| The project objective was to achieve improvements in environmental management performance in the Paz River Basin. This was achieved through clean production and other pilot projects and improved pollution monitoring mechanisms, aimed at reaching a fuller degree of compliance with the existing environmental standards, which will require reinforced environmental management capacity and local self-governance. A further objective was to support the development of a more compatible system of protection across the three countries. The most significant source of pollution in the Basin was a major non-ferrous smelting plant located in the town of Nickel. The project supported the design and practical implementation of a cleaner production project designed to reduce contaminants in the smelter water discharges. WYG International specialists developed the appropriate technical approach and assisted smelter staff with developing the final design and obtaining the necessary permits.
Equipment to the value of €450,000 was purchased and installed in connection with industrial clean production pilot projects, self-help schemes, information acquisition and monitoring.
Close cooperation was developed with the Barents Interreg II project, the Barents Regional Council, and Finnish, Norwegian and Russian Authorities. Further outputs of the project included:
- An evaluation of Border Guard and municipal waste water treatment facilities;
- An evaluation of water and air pollution from the nickel mining, processing and smelting operations;
- A ‘Road Map’ of Russian institutions and agencies involved in the environmental sphere in the Paz River basin.
- Recommendations for appropriate monitoring approach and a list of required equipment;
- A plan for cross border institutional developmental activities;
- Clean production and other pilot projects implemented to improve environmental performance, supported by procurement of equipment, provision of information and monitoring;
- Visits and exchanges between the three countries implemented;
- EU Habitats Directive, Natura 2000 information made available
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