O SIECI NATURA 2000 OCZAMI GEOLOGÓW W ROKU 2010

Abstract

ON THE NETWORK NATURA 2000 THROUGH THE LENS OF GEOLOGY IN 2010Abstract. The main goal of the European NATURA 2000 network of protected areas is the conservation of biodiversity of Europe. In total, 141 Special Protection Areas SPAs (created under the Birds Directive), as well as 823 Special Areas of Conservation SACs (created under the Habitats Directive) were in existence in Poland by the end of 2009. They make up 15.6% and 11.0% of the territory of Poland, respectively. There are hundreds of mineral deposits in these areas, both exploited and unexploited, but taken in regard to possible use in the future. Exploitation use of deposits are not completely restricted in NATURA 2000 network areas, but management of the geological environment is made more difficult. Multi-faceted in-depth reports on the environmental influence are made compulsory, as well as a change in the technological methods of exploitation which must compensate for any eventual loss caused in the natural environment. The procedures in place which govern decisions made by formal bodies are complicated and often cause the delay of mineral deposit management. Many deposits, which are of interest to national mineral raw materials supply security, should not have been included in the NATURA2000 areas, as the opinions of over-exploitation and possible negative environmental impacts caused by mining were blown out of proportion.