Kommando 4. Luftwaffendivision (Command 4th Airforce Division) -A 3b - Skagerrakstr. 10c

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1 Communication dated: January 16, 2007 from: Wehrbereichsverwaltung Nord, Aussenstelle Kiel (Military Region Administration, Northern Region, Kiel Office) addressed to: Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (Federal German Shipping and Hydrographic Bureau) Bernhard-Nocht-Str Hamburg (by Fax (040/ )) Reference: III 5-Az (original not easily legible!) and for information purposes: Flottenkommando (Fleet Command) AHKB P.O. Box Glücksburg Luftwaffenführungskommando (Airforce Command) -A6d- Wahn Airbase 501/ Cologne Kommando 4. Luftwaffendivision (Command 4th Airforce Division) -A 3b - Skagerrakstr. 10c Aurich K:\Nord Stream public consultations_march07\germany\english versions\wehrbereichsverwaltung NORD.doc Page 1 of 5

2 Wehrbereichsverwaltung Nord (Military Region Administration, Northern Region) III 4 Military Aviation Authority Hans-Böckler-Allee Hanover Infrastrukturstab OST (Infrastructure Staff, EASTERN REGION) - Dezernat 4.8 (- Department 4.8 -) Kurt-Schumacher-Damm Berlin Subject: Approval procedure for construction and operation of the "Nord Stream" high-pressure natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Here: Military comments Ref.: 1. Nord Stream AG application as per Article 43 Para. 1 No. 2 EEC dated November 6, Nord Stream AG application as per Article 133 Para. 1 No. 1 BBergG (Federal German Mines Act) dated November 6, Nord Stream AG application as per Article 133 Para. 1 No. 2 BBergG dated November 6, BSH/Bergamt Stralsund Ref. 5121/Nord Stream/2006 Z1105 dated November 24, 2006 I wish to respond as follows to Nord Stream AG s application dated November 6, 2006 for construction and operation of a high-pressure natural-gas pipeline: The planned pipeline would pass through - the submarine submerging areas in the maritime zone to the east of Bornholm - the "Pomeranian Bight" artillery practice range and - the "ED-D 47 A 47 B and 47 C" Luftwaffe (Airforce) gunnery practice and exercise areas The "Bravo 12, 17, 18 and 23" submarine submerging areas are, it is true, located in the Danish Exclusive Economic Zone while "Bravo 12" is partially located in the Swedish European Economic Zone, they are, however, administered by Fleet Command. They are regularly used throughout the year by submarines for training and exercise voyages to their full extent, down to depths only a few meters above the seabed. Contact of submarines with the seabed ("bottoming") cannot be excluded. K:\Nord Stream public consultations_march07\germany\english versions\wehrbereichsverwaltung NORD.doc Page 2 of 5

3 Bravo 12, 17, 18 and 23 submarine submergence areas: BRAVO 12 BRAVO 17 BRAVO 18 BRAVO The Luftwaffe s "ED-D 47 A, 47 B and 47 C" military restricted flight zones for military exercise and mission flights and the "Pomeranian Bight" gunnery practice range are affected by the planned pipeline. The "ED-D 47 A, 47 B and 47 C" restricted-flight zone and the "Pomeranian Bight" gunnery practice firing range occupy identical geographical territory. Pomeranian Bight gunnery range: In view of the effects mentioned on the military zones, objections in principle can be eliminated only given adherence to the following preconditions: The construction phases in the gunnery practice zones mentioned above must be agreed and coordinated with 4th Airforce Division command, Aurich, and with Fleet Command, Glücksburg, in good time. In particular, no-go areas for construction work must be specified in the restricted-flight zone during possible military gunnery activities. The training exercise capability for naval vessels and Luftwaffe aircrew must be assured during the construction phase and thereafter. Kommando 4. Luftwaffendivision (4th Airforce Division Command) A3b FlgWaSys Skagerrakstr. 10 c Aurich Tel.: 0049(0) (Contact: OTL Habermann) Fax.: 0049(0) K:\Nord Stream public consultations_march07\germany\english versions\wehrbereichsverwaltung NORD.doc Page 3 of 5

4 Flottenkommando (Fleet Command) DO EXAS P.O. Box Glücksburg Tel.: 0049(0) (Contact: KL Mikulsky) or 0049(0) (Contact: KL Jäger) Outside office hours: Fleet Command Duty Cdr Tel.: 0049(0) Fax.: 0049(0) I am obliged to point out that the presence of foreign bodies and remnants of or complete items of munition must be anticipated within the gunnery practice areas. The operator of the high-pressure natural-gas pipeline must therefore take appropriate measures for its protection. I would suggest that it be sunk into the seabed throughout its passage through the "Pomeranian Bight" gunnery practice range and the "ED-D 47 A, 47 B and 47 C" gunnery and exercise ranges, in order that unrestricted gunnery can be assured without damage occurring to the pipeline. The Bundeswehr (German Federal Defense Forces) is unable to accept any liability for any loss or damage to the pipeline or to construction equipment, etc., or for death or injury of any persons resulting from munitions or parts thereof which have been fired but have not detonated. The same also applies to munitions and/or parts thereof which may detonate under water at a later time. The operator must in the above-mentioned submarine submergence zones take appropriate measures to protect the pipeline, in order to eliminate the possibility of damage to it as a result of a submarine bottoming. I would therefore also suggest that the pipeline be sunk into the seabed in the above-mentioned submarine submergence zones, too. The Bundeswehr is again unable to accept any liability whatsoever for possible damage to the pipeline as a result of bottoming of a submarine. K:\Nord Stream public consultations_march07\germany\english versions\wehrbereichsverwaltung NORD.doc Page 4 of 5

5 The construction phases in the above-mentioned submarine submergence zones must be agreed and coordinated in good time with Fleet Command, Glücksburg. pp. Hensel K:\Nord Stream public consultations_march07\germany\english versions\wehrbereichsverwaltung NORD.doc Page 5 of 5