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Demand of cancelation of the decision of the YPEXODE to validate the "Preliminary Study of Environmental Impact" Author: Ecological Society of Heraklion Document source: Click here (in Greek) 
Pre-study of Environmental Impact for the development of port installations in Timbaki, prefecture of Heraklion, CreteAuthor: Commission of planning and development of Ports Document source: none Comments: On 7th September 2007, the Heraklion Port Authority (OLH) announced on its website the reception of this document. This announcement could be found at this address: http://www.portheraklion.gr/olh-sample-page.php?menu_id=menu0. The next days, newspapers wrote that this prestudy had been accepted by a commitee of representatives of 17 Greek ministries. At this time, the same web page claims that the OLH, in order to give "the possibility, to every interested citizen, to have immediate access to full and reliable information", keeps the document at the disposal of everyone "wishing to get a copy of it". The web page also explains that, because of the 190 Mb weight of the files, the download of the document would be impossible (which is absolutely false), and that it was therefore useless to put it online. Anyone wishing to have it should just ask by email, and would be sent a CDROM copy of the document. The day after, the Movement of Citizens of the Messara for the Environment asks for the document by email. It will never get any kind of answer. The same scenario will occur with the demand of the Ecological Society of Heraklion (ecocrete). A few days later, we go in the office of the OLH in Heraklion in order to ask for the study. After being asked who we are and what is our job, we have to wait for quite a long time. Finally, they answer to us that "they can't find the CDROM". They write down our address and say they will send it to us when they find the CDROM... On 24th September 2007, we remark that the web page of the OLH has been "updated": the annoucement of the pre-study has desappeared, as well as the invitation to the interested citizens, to feel free to ask for a copy of the document... On 25th September 2007, the Ecological Society of Heraklion (Ecocrete) sends an [official mail] to the Heraklion Port Authority, officially asking for the pre-study. The mail also includes a copy of the [Greek law] which makes the public access to these types of documents mandatory. 
Preliminary estimation of the social, economic and environmental impact of the construction of a port of international
scale in the area of TimbakiAuthor: National Technical University of Athens. Document source: [Heraklion Port Authority (OLH)] Translations: Part of the document has been translated by us, and is available [here]. Sum-up: Chapters 1 and 2: Small introduction of the subject, and presentation of the team who wrote the document. Chapters 3: First, a geographical presentation of the area, within the scope of Crete and its existing ports. Follows a presentation of sites of Crete identified for their natural interest. These sites are of the following types: TIFK (a database of "Landscape of special natural beauty", established by the NTUA itself), NATURA 2000 and CORINE. They have been found in the FILOTIS database, also maintained by the NTUA, and available online. Archaeological and historical sites of Rethymnon and Heraklion prefectures are then listed. They are followed by meteorological data (annual rainfalls, etc. of the area). Chapter 4: This small chapter recalls the exact location of the project, the basic physical characteristics of the foreseen port (size, etc.) and its type: a transshipment hub. Chapter 5: A general presentation of maritime transports of containers. Some technical details are given, as well as the current routes of container ships. Some vocabulary is given. The bigger container ports of the Mediterranean Sea are mentioned. Chapter 6: (translated, see above) Answers to the questionnaire provided by local authorities as an input for the writing of the document. The port project has to be considered within the scope of sustainable development, a notion promoted by the European Community, as well as regarding the European "sustainable mobility" program. Geo-economic elements, such as the emergence of the countries of former Communist block, the strategic location of Crete, the importance of the maritime sector in Greece, etc. lead to the conclusion that "the development of a port of international scale in the area of Timbaki [...] will ensure the development and profitability of maritime transports [...], as well as the reinforcement of the economic activity at regional and national levels.", though "The benefits for the island strongly depends on how the project will integrate in the specificities of the Cretan economic and land structures, as well as to what extent it will be accepted by the local community.". To define the exact impact of the project on the environment, a Study of Environmental Consequences has to be writen. The present document is just an estimation made on the basis of the visit of the NTUA team in the area. Morphology: Needed surface depends on the annual number of containers circulating in the port. The bottom of the sea will be affected by the construction of the port, as well as some greenhouses. Natural ecosystems - Protected areas: A list of the protected areas and of the corresponding species. No "Landscapes of Special Natural Beauty" have been found in the NTUA database in the concerned area. Natural resources: The main problem will be where to find solid material needed for the fundations of the port (mainly built on water). No problem is foreseen regarding water; "The complete final study will have to totalise the important amount of water that is needed for the agricultural production of the Messara." Consequences on the coast: There is a risk of erosion of the coast east from Kokkinos Pirgos. Use of detached breakwaters is suggested. Waste - sewage: If proper measures are taken, there should not be any problems. Especially considering the fact that, currently, the wastes are disposed in the Plati river. Aesthetics: The area does not include landscapes of special natural beauty, but the port will "create a relative change", and be partly visible from Agia Galini. Light pollution is a subjective notion, and cannot argued at this stage as problematic or not. Noise: Main sources are loading/unloading and circulation of heavy vehicles. A chart measuring noise from merchant boats is given. Noise is not expected to be important, and should not go further than 2km around. Electricity-powered vehicles allow "reaching, for a merchant port, a relatively low level of noise.". Energy: "The energy demand of the port will be supplied by use of systems that will be studied by the operators of the port." Water: If proper measures and technologies are followed, no major problem should be expected. Oil slicks sould be avoided by the installation of sea traffic electronic control systems. Atmosphere: Probability of smells and smokes, and atmospheric pollution "will be limited by the observation of strict rules regarding the operation of the port". Traffic - Transport: "Crete constitutes a proper location for the installation of a transshipment port in the Mediterranean region. In this case, it is expected to become a "South Gate" for Europe.". The competitiveness, the terms of negociation and the socio-economic and environmental impact have to be studied. An increase in the road traffic is expected in the area. Creation or renovation of roads are suggested. "Sound-reflecting systems will be foreseen in order to reduce noise, and trees will be planted for atmospheric pollution." " The parallel use of the military airport as a civil airport (passengers, merchandise, transports) is a subject of study. This use is expected to have positive consequences for the area, given the fact that it will also offer to the container port the possibility to develop connected sea-air transports for particular categories of freight." International conventions in relation with security on ships and in ports will have to be followed. Urban repercussions - Use of the ground: The project will considerably influence local activities. New activities will probably conflict with existing activities, but they will create jobs. A free zone will be created, "resulting in the development of an optimistic business climate". Social and economic repercussions: "Current activities (agricultural production and, partially, tourism) cause important negative environmental repercussions, due to the use of pesticides, the disgraceful construction on the coast, etc. A modernisation of the development followed until today could focus on a turn towards certified agricultural products, integrated agricultural production and development of quality tourism, respecting the landscape and exploiting the natural and cultural resources of the region in a better way. It seems that an important part of the local community is mainly interested in investments of such a kind, which promote a more rational direction for the current development of the private sector. This tendency does not converge with the tendencies of industrial development offered by the port. We propose that measures are taken for the reinforcement of the agricultural production, with the installation in the area of agricultural products standardisation units, export of them through the port, etc." The transshipment hub will create a new form of development: visits of businessmen and ships crews will replace the current tourism. Local people working on tourism will have to adapt themselves to this new tourism. Regarding the adaption of local people to new socio-economic context: "The study of socio-economic repercussions will have to examine enough this subject and precisely determine the number and the kind of jobs that will be created, during construction phase as well as during operating period of the port.". At its operating stage, the port will need a limited number of qualified personal, usually commissioned executives. Usually, the criterion for choosing the employee is not his/her being a local, but its specialisation. The importance of the political negotiation between the potential investors and the deciders is stressed. The fundings of the project should also be used for protection of environment, parallel touristic installations, etc. Archaeological sites: A special study is needed. Conclusion: A full study of environmental repercussions is required, as foreseen by both Greek and Community legislations. Nowadays, technology offers solutions or improvements for nearly all the formerly mentioned repercussions. Chapter 7: on progress...
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