Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
for the more controversial second phase or for the Krumovgrad project,
and Bankwatch's persistence in monitoring investments, attending meet-
ings, and raising objections may be at least part of the reason for what
appears to be the EBRD's cooled enthusiasm for the projects.
The Quest for Environmental Justice in Transition States
The varied trajectories of these cases in the same institutional setting and
time frame suggest that local unity and organization, whatever its initia-
tion, is necessary to obtain environmental justice. At least in this context
of weak rule of law and underinstitutionalized democracy and public
participation, environmental claims against the projects by activists at
the national level have not been suffi cient to force reconsideration or
adjustments to the project when there has not been unifi ed and persistent
opposition at the local level. Despite a concerted campaign at the national
and European levels, support from activists in neighboring countries,
studies explaining the particularly dangerous geological, meteorological,
and human settlement conditions, controversy over arsenic leaching from
existing activity at the mine, and even opposition of the neighboring
village of Chavdar, the proposed project in Chelopech was not stopped
under the former government. The population of Chelopech is divided
but more in favor of the project, at least in the opinions that have been
expressed openly. Moreover, while the fi nancial terms of the investment
were adjusted, the environmental concerns raised in the initial EIA
process remained unaddressed. Only in November 2009 did the clear
violations of the EIA process lead the Supreme Administrative Court to
require a new EIA. Despite the new government's concern to demonstrate
its adherence to EU law and procedure, the Minister for Environment is
appealing that decision, albeit through due institutional channels of
appeal. Bulgarian environmentalists have had the same experience with
other sorts of investments (e.g., ski resorts in the Pirin and Rila National
Parks)—their ecological and legal arguments, no matter how strong,
cannot carry the day if the local population is not opposed to the project
and not willing to act on this opposition.
While unifi ed local action is necessary to press environmental con-
cerns, it is often not suffi cient to ensure that institutions take up those
concerns. The case that came the closest to a pure victory for local
resistance—Popintsi—still had some assistance from regional and
national environmental organizations in raising media awareness at
home and abroad and in strategizing about the referendum. The other
