This set of documents assesses the envisioned pan-baltic railway “Rail Baltica” spanning 265 km across Latvia. The Environmental Impact Assessment is an exemplar of a widely popular documentary technology composed of “texts” and “public discussions”, which evaluate the impact of large infrastructural projects upon environment. While these documentary practices are indispensable to data acquisition, analysis and legislation, they also present a challenge to the wider public, since an increasing degree of technological expertise is necessary to navigate and negotiate their contents appropriately.
Text: Viesturs Celmiņš