English
On April 3, the Freeport of Riga terminals at Sarkandaugava were visited by a group of students from Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) (Switzerland) with the aim to see Sarkandaugava historically polluted sites. Since 2009 the Freeport of Riga Authority in cooperation with the State Environment Service has participated in the project “Treatment of Historically Polluted Areas in Sarkandaugava territory”, that was implemented on the territories of such companies as “Eko Osta” Ltd, “Woodison terminal”Ltd, “OVI” Ltd. “VL Bunkering”Ltd and “OVI Riga” Ltd. Implementation of the project is possible due to funding provided in the framework of the Swiss-Latvian cooperation program. Swiss students listened to the State Environmental Service representative’s presentation of the project and its implementation. A representative of Intergeo company demonstrated groundwater monitoring wells as well as showed how to determine the actual oil product floating layer thickness taking samples on site. Students were surprised by sampling results - thickness of oil product layer in each sample reached from 30 up to 50 cm. Future environmental engineers from Lausanne received feedback in regards of the project's impact on the River Daugava and Milgravis water environment and project implementation practicalities.
The FPR has already mentioned that on June16, 2012, the Ambassador of Swiss Confederation Ms. Gabriela Nützi Sulpizio visited the Freeport of Riga to take part in the festive ceremony on board the vessel ”Jelgava” to commemorate launch of the Project “Treatment of Historically Polluted Areas in Sarkandaugava territory”.
According to Ms. Gabriela Nützi Sulpizio in the process of referendum Swiss people voted for allocation of financial subsidy to Latvia with the aim to implement various projects including those related to mitigation of environmental pollution impact and focused on sustainable use of natural resources. The project beneficiaries are not only Riga residents, but all those who live around the Baltic Sea. In recent years, both Latvia and Switzerland have demonstrated significant progress in environmental sustainability and this project is another step in promoting conservation of natural resources. Sarkandaugava project has at least three positive aspects - polluted area is being rehabilitated, the investment into environment improvement is being provided, the project area will become more attractive for new business ideas.
“We are proud to participate in this project and we are confident that the Swiss input is a valuable contribution to Latvian future”, said the Swiss Ambassador.
