River Friends News
Save the Greek Rivers Paddling Tour. April - May 2007
Here is a proposition-schedule for all paddlers visiting Greece this spring. A six-weeks tour schedule of the best whitewater in Greece. Each week the action goes from one area to the next, starting from Peloponessos in the South and ending to Epirus in northwestern Greece. The idea is to cover most Greek rivers, but most important, to set some rendez-vous dates where all the groups may get together for a couple of days, have some fun and protest against the hydroelectric works that threaten many of our rivers. Read more
Up to now, we have received mails from paddlers that will join us from Germany, Italy, Austria, USA, Norway, Bulgaria and Hungary. You are all most welcome. Please let me know your final schedule as soon as possible, so we can set our meeting points in time.
Check the plan. There will probably be some changes in it, depending water levels at the time and paddling groups arrivals, so stay in touch for late updates.
Added 06.02.07
40 Rivers Petition! Save the best 40 paddleable rivers in Greece.
Many wild rivers of Greece, among the last unspoiled, biodiversity rich and most beautiful landscapes of Europe. They are now threatened by a series of small hydroelectric power stations. 250 building permits have already been allowed by November 2006, and 150 more applications are on their way. Some of the best nature and unique rivers are about to become construction sites, among them nearly all of GreeceΞ„s paddelable whitewater.
10 % of the 400 endangered river sections are classic paddling grounds or get used by trekkers and canyonists a lot. Concerned are also national or local foot paths between cultural and natural monuments, like ancient arched stone bridges, geological and archaeological rarities, waterfalls and wonderful steep canyons. They will loose all their charm and appeal through these projects.
Canoeing, fishing, river trekking and canyoning are sports rather new to the Greek society, but those, who had the opportunity to discover these incredible beautiful places, will fight for their survival. You too can help by sending a petition to the Greek Government, demanding that no hydroelectric stations should be allowed, at the following 40 rivers. These rivers, on the other hand, should be officially protected as national reserves or parks. Your petition will be passed on to the Greek Government authorities. Visit the 40 rivers photo gallery. Go to the Petition page
Added 29.12.06
Hydroelectric works invasion in Greece.
26.11.06. Greece is the only european country without land development project. This is the main reason why 250 small hydroelectric projects have already get a license and 150 more are waiting next in line. Almost every stream, creek or bigger river of Greece has a couple of pocket-power plants reservations for the near future. 40 of them are placed in runnable rivers and creeks, threating to end river running activities and change the nature of the area for ever. Read More >>>
Added 26.11.06
Let us try to save Erymanthos!
Since more than 20 years boaters from every corner of Europe paddle the Erymanthos. They hold it for one of the 8 most beautiful rivers of Greece. Everybody would appreciate, if the Greek authorities should turn the Erymanthos into a National Park (along with such other wonders of nature like the Acheron, Krikellopotamos, Kallaritikos-Arachthos, upper Mornos, Lousios-Alfios, Selinous and the Mileapotamos).
Read the article of Franz Bettinger, here
Added 14.11.06
February 2006. Erymanthos dam works have started.
Erymanthos river is threatened again by another dam. A new hydroelectric project has been approved by authorities, in the upper part of Erymanthos river, one of the most radical whitewater sections in Greece. The project that will affect a large part of the river, between Tripotama and Lambeia, where another small hydroelectric work is already operational, on a tributary confluence. Despite many protests, by local communities and environmental organizations and while official permits have not yet been issued, by all authorities involved, works have started. Contractors caught the local communities by surprise, proceeding to extensive road building, into the night, giving a rudimentary access to the river site and making the project's realization, an accomplished fact. By these earth works, in both forestall and private land, lots of trees were smashed and buried under excavation products, as these were dumped into the river. Obviously no environmental design was followed or any official supervisor was present, as any sientific design would not allow dumping earth and rocks into the river, but most of all, it would make sure that all trees would not buried under the earthworks. You may look at some photos of the works, taken on February 19th. .
This is, unfortunately, how small (financially) projects are still operated in the Greek countryside. Sadly, this is how the majority of the hydro projects will be produced in the near future, under the pressure of the "clean energy" goal that Greece has set under Kyoto agreement and with no national land plan or effective legislation in that area. And all you, European citizens - friends of the rivers, will have tributed to this, through the EC funds that pay a big part of these projects. These funds are, in a way, the prime reason that virtually every small enterprise have applied for a permit. More than 200 new projects are in the waiting list to get one. I hope that in the future, the permit process will make sure that, only viable projects that don't endanger the environment will be approved. In the meantime, one more river is going to be affected and this time, one of the more radical Greek whitewater sections
Photo left: Access road building for the new dam works. Photo right:The already operational hydroelctric station .
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST DAMS and for Rivers, Water and Life MARCH 14th, 2006 CALL TO ACTION!
March 14, 2006 is the 9th annual International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life! This is a time to join together in solidarity to protest destructive river development and celebrate successes over the last year. It is also a time to fight for social justice and the rights of communities to have a say in decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods. We invite you to participate in this year's Day of Action by planning an action or event to celebrate rivers, water and life.