HUSKROUA/1702/6.1/0072
Programme priority: 6.1 Sustainable use of the environment in the cross border area
Lead Applicant: Tisza European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Limited Liability
Applicants:
University of Miskolc
Solotvyno City Hall
Municipality of Sighetu Marmatiei
The Technical University of Kosice
Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Total budget of the project: 1 075 817,58 EUR
EU contribution: 968 235,80 EUR
Project overview
According to the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan (ITRBMP), approved at ministerial level, the risk of accidental pollution due to mining is much higher in the Tisza River Basin as compared with the Danube River Basin.
Serious environmental impact affecting Tisza River were caused by the salt mine disaster in Solotvyno in 2008 meaning that the salt content in the river reached contamination value ten times over the average level.
Beside the salt contamination that pollutes the ground and surface waters, the collapsing mine shafts imply continuous danger to human lives and cascading effects.
For the full exploration of the problems two EU missions (2016) have been organized in order to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment at the target area. The Report contains recommendations for environmental actions.
The REVITAL I is the first activity that aims gradually bringing the environmental proposals into practice. The main goal of the REVITAL I. is to set the foundation for the establishment of the revitalization process of the Solotvyno mine and surrounding area through deepened cross- border cooperation. 3 specific objectives are identified: 1. to examine and evaluate the current environmental state of the Solotvyno salt mine and its wider surroundings with the aid of the innovative technology, 2. to set up an investigative monitoring and to prepare a future complex monitoring system for tracking the surface and near subsurface water qualitative and quantitative changes and the soil movements. 3. to raise awareness and promote the results of the project on different levels. This is important not only for the locals, but due to the nature of the problem, also for the settlements along the River Tisza in all the four countries. The project will also draft Strategic Concept Note, a document with analysis and recommendations for future measures for all level decision making.
The specific objectives of project
SO1 Improved knowledge base on the current environmental state of the upper-Tisza basin, particularly on the Solotvyno area, by examining the current environmental state of the Solotvyno salt mine and surroundings. Surveys and data collection on the present state is plannedby usinginnovative technology, in cooperation with partner institutes. Knowledge base establishment through surveys and other activities will form the mid and long term base of the revitalization of the region and to the planning of a complex monitoring system;
SO2 Changes in water and soil movementsare measurable by an investigatory monitoring system in operation. Parameters are set for a complex monitoring system.
To prepare – based on results of SO1 – the planning of a complex monitoring system fitting into the wider regional framework for tracking the surface and subsurface water qualitative and quantitative changes and the soil movements in Solotvyno area. The monitoring network shall have two objectives: 1. to provide data and processed information on the status of the targeted area for assessment and planning 2.to get feedback on the efficiency of the physical model applied and measures taken. In order to identify the extent of the harmful effects, we shall collect and processes data gathered both at local and transboundary levels.
SO3 public is informed and is involved in the overall process towards the sustainable use of natural resources. Enhanced capacities of Ukrainian stakeholders’ through cross-border cooperation.
Activities are awareness raising and promotion of results of the project on different levels under SO3. Cross-border level promotion of the project results is necessary not only to the wider public (including tourists and visitors) but to decision-makers as well .Communication products and events are contributing to raise awareness, to generate other projects and further research, while it might also support the activities of Emergency Services.