Development dilemmas of water transport of Mazovia

Abstract

The Polish government conducts program works on the development of the E40 waterway along the Vistula and the Bug in accordance with the European Agreement on the main inland waterways of international importance (AGN). In light of the current investment practice, there is still a long way to go for the implementation of the E40 waterway in Mazovia, while the current findings of these programs and related study plans are at many points controversial. In this situation, this article aims to identify the weaknesses of these findings, indicate other ways to solve the already embarrassing decision-making situations (dilemmas), analyze and evaluate basic decision-making alternatives, and choose optimal solutions for Mazovia. The author has identified the following basic decision dilemmas: (0) Does a waterway network in Mazovia exist or not? (1) Whether to build this network or not? (2) Whether to reject the AGN Agreement or not? (3) Whether to build a network in full or limited spatial extent? (4) Whether to build following AGN or lower waterwaytechnical classes? (5) Whether to build against ecologists or in harmony with them? As a result of detailed analyzes and assessments, the author chose to solve these dilemmas, assuming (0) the lack of the waterway network in its current state, (1) undertaking the investment program for the construction of this network as satisfying the potential undisclosed demand in the field of water transport, (2) not rejecting the AGN Agreement as consistent with the long-term EU transport policy, (3) building the waterway network in the full spatial scope, (4) constructing a complete network in one step, i.e. at least Vb (2,80 m) class, as well as (5) creatingthis waterway network in agreement with ecologists. When adopting such design assumptions, a positive plan is outlined, which would involve, first of all, resigning from the existing plans to build the Vistula, Narew and Bug cascades as leading to the obtaining the waterways of undervalued classes IV and Va and to the right protests of ecologists, and secondly replacing the cascade with the construction of side shipping canalsof Vb (2,80 m) class or higher located within the broad valleys of the Vistula and the Narew but outside the most valuable natural areas of these valleys. In relation to the Bug waterway, the author prefers the course of the canal beyond the river valley through Wilga and Garwolin.