Vorkuta Transport Hub and Its Role in Development of the Arctic Area

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Vorkuta Transport Hub and Its Role in Development of the Arctic Area VORKUTA TRANSPORT HUB AND ITS ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARCTIC AREA Kiselenko, Anatoly N., Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia. Malashchuk, Petr A., Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia. ABSTRACT meets region’s current needs in freight and passenger The article describes Vorkuta transport hub as transportation. Nevertheless, exploration of natural one of the few large regional centers of the Russian resources of the Arctic region and solution of other North, which, because of its location, is so important development tasks require strengthening of the for development of transportation links in the existing transport capacity of Vorkuta region through European and Ural Arctic zone. It is shown that the implementation of transport projects under the study, capacity of this hub, which has in its infrastructure all particularly regarding renewal of railroads, civil modes of transport, except inland water transport, aviation, road transport and pipelines. Keywords: Arctic, Vorkuta, transport hub, infrastructure, modes of transport, development projects. Background. The development of the Arctic zone of trains on it is carried out by using diesel locomotives. of Russia (eight reference areas, including Vorkuta) Up to Inta station the railway is double-tracked, and is directly related to the development of transport Inta–Vorkuta section is a single track. At Chum station, infrastructure [1, p. 69]. It should be noted, however, Vorkuta and Labytnangi sections branch off the that extreme climatic conditions ambiguously affect railway. prospects of its development. On the one hand, there The construction of the lines Inta–Vorkuta, Chum– is a steady downward trend in the area regarding total Labytnangi and their subsequent operation caused space and thickness of the ice cover of the northern significant changes in the conditions in permafrost seas, which leads to an increase in the attractiveness areas. Those changes are determined by disturbance of transportation along the Northern Sea Route. On of heat exchange between the surface of the earth the other hand, an increase in the average annual and the atmosphere as a result of removal of temperature leads to accelerated destruction of the vegetation cover, emergence of water permeability coast and port infrastructure, as well as to accelerated problems, reformation of snow deposits and degradation of permafrost area [2, p. 11], which deterioration of surface runoff conditions. There are critically affects the land transport infrastructure. For deformations of the roadbed, precipitation and example, the expenses of Gazprom in Nadym to spreading of embankments on thawing permafrost stabilize the carrying capacity of soils, along which soils, as well as formation of thermokarst depressions roads and pipelines pass, amount to 1 thousand on the territories adjacent to embankments [12, p. 2]. dollars/m2 [3, p. 82]. This leads to limitation of the weight of trains, Inland northern territories include Vorkuta as one especially those which are operated in the northern of few cities that can be considered as a large one direction. For example, the weight rate of trains according to local standards, and whose infrastructure stipulated for diesel locomotives 2TE10 at Vorkuta– facilities are located in the permafrost zone [4, p. 65]. Labytnangi section is 3500 tons, Vorkuta–Inta – 4400 It was founded thanks to development of the Pechora tons, and at Inta–Sosnogorsk section it rises to 4800 coal basin and the emergence of the town-forming tons1. coal enterprise here [5, p. 22]. While the estimated Large length of non-public tracks, which are the capacity of the city’s energy infrastructure allows to entrances to existing and closed coal mines, has accommodate 300 thousand people [6, p. 130], the always been a feature of Vorkuta hub. In the absence population of Vorkuta district as of January 1, 2017 of the technological process agreed upon between was 80,1 thousand (the maximum was 218,5 the railway infrastructure unit of JSC Vorkutaugol and thousand people in 1989 [7, p. 127]. JSC Russian Railways, congestion may emerge at the Vorkuta geological and industrial region has the approaches to Vorkuta station. This was observed, in largest coal reserves in Europe (about 4 billion tons) particular, during construction of the first stage of and has a high industrial potential [8, p. 14]. There Bovanenkovo–Ukhta gas pipeline due to the fact that are rich deposits of limestone and slate near rhe town the infrastructure on the secondary routes is not [9, p. 46], which are suitable for production of cement. sufficiently prepared for handling of general cargo. In addition, Vorkuta is supporting and logistics base Vorkuta station of Sosnogorsk regional unit of the of Bovanenkovo–Ukhta gas pipeline, the supporting Northern Railway is a cargo station and handles unit of the reindeer herders of Bolshezemelnaya operations of receipt and delivery of goods by small, Tundra [10, p. 56]. carload shipments; receipt and delivery of goods in Objective. The objective of the authors is to universal containers weighing up to 20 tons, for which consider the role of Vorkuta transport hub in both open areas and covered warehouses are development of the Arctic zone of Russia and to study equipped. its main elements. A 400 m long passenger platform is capable to Methods. The authors use economic, system and receive a train of 15 coaches. Direct communication comparative analysis, evaluation approach, scientific with the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Syktyvkar, description. Labytnangi, Kirov, Adler, Nizhny Novgorod and others Results. is provided. 149 Rails with access to the sea Railway transport provides year-round 1 Railway . History, terminology, development history . communication with the rest of the country via Heavy traffic . [Electronic resource]: http://rly/uk/ Konosha–Vorkuta main line [11, p. 3]. The movement node/6867 . • WORLD OF TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORTATION, Vol. 17, Iss. 1, pp.142–153 (2019) Kiselenko, Anatoly N., Malashchuk, Petr A. Vorkuta Transport Hub and its Role in Development of the Arctic Area 150 • of the Arctic Area of theArctic Hub anditsRoleinDevelopment Transport Kiselenko, Anatoly N.,Malashchuk,PetrA.Vorkuta WORLD OF TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORTATION, Vol. 17,Iss.1, pp.142–153 (2019) Vol. WORLD OFTRANSPORT ANDTRANSPORTATION, Bovanenkovo Pic. 1.RailwayprojectsintheRepublic ofKomiandtheNorthernUrals. Project Norther ngitudinal Railway Salekhard Obskaya Project Belkomur Project Barentskomur AUTONOMOUS Pic. Railway ects he erritory omi public. 6 a) Range of action 1000 km b) Range of action 1300 km Pic. 2. Comparison of the polar aviation zone (developed by the authors). The operation depot provides technical According to the concession agreement to maintenance of locomotives, besides there are a car transport predicted cargo volume, it is proposed to shed and car maintenance points in Inta, Pechora, build the second main tracks at Inta–Chum section, Mulda, Usinsk, Labytnangi. lengthen the receiving and departure tracks at the The railway line connecting Vorkuta and stations, and to develop additional side tracks and Labytnangi is adjoined by the non-public railway equip them with automatic blocking devices at Chum– Obskaya–Bovanenkovo owned by PJSC Gazprom, Labytnangi section. In the framework of the project, which is used as a technological route2. in 2017, fiber optic cable was tested to monitor the The role of Vorkuta as a supporting transport hub movement of trains using the system of vibro-acoustic will increase significantly after implementation of the sounding of the railway track in permafrost conditions Northern latitudinal railway project, which is supposed at Kharp–Labytnangi section. Measures to increase to connect the Northern and Sverdlovsk railways. capacity will raise the weight rate of freight trains up Construction of the route with a total length of 707 km to 6000 tons4. Obskaya–Salekhard–Nadym–Pangody–Novy The Northern Latitudinal Railway was originally a Urengoy–Korotchaevo is planned for 2018–2023. The component of the large project «Ural Industrial – Ural projected volume of traffic on the main line – 23,9 Polar», the implementation of which will strengthen million tons per year3, transported goods comprising the importance of the transport hub of Vorkuta with mainly oil cargo and gas condensate. The project is regard to transshipment of resources in the western implemented on the principles of the private-public direction. Besides, some other transport projects, partnership in the form of a concession, the like Belkomur and Barentskomur, can be participants of which (JSC Russian Railways, PJSC implemented in the territory of the Komi Republic, Gazprom, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District) will which can seriously affect loading of the railway finance reconstruction of objects of their own railway network. Pic. 1 presents the projects, the infrastructure, and construction of new ones will be implementation of which is able to increase the carried out by a special project company (SPK- workload of the railway network of the Republic of Concessionaire). Komi and of the Northern Urals area. JSC Russian Railways will reconstruct Kotlas– The implementation of the project «Northern Chum–Labytnangi section, including Obskaya railway Latitudinal Railway» gives access to cargoes from the station of the Northern Railway, as well as Pangody–Novy east of the country to the Northern
Recommended publications
  • Strengthening Protected Area System of the Komi Republic to Conserve Virgin Forest Biodiversity in the Pechora Headwaters Region
    Strengthening Protected Area System of the Komi Republic to Conserve Virgin Forest Biodiversity in the Pechora Headwaters Region PIMS 2496, Atlas Award 00048772, Atlas Project No: 00059042 Terminal Evaluation, Volume I November 2014 Russian Federation GEF SO1: Catalysing the Sustainability of Protected Areas SP3: Strengthened National Terrestrial Protected Area Networks Russian Federation, Ministry of Natural Resources Komi Republic, Ministry of Natural Resources United National Development Program Stuart Williams KOMI REPUBLIC PAS PROJECT - TE Acknowledgements The mission to the Komi Republic was well organised and smoothly executed. For this, I would like to thank everyone involved starting with Irina Bredneva and Elena Bazhenova of the UNDP-CO for making all the travel arrangements so smooth and easy, and making me welcome in Moscow. In the Komi Republic, the project team ensured that I met the right stakeholders, showed me the results of the project efforts in remote and beautiful areas of the republic, and accompanying me. Special thanks are due to Alexander Popov (the National Project Director) and Vasily Ponomarev (the Project Manager) for the connections, arrangements, for accompanying me and for many fruitful discussions. Other team members who accompanied the mission included Svetlana Zagirova, Andrei Melnichuk and Anastasiya Tentyukova. I am also grateful to all the other stakeholders who gave freely of their time and answered my questions patiently (please see Annex III for a list of all the people met over the course of the mission to the Komi Republic). I am also particularly grateful for the tireless efforts of Alexander Oshis, my interpreter over the course of the mission even when he was not well, for the clear and accurate interpretation.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Sea Route Cargo Flows and Infrastructure- Present State And
    Northern Sea Route Cargo Flows and Infrastructure – Present State and Future Potential By Claes Lykke Ragner FNI Report 13/2000 FRIDTJOF NANSENS INSTITUTT THE FRIDTJOF NANSEN INSTITUTE Tittel/Title Sider/Pages Northern Sea Route Cargo Flows and Infrastructure – Present 124 State and Future Potential Publikasjonstype/Publication Type Nummer/Number FNI Report 13/2000 Forfatter(e)/Author(s) ISBN Claes Lykke Ragner 82-7613-400-9 Program/Programme ISSN 0801-2431 Prosjekt/Project Sammendrag/Abstract The report assesses the Northern Sea Route’s commercial potential and economic importance, both as a transit route between Europe and Asia, and as an export route for oil, gas and other natural resources in the Russian Arctic. First, it conducts a survey of past and present Northern Sea Route (NSR) cargo flows. Then follow discussions of the route’s commercial potential as a transit route, as well as of its economic importance and relevance for each of the Russian Arctic regions. These discussions are summarized by estimates of what types and volumes of NSR cargoes that can realistically be expected in the period 2000-2015. This is then followed by a survey of the status quo of the NSR infrastructure (above all the ice-breakers, ice-class cargo vessels and ports), with estimates of its future capacity. Based on the estimated future NSR cargo potential, future NSR infrastructure requirements are calculated and compared with the estimated capacity in order to identify the main, future infrastructure bottlenecks for NSR operations. The information presented in the report is mainly compiled from data and research results that were published through the International Northern Sea Route Programme (INSROP) 1993-99, but considerable updates have been made using recent information, statistics and analyses from various sources.
    [Show full text]
  • FSC National Risk Assessment
    FSC National Risk Assessment for the Russian Federation DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO PROCEDURE FSC-PRO-60-002 V3-0 Version V1-0 Code FSC-NRA-RU National approval National decision body: Coordination Council, Association NRG Date: 04 June 2018 International approval FSC International Center, Performance and Standards Unit Date: 11 December 2018 International contact Name: Tatiana Diukova E-mail address: [email protected] Period of validity Date of approval: 11 December 2018 Valid until: (date of approval + 5 years) Body responsible for NRA FSC Russia, [email protected], [email protected] maintenance FSC-NRA-RU V1-0 NATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2018 – 1 of 78 – Contents Risk designations in finalized risk assessments for the Russian Federation ................................................. 3 1 Background information ........................................................................................................... 4 2 List of experts involved in risk assessment and their contact details ........................................ 6 3 National risk assessment maintenance .................................................................................... 7 4 Complaints and disputes regarding the approved National Risk Assessment ........................... 7 5 List of key stakeholders for consultation ................................................................................... 8 6 List of abbreviations and Russian transliterated terms* used ................................................... 8 7 Risk assessments
    [Show full text]
  • Komi Aluminium Programme [EBRD
    Komi Aluminium Komi Aluminium Programme PROPOSED EARLY WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE PROPOSED SOSNOGORSK REFINERY SITE Environmental Analysis IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION AND EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS Prepared By: CSIR ENVIRONMENTEK P.O. Box 395 Pretoria 0001 Contact Person: Rob Hounsome Tel: +27 31 242-2300 Fax: +27 31 261-2509 Email: [email protected] In Partnership with: DewPoint International (Colorado) DATE: April 2004 Final Table of Contents 1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................- 3 - 2 Scope of the Early Works..............................................................................................................- 3 - 3 Impacts associated with the Early Works...................................................................................- 4 - 4 Background......................................................................................................................................- 5 - 4.1 The developer...............................................................................................................................- 6 - 4.2 Environmental and social assessment studies...........................................................................- 6 - 5 The Proposed Site...........................................................................................................................- 7 - 5.1 Location........................................................................................................................................-
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Stratigraphy of the Devonian Domanik Formation, Timan-Pechora Basin, by Michele L
    uses science for a changing world Molecular Stratigraphy of the Devonian Domanik Formation, Timan-Pechora Basin, by Michele L. W. Tuttle, 1 Paul G. Lillis, 1 and Jerry L. Clayton1 Open-File Report 99-379 1999 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 'Denver, Colorado Table of Contents Page Introduction .............................................. 1 Methods ................................................... 3 The Geochemistry of Domanik Source Rocks .................. 7 Lithology and Mineralogy ............................. 7 Organic Geochemistry ................................. 7 Trace Metal Geochemistry ............................ 17 Sulfur Geochemistry ................................. 23 Paleoenvironmental Conditions during Deposition of the Domanik Formation ...................................... 24 References ............................................... 24 List of Tables Page Table 1. Selected trace element concentrations and V/(V+Ni) ratios in a variety of shales and sediments ........................................... 21 List of Figures Page Figure 1. Index map of Russia and map of Timan-Pechora basin showing study location inside square around the town of Ukhta. Modified from Ulmeshek (1982) ....2 Figure 2. Domanik Formation
    [Show full text]
  • Russia's Policies for Arctic Cities
    RUSSIAN ANALYTICAL DIGEST No. 129, 24 June 2013 2 ANALYSIS Russia’s Policies for Arctic Cities By Alexander Pilyasov, Moscow Abstract Although the population of Russia’s Arctic has shrunk notably in the past two decades, the region contin- ues to be highly urbanized. The process of developing sustainable, economically self-sufficient, and socially resilient urban centers requires the implementation of informed and directed policy at the federal and local level. In order to assist in informing better policy, this article establishes several categories of northern urban centers based on their economies, political situation, and social networks. The efficacy of policy is analyzed through two case studies, the cities of Muravlenko and Gubkinsky, which have experienced divergent out- comes despite their proximity and organization. Finally, some general policy recommendations are proposed for the different urban categories, based on their varying needs and characteristics. Introduction (a short statistical review of mum to minimum salaries is often a factor of three. The Russian Arctic cities) most attractive sectors in terms of salary are usually pub- Russian Arctic cities are known for the large size of their lic policy, finance, and mining. In the single-industry populations relative to the Arctic region in general. By cities, differentials between maximum and minimum far, the majority of the biggest Arctic cities are located salaries are usually greater, sometimes by a factor of six, in Russia. Their large size stems from the Soviet era’s but in extreme cases the difference between the best and “triumph of the cities,” and continues to be centered worst paid can be as much as 13 times.
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Version Assessing the Efficiency of Gazprom Neft's Contribution
    GAZPROM NEFT Gazprom Neft at a glance Sustainable development management Health and safety Commissioning Environmental safety of the Sports Complex Employee development in Yamalo-Nenets Social policy Autonomous Okrug Appendices Expanding partnership with the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Gazprom Neft and the Government The area of the Ice Centre totals 5,400 of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous square metres. The Centre will host Okrug signed a supplementary ice-hockey, figure-skating, and other agreement on partnership winter-sports training sessions in social and economic projects. and competitions. The parties will continue their cooperation to ensure The Polyarny Sports Complex will further economic development allow local residents to swim, Modern sports centres of the region, and improve quality play futsal, basketball, volleyball are an essential of life there. The agreement also and tennis, do aerobics and dance all part of development provides for the development year round. The 7,000-square-metre on Yamal. Sports of energy infrastructure and roads complex also includes a versatile facilities such as Polyarny in the Tazovsky district. gym and a weight room, an aerobics are becoming centres that studio, and a six-lane swimming pool. attract local residents The company implemented several and open up new opportunities major infrastructure projects The company has previously opened for talented children. Together in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous such sports facilities in Noyabrsk, with the Avangard Ice Centre, Okrug, designed to promote Myuravlenko, and Tarko-Sale. which we built nearby an attractive urban environment, Construction of the multifunctional in cooperation with regional and develop sport for children Yamal-Arena Sports Complex authorities, it marks and the general public, as part in Salekhard is continuing the completion of sports of the “Home Towns” Programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Gazprom-Annual-Report-2010-En.Pdf
    ОАО GAZPROM ANNUAL REPORT 2010 ОАО GAZPROM ANNUAL REPORT 2010 OAO GAZPROM’S MISSION OAO Gazprom’s mission is to ensure a safe, efficient, and balanced supply of natural gas, other types of energy resources, and refined products to consumers. OAO GAZPROM’S STRATEGIC GOAL OAO Gazprom’s strategic goal is to establish itself as a leader among global energy companies by entering new markets, diversifying its activities, and ensuring reliable supplies. PRINCIPLES OF OAO GAZPROM’S OPERATIONS raising the efficiency of operations; diversifying through high-performance projects to create products with high added value; increasing capitalization and credit ratings; meeting the interests of all OAO Gazprom shareholders; improving corporate governance; improving the transparency of financial and business activities; establishing personal responsibility in its leadership for managerial decision-making; minimizing specific adverse environmental impact from technological causes. 2 ОАО GAZPROM ANNUAL REPORT 2010 GAZPROM IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST ENERGY COMPANIES GAZPROM GROUP ACTIVITY IN RUSSIA AND ABROAD IN 2010 FSU Countries Russia Japan Republic Venezuela of Korea European Contries Taiwan Bolivia China Vietnam Equatorial Algeria Libia Iraq India Guinea Hydrocarbons search and Gas transportation and Oil and gas condensate sales geological exploration underground storage Gas and gas condensate Electric power and heat Refined products sales production generation Oil production Spot sales of LNG Electricity sales Projects of methane Sales of gas, supplied
    [Show full text]
  • 4.3 National Holidays As a Multiplier of Ethno-Tourism in the Komi Republic
    Community development 161 4.3 National holidays as a multiplier of ethno-tourism in the Komi Republic Galina Gabucheva This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/5.3210 Introduction The Komi Republic has a vast territory, and a rich historical and cultural heritage. There is untouched wildness in most regions, which is a prerequisite for the development of various forms of tourism. A relatively new, but actively developing, sphere of tourism industry in the republic is ethnic tourism linked to the lifestyle and traditions of the Komi people. People increasingly want not just to travel in comfort, but also through a special experience where they learn and try something new. How did our ancestors live without electricity? How did they stoke the stove and light up the house? What tools and objects did they use in everyday life? How did they cultivate crops, hunt, and fish? How did they conduct holidays and feasts, what did they drink and eat, how did they sing and dance? Due to the geographic isolation of the Komi Republic, this Northern European ethnic culture is preserved in the form of traditions and customs, ideas about the world and beliefs, used instruments of labour, clothing and housing, monuments of antiquity, and legends and epic tales. This certainly provides a good basis for the development of ethno-cultural tourism in our region. Ethno-tourism in Komi Today, a number of ethno-tourism projects have been developed by some travel agencies within the republic.
    [Show full text]
  • Presentation
    Environmental aspects of urbanization in the Russian Arctic E.V. Abakumov Saint-Petersburg State University, Department of Applied Ecology, 1 [email protected] Arctic is about 37 % of Russian territory, but the Cryolithozone is about 54-60 % of total state area Population of Russian Arctic Developmental Population, thousands zone people European part –Siberia - Chukotka Murmansk 796 Population of key developmantal zones Arkhangelsk 661 800 Nenets 42 700 Vorkuta 143 600 Yamal 522 500 Taymyr 217 400 thousands 300 Yakutsk 65 (not all republic) 200 Chukotka 52 100 0 Nenets Yamal Total 2498 (involved in to Mumansk Yakutsk economic activity - 1300) Creation of “Development zones” in the Arctic accodring to Federal program “Development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and the national security up to 2020” • Development zones: 1 – Kola, 2 –Arkhangelsk, 3 – Nenets, 4 – Vorkuta, 5 Yamal, 6- Taymyr, 7 – North-Yakutks, 8 - Chukotka Population of the Russian Arctic: 2391 min =2,2% of whole population Arctic Population total urban 89,3 % 2500 2000 1500 1000 10,7% other 500 0 total urban other Number of cities with population range number of cities with population 14 14 12 9 10 8 6 4 4 3 4 2 1 2 0 5000 10000 20000 50000 1000000 250000 300000 Key Factors, Limiting the Arctic Zone Development • a) extreme climatic conditions, including low temperatures, strong winds and the presence of ice in the waters of the Arctic seas; • b) the localized nature of industrial and economic development of the areas and low population density; • c) the distance
    [Show full text]
  • JOINT STATEMENT of INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY for ARCTIC PROTECTION
    JOINT STATEMENT of INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY for ARCTIC PROTECTION We the Peoples of the North have for too long experienced the oppression of our Peoples and the barbaric destruction of our land. It is time that we join forces and demand that the oil companies and the Arctic States change their path and start to listen to the voices of the Indigenous Peoples residing in these lands. The Peoples of the North will no longer be bought with dimes and cents to stand silently by while the oil companies destroy our native land. Our culture and history cannot be bought off and replaced with pipelines and drill rigs. Our way of living defines who we are and we will stand up and fight for our nature and environment. Too many have been reduced to depend on the generosity of the oil companies. Our rights and ability to sustain ourselves must not be trampled by others’ endless hunger for profits. Our lands and culture must be preserved for the generations to come. If divided, we will not be able to withstand the pressure from oil producing companies to open up our homes for destruction. Today we gather our forces and refuse to continue to stand silently by, witnessing the destruction of our land. We stand together in our call for: • A ban on all offshore oil drilling in the Arctic shelf. We cannot accept the ecological risks and destructive impacts of a spill on our lands and in our seas. The irresponsible practices of oil companies everywhere have provided us with more than enough evidence that oil spills in the Arctic seas will be inevitable.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Meeting on Exclusion of the Environmental Hot Spots of The
    BARENTS EURO-ARCTIC COUNCIL WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENT Norwegian Chairmanship 2016-2017 Meeting on Exclusion of the Environmental Hot Spots of the Republic of Komi from the Barents List 11-12 October 2017 Syktyvkar, Russia Venue: Government of the Republic of Komi The meeting was chaired by Ms Hanne Aronsen (Norwegian Environment Agency) co-Chair of the Barents WGE Subgroup on Hotspots Exclusion (SHE) Minutes Final 27 October 2017 1. Introduction. Roman Polshvedkin (Senior Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry, Natural Resources, Energy and Transport of the Komi Republic) welcomed the participants of the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Natural Resources, Energy and Transport of the Komi Republic. He underlined progress made by the Komi Republic in the Hot Spots elimination process, and mentioned rather high level of pollution remaining in the industrial centers of the region (such as Syktyvkar, Uhta and Vorkuta). The meeting will focus on Ko7, Ko3-2, Ko1 and Ko2-1. Waste management won’t be discussed at the meeting due to the complicity of the situation related to changes in the Russian environmental legislation. In the beginning of 2018 regional operator in solid waste sector is to be appointed, and the Republic will continue negotiations with NEFCO. Mr. Polshvedkin expressed gratitude to Tatiana Tyupenko for assistance on organizing the meeting. Co-Chair of the Barents WGE Subgroup on Hot Spots Exclusion (SHE) Hanne Aronsen (Norwegian Environmental Agency) thanked the organizers for inviting the SHE group to Syktyvkar to meet with the regional Hotspot Exclusion Group (HEG). The other co-Chair of the SHE Subgroup, Maria Dronova from the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, couldn’t participate in the event.
    [Show full text]