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RED SPOTS Lithuania

14, 15, 18, 22 The water purification systems of the towns of Salcininkai, Druskininkai, Svencioneliai and Kaunas have only the mechanical stage of purification. Biological cleaning is absent. The untreated waste waters are drained directly to the rivers in the amounts mentioned accordingly: 0,2 million m3, 1,2 million m3, 0,1 million m3 21,4 million m3.

GREEN SPOTS Belarus

3. The Landscape Nature Reserve “Stronga”
The Nature Reserve “Stronga” (stronga means trout in Belarus language) was established in 1998 to protect the genofund of brook trout of Belarus (Salmo trutta morfa fario). The reserve includes two small clean rivers, Issa and Lokhozva, which are tributaries to the river Shchara. Apart from the trout the nature reserve provides habitat for 36 species of mammals, 129 species of birds and 29 endangered species of plants and animals which are under threat of extinction.

12. The Landscape Nature Reserve “Sopotskinsky”
There are several naturally clean and fast flowing small rivers within the reserve which are unspoiled habitats for fresh water trout and grayling.

RED SPOTS Belarus

1. Peat extraction near the river Shchara headwaters
The Shchara river is one of the largest Neman tributaries. Intensive peat extraction near the Shchara headwaters is the main cause of the significant drop in the river water flow over the recent years. This impact is exacerbated by water pollution from municipal services and agricultural facilities.

2. Agricultural pollution
River Myshanka, the Shchara's tributary, receives pollution from numerous livestock farms.

(10, 11) Proposed locations for the new dams on the river Neman.
The Belarus Ministry of Energy is planning to build two hydropower plants on the river Neman, the Grodno hydropower plant (location 10) and the Nemnovo hydropower plant (location 11). The first plant will have the output capacity of 17 megawatt and will include the dam of 10 meters high which will hold the 50 km long reservoir. The engineering design of the plant has been approved by the State Environmental Expertise. The second plant will also include a dam which is currently at the conceptual design stage.