Although no mine has been operational in Maramure\u015f for more than ten years, large amounts of money were spent each year for the closure, safeguarding and environmental cleaning. This money has been spent on paper but the reality on site is sad: such discharges with disastrous consequences occur periodically.<\/p>\n
The pollution generated by the acid waters from B\u0103iu\u021b, loaded with heavy metals, severely affected L\u0103pu\u0219 River fauna. The flood left behind dead fish, as shown in the pictures. Nevertheless Apele Rom\u00e2ne (Romanian Water Agency) declared nonchalantly that no fish mortality has been registered. <\/p>\n
L\u0103pu\u0219 River crosses the nature reserve Cheile L\u0103pu\u0219ului (L\u0103pu\u0219 Gorges) in its way to Some\u0219 River. At the beginning of 2017 beaver had reappeared here after more than 150 years. Specialists were delighted at that time about the return of these small mammals, brought back by the unpolluted waters in the area. After the flood on Tuesday, the president of the recreational fishing association “Cheile L\u0103pu\u0219ului”, Viorel Coroian, declared that \u201cfollowing this pollution flood, the fish fauna is hundred percent destroyed\u201d. <\/p>\n
L\u0103pu\u0219 River is 120 km long until it flows into Some\u0219 River, being the longest water course in Maramure\u0219. 25 km of the river run across the Natura 2000 site, a natural reserve of European interest. <\/p>\n