Croatia building a mini-hydro power plant on the Una River, Bosnian authorities seek explanation from officials

(Patria) - The Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced that immediately after learning about the construction of a mini-hydro power plant near the very source of the Una River in the Republic of Croatia, it contacted the Una National Park. The National Park also alerted the competent cantonal ministries, as well as inspectorates.

Following the intervention and act of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism dated July 15, 2024, an inspection was carried out on July 16 by the cantonal inspector for environmental protection and the construction and urban planning inspector, in coordination with the NP "Una" staff, and it was determined that no changes were observed in the color of the Una river flow before and after the Krka confluence.  

"Immediately upon learning that construction work on a mini-hydro power plant is underway in the area of the Una River source in Donja Suvaja, municipality of Gračac, in the Republic of Croatia, and in the contact zone with NP "Una", we reacted towards the state Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations. They urgently forwarded the documentation to the authorities of the Republic of Croatia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a response is awaited.

The Croatian side has clearly, intentionally or unintentionally, failed to conduct an environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context, which is their obligation in this case. Namely, any work on this source requires the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) – stated the Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder. 

Furthermore, the Ministry states that the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, adopted in Helsinki in 1992, and ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as EU countries, including Croatia, stipulates national measures and international cooperation in the field of ecological management and protection of transboundary surface and groundwater.

"Croatian authorities must react to ensure compliance with the Helsinki Water Convention, and especially the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, as well as other international regulations in this area, because the Una River, its flow, and its ecosystem, which has been declared a National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, must be protected – emphasize the Federal Ministry.

They add that they have been informed that Jasmin Emrić, a Member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, has also raised this issue in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

"I am going to Bihać today and tomorrow I will be at the site, and I will do everything on our part to protect the Una River, its flow, and its ecosystem. Citizens, non-governmental organizations, and activists have become very actively and loudly involved in protecting the Una River, and I consider this a joint fight. Croatia, as an EU country, must respect international conventions, and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina must alert the Croatian authorities, as well as the EU, in every possible way. This is a vital issue for our people, and we will not stand aside," concluded Minister Pozder.