RWE Transgas Net supports the revitalisation of peat
bogs
Ústí nad Labem, 22 July 2009 – RWE Transgas Net officially signed a
cooperation memorandum today with the representatives of the Ústí Region
and Daphne ČR today concerning the revitalisation of the peat bogs in
Krušné hory (Ore Mountains). In the upcoming three years, the company will
financially support activities geared towards the renewal of these valuable
biotopes. Original flora and endangered animal species will thus be able to
return to the environs of Cínovec in Northern Bohemia.
“We want to show that it makes sense to act responsibly towards the
environment. In addition to the cooperation with the Czech Union for Nature
Conservation (ČSOP), we have therefore enlarged the RWE Transgas Net
project “Closer to Nature” to include the support of the Krušné Hory area,”
said Jan Nehoda, Managing Director of RWE Transgas Net. “Our focus on
nature conservation follows from the logic of line of business. Natural gas is
the nature-friendliest source of energy of all non-renewable resources.
Moreover, with regard to transmission safety, we are also obliged to protect
the landscape above the gas lines from disturbing influences,” Jan Nehoda
added.
The peat bog serves as an important water reservoir, thereby maintaining a
favourable water balance for a wide region. Three significant areas from the
Krušné Hory region were included in the project: the Cínovec ridge, the peat
bogs “U jezera” and the large grouse mating area. By gradually reducing the
speed of the outflow due to the damming of the drainage ditches, the natural
functions of peat bogs in the landscape will be restored. The living conditions
for the original flora and fauna, especially for the black grouse, will thus
improve.
The peat bogs in Krušné Hory are a very valuable nature area. The local
ecosystem, however, has suffered from inconsiderate human influence.
People often come here and have no idea what a unique piece of nature lies
in front of them.
“Thanks to the partnership with RWE Transgas Net, we will cancel the
function of the drainage systems, thereby irrigating the degraded areas. At
the same time, we will enable the visitors to see with their own eyes the real
importance of the peat bogs in the landscape. Instead of artificially planted
trees and shrubs, bog moss and little shrubs will grow here and the area will
become friendly for protected bird species, such as the black grouse,”
explained Jan Dušek, director of Daphne ČR – Institute of Applied Ecology.
The company, with its RWE Transgas Net project “Closer to Nature”, has
been actively contributing to environmental protection since 2007. In
cooperation with the Czech Union for Nature Conservation, it helps the public
to access valuable nature areas in the entire Czech Republic. In order to
raise the awareness of the project, the website, www.blizprirode.cz, is in
operation from today on. Here you can find all up-to-date information and
follow the development of activities related to the revitalisation of the peat
bogs.
RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o.
Mgr. Jitka Kadavá,
spokeswoman
T 267 973 260, E jitka.kadava@rwe.cz
RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., forms part of the international energy company RWE. It was
established on 1 January 2006 by unbundling natural gas transmission from gas trade
following the commencement of the Energy Act. It acts as an independent company providing
safe and reliable inland transmission of natural gas and its transit to consumers in other
countries.
RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., transports natural gas in the Czech Republic in a network of gas
lines measuring 3,642 kilometres. Of all non-renewable resources, natural gas is the naturefriendliest. Unlike fossil fuels, it leaves no ash after incineration nor does it release fumes into
the atmosphere.