Restoring biodiversity
Vast tracts of wetlands were drained during the Soviet era by agricultural engineers hoping to grow crops on an industrial scale. This has led to soil erosion and land degradation. Rewetting the land will prevent peat from oxidising which could reduce carbon emissions by up to 70,000 tonnes per year.
It will also restore the area’s natural biodiversity as a habitat for breeding and migratory birds.
Construction works included repairing 162 reinforced concrete sluices and building 90 new sluices from high density polyurethane. Our role involved selecting a construction contractor, providing contractual advice and acting as an independent construction monitor.