Pošumaví municipalities to sue Czech environment ministry over repository site survey permit

All ten municipalities in the Březový potok area near Horažďovice in the Klatovy district, where a deep geological repository for radioactive waste could be built, have agreed to sue the Ministry of the Environment (MŽP). They disagree with its decision to permit geological surveys and research in the area, which are expected to last about two years. Chanovice Mayor Petr Čotek (Association for the Future) told the Czech News Agency (ČTK) today. The municipalities have been opposing the repository for 23 years. They are calling for stronger rights in the final decision on the site, which the government alone is due to select from four possible locations in Czechia by 2028. The repository, costing more than CZK 100 billion, is to be built by 2050.

„Through the Doucha Šikola law firm, we are filing a lawsuit against the Ministry of the Environment’s decision to permit exploratory and research drilling at the site. All ten municipalities agreed to the lawsuit over the weekend,“ Čotek said.

According to him, the lawsuit does not have suspensive effect, and GeoTec can begin geological drilling on municipal and state-owned land. „All we can do now is go to court,“ he said. Unlike private landowners, the municipalities have no way to block geologists from entering their land, he added.

The Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (SÚRAO) signed a contract last May with GEOtest-GeoTec to carry out hydrogeological monitoring at all four potential sites, according to its website. In addition to Pošumaví, the sites are Hrádek and Horka in the Třebíč area, and Janoch near the Temelín nuclear power plant in South Bohemia.

The Ministry of the Environment approved surveys last year at Horka as well as at Janoch and Březový potok. The municipalities filed appeals, which had suspensive effect. On Friday, SÚRAO said that Březový potok and Janoch had failed in their appeals against the designation of exploration areas for the planned repository, with the ministry rejecting them. Representatives of the municipalities at the Janoch site will decide today on what to do next.

The legally binding designation of exploration areas is an important step towards selecting the final and backup sites for the repository, SÚRAO spokesperson Martina Bílá said. SÚRAO says exploration work can now begin at both sites. This will include detailed geological mapping, followed by geophysical surveys and deep drilling. The authority says the surveys will enable geologists to study in detail the rock formations where the repository could eventually be located. The aim is to gather information on the mineral composition and strength of the rock, faults and fissures, as well as the composition and flow of groundwater. Once exploration areas have been designated, the state will begin paying municipalities the contributions to which they are legally entitled. For the Březový potok site, SÚRAO says this will amount to CZK 31.2 million a year, and for Janoch, CZK 17 million a year.

„Our site is supportive of nuclear energy. What bothers us most, though, is that they have ‚shut us out‘ of discussions about the repository and that compensation for municipalities is disgraceful. It is a disgrace for the state to offer it to the sites,“ Čotek said.

The government is to establish a working group to communicate with municipalities, which should make it easier for them to take part in preparing for and operating the repository. However, municipalities do not have veto rights over the choice of the final site.