Gov't accepts zl. 7.7 bln Odra River program to stimulate regional economy

The government accepted a zl. 7.7 billion investment program for the Odra River, meant to improve flood protection in the area and stimulate economic development in western Poland. "The Program for Odra 2006" will be carried out over 15 years. More than 30% of the money will come from the national budget, with the remainder coming from European Union (EU) aid funds, national and voivodship environmental protection funds, local governments and private companies. Since southwestern Poland was hit by the worst flood of the century in 1997, the program places great emphasis on flood protection. It provides for construction of a zl. 516 million reservoir in Raciborz, as well as several smaller reservoirs. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 31)