TransboundaryTransboundary SEASEA (or(or lacklack ofof it)it) inin decisiondecision--makingmaking onon ““BUKBUK--BIJELABIJELA”” powerpower plantplant (case(case study)study) Prof dr Maja Kostic-Mandic, University of Montenegro Issues addressed in the presentation: • decision-making on disposal of natural resources under special legal regime • transboundary context • SEA and EIA constraints • public participation The project of building a dam that would flood part of: • the Tara River Basin Biosphere Reserve • the Tara River Canyon, a World Heritage Site and • Durmitor National Park World Heritage Site Applicable international conventions: • World Heritage Convention • Danube River Protection Convention • draft protocol regarding the Sava countries Relevant legislation: • Bosnia and Herzegovina entity Republika Srpska (no SEA and EIA provisions) and entity B&H Federation (SEA and EIA provisions in Environmental Protection Law) • State union Serbia and Montenegro Serbia (SEA and EIA laws) • the Republic of Montenegro (draft SEA and EIA laws) International legal documents setting standards, not binding between the parties • Espoo Convention • Aarhus Convention • EIA and SEA EU Directives “SEA and EIA procedure” in Montenegro • 1997 Physical Plan • No Strategy for the Energy sector • Agreement between the Republic of Srpska and the Republic of Montenegro • Environmental Study • joint commission The public participation issue • imposed by the affected local community, wide public, NGOs and scientists • “Tara Declaration” adopted • the role of UNESCO and international community Mayor gains of the “Buk-Bijela” case for Montenegro • Montenegrin government has halted plans to build a dam • raising public awareness regarding environmental issues • draft SEA and EIA laws to be adopted • the new draft Physical Plan encompassed SEA Further reading: • UNESCO-IUCN Report http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2005/mis100- 2005.pdf • M. Kostic-Mandic, International and National Legal Constraints regarding Decision-making on “Buk-Bijela” Power Plant, in 3E for Tara, the Collection of papers from the round table discussion held on 13.11.2004 in Podgorica, organized by Montenegro Greens in association with UNDP, Podgorica, 2004. • M. Kostic-Mandic, Harmonization of Montenegrin Law with the EU Law regarding Public Participation, 1st Symposium of the ecologists of Montenegro, with international participation, 14-19. 11.2004., Tivat, Natura Montenegrina (in English)..