A procedure under Operational Program „Environment 2014-2020“ (OPE) provides 13 million BGN for expropriation of land in the boundaries of NATURA 2000. This was explained by Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Reneta Koleva at the regular meeting of the MOEW management with representatives of the non-governmental sector. She presented information in connection with issues raised at a previous meeting on land ownership in protected areas.

Given the public interest in the procedure, the application guidelines will be published on the OPE website for coordination with all stakeholders. “With these actions, the Ministry of Environment and Water sends a clear signal to the public that one of the main priorities in the policy of the current leadership is the protection of Bulgarian nature,” said Reneta Koleva.

The purpose of the procedure is to ensure the implementation of measure 96 from the framework for NATURA 2000 and it provides for the improvement of the conservation status of steppe natural habitats. It will be used for the purchase and expropriation of land, including compensation for the right to build. “The indicative resource in the amount of 13 million BGN will be provided through a direct procedure, and a potential beneficiary of the project is RIEW - Varna,” added Reneta Koleva. This measure is for the protection of the natural habitat 62C0 “Ponto-Sarmatian steppes”, which falls within the territorial scope of the Inspectorate. In addition, the procedure is in accordance with the decision by the Court of Justice of the EU against Bulgaria.

“These funds are available, property owners can benefit from them,” said the Deputy Minister. The purchase of private property will turn it into public state property. This will reduce the threats to habitats from various activities by owners and users of land in protected areas in the NATURA 2000 network.