Water stage below Włocławek – GDOŚ refused to issue an environmental decision

On December 30, 2024, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) issued a statement regarding the refusal to grant an environmental decision for the project “Construction of a water stage on the Vistula River below Włocławek.” The refusal was attributed to unreliable and incomplete data submitted by the investor.

Administrative proceedings on the Siarzewo stage

In 2016, the then National Water Management Authority (KZGW) submitted an application for an environmental decision (decision on environmental conditions) for the construction of a new water stage on the Vistula River below Włocławek. On December 29, 2017, the Regional Director for Environmental Protection in Bydgoszcz (RDOŚ), following a series of supplements and clarifications submitted by Wody Polskie, the successor of KZGW, issued an environmental decision. However, the decision was challenged by a social party the following year.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment annulled the RDOŚ decision, which led to an objection by Wody Polskie and an appeal against the ministerial ruling. Consequently, in 2023, the Provincial Administrative Court referred the case to the second instance, namely GDOŚ.

GDOŚ statement – Wody Polskie responds

After reviewing the details of the administrative proceedings to date and examining the allegations against the investor regarding the Siarzewo stage project, GDOŚ issued a statement announcing the annulment of the 2017 RDOŚ decision and refusing to issue an environmental decision. The authority justified its decision by stating that the investor’s submitted report did not allow for a reliable assessment of the planned project’s environmental impact on natural areas, including protected zones.

GDOŚ noted that during the proceedings, Wody Polskie was twice called upon to supplement documentation and provide explanations. However, the investor failed to provide comprehensive responses, preventing the determination of measures to mitigate and compensate for the project’s environmental impact, which GDOŚ considers potentially significant. Among the identified deficiencies and allegations were:

• lack of a thorough analysis of investment alternatives;
• insufficient assessment of the project’s impact on Natura 2000 areas;
• risk of significant adverse effects on priority natural habitats due to the construction of the stage below Włocławek;
• threat to achieving environmental objectives for surface water bodies (JCWP).

In response to the refusal to issue an environmental decision, Wody Polskie announced the commencement of a new analysis to explore flood safety measures for the Lower Vistula region. The in-depth analysis aims to identify optimal methods and tools for flood prevention, including the potential construction of another water stage on the Vistula River. The Ministry of Infrastructure is also expected to be involved in the development of a new plan.