Canal Istanbul environmental report very transparent, minister says

The process for preparing the environmental impact report on Turkey's Canal Istanbul megaproject was one of the most transparent in the country, Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum said on Dec. 26.

"The environmental impact assessment report for Canal Istanbul and its process have been one of the most well-attended, transparent processes," Kurum told a press conference in the capital Ankara.

Canal Istanbul is one of Turkey's most strategic megaprojects, which is meant to reduce potential risks posed by ships carrying dangerous goods through the Bosphorus Strait.

The 45-kilometer (nearly 28-mile) canal, which will be built west of the city center on the European side of Istanbul province, is projected to have a capacity of 160 vessel transits a day.

Kurum noted that all of the meetings regarding the report were held openly and transparently with all public institutions.

He said as a result of studies, it could be seen that calculations and evaluations of the project are based on a "sufficient level of data and information" and the environmental impact report has taken the "necessary measures to prevent its negative impacts on environment."

He stressed that the utmost care was shown to the environment.

"We approached the air, water, forests, soil, green areas, lakes, sea and ecological balance of Istanbul with an strategy to protect the environment and nature, and we have carried out all details with this sensitivity."

Kurum added that during the process of preparing the report, municipalities, academicians, environmental specialists, institutions and NGOs were also present at the meetings.

"The environmental impact assessment report is 1,595 pages, with an addendum of 16,000 pages," he...