On the 6th of October, 2007 at 12.30, just above hut Pionerska in Rila mountain, the sixth field action for the protection of RIla against illegal roads and lift constructions. Rila is a national park by the BG legislation and a Natura 2000 site by the EC legislation.
A dozen of worried about the future of RIla-mointain citizents has gathered to witness the consequencies of the illegal works. The investors seem to be stimulated by their feeling to be out of the reach of the law and go on violating the BG and EC legislation.
Signaled by NGOs and citizens on the construction, the environmental authorities have made an on-site check on 22 August 2007. The Regional Environmental Inspectorate has imposed a fine of 5,000 Euros to the Mayor of Sapareva Banya town for building the road without following the statutory environmental procedures. Apart from that, authorities did nothing and the construction works are going on even now. Furthermore, the mayor announced that he was not going to pay the fine, but would appeal it.
The construction of a lift and a road in RilaMountaind is illegal because:
The lift is constructed without:
o a concession agreement which is necessary for territories that are exclusive public property as is the national park
o up-to-date Environmental Impact Assessment - the investor quotes a 9-year old assessment, which expired 4 years ago.
The road is constructed without:
o Environmental Impact Assessment
o At some points the road acts as a border of Rila National Park and the agreement has been to reconstruct the road within its old range. However, at some points the road is now double its original size and enters the park territory.
Both projects:
o Need to be assessed in line with art. 6 of the Habitats Directive about their impact on the Natura 2000 sites. Despite that this assessment is missing, both projects are in implementation.
The road and the lift are the beginning of a big ski resort: “Panichishte – Rila Lakes – Kabul Peak”
Despite sanctions the illegal road and lift construcion in Rila goes on
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