The response was prepared in consultation with other ministries responsible for particular sectors in the draft OP (Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economy).
Some postulates (especially concerning nature protection) were fully adopted. On the other hand important postulates concerning ex. flood prevention, were not accepted, which, according to eNGOs, may increase flood risks with subsequent impacts on socio-economic development and damages to the ecosystem.

However, it needs to be stressed that the response of 32 pages provides comments to all 53 postulates included in the eNGO position paper.
In 2005 similar position paper was prepared by eNGOs towards the draft National Development Plan. At that time no comments were given by programming authorities at all. This change of attitude towards consulting parties proves that the participation principle has been finally adopted by Polish authorities. This should be considered an important step forward.

In addition, the Ministry reacted to the postulate of the Coalition of Polish eNGOs on EU Funds expressed during the public hearings to make sure that indicative lists of major projects in fields of transport and environment are subject to public consultation and to Strategic Environmental Assessment along with the draft OP. According to the Ministry indicative lists of major projects do not have to be subject of the SEA procedure, which was confirmed by the European Commission (the DG Regio letter available at: http://www.koalicjafs.org.pl/docs/07122006_stanowisko_ke_indykatywny_plan_inwestycyj.pdf).

For more information in English about the Polish eNGO position paper towards OP "Environment and Infrastructure " please visit http://www.koalicjafs.org.pl/en/prog/id_337.html

Ministry response to the ENGO position paper on the draft OP "Infrastructure and Environment" is available at http://www.koalicjafs.org.pl/news/id_346.html