Twenty-two management plans for Natura 2000 sites were launched for public consultation yesterday even though they will be implemented by an environment authority still to be set up.
The timing of the launch was questioned during a press conference by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
The plans were concluded by the private sector in May 2014 and approved by Mepa 10 months ago. They have been awaiting ministerial approval since then.
Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon was asked why the sudden launch when the environmental and planning functions of Mepa were in the process of being separated.
“You can’t criticise us for the delay and then criticise us when we take action,” Dr Falzon replied.
You can’t criticise us for the delay and then criticise us when we take action
The government has recently been facing criticism that the environment was sidelined over the last two years when plans were being drawn up for the Mepa split. Following the publication of proposed laws to regulate the new planning and environment authorities, NGOs have insisted the planning authority got the upper hand.
Dr Falzon confirmed the implementation of the management plans would fall under the new environment authority to be set up.
Environment Minister Leo Brincat was conspicuous by his absence at the public consultation launch. He has always distanced himself from Mepa operations but the Natura 2000 sites management will be his responsibility.
The main aim of the management plans is to maintain or restore species and habitats to their favourable conservation status. Malta has, to date, designated a total of 34 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites covering 13 per cent of the total land area.
They include Għajn Tuffieħa, the saline marshes at Għadira, Il-Magħluq, Marsascala, and Is-Simar, Xemxija. In Gozo, the sites include Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs and the surrounding area, Ramla Bay and Dwejra.
Eight Natura 2000 sites will be dealt with through a conservation order that does not require public consultation. The plans for five marine Natura 2000 sites are not yet done.
At this stage, the implementation of the plans raises a number of questions. There is no funding allocated for the management of the sites since the environment authority has not yet been set up, let alone started functioning.
Mepa said each site had a “budget plan” that would allow NGOs and government departments to apply for EU funds.
Funding is a major concern; Dwejra alone will need close to €500,000 over five years.
The new environment authority will be responsible for sourcing funds for its own operations, including financial assistance from the EU. Acquiring such funding from Brussels is a highly complex process and, of course, is never guaranteed. In addition, EU funding will also need to be tapped for the Natura 2000 sites.
The plans themselves require additional scientific studies, since a number of them are not based on recent data. When pressed, a Mepa spokesman said yesterday the most recent data gathered was in the years 2012 to 2014. Such data has not been made public, thus making it difficult for the public to assess, during the consultation process, whether the plans deal with actual conservation needs.
The public consultation ends on September 30. There will be two public seminars August 7 and 10.
Fore more information, go to www.natura2000malta.com.mt.