Kuzawka, Krzyczew and Pratulin. The inhabitants of these three towns located in the Lublin Voivodeship have a problem with the progressive erosion of the Bug River, located on the border of Poland and Belarus. Water is taking more and more of their land. It also washed out the municipal road and is approaching the historic wooden church. The situation is monitored by Polish Waters. Next year, after measurements are carried out after the spring thaw, a decision will be made whether a dam will be built on the river.
– As for my plot, at a length of about 400 meters the river has already taken about 5-7 meters into the plot. That's about half a hectare of land, and I pay taxes for the whole thing. Also for the part that is under water – says Wiesław Kowaluk, the village head of Kuzawka.
This is one of three towns (along with Krzyczewo and Pratulin) whose inhabitants have problems with the progressive erosion of the border river Bug. The water takes away more and more of the land adjacent to the river.
Water takes land from owners Wiesław Kowaluk
Mayor of Kuzawki: the electronic barrier may be underwater
– The problem has been known for a long time. However, it has intensified in recent years. There is an example of a property where the river ran up a few meters from the barn – notes the mayor.
He adds that an electronic barrier is being installed on the border with the river Belarus.
– The poles are built right next to the river. Therefore, it can be assumed that in a few years they will be under water – notes the mayor.
The river is approaching the barn Wiesław Kowaluk
The starosta wants to meet the voivode
The staroste of Biała Podlaska, Mariusz Filipiuk, says that the problem concerns about 20 farms in the three communes mentioned above.
– Additionally, in the town of Pratulin, the river took away half of the municipal road. I intend to meet with the voivode about this matter. It is to him that residents can submit applications for compensation or tax reduction due to the fact that water is taking away part of the land. I will also ask the voivode to take action to strengthen the river banks – says the starosta.
Poles constituting the electronic barrier are now being placed near the Bug River Wiesław Kowaluk
Spring measurements are planned
Dorota Grabowska, spokeswoman for the Lublin Voivode, says that each application submitted by residents will of course be considered. As for the problem of the progressive erosion of the river, at the beginning of October, a representative of the voivode inspected the shore together with local government officials (including the starosta, commune heads) and representatives of the Regional Water Management Board in Lublin.
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The latter's spokesman, Tomasz Makowski, tells us that the washing away of the banks is constantly monitored.
– We will also carry out measurements during next year's spring thaw. For now, the situation is not such that it would require urgent intervention. Nevertheless, if it turns out to be necessary in the spring, we will build a dam. This includes, among others: by driving wooden piles into the river bottom. They create a kind of dam that prevents water from washing away the shore. The section between the piles and the shore is also additionally reinforced, he says.
There is a historic church next to the river Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Nepla
Father Sałasiński: there is a historic wooden church right next to the river
Fr. is counting on the possibility of building the dam. Daniel Sałasiński, parish priest of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Nepla.
– In the town of Krzyczewo, our historic wooden branch church stands next to the river. It's not dangerous yet, but the water is washing away the shore more and more, the priest notes.
Main photo source: Wiesław Kowaluk