joining the park later.
The rest does not want to delay the creation of the park, because – as Szczecińska describes “Gazeta Wyborcza” – There is money on the table, the use of which depends on the completion of the deadlines. The park must be established this year that local governments have received financial support related to having it on its territory; this year it is also necessary to apply for European funds for the construction of educational centers in the new park.
The consent of three municipalities does not end the trial yet. Regardless of waiting for the decision of the Gryfino commune, the consent of the Gryfino poviat and the voivodship regional council are still needed.
Why does Gryfino not support the creation of the park yet? During the next public discussion about it this week, several points appeared, which are controversial from the beginning. During the discussion, which was reported by “Wyborcza”, words were said about “regret of societies” in municipalities with national parks, alleged restrictions in the use of the park by tourists, or the creation of the “Polish-German park management” (which is not true). The municipal authorities also say that they are waiting to show them the analysis of benefits and losses.
Guarantees for the community
The Ministry of the Climate is still trying to convince Gryfinian local government officials. In May, a studio visit to the Ujście Warta Park is planned, which is to allow better understanding of the functioning of the national park.
Earlier, as part of the discussion and agreements, the doubts of some groups were dispelled. For example, in March, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Mikołaj Dorożała signed a letter of intent with representatives of the Fisheries Cooperative “Regalica”, the Polish Fishing Association District in Szczecin. Fishermen and anglers wanted to get assured that after creating a park they would still be able to fish.
In turn, local governments are to receive financial support for nature protection. Thanks to the change in the law of a local government unit introduced this year, in which national parks, landscape parks and nature reserves are located will receive special financial support – informs the Ministry of the Climate. The ecological subsidy from next year is to amount to a total of PLN 1.47 billion for municipalities throughout Poland.