Republic of Bulgaria
Ministry of Environment and Waters
Outgoing number: 91-00-1773
Sofia, 18.03.1999

Ref: Design and construction of the "Struma" Motorway

Dear Gentlemen,

We would like to inform you that a meeting was conducted on 23.02.1999 at the Ministry of Environment and Waters concerning the design and construction of the "Struma" Motorway in its Kresna gorge part, as an initiative of a group of environmental NGOs. At the meeting the environmentalists expressed their concerns that the project's realization would substantially endanger the nature of the region, which is of great value for the biodiversity protection not only in the country but also in Europe. Supporting their arguments we would like to point out several of them:
- Phenomenal wealth of endangered and rare habitats;
- Large number of flora and fauna species with different nature protection status: rare, endangered from extinction, included in the lists of the different international convention, that Bulgaria signed;
- Strictly protected species according the Bulgarian legislation or included in the Red Book of Bulgaria, and also endemic and relict species that the country has certain responsibility to protect;
- Unique natural habitats with specific environment, included in the international network "CORINE - biotopes";
- Kresna gorge, through which the Via Aristotelis migration route pass, is designated as Ornithological Important Place with world importance;
- In the close proximity the unique nature reserve area "Tisata" is situated, and also several other protected areas, that will be destroyed or seriously affected by the project realization.

Taking into account the significance of that transport corridor for the infrastructure and economy of Bulgaria, as well as the international agreements undertaken in this field, the Ministry of Environment and Waters emphasizes that within the project concerning the motorway section between the towns of Simitly and Kresna alternatives for a passage of the road outside the Kresna gorge is obligatory to be developed. Those should be equally assessed the Environmental Impact Assessment report.

Enclosed:
1. Detailed specification with the argumentation for biodiversity and nature conservation importance of the region - 5 numbers;
2. Letter of the NGOs - 1 number.

Sincerely,
E. Maneva
Minister of Environment and Waters