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Dear Members of the Committee:

Committee for the environment, health and food safety:
Miroslav OUZK?
Ms Satu Hassi
Mr. Johannes BLOKLAND
Alexandru-Ioan MORTUN
Mr Dan JORGENSEN

Members of the environmental committee:
Roberto MUSACCHIO
Mr. Jules MAATEN
Mr.Matthias GROOTE
Mr. Boguslaw SONIK
MR. Carl SCHLYTER

As a EU citizen, I appeal for your personal involvement in supporting the Bulgarian public in its efforts to prevent drastic encroachments upon Bulgaria’s national and natural resources. Despite citizens’ activity and general intolerance for unlawful acts against the Bulgarian environment, the Bulgarian government refuses to take action. Included among the oversights are: the intentionally incorrect transformation of European legislation; disregard for norms and principles during the planning and construction of mega-projects; the refusal to indict perpetrators for the ensuing violations and hold them responsible for the consequences. All are facts that impede the sustainable development of the region and impact the biodiversity of Europe.

Last year, the “Save Irakli” civil movement and the “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” coalition of NGOs presented the European Commission a petition signed by over 50,000 Bulgarian citizens requesting its assistance in setting aside undeveloped zones of the Black Sea Coast for protection. The Black Sea coast in Bulgaria is threatened by over-development and extends to sites protected by NATURA 2000, the European ecological network. These seaside habitats include dunes, rocks, estuaries, lagoons, forests, and
are home to numerous protected species.

Currently the Bulgarian government completely ignores its obligation to the nature conservation directives for these protected sites. Consequently many of the supposedly safeguarded zones are on their way to being destroyed by thousands of small and large construction projects. Authorities seem unconcerned that public opinion polls show an overwhelming concern for preserving these areas – 77% of the general population, according to opinion polls conducted in July 2007. The Bulgarian government also ignores protests of its own citizens in defense of the Black Sea Coast.
The only chance to stop this is an urgent reaction in support of European legislation and NAUTRA 2000. The European Parliament should insist:

1. The European Commission immediately starts a rapid infringement procedure against Bulgaria following the precedent set by the Via Baltica case in Poland.

2. The EU stop funding for regional development in municipalities with problems linked to NATURA 2000 sites until the issues are resolved. This will prevent the use of money in a way that violates European legislation.

Yours sincerely,