Ecologists criticize the manner and the emergence of the viewpoint at Králický Sněžník

Králíky (Orlickoústecko) – Several environmental organizations have pointed out the inappropriate procedure during the construction of a lookout tower at Králický Sněžník. On the Polish side of the summit near the Czech Republic border, an excavator and a loader are operating, carrying out excavation work for the foundation of the structure. According to ecologists, this will irreversibly damage an ecologically exceptional natural area, and significantly increase the number of tourists at the summit, which will have negative impacts on the unique ecosystem of the alpine barren land. They are therefore considering filing a complaint with the European Commission, as stated in a joint press release by Hnutí Duha, the Czech Ornithological Society, and the Friends of Jeseníky Society.

They argue that the rules for placing such structures in a protected nature area were likely not followed. They attribute responsibility to the Ministry of Regional Development, which did not ensure adequate protection of the area, and to the Ministry of the Environment, which did not insist on an interstate assessment process for the project.

"Out of the three specified conditions, the Polish side did not accept one and the remaining two are rather cosmetic in nature. An analysis of the potential impacts on the Natura 2000 conservation objects was prepared in Poland in 2013 for the lookout tower project, but it assessed and underestimated the expected visitor development and associated impacts in a highly unreliable manner, so as to allow the conclusion of the analysis to permit construction," stated the environmental organizations. The Administration of the CHKO Jeseníky, under which the Králický Sněžník area falls, issued a statement in January 2014, stipulating that the transportation of construction materials would be secured by helicopter without the need for landing.

The Ministry of the Environment stated in a statement to ČTK that in September 2013, the Polish side informed it about the termination of the EIA process in an interstate context. The reason was a change in the project plan from the notifier’s side, whereby the modified plan only involved the construction of a simple lookout tower, protective railing along the boundaries of the land where the lookout tower would be located, and fencing of the hiking trail, without constructing any additional building, accompanying infrastructure, telecommunication channel, or social facilities and service background. "Therefore, the Ministry had to accept the termination of the interstate EIA process, however, it still requested that the Polish side takes into account three conditions set by the Administration of the CHKO Jeseníky during the implementation of the project," stated Dominika Pospíšilová from the press department.

The ministry was also informed that the lookout tower was subject to a special Polish procedure due to the assessment of impacts on the Natura 2000 area. Based on public inquiries, it approached the Polish side in June this year with a question of whether there had been any change in the project compared to the last version. According to information from the Polish side, nothing of the sort happened, the project does not require an EIA process according to either Czech or Polish legislation, therefore the Polish building permit is valid along with the conditions set by the Czech side. If this were to happen, the ministry would require the Polish side to conduct a new interstate EIA process. "In the event of discovering violations of applicable European legislation, the ministry will also seek assistance from the European Commission," Pospíšilová stated.

The original lookout tower on Králický Sněžník was demolished in 1973. A new one, over 30 meters high, is now under construction. The structure is to consist of concrete with stone cladding at the bottom, while the top of the tower will be largely glazed. Environmental organizations argue that despite being an ecologically exceptional area, no public discussion on the topic took place, and everything happened behind closed doors and at the table.