The Agency has given approval to the Capital City for the Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the collector construction project.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the Capital City of Podgorica approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the project to build a wastewater treatment system, the construction of which is planned in the industrial zone of the Aluminum Plant (KAP), on urban plots located in the cadastral municipality of Dajbabe.

"The conducted environmental impact assessment procedure determined that the Study was prepared in accordance with the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and that it contains defined measures to prevent, reduce or eliminate harmful impacts on the environment," the Agency's statement states, among other things.

The decision to grant consent, as it is added, establishes the obligation of the Project Owner to implement the work related to the project for the construction of the wastewater treatment system "in full accordance with environmental protection measures", which are determined in the Study and relate to measures for the prevention, reduction or elimination of harmful impacts during the project implementation, exploitation and in the event of an accident, and the Project Environmental Impact Monitoring Program.

It is planned to build a wastewater treatment plant in the KAP industrial zone, on urban plots: UP2F, UP3F, UP4F and UP9F, i.e. cadastral plots/parts of cadastral plots: 1/3, 2/3, 15/3, 23/2, 23/4, 23/6, 27/8, 27/14, 1078/4 1078/8 KO Botun and 1111/45, 2914, 2915, 2916/1, 2917/1, 2918, 2919/1, 2920 KO Dajbabe, Capital City of Podgorica.

EPA Director Milan Gazdić said that after months of consultations with domestic and international experts, the Environmental Protection Agency has decided to issue a positive opinion on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun.

"This decision was made only after the Agency's commission carefully processed every comment, analyzed all objections and suggestions, and made additional efforts to take the voice of citizens, especially the residents of Botun, into account. The commission consists of seven members, six of whom are PhDs, excellent experts in their fields. On this occasion, I would like to thank all members of the commission for their professional approach to this matter," Gazdić said in a statement published on the Agency's Facebook profile.

He also pointed out that Podgorica is the only capital city in the region that does not have a facility that matches its population.

"More than 60 percent of wastewater continues to flow untreated into the Morača River, and then into Lake Skadar, which is under national and international protection. The residents of Zeta suffer the most from this - because it is precisely through their settlements that polluted water flows, which threatens health, agriculture and ecosystems. That is why this facility is not just an infrastructure investment, but a civilizational necessity. Since I have been at the head of the Agency, we have been criticized several times for obstructing projects, both by investors and sometimes by political structures. The truth is the opposite: we insist on a detailed and comprehensive review of each project. What was not standard in the past is now an obligation - and that is that no project must endanger the local community and nature."

Gazdić also said that all comments from citizens have been considered, and that this decision has ordered the holder to implement a comprehensive set of protection measures, including the establishment of continuous air quality monitoring by installing a measuring station in the territory of Botun.

"Measurement results must be available to the public in real time, which will ensure transparency in the operation of the incinerator. In case of exceedance, the operation of the plant will be suspended based on the Air Protection Act. If there was even the slightest suspicion of the harmfulness of the project, the Agency would have prevented it. Our obligation is to protect the environment and the interests of the local community, and we do so consistently and transparently."

Gazdić points out that, in addition to its local importance, the project is also crucial for Montenegro's European integration process.

"The construction of a WWTP in Podgorica is one of the most important prerequisites in Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change. Let there be no confusion: this is the most significant environmental protection project in Montenegro ever. It directly affects human health, the preservation of water quality and biodiversity, both in the Morača River and in the Skadar Lake NP. I regret that the issue of constructing a collector in the 21st century is being politicized, because I am sure that it is in the public interest to live in a healthier environment. I am convinced that this project will unite citizens, experts and institutions. I am pleased to sign the decision and support the start of construction of the plant that will mark a new phase in the development of Podgorica and Zeta, the protection of Skadar Lake and the fulfillment of Montenegro's European vision," said Gazdić.