We, the undersigned petitioners insist that the European Commission and the Petitions Committee of the EP immediately require from the Bulgarian Government to submit the relevant documentation for the promulgation of a buffer zone around Rila Mountain in Bulgaria as part of the NATURA 2000 European Network.
The first documentation for the zone was proposed by the scientific and environment protection community in Bulgaria before January 1, 2007 (before the accession of Bulgaria to EU), but the Bulgarian Government rejected it. On the biogeographical seminars in 2008 for the site was determined a scientific reserve, and it was decided that the site (according to the Habitats Directive) must be re-examined and the documentation re-submitted by September 2009. It was not fulfilled and the Bulgarian Government was given a reprieve until September 2010. In June 2011 the Bulgarian Government has still not submitted to the EC any relevant documentation for such a site.
The site is very important for the protection of the Brown Bear, the European Ground Squirrel and a number of other priority species.
In the Accession Treaty for the accession of Bulgaria to the EU there is an obligation of the Bulgarian Government to designate all Natura 2000 sites in the country before January 1, 2007.
Now, 4 and a half years later we insist that the European Environmental Legislation be observed by the Bulgarian Government and the Natura 2000 zone RILA BUFFER at last be designated.