WE, THE SIGNATORIES BELOW,
DESIRE THE SUSPENSION OF ALL WORK ON THE (VENICE DAMS) PROJECT KNOWN AS M.o.S.E.

Because these are work projects considered illegal by the mayors of Venice, Chioggia and Cavallino since they contravene the Italian codes on urban municipal planning, on panoramic sites and on regional
territorial planning (PALAV)

Because this is a counter-productive and incorrect project: It is not a progressive and experimental system and it is NOT reversible. The dam project will only become functional in ten years and will not control the frequent medium (high) tides. Its function requires huge and highly complex underwater installations. Over a long period it may prove to be unworkable; instead of reducing it will increase the tidal flow into the lagoon (of Venice), deepening and widening the foundations at the mouths of the lagoon. The installations are so vast the project will block any future intervention to safeguard the lagoon and the city of Venice (maintenance, environmental, urban, restoration, interventions for socio-economic development). The operation and maintenance of the system alone will cost a fortune.

Because it will have a negative environmental and panoramic impact on Venice: It will include the displacement of 8 million cubic meters of sea floor, a floor consolidated over the last 6,000 years, the use of 12,000 metal pillars and the construction of enormous concrete bases for underwater installations and tunnels. Huge permanent workshops are being built on the most precious and fragile parts of the shores (Punta Sabbioni, San Niccolo, Alberoni, Santa Maria del Mare, Ca Roman, San Felice). The project will demolish the 19th century dams and create useless and destructive navigation docks and auxiliary ports.


INSTEAD WE SHOULD FINALLY HAVE PROGRESSIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS THAT ARE REVERSIBLE BUT CAN STOP THE HIGH WATER AND THUS SAFEGUARD THE LAGOON AND THE CITY OF VENICE:

This can be done by:
.Reducing the volume of water entering the lagoon through its three mouths (channels connecting the lagoon to the Adriatic Sea) gradually raising the sea floor and by narrowing, seasonally, the entry channels starting with the canal at the Lido. Even if one wishes to close the mouths of the lagoon (during exceptional high tides) there exist projects using a progressive and experimental technique, yet all of them REVERSIBLE and with virtually no negative impact on the environment. Surprisingly these projects cost only ONE TENTH of the cost of the M.o.S.E.

.Create an alternative for the passage of the huge passenger liners now sailing passed Saint Mark’s Square, reduce the size of the environmentally damaging canal for petrol tankers, in fact eliminate the tanker traffic completely from the lagoon and build a floating tanker terminal outside in the Adriatic.

.Open fishing zones to the flow of tides and clean up the clogged peripheral lagoon canals. Continue with urban maintenance as well as the raising (where possible) of the foundations of the city (a project at the moment without financial assistance).

.Start the restoration of the lagoon’s environmental system, counteract the erosive process caused by navigation and the waves from boat engines, clam harvesters and strong winds.






Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/nomose/petition.html