“The aim of strategic evaluation of environmental effects is to determine the impact that the activities designed to increase radiation safety may have on the environment and how best to ensure environmental protection during implementation of the plan,” explained Evelyn Pesur, chief radiation specialist with the ministry’s Environmental Management and Technology Department. “Assessment also shows us whether implementing the plan could lead to a cross-border impact on the environment.” Assessment activities are being led by the joint Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian company OÜ ELLE. The recently completed working version of their report can be viewed on the Ministry of the Environment’s website at http://www.envir.ee/356061. Public discussion of the report will take place on 26 March. “A national development plan for radiation safety is also being developed,” said Pesur. “It established a number of different ways and measures for guaranteeing radiation safety. For example, we foresee the possibility and need to construct our own Estonian final deposit site for radioactive waste, ensuring that it is safe to both people and the environment.” The draft national plan can also be viewed on the Ministry of the Environment’s website at http://www.envir.ee/356061. Questions, comments, suggestions and complaints about both the draft plan and the strategic assessment report can be submitted to the Environmental Management and Technology Department of the Ministry of the Environment until 26 March. The deadline for submission of the National Development Plan for Radiation Safety 2007-2017 and its implementation plan to the government is June 2007. For further information please contact: Evelyn Pesur, Chief radiation specialist, Environmental Management and Technology Department, Ministry of the Environment +372 626 2982 Agnes Jürgens, Deputy Advisor, Public Relations Department, Ministry of the Environment +372 626 2811 |
