Resolution accepted at the 12th EGP Council, Barcelona, Spain, March 19-21, 2010
In Europe, biodiversity is still under severe pressure and high risks as is the case with our coasts. It should be noted that the high mountain areas are the last bastion of biodiversity, and together with the islands, are the areas most vulnerable and those most affected by climate.
JUSTIFICATION
In the report published by the European Commission in July, 2009, covering the period 2001-2006, it is emphasized that only a small percentage of habitats, including coasts, grasslands and wetlands, as well as vulnerable species, have reached a good level of conservation. According to experts, Member States must redouble their efforts to improve this situation.
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and we must be committed to halting biodiversity loss in Europe and the report published indicates that there is no room for complacency. In Europe, biodiversity is still under severe pressure and high risks as is the case with our coasts. It should be noted that the high mountain areas are the last bastion of biodiversity, and together with the islands, are the areas most vulnerable and those most affected by climate.
PROPOSAL
Consequently we propose
- EU legislation on costs, as regards works of regeneration or construction of infrastructure on the coast should be more specific and demanding in terms of precautionary measures.
- Current regulations by making reference to environmental impact studies and environmental impact statement should be amended to oblige member states to ensure that all coastal developments need prior Environmental Impact Statements, which take into account not only the state of the coast, but also forecasts of changes to sea levels e and other scientific studies on the impact which climate change is having and will have on the seas,.
- Implementation of the Habitat Directive. Compliance at all legislative levels. Restriction of public interest application of Article 6.3 and 6.4 of the Habitats Directive (only when strictly necessary and with no possibility to change location. If there is another possible location, the Natura 2000 network should not be used )
-Implementation and application of ecological corridors and transition zones of the Natura 2000 network where it's not possible to intervene.
-Setting up of trans-border biological corridors
- Implementation of the environmental impact assessment Directive in Natura 2000 network areas and protected areas to assess the cumulative impacts of the area and region on the protected area
- Environmental impact assessments in areas of Natura 2000 network and protected areas for the development of the project will be valid for one year, and will contain information on all taxa with data from no more than two years back.
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