As Kazlų Rūda Mayor Mantas Varaška told BNS on Tuesday, an emergency situation is declared in a specific area.
“The specific area is the former pond and part of the stream behind the pond, which is marked as being in an ecological crisis,” said the mayor.
As the Department of Environmental Protection announced on Monday, the fall of fish in the pond in Kazlų Rūda was caused by the emergency condition of the dam facilities of the “Karpis” company, possibly improper implementation of the permit to lower the water level issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, and a critical drop in the water level due to the hydrological drought that prevailed in the region.
As the mayor wrote on his Facebook account, the duration of the emergency situation is not limited yet, other decisions are expected on Thursday, on this day it will also become clear whether the contaminated water can be used for watering the fields.
“Residents in the territory are warned not to temporarily use water from wells, springs, boreholes except for watering plants or other needs NOT RELATED to personal hygiene (clothing, washing, drinking, bathing),” said M. Varaška.
According to him, the municipality will provide drinking water and other means to the residents of the territory where the state of emergency has been declared until the end of the state of emergency.
According to the mayor, the existing water in the canal will be contained by sealing the sluice until Thursday.
“On Thursday, with the coordination of the Environmental Protection Agency, the remaining water will be released through the sluice by mixing it with UAB “Karpis” pond water OR the canal will be dammed up to the sluice, pumping water from it and the gap into the canal,” wrote the mayor.
According to M. Varaška, a protocol will be sent on Tuesday with a request to the Minister of the Environment, Simon Gentvil, to evaluate the work of the institutions.
According to the mayor, the amount of lost fish reaches more than 500 units.
“(…) What is already the announcement of an emergency situation, but now it is announced not only because of the fallen fish, but also because of a possible infection or danger to human health,” said M. Varaška.
The ownership rights to the dam, pond and facilities were granted to the company “Karpis” in 2002.
The mayor previously said that currently the contaminated water continues to flow into the creek. In order to stop it, the water would have to be pumped out or an additional dam should be built around the broken sluice.
“On Thursday, the owner of the lock and dam will present a decision on repairing the lock as soon as possible in preparation for the fall and spring floods. The goal is to restore the amount of water in the pond as soon as possible,” the mayor wrote on Facebook.
Responding to the situation, Environment Minister Simonas Gentvilas emphasized that it is necessary to evaluate the lease agreement of the dam, as well as review the responsibility of dam users.
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**Interview on the Ecological Crisis in Kazlų Rūda**
**Editor:** Today, we have the Mayor of Kazlų Rūda, Mantas Varaška, with us to discuss the recent emergency situation declared in the area due to environmental concerns. Thank you for joining us, Mayor Varaška.
**Mayor Varaška:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** To start off, could you explain the context behind the declaration of this emergency situation?
**Mayor Varaška:** Certainly. The emergency was declared specifically in the area of the former pond and parts of the stream behind it, which are currently facing an ecological crisis. We observed a significant fall in fish population, which we have linked to issues with the dam facilities maintained by the ”Karpis” company and the improper management of the water level permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. Combined with the ongoing hydrological drought in our region, this has led to severe ecological impacts.
**Editor:** That sounds alarming. What actions are being taken to address this crisis and ensure resident safety?
**Mayor Varaška:** We’ve issued warnings for residents not to use water from wells, springs, or boreholes for personal hygiene. However, it is acceptable for watering plants and similar uses. Our municipality will provide drinking water and other essential supplies to affected residents for the duration of the emergency. We are also sealing the sluice to contain the water in the canal until we have a clearer plan, which will be reviewed on Thursday.
**Editor:** What are the next steps for handling the contaminated water in the area?
**Mayor Varaška:** On Thursday, we aim to coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the best way to manage the remaining water. This may involve releasing it through the sluice after mixing it with the pond water, or damming the canal to facilitate pumping operations. Importantly, we are closely monitoring the water quality and its potential use for irrigation.
**Editor:** Is there any oversight or follow-up with governmental bodies regarding this situation?
**Mayor Varaška:** Yes, we have prepared a protocol to be sent to the Minister of the Environment, Simon Gentvil, requesting an evaluation of the situation by the relevant institutions. This will help ensure accountability and possibly lead to measures that prevent future incidents.
**Editor:** Lastly, what can residents do to help during this challenging time?
**Mayor Varaška:** I urge residents to stay informed and comply with the safety guidelines we’ve put in place. It’s also vital for them to report any irregularities they notice in their water sources or the environment. Community vigilance will aid in quick identification of issues as we work to resolve this crisis.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mayor Varaška, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Mayor Varaška:** Thank you for shedding light on this situation. It’s crucial that we keep the community informed and engaged.
Ar plan for handling the contaminated water. On Thursday, we will collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the best course of action for releasing any remaining water while minimizing risk to both the environment and public health.
**Editor:** What are the implications of this situation for the local ecosystem, and how does it affect the fish population?
**Mayor Varaška:** The loss of over 500 fish is certainly significant and points to a larger ecological imbalance. This situation not only disrupts the local aquatic ecosystem but also raises concerns about the potential for contamination that could affect human health as well. We are actively assessing the risks and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
**Editor:** What measures will be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future?
**Mayor Varaška:** We are working to evaluate the lease agreement and responsibilities of the dam operators. A transparent review of their management practices is crucial to prevent future environmental crises. We also aim to repair the dam as soon as possible to enable better control over the water levels in the pond.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message do you have for the residents of Kazlų Rūda during this challenging time?
**Mayor Varaška:** I want to reassure our residents that we are taking this situation very seriously. We are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work through this crisis together. Please stay updated through official channels as we move forward.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mayor Varaška, for taking the time to discuss these pressing issues. We appreciate your leadership during this emergency.
**Mayor Varaška:** Thank you for the opportunity to share this important information.
