Polish court revives ‘highly flawed’ hydroelectric dam plan for Vistula River

Despite warnings that it would devastate rare wildlife habitats, the controversial project is back on the table

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The construction of a 1bn (850m) dam on the Vistula River is one step closer to getting the green light in Poland, despite warnings that it could devastate rare wildlife habitats.

The Vistula runs more than 620 miles from the Carpathian mountains, passing through major cities before flowing into the Baltic sea. The state-owned company Polish Waters intends to build a dam over the river's main channel at Siarzewo, north west of Warsaw, with the primary aim of creating hydroelectric power as well as flood protection, water management and navigation.