Di Caprio Joins Global Appeal to FBiH Government to Protect Rivers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Leading global environmental organizations support the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH, and appeal to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) – Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, and the FBiH Parliament – to urgently implement the Conclusion on the complete ban on the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) in FBiH – adopted by the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament on June 23, 2020 – throughout FBiH, either by amending existing legislation or by adopting new regulations that would immediately ban and prevent further uncontrolled construction of SHPPs in FBiH.

In the event that the FBiH Government does not act on this Conclusion, or if the FBiH Parliament does not adopt it in the form of a special law, the endangerment of thousands of kilometers of wild river courses, the quality of life of local communities, the right to access drinking water, the country's tourism potential, as well as nature and wildlife that depend on healthy watercourses, will continue.

The global appeal addressed to the Federation of BiH has also been joined by the famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

"This is an opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become the first in Europe by example in protecting the most pristine and biologically diverse rivers on the continent," said Barney Long, Senior Species Conservation Manager at Global Wildlife Conservation.

"We are encouraged by the recent Conclusion on the complete ban on SHPP construction, which protects rivers, but for this to truly bear fruit, it must now be translated into law. Otherwise, SHPPs will continue to cause irreparable damage to the wildlife that depends on freshwater and the people who live there, changing the balance of these ecosystems that contribute to the overall health of our planet."

Rivers between Slovenia and Albania, including rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are considered the most important hub for endangered freshwater biodiversity in Europe.

Sixty-nine species living in these rivers do not live anywhere else in the world. Balkan rivers – also known as the "blue heart" of Europe – are home to the marble trout, the soft-mouthed trout, and the prespa trout; the endangered (or Danube) huchen; the endangered Balkan lynx, and the endangered European crayfish. They provide critically important habitat for many of the 113 endangered freshwater fish species in the Balkans.

Balkan rivers continue to face a surge in SHPP construction, including in protected areas, with plans to build 3,000 dams in the region. Dams also bring with them the construction of access roads, bridges, and power lines. The construction of dams, i.e., SHPPs, destroys surrounding forests and endangers the animals that live there. According to freshwater fish experts, if these plans are realized, at least 10 percent of European freshwater fish species will become extinct or be on the verge of extinction.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is currently examining a proposal to designate 11 key biodiversity areas in BiH, with the possibility of expansion, and emphasizes that these sites are of global importance for the health of the planet and the maintenance of biodiversity.

Despite this, in BiH, 436 SHPPs have been built, are under construction, or are planned. Local and foreign investors are investing in SHPP construction projects from various sources of funding, including renewable energy subsidies. Some investors claim that hydropower can help BiH achieve its goal of 40 percent renewable energy (which is among the highest goals in Europe), bringing the country a step closer to joining the European Union. Although existing SHPPs in BiH represent only about three percent of the country's total annual energy production, with enormous environmental damage, the government continues to issue permits and subsidies for new small and medium-sized hydropower projects that contribute little to "renewable energy."

"Politicians in BiH could see that SHPPs are causing fierce resistance across the country," says Marsela Pećanac, founder of the Atelier for Social Transformations – ACT. "Public support for the campaign to protect rivers in BiH has significantly strengthened. It is motivated by local community movements, which are ready to defend rivers with their lives. Politicians now have a unique opportunity to permanently ban SHPPs with a swift move, leaving this heritage for future generations."

SHPP dams not only destroy rivers and the environment but also divert and pollute water and restrict access to drinking water for local communities. Rivers also enable sustainable ecotourism development, a branch of the economy that completely depends on healthy, free-flowing, and pristine rivers. Many residents of BiH consider rivers to be part of their identity. Local communities across the country, for example, residents living along Neretvica, Kruščica, Kasindolka, Bjelava, and other rivers, are protesting, forming a human shield to prevent bulldozers from starting work.

"Every time I visit the Balkan rivers, I am overwhelmed by their beauty and abundance," says Ulrich Eichelmann, campaign coordinator for "Blue Heart" from Riverwatch. "But what strikes me even more is that people are rising up to protect their rivers and streams – they are not fighting for money or fame, they are fighting for their rivers, their land, and their future. This is a unique example in today's world! But these people need help from all over the world. We must unite to save the Blue Heart of Europe!" In addition to calling on the FBiH Government to formally ban SHPP construction, environmental organizations from America and Europe are also appealing to the other entity in BiH, Republika Srpska (RS), to adopt a similar law. Following the FBiH initiative, RS also recently proposed a similar conclusion on banning SHPP construction, but the National Assembly of RS rejected the proposal despite pressure from local communities.

The following world organizations stand behind this appeal: 2020 Action, American Rivers, Arnika, Atelier for Community Transformation – ACT, CEE Bankwatch Network, David Brower Center, EarthAction, Earth Law Center, EuroNatur Foundation, Freshwater Life, Global Wildlife Conservation, International Rivers, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, the IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, Institute for Environmental Security, Rainforest Action Network, The Redford Center, Riverwatch, Save the Blue Heart of Europe, Shoal, the World Fish Migration Foundation, World Future Council, WWF, Balkan River Defence, and the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH (Center for Environment, NGO GEOPA Zenica, Ecological-Humanitarian Association Gotuša-Fojnica, Citizens' Association "Neretvica-Let me flow", Ecological Society "Bistro" Kruščica, Association "Resource Aarhus Center in BiH", "Eko forum Zenica", "Eko akcija", "Eko element" Bugojno, Ecological Association "Eko put", "LIR Elovucija", "Centar Bolkay", Association for the Protection of the Natural Environment and Tourism Development "EkoTOUR" Stolac, Balkan Outdoor - Istočno Sarajevo, Bjelava Association, Association for Culture and Art "Crvena", Defence of Sana).

Messages of support:

Brent Blackwelder, President Emeritus, Friends of the Earth US "The United States is abandoning the construction of large dams and instead removing dams to restore fisheries. More than 1,500 dams in the US have been demolished to save beautiful rivers and wildlife habitats."

Darryl Knudsen, Executive Director, International Rivers "Our planet Earth is under attack, and we must protect our wild rivers. When I first saw the turquoise water of the Soča River, my heart stopped at its beauty. I hope to one day visit the legendary rivers in BiH... if they are still there. I am encouraged by the brave resistance of the people of BiH to preserve their heritage. And the government has recognized this with its resolution. Now is the time to translate it into law. Let's remember: hydropower is NOT green energy. Through methane emissions, dam reservoirs emit 2-3% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to the emissions of the entire global aviation industry. At the same time, rivers contain the most biologically rich habitats on the planet. If you want to protect Earth's life support systems for generations to come, you can do nothing better than to stop dams. Wind and solar are sustainable energy. We must act now";

Jörg Freyhof, Board Member and Regional Director for Europe, IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group "The massive development of SHPPs across the Balkan region will seriously affect many smaller tributaries that are important spawning grounds and habitats for various fish species. FFSG has been working for years with the 'Save the Blue Heart of Europe' initiative to address this issue, and we fully support it."

Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe Energy Advisor, CEE Bankwatch Network "The rapid growth of hydropower in the Balkans is truly a 'death by a thousand cuts' for the region's beautiful rivers. Reducing huge energy losses in the region and utilizing even just rooftop solar potential would contribute much more than SHPPs can."

Ian Harrison, Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee "This call to ban SHPPs is an opportunity to leave a positive mark on the protection and good management of our rivers in Europe. It represents a vital and progressive investment not only in conservation but also in the entire range of ecosystem benefits that these rivers provide by supporting nature and the people who live there."

Lejla Kusturica, Activist and Director of the Atelier for Social Transformations – ACT "One of the most difficult and painful injustices happening to Bosnia and Herzegovina today is what is happening to our environment, rivers, and forests. These rivers are the core of our communities. In the last few years, our country has become a true example of resistance that inspires not only the region but also the rest of the world."

Eduardo Noboa, Senior Program Manager Climate Energy, World Future Council "Hydropower plants have intertwined and complex impacts that could generate more harm than good. There are many cases and examples of water infrastructure projects from other regions of the world that have caused significant damage to ecosystems, people, their livelihoods, and ways of life. Instead of investing trillions more in high-risk hydropower projects, we should promote ambitious programs for the implementation of decentralized and distributed unconventional renewable energy."

Annette Spangenberg, Project Unit Director, EuroNatur Foundation "Rivers in the Balkans are a European treasure that we must not lose. We support local communities in their fight for rivers and will ensure that their voices are heard throughout Europe."

Bernie Tershy, Freshwater Life "Dam construction has peaked in developed countries around the world, and more old dams are being removed than built. BiH should not follow an energy development strategy that the EU and North America have largely rejected."

Jill Tidman, Executive Director, The Redford Center "This is a critical moment when we must all stand up to protect what remains of pristine ecosystems and watercourses, and the life that depends on them. We are proud to have joined esteemed organizations in this mission."

Wouter Veening, President, Institute for Environmental Security "By translating its progressive resolution into law, FBiH will provide wild and free rivers with the long-term protection they deserve and thus contribute to the ecological health of the Balkans, the wider region of Europe, and the entire world."

Lois Barber, Executive Director, EarthAction "Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. We must keep them healthy and let them flow freely!"

Dragana Skenderija and Viktor Bjelić, Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH "Private investors invest money in SHPPs and make profits, while the people gain nothing from their construction. Ultimately, only great environmental damage is created, and financial losses through taxes and subsidies for renewable energy sources are turned into profits for private companies. A ban on SHPP construction in BiH and the abolition of incentives for SHPPs are the most important demands that the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH is making of decision-makers," says Dragana, the Coalition's coordinator.

The fight to preserve rivers is difficult and can only be won if we are united. It is encouraging that so many organizations are loudly opposing hydropower projects to preserve the most valuable asset: the water and pristine rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina!" says Viktor from the Center for Environment, a member of the Coalition.

Zuzana Vachůnová, Activist and Coordinator of Activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arnika "Citizens of BiH are not only protecting the remaining European wild rivers but also the rule of law in their country. Local communities must have a say when it comes to projects that directly concern them, but this is not the case; SHPP construction is mostly carried out without the participation of local BiH communities, and we call on governments to finally protect precious nature and the fundamental rights of local communities."

Herman Wanningen, Founder and CEO of World Fish Migration Foundation "Across Europe, we increasingly see the removal of barriers on watercourses to reduce river fragmentation and degradation. However, 60% of freshwater ecosystems in Europe are not healthy, according to the Water Framework Directive. Therefore, it is illogical to build new dams on the truly few healthy rivers that remain in Europe."

Grant Wilson, Executive Director and Lawyer, Earth Law Center "Hydropower is not truly 'renewable' energy, as it permanently destroys aquatic ecosystems and species, so it should not be part of Europe's renewable energy future. We appeal to FBiH to implement this ban on SHPPs, so it can create a future where rivers and local communities thrive together in harmony."