The investor in a new ski area in Nature Park Vitosha mocks legal regulations

This is the notorious idea for expanding the existing ski-runs and facilities in Nature Park Vitosha several times, which generally contradicts the acting legal regulations.

“Vitosha Ski” AD subjects the ecological evaluation of the specialized enhanced structural plan to public discussion, although it has not been approved by the Sofia Municipality. Thus the investor has no right to design, and the ecological evaluation is based on a legally non-existent project. “Don't put the cart before the horse” say the environmental activists.

Sofia Municipality is still considering whether or not to approve the assignment of the enhanced structural plan for new ski-runs and facilities in Nature Park Vitosha. At the municipality's expert council meeting, held on the 29th of May, 2009, the proposed assignment for the new ski-runs and facilities has been handed back to “Vitosha Ski” AD for reevaluation.

Sofia Municipality has promised to publish the revised version of the assignment on its website, as soon as it is finished, as well as to take into account the public opinions on the matter. Sofia's chief architect Petar Dikov has firmly declared that all activities in Nature Park Vitosha will be conducted according to the law.

This week's inspection at the Sofia Municipality showed, that “Vitosha Ski” AD has not since introduced a new version of the assignment of the structural plan for new ski-runs and facilities at Nature Park Vitosha.

Given this situation, it is strange that “Vitosha Ski” AD is still holding a public discussion on a report for the ecological evaluation of a plan, which has not been sanctioned for production to begin with. For two years now the company has been “playing around” with the public, warn the environmental activists. In October 2008, another public discussion has been held on a report for an ecological evaluation, without any approved assignment from Sofia Municipality, as required by law.

The coalition “Let the Nature remain in Bulgaria” has approached the Ministry of Environment and Water through their subordinate Regional Inspection of Environment and Water in Sofia, with a demand for an immediate cessation of this procedure. If the Ministry does not take any action against “Vitosha Ski” AD, which corrupts the procedures for the ecological evaluation and the evaluation for compatibility with the European network “Natura 2007”, environmental activists will demand that the European Committee commence a punitive procedure against Bulgaria for violation of European directives.

Contact:
- Katerina Rakovska, WWF, 02/9505040