In one of the articles devoted to the Bureya events the figure sounded - the solution of "the Bureya problem" will cost 9 billion rubles.
What is this figure - 9 billion? How did she "arised"?
If to consider as priority option of response to a situation (an emergence of the Bureya natural dam and the accompanying spontaneous reservoir) artificial clearing of the bed of the Bureya River, then such artificial clearing will cost money. Thus, media reported to us about the approximate cost of works.
From where did this figure appeared?
We can assume the following.
On some mountain rivers there were overlappings of a waterways. Works on clearing of rivers were performed. Some an experience was accumulated. This experience was extrapolated to the Bureya situation.
So, there is some figure - 9 billion rubles (not exact, approximate, preliminary).
But, naturally, there is a question: and whether it is necessary to spend some money for clearing of the bed of the Bureya River?
We remember: On December 12, 2018 space monitoring recorded a problem and reported about it into "the most important instances (bodies)".
And at the beginning of the 20th of December, 2018 the situation was in addition (it seems, irrespective of the space monitoring) is found by local two inhabitants (their surnames in a different publications sound differently). These locals are people, probably, a simple. But responsible. They into the "most important" instances did not report (from where they know phones and the other addresses of similar instances?), but showed civil liability and reported about the found situation to local authorities (in the local administration).
Let's try to simulate representation of the "ordinary" citizen concerning an event.
The space monitoring informs into the "most important" instances about a disturbing situation on the Bureya River. To this area is promptly directed a some attendant, who confirms: Yes, there is a problem! Then a certain authoritative Commission (with the participation of the media) put forward. From the commission and from media we learn:
Option 1. There were many such situations. Necessary experience was accumulated. To worry there is nothing. You may live quietly.
Option 2. There are real risks. It is supposed to take the following urgent measures (the list of measures follows).
However, we see nothing similar. A watch ticks. Time is running. At last, the place of events is surveyed by two hunters (local) and report in local administration. Information is available to the media.
Very, very strange!
But further still stranny.
Media publish a set of materials about a problem. Time to report about a position and about intentions of those "most important" instances is come!
We see nothing similar. There is a certain representative of local science who (if to trust media about contents of his statements, and to state according materials of media his positions concisely) convinces the reading public that there was a landslide from the hill, and as a result of this landslide the river tsunami (wave) 40 meters high was formed.
Not all could believe such a logical constructions.
There were some meetings, negotiations, some experts moved forward to the place of events, they conducted some researches, were going to come to some conclusions.
However, personally I as "ordinary" citizen, and, I suppose, many other people, - had no clarity: what situation? what risks? what plans of the "most important" instances?
The thought turned in the direction of philosophical reflections.
There is a Bureya River. Once upon a time, the state built a power plant on this river. But much water has flowed. And the power plant has an owner - certain company. It seems, this company does not complain of a financial position. Produces an electricity with use of energy of the river water and with use of the constructions which are once created by the state, and sells this energy. We will not go into detail of acquisition by the company of power plant.
And the company? The company is responsible (seemingly, is responsible) for the structures - dams, turbines, etc.
But the extreme situation arose approximately at distance of 100 kilometers from power plant. The company has an equipment and money, but there is no formal responsibility?
There is still the Federal Agency for Water Resources (FAWR). FAWR is not in the side. But if to get a grasp of "regulations', of legal documents, somehow it is impossible to receive a clarity: FAWR is responsible for the solution of the Bureya problem (emergence of a natural dam, etc.)? Or competence FAWR does not extend to the solution of the Bureya problem?
There are other high and responsible organizations, but they work according to their algorithms. About them even to think and talk or scared, or awkward.
So, there is a company with money, there is a representative of the federal center. The company earns money on the Bureya River. The federal center make a control.
There are still a locals. Yes... But what at them a rights and an opportunities?
There is a wish to exclaim joyfully: big money on production of electricity with use of energy of the Bureya water is earned!!! And this money arrives (substantially) to an inhabitants - to the local authorities!!! Hurrah!
But - doubts, doubts... A situation, maybe, at all not such is?... And local authorities are "eating" a fines and other "profitable positions"?
There is one more level of the power which can conditionally be carried to local (the representative and executive bodies of Khabarovsk Krai). But you read the press, and there is an impression that they are very loaded: an actions in the capital , an avalanche near some mine descended, the capital of the federal district, apparently, moves. Generally, there are a lot of a different cares ... The regional (Krai's) authorities, it seems, and not away from the Bureya problem, but...
Somehow elusive all this (the monetary company - the owner of power plant, the federal authorities, local authorities) reminds in general a situation in Russia...
New Year's holidays are closer and closer...
The representative of the local science is not very audible... Other "levels" consider, study....
If to tell cynically, 9 billion rubles are not a small money?
Watch continues to tick, a time is running... What further? We trust! We know!
informing.ru: "on January 10, 2019, 09:45. After the collapse of a part of the hill to the Bureya River the emergency regime is introduced in the Verkhnebureinsky District of Khabarovsk Krai".
You read, and you try to understand... So: the local level? The local inhabitants?...
You read... You try to understand...
January 10, 2019 10:06
Translation from Russian into English: January 10, 2019 11:46.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Монолог о 9-ти Бурейских миллиардах'.