Filenews 15 August 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Serious, negative and irreversible impacts were taken into account by the Environmental Authority in the report to reject the construction of breakwaters between the Natura 2000 Network areas, Cape Aspro – Petra Romiou and Estuaries of the Ezousa, Xeros and Diarizos Rivers.
The report highlights the clear conclusion of the Special Ecological Assessment Study that the works for the protection and improvement of the coastal front within the boundaries of the Community Council of Kouklia, Pafos District will have negative, irreversible impacts on the marine and coastal ecosystem, as well as the coastal landscape on Natura 2000 sites and their conservation objectives, mainly due to increased levels of disturbance, disturbance and potential displacement for specific species of determination.
The Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) examined interventions with types of marine projects and the study area was divided into 4 sub-areas with a total length of about 7 km. It is bounded within the boundaries of the Community Council of Kouklia, with the western boundary lying east of Cape Zephyros and the eastern boundary at the border of the Randy forest area (east of Petra tou Romiou).
In total, for the protection of all 4 sub-areas, the construction of 16 small piers, 13 detached breakwaters, shielding and coastal replenishment in sub-areas 2 and 3 is proposed. Subareas 1 and 4 belong to the Natura 2000 network and no interventions are proposed.
Sub-area 1, with a total length of 2.5 km, covers the coastal front from the western boundary of the study area (Asprokremmos Desalination Plant) to the outcrop formed by the coast at the location of the private fish farm in the community of Kouklian. This part of the coast falls within the Natura 2000 Network and specifically the SPA "Estuaries of the rivers Ezousa, Xeros and Diarizos". Based on the EIA and the proposed optimal solution, no intervention is proposed either on land or in the marine part of Sub-area 1.
Sub-area 2 covers the coastal front from the private fish farm in the community of Kouklia to the rocky outcrop of the coast in the area of the "Aphrodite Hills" hotel facilities. Based on the study, on the coast, east of the fish farm, it is proposed to replenish the coastline with sand along a coastline of about 780 m. In addition, it is proposed to construct successive small stabilizing piers in the area of application of the artificial replenishment of the coast, so that the material remains for a longer period of time in the area. It is also proposed to shield the coastline with natural boulders in the area of the fish farm at a length of 330 m. On the easternmost coasts, seven detached low-crown breakwaters and eight short overhangs up to a depth of -1.5 to -2.0 m are proposed. The length of sub-area 2 is approximately 2.3 km.
Sub-area 3 covers the coastal front from the rocky outcrop of the coast in the area of the "Aphrodite Hills" hotel facilities to the outcrop of the coast with the maritime geographical name "Karavopetra", west of Petra tou Romiou. The length of sub-area 3 is approximately 1.5 km. It is proposed to construct six detached low-coronation freebreakwaters, each 80 m long and with a gap of about 30 m. Recommended construction depth -3.0 m and distance from the coastline greater than 90 m.
Sub-area 4 covers part of the coast from the beach west of Petra tou Romiou to the eastern boundary of the study area. The largest part of sub-area 4 falls within the Natura 2000 Network and specifically in the SAC and SPA "Cape Aspro – Petra to Romiou". The length of sub-area 4 is approximately 2.4 km. No intervention is proposed either on land or at sea.
Cumulative impacts on Natura 2000 sites
● Fragmentation of the landscape of the area through the removal of vegetation species and habitats. This may have negative irreversible effects on the fauna of the study area and the wider area, reducing the habitats of breeding, resting and feeding species characterising protected areas and disturbing and degrading habitat types within protected areas.
● Long-term loss/alteration of breeding, resting and foraging habitats of both migratory species and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) species, increased levels of disturbance in the designated species of protected areas, increased noise pollution levels, especially during the construction stage and generally potentially increased human pressure in the wider area.
● The main objective of reducing erosion in sub-areas 2 and 3 is not achieved by the proposed solution, but is instead maintained, according to the coastal engineering analysis included in the EIA. Regarding the shadow of breakwaters, the speed of the currents approaches 0.20 m/s, there is a tendency for sediment deposition behind their axis and erosion in their gaps and the series of breakwaters proposed southeast of the fish farm in subarea 2 is not particularly effective, as it does not cause sand accumulation in the area and therefore does not fully meet the objectives of the project.
● The "erosion trend" upstream and downstream of the works is expected to continue or even increase, possibly affecting Petra tou Romiou, according to the coastal engineering analysis included in the EIA.
● The construction of breakwaters causes deterioration in coastal hydraulics. For example, needle currents are created between breakwaters.
● Covering priority habitat 1120* with dust and affecting young individuals living in it from construction work may have a negative impact on biodiversity.
● The existence of intense turbulence and currents at the ends of the breakwaters endanger the safety of bathers.
● The creation of visual pollution in a virgin area of natural beauty.
● The degradation of existing vegetation.
● The impact of Randy National Forest Park due to an increase in traffic.
● The creation of conditions for future developments and pressures such as the construction of other infrastructure projects due to beach traffic, including the construction of sanitary facilities, the increase of parking spaces, lifeguard tower, etc. The proposed construction works entail a potential intensification of tourist flows and consequently an increase in pressure on the site through disturbance, degradation of coastal and marine habitats that are part of the coherent Priority Habitats Network based on the Habitats Decree and designation of areas based on them.
● Cumulative effects due to the siting of large-scale infrastructure and projects in the wider area and consequently continuous and increasing pressure on the imminent degradation, loss and fragmentation of the coherence of priority habitats, inside and outside the Natura 2000 Network.
● The proposed mitigation measures are not a solution to prevent/mitigate the effects resulting from the proposed project.
