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

Masaharu Okamoto and Tagami Takeshi

                                              Chair, NPO Nakikemi Net

Minoru Kashiwagi, Masayuki Kurechi,

Shinichi Hanawa,Ryoichi Hori

 Associate Representatives, NPO Ramsar Network Japan

“Nakaikemi shicchi”(wetland, located on Tsuruga city, Fukui prefecture) is wetland of international importance designated under Ramsar convention with its rarity of wetlands and richness of biodiversity and it is legally protected as a part of Echizen-Kaga Sea Coast Quasi National Park. Now there are deeply concerned about the severe environmental impacts onto the Nakaikemi-shicchi by the construction of the Hokuriku Shinkansen planned passing through the part of the wetland.

We heard that on 16th November 2013, you established an expert committee named “Additional EIA Survey and Review Committee” which discuss survey plan for the prediction about the environment status change in Nakaikemi Shicchi and assess the environmental impact by the construction. Regrettably to say however, meeting material and proceedings of the committee never published and the on-site survey has started without publication of survey plan.

So, we four organizations strongly urge and request as follows:

Preparatory meeting by citizens, NGOs and local governments have started in collaborative manner to establish consultative body for the conservation and promoting wise-use of the Nakaikemi Shicchi with engagement many actors. The fact that there were many visitors and was inquiry by secretariat of Ramsar Convention shows the huge interest and international attention to the future of Nakaikemi Shicchi and decision of the Committee. It is clear that committee has responsibility for the future of the Nakaikemi Shicchi, so we REQUEST you that the meeting materials and proceeding of the committee should be made available for public as soon as possible and ensure observer attendance to the committee meeting for accountability and transparency.

The survey is very important to predict precisely the environmental impact onto the wetlands and to seek measure to avoid or mitigate negative impact by the Shinkansen construction.

WeREQUEST you to ensure that on-site survey take place only if you make the survey plan public available, provide opportunity to explain the survey plan to the local residents and NGOs in detail and review scientific validity of the survey plan.

▲Ushirodani valley ,under the construction plan, is the valley surrounded by the mountain, and has the biota different from the other part of Nakaikemi Shicchi.