The Environmental Inspection has prohibited the Agency for the Management of Protected Areas of Podgorica from carrying out work on Rikavac Lake until they obtain a permit from the competent Environmental Protection Agency.
This was told to "Vijesti" yesterday by the inspection of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, after they determined, during an inspection initiated by locals, that the AUZP had begun building a public toilet and digging a canal in the protected area, which they manage, without a permit.
"The Environmental Protection Agency did not obtain a permit from the competent authority for the construction of a public toilet and digging a canal on cadastral plot number 2343/1, the environmental inspector issued a decision prohibiting the Agency for the Management of Protected Areas of Podgorica from carrying out actions, activities and activities - continuing to carry out works on Rikavac Lake in Zone II of the protected area, 'Komovi' Nature Park until a permit is obtained, in accordance with Article 40 of the Law on Nature Protection from the Environmental Protection Agency," it is stated, among other things, in the report signed by the environmental inspector. Veselin Zarubica.
"Vijesti" recently reported that works are being carried out on Rikavac Lake, as well as Bukumir Lake, as part of the "Komovi" Nature Park. The EPA previously said that some of the works - the installation of control boxes for the needs of rangers - were foreseen in the Management Plan and Program, that consent had been given for these works, but that the EPA has no other jurisdiction.
The Environmental Protection Agency told "Vijesti" at the time that, if other activities are being implemented in that area, it is necessary for an environmental inspection to go to the field.
At Rikavac Lake, the AUZP recently installed benches and trash cans, work has begun on installing a control box, and locals have also indicated that a canal has been dug. The acting executive director of the AUZP, Stojan Sjekloća, announced the construction of a public toilet a few days ago.
"On September 10, 9, an inspection was carried out on Lake Rikavac in the protected area zone, the 'Komovi' Nature Park, in connection with the initiative to carry out an inspection of the katunjani from Lake Rikavac. According to the initiative to carry out an inspection, the AUZP dug a canal on the shore of the lake, to concrete the ramp, they installed benches and trash cans and expressed concern about the inaccessibility of the terrain, how this waste will be transported to the city and containers," the inspector's report states.
It is added that the field visit was also attended by the director of the AUZP, a representative of the EPA, and representatives of the locals who submitted the initiative.
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"The inspection determined that benches for visitors and trash cans were placed at the location in question, and that a canal was dug, about 50 meters long and 60 to 90 centimeters deep (the depth is not the same along the canal). It was dug from the western side of Lake Rikavac in the lower part of one of the numerous ravines in the brown eroded soil on the flysch to the very shore of the lake. The excavated material was not removed, but a side embankment was formed from the excavated material," the minutes state.
According to the locals present, it is added that only part of the canal follows the trace of a natural ravine.
"While the remaining part was excavated mechanically. Locals are expressing concern that due to rainfall, the excavated material will end up in the lake and are demanding that the canal be filled in urgently, restoring it to its original state. At the time of the inspection, no turbidity of the water from the excavated material was noted, but the weather conditions were without precipitation," the inspector said.
She adds that, parallel to the canal, on cadastral plot no. 2343/1, construction of a public toilet has begun, and that a 180x150 cm concrete foundation slab was poured at the end of August.
"The director of the AUZP stated that the works were carried out in order to provide the best possible conditions for visitors - tourists who come every year, and that the canal was dug to redirect the water so that it would not undermine the toilet," the minutes state.
Sjekloća, it is added, also said that the work was carried out at the time of construction of the infrastructure for the ranger's lodge, using a machine that was on the ground, and that this significantly affected the cost and efficiency of the work.
He promises to correct the omission.
"It further states that the AUZP administration did not effectively monitor the progress of the works, and therefore did not provide the EPA permit for the public toilet on time. That this omission will be corrected and that a request will be sent to the EPA as soon as tomorrow to obtain a permit for the public toilet and to request a statement - permission to fill the canal with excavated material as soon as possible, in order to rehabilitate the location in question, which was the request of the residents of that katun," the minutes state.
It is also added that Sjekloća expressed hope that the inspection "will have understanding for this new situation."
"All the more so since he has been serving as the acting executive director of the AUZP since June 2nd."
The minutes also add that a concrete foundation slab for a ranger's house was poured about 700 meters along a macadam road from Rikavac Lake, that the house will be a prefabricated-demountable structure and made of wood, and that it was planned by the Plan of Temporary Facilities for the Municipality of Podgorica for the period from 2020 to 2024.
The AUZP provided the inspection with a permit to install the cabin, the Komovi Nature Park Management Plan (until 2026), and the annual program for the Komovi Park for 2025, according to which, in addition to the cabins, it is also planned to determine the location for setting up a campsite, an open fireplace and a barbecue on Rikavac Lake.
“The management plan for the 'Komovi' Nature Park has been approved by the EPA (December 2021) and the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism (November 2021). As the AUZP has not secured a permit from the competent authority for the construction of a public toilet and digging a canal on cadastral plot no. 2343/1, the environmental inspector issued a Decision prohibiting the continuation of works... until a permit is obtained.”
Based on the inspector's report, the EPA can initiate proceedings to determine whether the unauthorized work caused damage or whether there was an imminent threat of environmental damage...
Analyze water quality, introduce controls for access to motor vehicles
Regardless of the request from the initiative, the inspector visited Rikavac Lake and noted that due to the long dry period, a significant drop in the water level in Rikavac Lake was noted, the appearance of scum on the surface and the growth of vegetation around the lake's edge, and that this should be further investigated.
"Water quality analyses to prevent possible degradation changes from possible pollution by untreated wastewater from the facility in the gravity area around the lake," the minutes state.
Additional pressure on the lake's ecosystem, it is added, is posed by the activities of the local population - livestock farmers, including watering livestock, swimming, as well as tourist visits.
"The arrival of tourists in off-road vehicles and the use of quad bikes on the surrounding slopes is particularly noteworthy."
The inspector suggested that it would be necessary to place information and warning signs about the importance of preserving the lake and its ecosystem, introduce controls on access to motor vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the lake, and increase supervision and monitoring of water quality.
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