Siarzewo dam: the battle isn’t over

Siarzewo dam: the battle isn’t over

In January 2025, after seven years of legal battles, Poland’s General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) definitively revoked the environmental permit for the Siarzewo dam on the Vistula river. For a moment, it seemed like the fight to save the river had been won. Save Polesia’s partner Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife … Read more

Victory for Poland’s Vistula river: Siarzewo dam project canceled

Victory for Poland's Vistula river: Siarzewo dam project canceled

Polish authorities have canceled the environmental consent for the Siarzewo dam project on the Vistula river meaning the project cannot go ahead. This decision is a big win for environmentalists and local communities, who have worked hard to protect the river’s natural ecosystem. The decision comes after almost seven years of waiting and debate. The … Read more

Save Polesia Petition handed over to European Parliament  – EU to investigate Siarzewo barrier decision making

Petition handed over to European Parliament. Wouter Langhout (Save Polesia) and Marek Elas (OTOP – BirdLife Poland) in Brussels

On 22nd of January, we presented the petition against Siarzewo dam and the E40 waterway at the PETI Committee’s monthly hearing in Brussels. The petition by Wemove, Avaaz and the Save Polesia partnership was signed by more than 143 000 people. What is the issue? The Vistula – the Queen of the Polish rivers – … Read more

New report: Siarzewo barrage is a real threat for habitats and species

The Vistula river. Photo by Marek Elas

A new report that shows the devastating impact of E40 waterway on birds, natural habitats and water-dependent species in Poland was published on 2nd of October 2023. The report was prepared at the request of Save Polesia partner OTOP (BirdLife Poland). Despite being aware of the disastrous consequences of the E40 project, the Polish government … Read more

Polish protest against Siarzewo dam

Protest against Siarzewo dam in Warsaw 14th March 2023. (c) Małgorzata Kaznowska-Filipek

An ironic “birthday-party” with a dam-cake was held in Warsaw opposite the Ministry of Climate and Environment on 14th March 2023, the International day of action for rivers.  The Polish “Save the Rivers” Coalition gathered people to protest against the construction of Siarzewo dam on the Vistula river. The partygoers demanded immediate consideration of NGO … Read more