During a meeting with the local government authorities of the Odra River communes, the Minister of Climate expressed her determination to implement the project. Hennig-Kloska announced that she would submit a proposal to the management of the Wolin National Park to include Międzyodrze under protection within the exclave. This idea was proposed by the authorities of Szczecin and the Kołbaskowo commune, and support was also expressed by the Police district and the assembly of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Read also: Minister of Infrastructure: The Lower Oder Valley National Park would not harm shipping
Reservations will be taken into account
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the bill establishing the Lower Oder Valley National Park on November 7. In justification of his decision, he pointed to concerns about potential restrictions on the economic development of the region and the lack of sufficient analyzes of the effects of regulations. The president also emphasized that changing the protective status could negatively affect economic, agricultural, fishing and tourist activities in the region. He also pointed to the lack of broad public consultations and expert debates on this matter.
In response to the president's veto, the Minister of Climate emphasized that local governments did not intend to give up plans to create a national park. Hennig-Kloska announced that the Ministry of Climate will prepare a new law that will take into account the objections of the project's opponents. The new regulations are to include a provision that the shape of the national park buffer zone cannot be changed without the consent of local governments.
PLN 450 million for Międzyodrze
According to the original assumptions, the Lower Oder Valley National Park was to cover an area of 3,856 ha, including naturally valuable wetlands and peat bogs, which are a habitat for about 200 species of birds. The act provided for the possibility of continuing existing activities, such as fishing or maintaining waterways, as well as additional funds for local governments in whose territory the park would operate.
Hennig-Kloska announced that the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management has prepared a special fund with a budget of PLN 450 million to support activities to protect Międzyodrze. These funds will be allocated to investments related to adaptation to climate change, renaturalization of watercourses and protection of water-dependent areas. The fund is scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2026.
The activities are to be continued
The Minister of Climate emphasized that despite the presidential veto, activities to protect nature in the region will continue. She indicated that the Lower Oder Valley Landscape Park will develop a coherent plan for the protection of this area, and the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection will implement the planned investments.
There are currently 23 national parks in Poland, which cover approximately 1%. area of the country. The last of them, the “Ujście Warta” National Park, was established in 2001.
