Submitted a Petition to the Governor of the Fukui prefecture and JRTT. Objections to the Construction Plan: Hokuriku Bullet Train Railroad Passing through Nakaikemi-shicchi,
November 27th 2012
Mr. Hiroki Ishikawa
Chief Director, Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency
Akira Kameyama
Chair of the Board of Direstors,
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
Chieko Sasaki
Chief Director, NPO Wetland Nakaikemi
A Petition: Revision of the Construction Plan for Hokuriku Bullet Train Railroad which Passing through Nakaikemi-shicchi, Registered Wetland under Ramsar Convention.
Dear Mr. Ishikawa
Due to its significance and abundance in biological diversity, Nakaikemi-shicchi (Tsuruga city, Fukui prefecture) was successfully designated as international protected wetland under Ramsar Convention in July 2012. The preceding year 2011, the wetland was incorporated into Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park as well.
It means that the site has been protected by law since then. However, it was revealed that railroad would pass through this protected area in the construction plan newly released in August; its previous version was approved in June. (Annex1) Carrying the latest plan in execution will give considerable adverse impacts on wetland conservation as follows:
1. Ramsar site is internationally pledged of enduring conservation-based management due to its academic and conservational values. The approved construction plan ruins trust in our country in international arena, and also it could be huge threat on the conservation policy in other Ramsar sites. It is truly critical matter.
2. Nakaikemi-schicchi is peculiar wetland with peat layers accumulated over a hundred thousand years long history. This wetland could be formed by the distinctive topographical characteristics called sac-like waste-filled valley, the wetland surrounded by mountain ranges. The approved construction plan indicates that the railroad will go through those mountains, and that will change peripheral hydro-system and ground water systems. Consequently it is inevitable to affect over the whole ecological system including its ecological functions. Furthermore past environmental impact assessment conducted by Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT) was insufficient its survey/evaluation methods indeed. More than worse, the railroad plan showed obvious change its route cutting inward much closer to core preservation area.
3. Ushirodani valley, locally called Oshatan, is under the construction plan and is known the area for 10 endangered species including mizutoranoo (Eusteralis yatabeanus) and other rare species distributing intensively. It is also significant habitat for Japanese firefly (Luciola lateralis) compared with any other places over the country. Namely Ushirodani is the very crucial hot spot in Nakaikemi-shicchi for conservation of biological diversity (Annex 2). The approved construction plan, as it stands now, will totally destroy Ushirodani area.
As reasons mentioned above, NACS-J hereby strongly request following two actions and its immediate implementation.
-It is unacceptable that bullet train railroad passing through the internationally pledged preservation area under Ramsar Convention. Japan has been given a duty to comply with Ramsar Convention as a contracting country. It means that present construction plan should be changed immediately.
-For changing the plan, we request that you ensure transparency in whole process, and assure best available scientific survey/evaluation being done. All is for avoiding any negative impacts on natural environment in Nakaikemi-shicchi and its surroundings.
November 27th 2012
Mr. Issei Nishikawa
Governor of the Fukui prefecture
Akira Kameyama
Chair of the Board of Direstors,
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
Chieko Sasaki
Chief Director, NPO Wetland Nakaikemi
A petition: Conservation of the Nakaikemi shicchi, a part of Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park where is the planning site of Hokuriku bullet train railroad.
Dear Mr. Nishikawa
Due to its significance and abundance in biological diversity, Nakaikemi-shicchi (Tsuruga city, Fukui prefecture) was successfully designated as international protected wetland under Ramsar Convention in July 2012. The preceding year 2011, the wetland was incorporated into Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park as well.
It means that the site has been protected by law since then. However, it was revealed that railroad would pass through this protected area in the construction plan newly released in August; its previous version was approved in June. (Annex1) Carrying the latest plan in execution will give considerable adverse impacts on wetland conservation as follows:
1. Ramsar site is internationally pledged of enduring conservation-based management due to its academic and conservational values. The approved construction plan ruins trust in our country in international arena, and also it could be huge threat on the conservation policy in other Ramsar sites. It is truly critical matter.
2. Nakaikemi-schicchi is peculiar wetland with peat layers accumulated over a hundred thousand years long history. This wetland could be formed by the distinctive topographical characteristics called sac-like waste-filled valley, the wetland surrounded by mountain ranges. The approved construction plan indicates that the railroad will go through those mountains, and that will change peripheral hydro-system and ground water systems. Consequently it is inevitable to affect over the whole ecological system including its ecological functions. Furthermore past environmental impact assessment conducted by Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT) was insufficient its survey/evaluation methods indeed. More than worse, the railroad plan showed obvious change its route cutting inward much closer to core preservation area.
3. Ushirodani valley, locally called Oshatan, is under the construction plan and is known the area for 10 endangered species including mizutoranoo (Eusteralis yatabeanus) and other rare species distributing intensively. It is also significant habitat for Japanese firefly (Luciola lateralis) compared with any other places over the country. Namely Ushirodani is the very crucial hot spot in Nakaikemi-shicchi for conservation of biological diversity (Annex 2). The approved construction plan, as it stands now, will totally destroy Ushirodani area.
-As reasons mentioned above, NACS-J hereby strongly requests the strict protection of the nature, includes biodiversity and landscape, of Nakaikemi shicchi, where is designated as international protected wetland under Ramsar Convention and a part of the second class protected area of Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park.