Poland is Going for a Reckless Geographic Adventure
The Polish Sejm approved a controversial project at a cost of $220 million. Warsaw is ready to dig a channel through the Baltic Spit protected zone, connecting Polish Elblag with the sea, in order to save ships from the need to enter Russian territorial waters. EU experts call the construction a reckless venture. The project threatens the bay's unique ecosystem, fishing, and tourism of the country. Marina Naumova tried to find out why authorities insist on it.
Polish authorities started a repartition of the world's geographical map. The Polish Sejm formally approved a plan to dig up the Baltic Spit, which the Poles call the Vistula Spit, and part of which belongs to Russia. President Andrzej Duda has already signed a decree on the new waterway's construction start to the displeasure on both sides of the border. This is a purely political decision. If they implement it, they will dig up a unique place.
For the construction of a 1.5-km long and 5-meter deep channel, the relic pine trees will have to be cut down and sandy beaches will be dug up. Thus, Poland wants to have a free access to the Baltic Sea from its port of Elblag. Cargo ships can now easily enter the Polish port, but to do this they need to pass through a navigable strait near the Russian Baltiysk.
Poland wants to create a channel in the protected zone of the Spit, and to connect Gdansk Bay and the Vistula Lagoon, which will cost the Polish treasury 880 million zlotys. The European Union refused to finance the venture of Jarosław Kaczyński's party, considering the costs unjustified. This is it, the only strait through which ships can enter the Vistula Gulf from the Baltic Sea. Vessels have to go through Russian territorial waters to reach Elblag port. According to official Warsaw, this puts Poland in dependence on Russia, and it's time to get rid of it.
Polish journalist Tomasz Omanski is convinced that they plan to use the direct access to the sea for military purposes. We can talk about low-tonnage military ships and boats. In Elblag, US and NATO's eastern flank troop HQ are supposed to be located. On the Polish part of the Spit, people are already preparing for protests. They are spending huge amounts of money on this because of their stubbornness, so that everything is against Russia. But we will have to deal with it. The channel is proposed to be excavated in one of the most popular Polish resorts in the Krynica Morska area.
Each year thousands of tourists from different countries come here. Local residents fear that the construction could ruin unique sandy beaches and high dunes. Dozens of hotels and boarding houses are located on the main street of Krynica, and they are already being prepared for the high season. If they become empty due to the work of heavy equipment, people are threatening to sue the government of the country, which, contrary to the interests of its own citizens, is going to save Europe from an imaginary Russian threat.