Campaign – KAMPANJA REŠIMO MURO!

PLANS HALTED FOR THE FIRST HYDROPOWER PLANT (HPP) ON THE MURA RIVER AT HRASTJE-MOTA!

mura2020 — Thu, 30 May 2019 14:11:48 +0000

Ljubljana, 30.5.2019 – The Slovenian Government has halted all preparations for changes to the National Spatial Plan that would have included plans to construct the first Hydropower Plant (HPP) on the Mura River at Hrastje-Mota!

Mura at Hrastje Mota, © by Goran Safarek

The decision was based on pressure from WWF and numerous local NGOs such as the Slovenian Native Fish Society, MojaMura, Museum of Madness and Drava Federation who are running the campaign “Save the Mura,” as well as on the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The EIA concluded that the project would cause significant negative impact (class D). Although we would like to celebrate this victory, the fight continues to finally save the Mura River in Slovenia, an integral part of the Amazon of Europe. We are demanding a final decision to cancel the concession decree for all 8 HPPs (as initiated by former minister of environment Jure Leben), as well as the establishment of a Landscape Protected Area on the Mura. Implementation of both actions would contribute significantly to the long term preservation of the Mura River and the establishment of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, the world’s first 5-country transboundary biosphere reserve.

Slovenian government, Press release, May 30 2019 (screenshot: gov.si)

More info and an official government statement can be found here.

100+ ORGANISATIONS THAT SUPPORT MURA

mura2020 — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 06:53:43 +0000

A list of organisations that support Mura

Slovenia
1.Društvo za preučevanje rib Slovenije – DPRS
2.Muzej norosti, Trate
3.Zveza društev Moja Mura in the name of 27 other organisations
4.Društvo Mura rafting
5.Društvo Štrk
6.Društvo za prepih znanja Veter
7.Murska straža
8.Likovno društvo Radgona
9.Lovska družina Apače
10.Mladinski center Prlekija
11.Planinsko društvo Lendava
12.Rafting klub Drava Mura
13.Ribiška družina Radgona
14.Shotokan karate DO klub Gornja Radgona
15.Športno društvo Stara Nova vas
16.Rafting klub Maribor
17.Turistično društvo brod Melinci
18.Turistično društvo Radenci
19.Planinsko društvo Paloma
20.Športno turistično društvo Rafting klub Maribor
21.Planinsko društvo Matica
22.Zgodovinsko društvo Radgona
23.Prleški študentski klub
24.Klub prekmurskih študentov
25.Čebelarsko društvo Beltinci
26.Pomurska sekcija DOPPS
27.RD Mura Paloma
28.Ribiška zveza Slovenije v imenu 65 ribiških zvez/društev
29.Društvo za opazovanje in preučevanje ptic Slovenije – DOPPS, BirdLife Slovenia
30.Društvo študentov naravoslovja
31.Društvo študentov biologije
32.Dinaricum – Društvo za ohranjanje, raziskovanje in trajnostni razvoj Dinaridov
33.Lutra, Inštitut za ohranjanje naravne dediščine
34.Društvo za ohranjanje naravne dediščine Slovenije – DONDES
35.Botanično društvo Slovenije
36.Nigritella
37.Slovensko odonatološko društvo
38.Slovensko društvo za proučevanje in varstvo netopirjev
39.Društvo za proučevanje in ohranjanje metuljev Slovenije
40.Društvo za proučevanje dvoživk in plazilcev
41.Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije
42.Zavod Logarica
43.Leeway collective
44.Kajak, kanu in rafting klub, Most Petanjci
45.Murski čolnarji – Društvo čolnarjev Dokležovje
46.Slovenskega E-Foruma, Društvo za energetsko ekonomiko in ekologijo
47.Alpe Adria Green
48.Gobarsko društvo Ptuj
49.Društvo narava Pohorja
50.Društvo za naravo Jalovec
51.Društvo prijateljev agrarne ekonomike – DPAE
52.PRIJLIKA-društvo za spodbujanje socialnega, ekološkega in trajnostno naravnanega razvoja
53.Zasebni zavod ZRIRAP so.p., Beltinci
54.Ambasada ŠKM, Beltinci
55.EKO podeželje z.o.o., Zadruga za razvoj ekološkega kmetijstva in podeželja
56.Slovensko društvo evalvatorjev
57.Društvo ZOS ali Združenje za Očitne Stvari
58.Slovenski vitezi Templarji – OSMHT
59.Grossman, fantastic film & wine festival
60.Društvo za zaščito živali Pomurje
61.Društvo Antona Puklavca, društvo za trajnostni razvoj krajinskega parka Jeruzalem
62.Društvo Tabrih, Razkrižje
63.Klub mladih Turnišče
64.Športno društvo izziv Pomurje
65.MKI Mansarda Padlas
66.Mladinski svet Lendava
67.Zmorem domače, Društvo za spodbujanje samooskrbe
68.Društvo alternativne mladine, Bistrica
69.Prekmurski pandolaši, Mladinsko športno društvo
70.Športno društvo Bistrica
71.Ciconia Slovenija, Združenje za štorklje
72.Umanotera
73.GA-PO-RA, Gasildki potapljači radgona
74.Klub ormoških študentov
75.Murska straža
76.Brodarsko društvo Bistrica
77.Likovno društvo Gornja Radgona
78.ISKRA, študentsko društvo
79.Slovensko društvo za zaščito voda
80.Citroёn klub Slovenije
81.ZTK Beltinci, Zavod za turizem in kulturo Beltinci
82.Muramar s.p.
83.Mir grünt, miroljubno kmetijstvo
84.Pivška presihajoča jezera, krajinski park
85.Center za zdravje in razvoj, Murska sobota
86.GFML, Gimnazija Franca Miklošiča Ljutomer
87.Tattoo Art Muršo
88.Lončarstvo Žuman Ljutomer
89.Teo ten d.o.o., instalacijski center KA-EL
90.Gea TV
91.Tiskarna Stisk
92.Slovenski punk rock portal
93.Vitapigment
94.Proflipp.com
95.Osnovna šola Cirila Kosmača Piran, članica UNESCO pridružene šole
96.Bevog
97.Flaška
98.Muzej školjk Piran
99.Naravni parki Slovenije
100.GEA art
101.Združenje za štorklje – CICONIA Slovenija

Austria
1.Österreichisches Murschutzkomitee in the name of 13 organisations from Steiermark:
• Verein Lebende Erde im Vulkanland
• Alpenverein – Sektion Mureck
• Naturschutzbund Steiermark
• Klimaschutzgarten Gosdorf
• Berg& Naturwacht
• Karl-Franzens Universität Graz – Abt. Zoologie
• Arbeiter-Fischereiverein
• Birdlife Steiermark
• Naturschutzjugend
• Marktgemeinde Mureck
• Gemeinde Deutsch-Goritz
• Marktgemeinde Halbenrain
• Stadtgemeinde Bad Radkersburg

2.Artikel‐VII‐Kulturverein für Steiermark – Pavelhaus/ Članstvo pri društvu Člen 7 za avstrijsko Štajersko – Pavlova hiša
3.Arbeiterfischereiverein Graz
4.WWF Austria

Germany
1.EuroNatur Stiftung

Croatia
1.Friends of the Earth Croatia
2.Association BIOM
3.Zaštitarsko-ekološka udruga “Senjar”
4.Croatian Society for the Bird and Nature Protection
5.Association for nature and environment protection Green Osijek
6.WWF Adria

Hungary
1.WWF Hungary

Summary:
24 organisations and institutions from abroad (Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Germany) support Mura. Amongst them are NGOs, angler clubs, cultural institutions, alpine organisations and municipalities.

DEAR PRIME MINISTER, END THE FIGHT AND PROTECT MURA!

mura2020 — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 06:56:00 +0000

Press release, 5 March 2019 – On Wednesday, 27th of February 2019 the deadline to submit comments to a draft decree that withdraws the concession to Dravske elektrarne Maribor to build 8 hidropowerplant (HPP) dams on Mura between Sladki Vrh and Veržej.

Support for this draft decree was expressed from 100 scientists and more than 100 organisations from Slovenia and other European countries. Considering the fact that the area has just recently been proclaimed a Biosphere reserve, the confirmation of this decree is urgent and only logical as a next step. Supporters of the free flowing Mura expect immediate revocation of the concession and a long term protection of the Mura River – regardless of events on the political stage and without unnecessary delays.

»The majority of Slovenian political parties said in a survey before the election that they are against building of the HPPs on the river Mura. Governmental parties even put that in writing in the Coalition Agreement. I hope that the prime minister will do everything possible to permanently protect the river and remove it from all plans for energy use. We are rightfully expecting that the prime minister will contribute with his authority to fulfilment of the promise and show everyone that the Coalition Agreement was signed with clean intentions,«
says Samo Tuš, the president of NGO association Moja Mura.

»The river Mura together with the Drava and Danube forms a network of 1000km of still free flowing rivers and tributaries. It is home to 51 indigenous fish species, which places this river first on national levelby the number of fish species. It is rightfully called the »queen of biodiversity« and it has a huge potential for improving its ecological state by river revitalisation . »It is about time that the government puts an end to the 30 years of fight for the Mura river and permanently protects this gem,«
stated Andreja Slameršek, president of the Slovenian Native Fish Society.

»We are holding the prime minister, Mr. Marjan Šarec accountable and demand to immediately put the topic of Mura River on the agenda for the regular session and to revoke the concession to build 8 HPPs. We also expect the new minister of environment to continue the procedures for deciding upon a final and permanent solution regarding the river Mura and enable locals between Šentilj and the Croatian border to have a healthy living environment to develop green tourism,«
adds Sonja Bezjak, from the Museum of Maddness, Trate.

100 SCIENTISTS IN SUPPORT OF FREE FLOWING MURA RIVER!

mura2020 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 07:00:51 +0000

February 27, 2019 – Today, on the final date of providing comments to the draft decree of the Ministry of Environment to protect the Mura River from eight hydropower dams, the Mura receives prominent support from Slovenia and other European countries. In a joint statement sent to the ministry, 100 scientists from Slovenia, Austria, Germany and other European countries expressed their support for the protection of the Mura River and welcome the decree of Minister of Environment Jure Leben to stop hydropower dams. Furthermore, they encourage the Slovenian government for a rapid confirmation of the decree.

On February 13th, Minister Leben issued a draft decree to withdraw the concession decree of Dravske Elektrarne Maribor for building eight hydropower dams on Mura River. The public was given the opportunity to submit comments within a two week period, with a deadline of today. The scientific world in Slovenia and abroad has taken the opportunity to send a supporting statement to Minister Leben.

„Hydropower dams on the Mura would cause great hydrological and ecosystem changes and consequently a grave damage in an area of incredible natural and cultural heritage of Pomurska region. Minister Leben made an important step toward ensuring conservation of the natural environment and sustainable ecosystem services for the local community “,
says Prof. Dr. Mihael J. Toman,, from the University of Ljubljana, one of the initiators of the scientist statement.

Furthermore, the scientists point out that the decree of Minister Leben is implementing the promise of the Slovenian government from September 2018, which has stated in their coalition agreement not to build hydropower plants on Mura River but to protect this valuable river ecosystem. Once coming into force the decree would set the basis for the long term protection and sustainable development of the Mura region. Just in January 2019 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Mura in Slovenia was solemnly opened. It is a key part of the larger initiative of the planned Five-country Biosphere Reserve “Mura-Drava-Danube”, which is the joint goal of Slovenia with Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia.

“A number of international studies in recent years have shown that hydroelectric power plants can have large negative effects on the river ecosystem – natural habitats are destroyed, plant and animal species begin to decline or are eliminated. This is in particularly true for the Mura as the planned dams would result in reductions of both biological productivity and diversity for Slovenia’s richest assemblage of native riverine fish”,
says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Steven Weiss international renowned fish expert and one of the co-initiators of the statement from the Karl-Franzens University Graz in Austria.

“The Mura is a biodiversity hot spot in Slovenia and Europe, home to the largest floodplains in Slovenia. These unique values can only be preserved if the Mura is kept free flowing, “
says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gregory Egger, international renowned floodplain expert and one of the co-initiators of the statement from the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology in Germany.

As early as 2017, Steven Weiss and Gregory Egger found out in two expert assessments that the first planned dam “Hrastje-Mota” would have enormous negative environmental consequences on the natural river ecosystem of the Mura River. The evidence is here, the scientific community agrees – Mura needs to be protected.

Statement-of-scientists-for-Mura Download

PEOPLE FROM POMURJE DEMAND A MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER CERAR

mura2020 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 08:42:15 +0000

Murska Sobota, 19.2.2018 – Association of Moja Mura, which works in the public interest in the field of nature conservation and the Museum of Madness, Trate, which works in the public interest in the field of culture, sent a request on 9th February to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia for a meeting with representatives of campaign Save the Mura!.

The public presentation of the Energy Concept of Slovenia (EKS), which still includes hydropower plants on the Mura River, is currently underway. One of the last consultations will be held on 22.2. in Maribor after the Ministry of Infrastructure published a list of all received comments by the interested public on January 19, and the final draft will be adopted on March 2, 2018.

EKS has a significant impact on the future of energy in Slovenia and the policies of the future, with great consequences for the population, economy, nature and ecology and the development of a modern energy society. Therefore, it should not be limited to current and in many ways outdated solutions and technologies, but must be focused on the future and include modern energy solutions that will contribute to the decarbonation of Slovenia and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is not the case currently.

Why do Pomurje people want a meeting with the Prime Minister?

“We turned to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia because of the uncertainty about the planned construction of hydropower plants on the Mura, the attitude of the state representatives and big concerns in our region. Due to the lack of transparency of procedures, the inconsistency of responses from ministries, the Prime Minister himself and the arrogance of state representatives, we want to meet with the Pime minister, in which we expect that the situation will be clarified and will tell us about the positions of our Government regarding the future of this region and especially the Mura river, which we see as an important development potential,”
said Samo Tuš, President of the Association of the Associations of My Mura.

Walk by the river Mura , © by Marjan Maučec

“Mr. Cerar was first contacted on 19 January 2018. Our second request is a response to the president’s unexpected decision to resign our request to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning. We are addressing him mainly because the competent ministries that run the procedures for the construction of hydropower plants on the Mura River proceed with the procedures regardless of the fact that the Environmental Report has shown too big impact of the HPPs on nature and that the local population has repeatedly demanded the exclusion hydropower plants on the Mura River from all spatial and energy documents,”
said Dr. Sonja Bezjak, head of the Museum of Madness, Trate.

WWF AND NGO ALLIANCE: SAVE THE MURA – STOP THE DAMS!

mura2020 — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 18:07:00 +0000

Ljubljana, Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade / September 6th, 2017 – Today, WWF and an alliance of Slovenian, Austrian, Croatian and Hungarian NGOs – Mojamura, the Slovenian Native Fish Society, the Austrian Naturschutzbund, Drava Federation and ZEUS – launched an international public petition to save the Mura River in Slovenia.

More than 50 kilometres of valuable river stretches are projected to be dammed by eight hydropower plants – a severe threat to Slovenia’s largest and best preserved floodplain forests in the heartland of the “Amazon of Europe”, a huge protected riverine area which shall become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, spanning across Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia.

River Mura, © by Matevž Lenarčič

Arno Mohl, international freshwater expert at WWF said environmentalists will not accept the destruction of the Mura and is calling everyone concerned in Slovenia, in neighbouring countries, as well as in other countries all over the world to take action by signing a petition to Irena Majcen, Slovenia’s Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning, to stop the dams: www.amazon-of-europe.com

The decision for the first dam project, at the Slovenian village of Hrastje-Mota, is imminent. “This project is only the door opener for the seven additional Mura dams”, said Mohl from WWF. The NGO alliance warns that the hydropower plants are breaching both, national legislation and EU environmental law and Minister Majcen must not give in to the hydropower lobby but increase its efforts to ensure international protection of the area.

8 planned HPP on Mura (red)

The construction of eight hydropower dams would negatively affect the Mura stretch through the flatland of Pomurje in the north-east of Slovenia. It is part of the EU’s protected areas network Natura 2000, designated for the protection of vulnerable habitats of specific species like the white-tailed eagle, black stork and otter which are under European protection. The Mura in Pomurje is also Slovenia’s most important fish habitat and hosts rare species like the Danube Salmon.

“The environmental impact assessment report on the Hrastje-Mota project already concludes that the construction would have harmful impacts on the environment. We expect the Hrastje-Mota dam, as well as the planning of the other seven dams will be firmly rejected by the ministry of environment,”
said Andreja Slameršek, coordinator of the campaign ‘Save the Mura’.

Furthermore, the Hrastje-Mota dam would be the first hydropower dam of its kind in a Natura 2000 area, setting a dreadful example which might be followed along other precious rivers all over Europe. Unique rivers like the Mura in Slovenia have become increasingly rare in Europe and should be protected for future generations.

“We want political leaders to treat river and wetland conservation as a part of national security, health and economic success. Instead of destroying our Mura River, which is important for nature and people in the region, emphasis must be given on making use of alternative, environmentally friendly energy solutions which already exist.”
said Stojan Habjanič, President of Moja Mura.

River Mure, © by Mario Romulic

Mura Oxbow, © by M Bedjanic

Hrastje-Mota would also have irreversibly negative environmental impacts on the Austrian, Croatian and Hungarian Mura stretches, which are also protected under Natura 2000. The dam would fragment free flowing river stretches and endangered fish species would no longer be able to migrate. River bed deepening would dry out floodplain forests, oxbows and agricultural areas and the loss of natural retention areas would lead to an increased flood risk for downstream communities. “Hrastje Mota will not only jeopardize the unique habitats and species in Slovenia, but result in an environmental catastrophe far beyond. We trust that Minister Majcen will not allow that this will happen”, Mohl said.

Last year, Slovenia’s Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, with the strong support of the entire Slovenian Government, has nominated the vast floodplains along the Slovenian Mura to be part of the future 5-country UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Mura-Drava-Danube”, shared between Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia. The area is justifiably referred to as the “Amazon of Europe” due to its immaculate natural beauty and great biodiversity. The hydropower offensive stands in sharp contrast to the strong commitment of the ministry and Slovenian Government to ensure international protection of the area.

“It is absurd to destroy intact river landscapes, given the fact that hundreds of millions of Euro are being spent throughout the European Union to restore riverine areas, the best-proven precautionary measure against flooding, which furthermore ensure sustainable livelihoods,”
Arno Mohl, WWF, summarized.

To conclude, WWF and an alliance of Slovenian, Austrian, Croatian and Hungarian NGOs, – Mojamura, the Slovenian Native Fish Society, the Austrian Naturschutzbund, Drava Federation and ZEUS – call once more on the Slovenian Minister Majcen, to protect the Mura River and to not allow its destruction, but to safeguard habitats and people’s livelihoods.

PETITIONS AGAINST THE LOSS OF 10,000 TREES BECAUSE OF HYDROPOWER PLANTS ON MURA RIVER!

mura2020 — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:30:25 +0000

Ten thousand safe, healthy trees will be felled near the centre of Graz, Austria in October 2017 to enable construction of a 5‐km sewage/rainwater storage pipe along the river Mur. Many are 10‐20m tall and 50‐100 years old.

The storage pipe is “necessary” because of a dam and hydroelectric plant (Murkraftwerk), currently under construction downstream of the centre. But the new hydro is a white elephant. Austria already has plenty of electricity. National generation capacity is 23 GW of which 12 GW is sustainable. Peak consumption in winter is only 10 GW. In winter when the river is slow, the new plant will produce only 4 MW, equivalent to 2‐3 windmills.

With every felled tree, Graz is breaking its own tree‐protection bylaws. These emphasize the importance of trees for local and global climate, biodiversity, aesthetics, and public well‐being. In the 21st century, it is never justified to clear the equivalent of a square kilometre of forest in a metropolitan area‐‐regardless of the reason.

Sustainable, efficient sources of energy are urgently needed to mitigate climate change. A project that permanently changes or destroys ecosystems is neither “green” nor “sustainable”. You don’t save the climate by clearing a forest!

This outrageous destruction of nature is an international scandal and should be shut down. 10,000 treesa, large number of animals and plants that depend on them, with the ecology of the free running Mura river should be preserved for future generations.

Sign these two petitions and share it between friends and family:

Petition addressed to: Siegfried Nagl, Mayor of Graz, Austria: Don’t axe 10,000 trees!

Petition addressed to the Roman Catholic Church: Raising the voice against the destruction of environment and nature in Graz by the Mur power station

Futher information:
rettetdiemur.at and
murxkraftwerk.at

CELEBRATING THE “AMAZON OF EUROPE” – OUR SHARED NATURAL HERITAGE

mura2020 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:04:00 +0000

Letenye, Hungary, 7.6.2017 – The international event “Amazon of Europe Celebration”, organised today in the framework of the “coop MDD – Mura, Drava, Danube” project in Letenye, brought together more than 100 people, NGOs and governmental institutions from five countries in joint celebration of our shared natural heritage: Mura, Drava and Danube Rivers, the “Amazon of Europe”, that will in the next years become protected as the world’s first 5-country UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.