Mykolaiv region needs funds to dredge the Mertvovod River: MPs to appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers

The Mertvovod River near the town of Voznesensk. Photo from the Southgate.guide website

Members of the Mykolaiv Regional Council plan to appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to allocate funds from the state budget for the preparation of design and cost estimates for the dredging of the Mertvovod River in the Voznesensk district.

A draft resolution to this effect has been prepared for consideration at a session of the regional council.

The appeal notes that the Mykolaiv region has an extensive river network; however, due to climate change, low water levels and economic activity, many small rivers are silting up, drying out and losing their flow capacity.

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The most pressing problem is said to be the silting up of the Mertvovod riverbed along a stretch of about 9 kilometres between Voznesensk and the village of Taborivka.

It is estimated that the project will reduce the risk of flooding for 420 households in the surrounding settlements and protect around 2,500 hectares of agricultural land.

Furthermore, it is expected to improve the river’s ecological condition and reduce social tension among local residents.

The document notes that the project documentation had not previously been drawn up due to a lack of funding.

As Alla Ryazhskikh, a councillor and chair of the Mykolaiv Regional Council’s Environment Committee, noted at the presidium meeting, a field meeting of the relevant committee was held prior to drafting the appeal. Approximately 2 million hryvnias are required for the documentation.

«This is a tool to achieve the result of securing funding within the framework of an existing programme. At the very least, funding for the design and cost estimate documentation,» she noted.

If the appeal is supported, it is planned to be sent to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

It was previously reported that members of the Mykolaiv Regional Council have been asked to submit several appeals to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding water use. In particular, to restore the operations of the Southern Bug River Basin Authority in the region. It is currently based in Vinnytsia. However, councillors believe it would be more appropriate to manage the river’s resources from within Mykolaiv Oblast itself.

The Regional Council will also be asked to appeal to the Cabinet regarding the launch of a pilot project in the Mykolaiv region to study groundwater and create a map of it. Due to well drilling and the arid climate, the condition of the groundwater is unknown.