The widespread alteration of rivers in the Romanian Carpathians and the undisturbed Râul Alb

Physical alterations across the Romanian Carpathians have resulted in an ecocide in the form of the hydromophological disruption of n early every river. The primary cause has been two historical waves of hydropower development. Collectively, these projects were undertaken without consideration for their cumulative impact. Only one, small, ecologically complete and undisturbed river, Râul Alb, has survived. This river flows through a national park, a geopark, and three Natura 2000 sites. All of these, coupled with its spectacular heterogeneous water course, confirm Râul Alb as one of the top sites of natural heritage in Romania. However, Râul Alb was the proposed site for a hydropower project, consisting of two hydropower plants, one in the mountains and one in the depression downstream. Initially, an environmental permit was granted for this project. This was followed by a grassroots campaign and legal injunction that sought to halt the project. The campaign centred on a petition that reached over 116,000 signatures. The legal plaintiff argued that county and national laws were potentially breached by this project. Ultimately, the Alba Iulia Court of Appeal found in favour of the plaintiff and blocked the construction of the hydropower plants on administrative grounds (invoking one of the laws considered). Yet pressure to develop the untouched river remains.