GPL00-ERM-642-Y-TAE-0017 02--Integrated ESIA … · 2.2 Construction and Pre-commissioning 11 ... 2.2.2.1 Hydrotest Concept 15

Integrated ESIA GreeceAnnex 8.11 - Appropriate Assessment for GR 1220002 and GR 1220010

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Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP GPL00-ERM-642-Y-TAE-0017

Rev.: 02 Document Title: Integrated ESIA Greece Annex 8.11 - Appropriate Assessment for GR1220002 and GR1220010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Purpose of this Report 5 1.2 Legislative Framework and Guidance for Undertaking SpEA of Natura

2000 Sites 5 1.3 Precedents, Stage One – Screening 7

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 10 2.1 Introduction 10 2.1.1 Project Overview 10

2.2 Construction and Pre-commissioning 11 2.2.1 Construction Methods 11 2.2.1.1 Marking and Clearance of Working Strip 11 2.2.1.2 Topsoil Stripping 11 2.2.1.3 Grading 12 2.2.1.4 Trenching 12 2.2.1.5 Blasting 13 2.2.1.6 Backfill 13 2.2.1.7 Watercourse Crossings 13 2.2.1.8 Clean Up and Restoration 15 2.2.2 Pressure Testing during Construction (Hydrotesting) 15 2.2.2.1 Hydrotest Concept 15 2.2.2.2 Water Abstraction Sources 16 2.2.2.3 Discharge / Disposal Options 17

2.3 Operation and Maintenance 18 2.4 Decommissioning 18 2.5 Safety and Non-Routine Events 19

3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 20 3.1 Introduction 20 3.2 Evaluation of Significance 21 3.2.1 Habitats 21 3.2.1.1 Vulnerability / Sensitivity Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems 22 3.2.1.2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems 22 3.2.2 Species 23 3.2.2.1 Vulnerability / Sensitivity Criteria for Species 24 3.2.2.2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Species 24

4 ASSESSMENT OF NATURA 2000 SITE OF DELTA AXIOU LOUDIA ALIAKMONA 26

4.1 Introduction 26 4.2 Baseline Data Collection 27 4.3 Activities Likely to Affect the Natura 2000 Site (SPA and SAC) 29

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4.3.1 The Project 29 4.3.2 Other Relevant Projects and Plans 30

4.4 Baseline Description of Natura 2000 Site 31 4.4.1 General Description 31 4.4.2 Designation and Conservation Objectives 32 4.4.2.1 Habitats Directive Site - SAC (GR1220002) 32 4.4.2.2 Birds Directive Site – SPA (GR1220010) 35 4.4.3 Qualifying Features / Species of the Protected Sites 36 4.4.4 Vulnerability of the Protected Sites 59

4.5 Assessment of Impacts on Annex I Habitats due to Project Activities 59 4.5.1 Identification of Potential Impacts 59 4.5.2 Impact Assessment 60 4.5.2.1 Habitat Loss 60 4.5.2.2 Habitat Fragmentation 61

4.6 Assessment of Impacts on Annex II Species due to Project Activities 61 4.6.1 Identification of Potential Impacts 61 4.6.2 Impact Assessment 62 4.6.2.1 Habitat Loss 62 4.6.2.2 Habitat Fragmentation 63 4.6.2.3 Disturbance and Loss of Individuals 63

4.7 Assessment of Impacts on Annex I Bird Species due to Project Activities 64

4.7.1 Identification of Potential Impacts 64 4.7.2 Impact Assessment 65 4.7.2.1 Habitat Loss 65 4.7.2.2 Disturbance (Noise, Light and Human Presence) 66 4.7.2.3 Fragmentation 67 4.7.2.4 Loss of Individuals 67

4.8 Cumulative Impacts 68 4.9 Mitigation Measures 68 4.9.1 Habitat Loss / Degradation & Habitat Fragmentation 69 4.9.2 Disturbance 70 4.9.3 Loss of Individuals 71

4.10 Assessment of Residual Impacts 71 4.11 Alternative (Including Zero Alternatives) 74 4.11.1 Comparison of Alternatives 75 4.11.1.1 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation 75 4.11.1.2 Disturbance 75 4.11.1.3 Loss of Individuals 76 4.11.2 Zero Alternative 76

4.12 Compensatory Measures 76 4.13 Summary 76 4.13.1 Habitats 76 4.13.2 Species 77

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Protected Areas likely to be Affected by the Project 9 Table 2-1 Water Requirements for Hydrotesting 16 Table 3-1 Evaluation of Vulnerability / Sensitivity of Habitats 22 Table 3-2 Evaluation of Vulnerability / Sensitivity of Species 24 Table 4-1 Habitat Types Present on the Site 32 Table 4-2 SPA GR1220010 Qualifying Features: Birds listed in Annex I of Council

Directive 2009/147/EC 37 Table 4-3 SPA GR1220010 and SAC GR1220002 Qualifying Features: Other

Species listed in Annex II of Council Directive 92/43/EEC 56 Table 4-4 Potential Impacts due to Project Activities 59 Table 4-5 Habitats Potentially Affected by Project Components 60 Table 4-6 Potential Impacts due to Project Activities 61 Table 4-7 Potential Impacts on Annex I Birds due to Project Activities 64 Table 4-8 Residual Impacts associated with Project Activities 72

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Appropriate Assessment (AA) Stages 6 Figure 1-2 Natura 2000 Sites within Broader Area of the Project 8 Figure 2-1 TAP’s route 10 Figure 2-2 Horizontal Direction Drilling (HDD) 14 Figure 3-1 Impact Significance Evaluation 21 Figure 4-1 Crossing of Axios River by HDD 30 Figure 4-2 European Habitat 92A0 ‘Salix alba and Populus alba galleries’ in Axios

River 34 Figure 4-3 Location of Annex 1 Habitats in vicinity of the Project (River Axios

Crossing) 35

LIST OF BOXES

Box 3-1 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems 23 Box 3-2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Species 25

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of this Report

This Appropriate Assessment (AA) has been prepared on the basis of the conclusions presented

in the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0106) and forms an

integral part of the TAP Project ESIA.

The proposed Project traverses the Natura 2000 site of Delta Axiou Loudia Aliakmona -

designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) (GR1220010) under the EU Birds Directive and a

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (GR1220002) under the EU Habitats Directive.

This report provides a detailed assessment of the Project’s potential effects on the ecological

integrity of these sites, focusing on the sites’ specific conservation objectives and qualifying

features. Suitable measures to be implemented by the Project are defined where necessary to

mitigate any potential adverse impacts on the sites’ ecological interests.

As a reference, the report also includes the output of the screening exercise (Section 0). Refer to

the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0106) for further detail

(i.e. screening phase process, EU legal framework and procedures).

1.2 Legislative Framework and Guidance for Undertaking SpEA of Natura 2000 Sites

Natura 2000 network aims to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. It is comprised of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC).

EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) sets out various procedures and obligations in relation to nature conservation management in the Natura 2000 sites, their habitats and species. Amongst them there is a series of procedural and substantive safeguards, that must be applied to plans and projects that are likely to have a significant effect on these sites. These provisions of the Habitats Directive have been incorporated into the national legislation through the Law

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3937/2011 and Law 4014/2011, which set the obligation to conduct a Special Ecological Assessment (SpEA) as an integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment report when a project that may cause significant environmental effects is planned within a site of the European ecological network of Natura 2000.

In the lack of National Guidance documents for the specifications of the SpEA this AA has been mainly based on the provisions indicated in the Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites; Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.

Based on the principles provided in the above-mentioned EU guidance, it has become generally accepted that the assessment requirements of Article 6 establish a stage-by-stage approach. These stages are summarized diagrammatically below, and an outline of the steps and procedures involved in completing each stage follows:

Figure 1-1 Appropriate Assessment (AA) Stages

Stage One: Screening — the process which identifies the likely impacts upon a Natura 2000 site

of a project or plan, either alone or in combination with other projects or plans, and considers

whether these impacts are likely to be significant;

Stage Two: Appropriate Assessment — the consideration of impacts on the integrity of the

Natura 2000 sites of the project or plan, either alone or in combination with other projects or

plans, with respect to the site’s structure, function and its conservation objectives. Additionally,

where there are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts;

Stage Three: Assessment of alternative solutions — the process which examines alternative

ways of achieving the objectives of the project or plan that avoid adverse impacts on the integrity

of the Natura 2000 site;

Stage 4 IROPI

Stage 3 Alternative Solutions

Stage 2 AA

Stage 1 Screening for

AA

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Stage Four: Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain

— an assessment of compensatory measures where, in the light of an assessment of imperative

reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI), it is deemed that the project or plan should proceed

(it is important to note that this guidance does not deal with the assessment of imperative

reasons of overriding public interest).

Each stage of the assessment process precedes and provides a basis for other steps. The

process and outcome of each stage must therefore be documented and recorded carefully to

provide for traceability and transparency of the decisions made.

The decision-making process of Article 6 is underpinned by the ‘precautionary principle’ as well

as promoting the hierarchy of avoidance, mitigation and compensatory measures to be

addressed during the appropriate assessment process:

Avoidance: initially, a project should aim to avoid any negative impacts on Natura 2000 sites by identifying potential impacts early in project planning and afterwards by selecting the most appropriate solution in terms of avoiding such environmental impacts.

Mitigation: mitigation measures should be applied during the AA process to the point where no adverse impacts on the site remain.

Compensatory measures: as a worst-case scenario, a plan may have to undergo an assessment of alternative solutions. Under this stage of the assessment, compensatory measures are required for any remaining adverse effects, but they are permitted only if there are no alternative solutions and the plan is required for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.

1.3 Precedents, Stage One – Screening

Nine (9) Natura 2000 sites have been identified in the broader area of the proposed Project in

Greece that have the potential to be affected by Project activities, either because they are

crossed or because they are in the vicinity of the pipeline route or Project installations - see

Figure 1-2.

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A screening exercise was conducted for these sites1 and it was concluded that there is potential

for the Project to have significant effects on the qualifying values or integrity of the Natura 2000

site of Delta Axiou Loudia Aliakmona (designated as both a SPA and a SAC) – refer to Table 1-1.

The requirement for the AA is based on the direct crossing of the Natura 2000 site by the

proposed pipeline; a 1.4 km section from KP 369.8 to 371.2.

A Stage Two: Appropriate Assessment was therefore required for this site as detailed in Section

4 of this report.

Figure 1-2 Natura 2000 Sites within Broader Area of the Project

Source: ERM (2013)

11 Further detail of the screening process is provided in the document Appropriate Assessment Screening Report – GPL00-ASP-642-

Y-TAE-0106)

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Table 1-1 Protected Areas likely to be Affected by the Project Site name /EU code: GR1220010 SPA of Delta Axiou Loudia Aliakmona Aluki Kitrous (GR1220002); SAC Delta Axiou-Loudia-Aliakmona-Eyryteri periochi Axioupolis.

Pipeline KP: 369.8-371.3

Natura 2000 description: The site is designated as both SPA and SAC. It comprises a coastal wetland of small lagoons, sandflats, and alluvial forests dominated by Tamarix spp, Alnus spp, and Salix spp. It is a very important site for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds. Human activities include rice production, livestock farming, fishing and mussel culture.

Individual components of the project likely to give rise to impacts on the Natura 2000 site: Pipeline is crossing Axios River from KP 369.8 to 371.2, crossing the Natura 2000 sites (both SPA and SAC). The location of the crossing is about 1.4 km to the north of the designated National Park “estuaries of Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas river” and Ramsar site. Construction activities such as the clearance of the construction zone, trenching, watercourse crossing method, pipe installation and reinstatement (detail description in Section 2) have potential to impact the protected area.

Likely impacts/likely changes to the site: Construction activities have potential to give rise to loss of habitat, fragmentation and disturbance. Some of the impacts of this phase are temporary and limited to the working strip of the pipeline. In the operation phase permanent loss of habitat in the 8m pipeline protection strip (PPS) is anticipated

Screening result: The site is affected by the Project activities. An AA is required. Collated by ERM (2012)

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This section provides an overview of Project activities that have the potential to give rise to

impacts on flora, fauna, and their respective habitats. The Project activities are presented in more

detail in Section 4 of the ESIA.

2.2 Construction and Pre-commissioning

2.2.1 Construction Methods

2.2.1.1 Marking and Clearance of Working Strip

The width of the area required for pipeline construction (also referred to as the ‘working strip’) will

vary according to site-specific conditions. However, in general, the working strip will be 38 m

wide.

Preparation of the working strip will consist of clearing and grading (refer to Section 2.2.1.3). The

clearing will include removal of all structures, trees, bushes, crops and boulders within the strip

required to lay the pipeline. This will include the removal of tree stumps and roots from the trench

that will interfere with the operation of the trenching machine.

2.2.1.2 Topsoil Stripping

Topsoil within the width of the working strip will be removed carefully, trying not to damage its

structure, using excavators with flat, 2 m / 3 m wide buckets. The topsoil will be lifted and stored

on the side of the working strip. The aim is to prevent compaction of the topsoil and keep it aside

for reapplication after pipeline installation.

If long-term storage of topsoil is required then the soil heaps will be seeded with deep-rooted

plants for protection.

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2.2.1.3 Grading

Typically the working strip will be graded by equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders to

the width needed for construction (max. 38 m) in order to prepare sufficient working space for the

construction crews that will follow. The working strip will be prepared more or less like an

unpaved road. However, grading will be less refined than that needed for a road as construction

equipment can negotiate steeper and more uneven terrain than passenger vehicles. The cuts in

the graded areas will be kept to a minimum to facilitate restoration of the corridor after the

completion of the construction period.

2.2.1.4 Trenching

Generally the pipeline trench will be dug to a minimum depth of 1.0 m for unhindered traffic

passage, agricultural and forest works, avoiding damage to third party cables and pipes. Depths

of 1.2 - 1.5 m are foreseen for sections exposed to heavy traffic and across intensively used

agricultural fields (i.e. those that are deep ploughed) and irrigation fields. Depths of 1.5 m will be

used for crossings with watercourses (depending on construction method used), tracks, roads,

industrial and inhabited areas. The width of the trench shall be determined as a function of depth,

in order to avoid any instability. It shall enable easy installation of the pipe without damaging the

external coating.

The trenching will be undertaken by excavators. Extra trench depth will be excavated if required

to accommodate the transition of the pipeline at the bottoms or tops of hills and watercourse,

road and rail crossings.

Generally rock will be dug out using a jack-hammer. However, if required, and conditions allow

(i.e. no constraints to noise or dust generation exist) blasting could be necessary along some

limited sections.

It is possible that dewatering of the trench could also be required if the ground is very wet. Along

such sections, water will be directed to streams, rivers or irrigation ditches in agreement with the

relevant authorities.

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2.2.1.5 Blasting

Blasting is required in hard terrain, where traditional trenching methods are not effective. It

comprises the controlled use of explosives (or other methods such as gas pressure pyrotechnics

or plasma processes) to excavate, break down or remove rock. Blasting mats are usually placed

on top of the explosions to absorb the energy released and reduce dust and noise generated.

Blasting is not expected to be used during the crossing of the Axios River or in the wider area.

2.2.1.6 Backfill

Backfill will be placed over the pipeline immediately after the pipe section has been lowered into

the trench and surveyed. The backfilled material will be compacted in layers. Bulldozers will be

used to push stockpiled materials removed back into the trench to cover the pipe. In areas that

contain large quantities of rock, selected fill material may be added to put the first layer of cover

over the pipe, or special padding machines may be brought in to sieve the rock from the backfill.

Extreme care will be taken with the initial fill to avoid damage to the pipe coating during backfill.

After the initial layer of screened material is placed on the pipe, the remaining soil and rock

mixture will be used to complete the backfill.

2.2.1.7 Watercourse Crossings

The pipeline route crosses the Axios River, Aliakmonas River and their tributaries. Watercourse

crossings will generally be undertaken using open-cut methods. Open-cut methods require an

open trench through the watercourse. The trench is shaped according to the stability of the soil

and is as deep as required to provide the minimum cover for the pipeline after the pipe is

installed. The surface (river or stream bed) is then reinstated to its original condition after the

trench is backfilled. A principal drawback of the open-cut technique is that in aquatic systems,

open-cut trenching can generate a pulse of suspended sediment which can reach values that are

higher than background concentrations. The flumed and the dam and pump methods are usually

less intrusive with regard to high sediment concentrations.

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A trenchless crossing method will be used to cross the Axios River - Horizontal Directional

Drilling (HDD) – as illustrated in Figure 2-2. HDD is an alternative technology used for inserting

pipelines under sensitive areas or infrastructure. This method begins with boring a small

diameter, horizontal hole (pilot hole) under the crossing obstacle (e.g. a river) with a continuous

string of steel drill rod. When the bore head and rod emerge on the opposite side of the crossing,

a special cutter, called a back reamer, is attached and pulled back through the pilot hole. The

reamer bores out the pilot hole so that the pipe can be pulled through. The pipe is usually pulled

through from the side of the crossing opposite the drill rig. Typically HDD provides a stable and

virtually maintenance-free crossing method with minimal to no disturbance of the stream or river

bed.

Figure 2-2 Horizontal Direction Drilling (HDD)

Source: TAP (2011)

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2.2.1.8 Clean Up and Restoration

After completing the backfill of a given length of the pipeline trench, the restoration operation will

begin. The removed topsoil will be placed back on the working strip. The original contours of the

land will be restored as closely as possible. As part of the restoration process, all equipment

access crossings will also be removed. The banks of rivers will be stabilized where necessary,

and restored, and progressive rehabilitation will take place with the aim to return the area to its

pre-disturbed condition.

Any damage resulting from Project activities to drainage or irrigation systems will be reinstated in

agreement with the owner. The same applies to any damage to public roads or agricultural

tracks. Agricultural activities such as ploughing and grazing can continue after construction within

the 8 m PPS, however, no planting of deep-rooting vegetation (i.e. trees) will be allowed. The

route of the pipeline will also be marked so that it can be inspected from the ground and air.

2.2.2 Pressure Testing during Construction (Hydrotesting)

2.2.2.1 Hydrotest Concept

Hydrotesting (or hydrostatic testing) is the most common method for testing the integrity of the

pipeline and checking for any potential leaks (e.g. from cracked pipe work) prior to

commissioning. The test involves placing water inside the pipeline at a certain pressure to check

that the pipeline is not damaged and will not leak during operation.

The first step in hydrotesting is the pipeline cleaning. This is carried out with a pipeline inspection

gauge or ’pig’, which is a tool that is sent down a pipeline and propelled by the pressure of the

product in the pipeline itself e.g. the water used for hydrotesting or air used for pipe cleaning.

There are three main activities that will be performed by pigs before and after hydrotesting:

1. Cleaning of the inside of the pipeline which is performed with a brush-type directional pig driven along the pipeline by air before the hydrotest.

2. Gauge checking of the pipeline using a pig with a gauge plate attached. This pig is sent the whole length of the pipeline to check for dents, imperfections and damages. The relevant defect is then located and the damaged pipe section is repaired before the hydrotest.

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3. Drying of the pipeline using foam-type swabbing pigs after the hydrotest.

The pipeline is then filled with water, which is pressurised. The hydrotesting will be carried out in

sections up to 20 km in length. Hydrotesting activities are expected to require a total of 5 to 6

months and will be finished before commissioning activities.

The water used needs to be free of contaminants, relatively neutral (i.e. pH between 5 and 8),

and no additives, corrosion inhibitors or chemicals are used. Pressurization is then carried out

with a high pressure pump.

After the pipeline has been filled and pressurised, and all the necessary parameters measured,

the pipeline will be dewatered and dried.

2.2.2.2 Water Abstraction Sources

Surface water sources with larger amounts of water flow have been considered for water

abstraction and discharge. Table 2-1 shows the potential water sources identified along the TAP

route and the volumes required for hydrotesting for each main section. The timing for the

hydrostatic testing activities will consider the seasonal changes of river flows and the reduced

flows during the summer months.

Table 2-1 Water Requirements for Hydrotesting

Water Source Discharge Point Approx. Volume Required (m3)

Evros River (KP 0) Evros River (KP 0) 51,880

Filiouris River (KP 77.4) Filiouris River (KP 77.4) 40,200

Xiropotamos (aka Kompsatos) (KP 113.0) Xiropotamos (aka Kompsatos) (KP 113.0) 33,820

Xantis (Kosynthos) (KP 136.0) Xantis (Kosynthos) (KP 136.0) 31,170

Nestos (KP 153.6) Nestos (KP 153.6) 25,230

Aggitis I (KP 223.7) Angitis I (KP 223.7) 55,620

Strimonas (KP 290.3) Strimonas (KP 290.3) 62,230

Parthenorema (KP 382.3) Axios (KP 376) 28,970

Parthenorema (KP 382.3) and Potamos (KP 419.9)

Potamos (KP 419.9) and Ammorycheias (KP 469.3)

55,070

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Water Source Discharge Point Approx. Volume Required (m3)

Potamos (KP 419.9) Ammorycheias (KP 469.3) 52,870

Ammorycheias (KP 469.3) Ammorycheias (KP 469.3) 33,040

Aliakmonas (KP 524.6) Aliakmonas (KP 524.6) 43,200

Source: (ENT, 2012)

The contractor for the hydrotesting will obtain written approvals from the local authorities and the

landowner(s) where the source of water is located prior to the extraction of hydrotest water.

No water is expected to be taken from the Axios River.

2.2.2.3 Discharge / Disposal Options

Following successful testing, the used water will be discharged back into a receiving water body

having passed through a sedimentation pool, in which the water will flow very slowly. These pools

will be sized to provide a retention time of 5 minutes, which is considered enough time for

allowing the solid particles cleaned out of the pipe to settle and remain in the bottom of the pond.

Discharged water will be free of chemicals.

The contractor for hydrotesting will obtain written approvals from the local authorities and the

landowner(s) where the hydrotest water will be discharged, water will not be returned to any

watercourse without permission of the appropriate local authorities.

The Axios River has been selected as the discharge point for the first hydrotest section.

Further details of the proposed hydrotest activities are given in Section 4 of the ESIA.

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2.3 Operation and Maintenance

As the pipeline in Greece will be buried along its entire length, no interaction with the

environment is anticipated during normal operation and therefore no impacts are expected.

The TAP system will be monitored and maintained to ensure that the system, as designed,

constructed and tested remains "fit for purpose" throughout the design life as well as minimising

environmental and human risk from non-routine events (refer to Section 2.5). In general, pipeline

surveillance, function checks and condition monitoring will be used to anticipate system problems

and allow them to be rectified in a timely manner.

Pipeline inspection and maintenance activities during operation will generally include the

following tasks:

• pipeline monitoring;

• route surveillance (possibly with road vehicles and helicopters);

• special crossing inspections;

• monitoring of population and third-party activities in close proximity to the pipeline;

• cathodic protection system monitoring;

• inventory monitoring surveys;

• functional operational checks and verification of plant and equipment; and

• routine maintenance of plant and equipment at pre-defined intervals.

Intelligent pigging (i.e. using a pipeline inspection gauge) of the pipeline will be undertaken on a

regular basis to confirm the geometry of the pipeline, to check and monitor wall thickness and in

addition, following suspected damage or a seismic event.

2.4 Decommissioning

The design lifetime of the pipeline is 50 years. It cannot be foreseen today which approaches will

be taken at the time of decommissioning, but TAP AG is committed that this will be state-of-the-

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art when it occurs. Any decommissioning activities will be subject to permitting requirements

applicable at that time and subject to consultation with affected owners and stakeholders of

affected properties and structures. A Pipeline Abandonment Plan (PAP) that covers all relevant

items will be prepared before any decommissioning works. This PAP will be submitted to the

Greek authorities in due time prior to the end of the lifetime of the system. The PAP will also

include an assessment of the environmental and social impacts of the proposed

decommissioning measures. Impacts will obviously depend on the decommissioning approach

and available dismantling techniques at that time. Current International best practice2 is to leave

pipelines in the ground (abandonment-in-place) and secure it against structural collapse to

prevent ground subsidence. In that case impacts on the environment, land use and infrastructure

will be minimal. If the pipeline is taken out, e.g. to recover the pipe steel, impacts will be similar to

construction stage. For crossings of infrastructure and watercourses however, it appears likely

that the respective pipe section will simply remain in situ and only the structural status will be

secured.

2.5 Safety and Non-Routine Events

A preliminary risk assessment3 of the pipeline route was performed with the aim of verifying the

pipeline safety. The preliminary assessment determined that the route was feasible with respect

to safety of the pipeline and the nearby population. In a few denser populated sections a potential

for route optimisation was identified in order to further reduce proximities to settlements.

Furthermore, the most populated sections identified are relatively short, enabling efficient

technical risk mitigation to be applied where needed or required. A detailed safety analysis will be

undertaken in the subsequent design phases and will also be part of the licensing processes.

2 See for example: http://www.neb.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rsftyndthnvrnmnt/sfty/rfrncmtrl/pplnbndnmnttchnclnvrnmntl-eng.html, and http://www.ukooaenvironmentallegislation.co.uk/contents/topic_files/offshore/decommissioning_pipelines.htm 3 ILF (2011) Preliminary Risk Assessment Greece Doc. Ref. GPL00-ILF-100-S-TRS-0001 Rev.: 0C, dated 17-08-2011

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3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

The assessment section of the AA examines impacts on the qualifying interest of the Natura

2000 site arising from the development of the Project. The Project components and associated

activities, the baseline environment of the Natura 2000 and types of impact define the

geographical extent of the potentially affected area. The study area of the AA is therefore defined

to include the area potentially affected for each topic under analysis.

The assessment aims to address different types of impacts including:

• positive and adverse (negative) impacts;

• impacts arising directly from the Project or indirectly as a consequence of other changes stimulated by the Project; and

• impacts arising permanently as a consequence of the development (e.g. loss of existing habitats or land uses), temporarily during the construction period (e.g. noise from earthmoving), and over the long term during the operation of the facility (e.g. impacts on habitat from regular vegetation clearance of the pipeline protection strip).

Impacts are assessed by comparing the baseline conditions (i.e. the situation before the

realization of the Project) with the conditions that will prevail if the Project is constructed and

operated.

There are therefore four key stages in the assessment:

• Identifying the baseline conditions without the Project and the sensitivity and importance of the receptors and resources at risk.

• Predicting the magnitude of impact on these receptors and resources, including the nature, scale, extent and duration of change, and in the case of non-routine impacts, their probability or frequency of occurrence.

• Evaluating the significance of impacts so that decision-makers understand the weight that should be given to them in reaching decisions about the Project.

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• Investigating options for mitigation of significant adverse impacts and agreeing measures to be incorporated into the Project proposals with the proponent

3.2 Evaluation of Significance

The significance of an impact will depend on its predicted magnitude (based on its scale, extent

and duration), and on the value or importance of the affected receptor or resource. The

evaluation of impact significance is illustrated in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1 Impact Significance Evaluation

Source: ERM (2012)

3.2.1 Habitats

The significance of potential impacts to habitats has been evaluated taking into account the

following factors:

Magnitude of Impact

Valu

e/Se

nsiti

vity

of R

esou

rce/

Rec

epto

r

Small Medium Large

Hig

hM

ediu

m

Low

Not Significant

Minor

Moderate

Major

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the magnitude of both positive and negative effects, as determined by intensity, frequency and extent;

the vulnerability / sensitivity of the habitat or species (receptor) to the change caused by the development;

the ability of the habitat to recover, considering both fragility and resilience; and

the value, in nature conservation and ecological terms, of affected receptors including species, populations, communities, habitats and ecosystems.

3.2.1.1 Vulnerability / Sensitivity Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems

Table 3-1 presents the criteria used to evaluate the vulnerability / sensitivity of habitats along the

proposed pipeline route.

Table 3-1 Evaluation of Vulnerability / Sensitivity of Habitats

Vulnerability/ sensitivity Low Medium High

Criteria

Habitat types according

to 92/43 EEC

Widespread habitats in Greece

Rare4 habitats in Greece, not including those considered as a priority type according to 92/43 EEC

Rare habitats in Greece and a priority type according to 92/43 EEC

Conservation

Status/Human impact

In the vicinity of urban centres or industrial areas

Lowland sites where grazing or agricultural activities may take place

Forest (or other habitat) sections that are not logged or are under a specialised management scheme or are not readily accessible by paved roads

SOURCE: ERM(2012)

3.2.1.2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems

Magnitude of impact is a combination of several factors, including:

the spatial extent over which the impact is experienced;

the duration of the impact and/or the extent to which it is repeated; 4 As defined in literature or standardized data bases.

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the degree to which habitat fragmentation occurs;

whether it is total loss to Project footprint or temporary occupation that can be remedied;

for other physical changes (e.g. to the hydrological cycle), the extent of the change; and

the size of the footprint in the context of the wider area of habitat that exists.

For accidental events such as an explosion, the likelihood of the event actually happening is part

of the magnitude.

Box 3-1 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Habitats / Ecosystems Large Magnitude Impact: the Project (either on its own or together with other projects) may adversely affect the

integrity of a habitat, by substantially changing in the long term its ecological features, structures and functions, across

all or most of its area, that enable it to sustain the habitat, complex of habitats and/or population levels of species that

makes it important.

Medium Magnitude Impact: the habitat’s integrity will not be adversely affected in the long term, but the effect is likely

to be significant in the short or medium term to some, if not all, of its ecological features, structures and functions. The

habitat may be able to recover, through natural regeneration and restoration, to its state at the time of the baseline

study.

Small Magnitude Impact: neither of the above applies, but some minor impacts of limited extent, or to some elements

of the habitat, are predicted but the habitat will readily recover through natural regeneration.

ERM (2012)

3.2.2 Species

The significance of potential impacts to fauna has been evaluated taking the following factors into

account:

the magnitude of both positive and negative effects, as determined by intensity, frequency and extent;

the vulnerability / sensitivity of the species (receptor) to the change caused by the development;

its ability to recover, considering both fragility and resilience; and

the value, in nature conservation and ecological terms, of affected receptors including species, populations, communities, habitats and ecosystems.

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3.2.2.1 Vulnerability / Sensitivity Criteria for Species

Table 3-2 presents the criteria used to evaluate vulnerability / sensitivity of species along the

route.

Table 3-2 Evaluation of Vulnerability / Sensitivity of Species Importance: Low Medium High Criteria Protection status

Not protected or listed. Introduced or alien species.

• Listed as Vulnerable (VU), Conservation Dependant (CD), Near Threatened (NT) or Least Concern (LC) on Global IUCN Red List. • Nationally Protected Species • Annex III species listed on the

Bern Convention • Listed as VU, NT, LC, in the

Red Data Book of Greece • Species either listed as Data

Deficient (DD), or Not Evaluated NE) at a Global or National level for which Conservation is likely to be required.

• Listed as Critically Endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN) on either Global IUCN list or on National Red List;

• Decreasing number of species listed as VU or lower in the Greek Red Data Book.

• Listed as Rare, Threatened or Endangered by IUCN.

• Annex II species listed on the Bern Convention

• Annex II,IV species listed on the EU Habitats Directive

• Annex I listed species of the Birds Directive

Conservation Status

Common / abundant

• A species common globally but rare in Greece

• Rare or population in decline. • Locally endemic or locally distinct

subpopulations. • At the limits of its range. • Species subject to an active

management programme. • Groups that have been or are

under active scientific study.

• Protected as above

SOURCE: ERM(2012) 3.2.2.2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Species

The magnitude of impact is a combination of several factors, including:

• the spatial extent over which the impact is experienced;

• the extent to which habitat relied upon by the species is impacted (as evaluated under ‘Habitats’ in Section 3.2.1);

• the population or proportion thereof affected;

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• the duration of the impact and / or the extent to which it is repeated;

• the magnitude of the aspect (e.g. noise, light, number of vehicle movements);

• the size of the footprint in the context of the wider range over which a species lives;

• the scale of change induced (i.e. to water quality); and

• the extent to which a new physical or chemical feature is introduced to the environment (e.g. the size of a structure or the toxicity of a chemical).

Criteria that have been used to assess the magnitude of ecological impacts (based on Duinker

and Beanlands 1986) are given in Box 3-2.

Box 3-2 Magnitude of Impact Criteria for Species A Large Magnitude Impact affects an entire population or species in sufficient magnitude to cause a decline in

abundance and /or change in distribution beyond which natural recruitment (reproduction, immigration from

unaffected areas) will not return that population or species, or any population or species dependent upon it, to its

former level within several generations*. A large magnitude impact to a species may also adversely affect the

integrity of a site, habitat or ecosystem. A large magnitude secondary impact may also affect a subsistence or

commercial resource use (e.g. fisheries) to the degree that the well-being of the user is affected over a long term.

A Medium Magnitude Impact affects a portion of a population and may bring about a change in abundance and / or

distribution over one or more generations*, but does not threaten the integrity of that population or any population

dependent on it. A medium magnitude impact may also affect the ecological functioning of a site, habitat or

ecosystem but without adversely affecting its overall integrity. The size of the consequence is also important. A

medium magnitude impact multiplied over a wide area will be regarded as large. A short term effect upon the well-

being of resource users may also constitute a secondary medium impact.

A Small Magnitude Impact affects a specific group of localised individuals within a population over a short time

period (one generation* or less), but does not affect other trophic levels or the population itself.

[*Note: These are generations of the animal/plant species under consideration.] SOURCE: ERM(2012)

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4 ASSESSMENT OF NATURA 2000 SITE OF DELTA AXIOU LOUDIA

ALIAKMONA

4.1 Introduction

This section presents the assessment of the Natura 2000 site of Delta Axiou Loudia Aliakmona, designated as a SPA (GR1220010) under the EU Birds Directive and a SAC (GR1220002) under the EU Habitats Directive – the only designated site screened to be potentially affected by proposed Project activities (refer to

Table 1-1). Both designations (SPA and SAC) share the same boundaries within the area of the

Project (see Figure 4-3). The place where the shape and size of both designations differ is

located more than 15 km south of the pipeline corridor, in the vicinity of the estuary. The AA has

therefore been conducted for both sites together and not separately.

The EU Habitats Directive contains lists of habitats (Annex I) and species (Annex II) for which

Special Areas of Conservation must be established by Member States. These are referred to as

‘Qualifying Interests’. Similarly, the EU Birds Directive contains lists of important bird species

(Annex I) and other migratory bird species for which Special Protection Areas must be

established. Therefore this section focuses on the qualifying interests of the site, particular

sensitivities and the conservation objectives. The information to support this description has been

sourced from the following:

• Natura 2000 Standard Data Forms;

• The Greek Habitat Project Natura 2000, Ministry of Agriculture , Ministry of Environment, Commission of European Communities (1996); and

• Determination of compatible activities regarding qualifying species of Special Protection Areas, Ministry of Environment (July 2009).

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4.2 Baseline Data Collection

An extensive field survey took place during June and July 2011 along the West Section of the

pipeline route aiming to provide baseline data for the ESIA on flora, fauna, vegetation as well as

other ecological parameters that may be affected and/or should be monitored during the

construction and operation phase of the Project. The ecological field survey mobilized a

multidisciplinary team of fourteen (14) scientists who overall spent a cumulative total of

approximately eighty (80) days in the field, covering the whole distance of the pipeline route from

Nea Mesimvria to the Greek – Albanian border. The team mainly worked within the 500 m zone

but in certain cases, such as the large mammal survey, they had to move out of the Project area

so as to provide reliable information on ecological factors that operate in a larger geographical

scale.

Extensive literature searches before and after the field survey provided important data on the

biogeographical and ecological features of the area however the field survey focused only on

certain elements of the flora, vegetation and fauna of Western and Central Macedonia. These

elements, either taxa or communities,

• are of strong conservation interest at a European or even international level or are rarities in Greece

• are considered likely to be impacted during the construction or in some cases the operation of the pipeline

• provide a reliable means to monitor certain environmental aspects of the Project

• have no taxonomic or biogeographic ambiguities

• are feasible to observe and record taking into account the Project needs and constrains

The flora and vegetation survey focused on recording the most common populations of flora

species of conservation interest within the 500 m zone in a statistically robust way. Given that a

total of 322 plant taxa of conservation interest are regionally known from literature and field

surveys, it was expected that only some of these taxa are likely to be encountered during a

single-season sampling. (i.e. extreme rarities or stenotopic species are highly improbable to

encounter whatsoever). With regards to vegetation, the approach was to map the natural

vegetation units within the 500 m zone.

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The large mammal survey focused on two species of high conservation interest: the wolf (Canis

lupus) and the bear (Ursus arctos). Highly sophisticated models were used to evaluate the

Project area with regards to its suitability during the species’ life cycle stages. Telemetry,

literature and field data were combined to provide a realistic overview of the species’ expected

range in the vicinity of the Project. Empirical information on the presence of a third species that is

the otter (Lutra lutra) at the crossing points has been collected during the river ecology survey but

the species’ home range vary enormously and remains little known in western and central

Macedonia.

The river ecology / hydrobiology survey focused on all major crossings of the TAP with rivers

and streams of constant flow. In line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive,

physico-chemical parameters were measured and quantitative information provided to calculate

several indices of ecological water quality referring to riparian vegetation, freshwater fish,

macroinvertebrates and diatoms. They have acquired important information on the freshwater

fish community at the crossing points which is indeed of high conservation interest as the

reported endemicity rate for several watercourses such as Aliakmonas exceeds 60%.

The bird survey gave emphasis on little – known raptors, forest and meadow species, for which

only sparse information is currently available regarding their status in Western Macedonia.

Breeding locations have been a priority to spot when possible. Relatively rare habitats such as

remnants of riparian forest that could host populations of species of conservation interest were

surveyed with scrutiny.

The reptiles / amphibian survey aimed at estimating reptile and amphibian species presence

and abundance along the pipeline route. The Macedonian herpetofauna includes 14 snakes, 11

lizards, 5 turtles, 9 anurans and 3 urodelan amphibians but no Macedonian endemic species has

been described. Emphasis was therefore given to the two species of terrestrial tortoises, Testudo

graeca and especially Eurotestudo hermanni both protected according to 92/43 EEC.

The small mammal survey focused on systematically recording the distribution of Spermophilus

citellus (the ground-dwelling souslik) colonies within the 500 m zone. The survey led to empirical

information on other taxa as well (Microtus, Talpa, Rattus), however, these animals bear many

taxonomic difficulties in assessing them during field work. On the other hand, Spermophilus

citellus is a mammal of much conservation interest, notorious for being strongly affected by land

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use changes and a species in need of special mitigation measures when performing underground

constructions within its habitat.

The AA considers baseline data collected from the June / July 2011 surveys relevant to the

Natura 2000 site of Delta Axiou Loudia Aliakmona (i.e. the proposed pipeline crossing of the

Axios River).

4.3 Activities Likely to Affect the Natura 2000 Site (SPA and SAC) 4.3.1 The Project In Chalkidona municipality, the pipeline route passes north of Gefira village and shortly

afterwards, it crosses Axios River at KP 370.2. A 1.4 km section of the gas pipeline crosses the

designated SPA and SAC site, from KP 369.8 to 371.2, as shown in Figure 4-1.

As mentioned in Section 2, the selected crossing method for the Axios River, provided that the

geotechnical conditions allow, is the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). The application of this

trenchless method involves the least possible impacts to the terrestrial habitats, the river channel

and the aquatic environment from pipeline construction. As seen in Figure 4-1, the pipeline will go

underground from the rig site located on agricultural land outside the borders of the protected

area, to the east of the river channel, and will emerge again at the receiving side 130 m west of

the river channel and protected area.

A separate pipe stringing corridor of approximately 2.5 km is required on the western side of the

Axios River crossing to allow for the elongation of the pipeline for the HDD-crossing (yellow line

in Figure 4-1).

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KP 370.0 KP

371.0

Trenchless crossing starts approx. 300m before and finishes approx.

130m after protected area boundaries

~1400m

Figure 4-1 Crossing of Axios River by HDD

Source: TAP (2013)

Potential impacts to the protected area from the Project will be associated with the construction of

the working areas for the trenchless crossing (a 100 m x 100 m rig site and 80 x 80 m receiving

site of the HDD crossing). No areas will be affected within the Natura 2000 site, only within

proximity to the borders of the designation.

4.3.2 Other Relevant Projects and Plans

Currently, there are no other projects or plans known to be implemented close to or within the

Natura 2000 site (both SPA and SAC).

The area is managed by the Management Body for Axios – Loudias – Aliakmonas Protected

Area, whose responsibility it is to manage and protect the wetland complex comprising of the

Delta of Axios and Aliakmonas rivers, the estuaries of Loudias and Gallikos rivers, the Kalohori

lagoon and the saltmarsh of Alyki Kitrous. The Management Body has many ongoing activities

but these are related to: the collection and processing of environmental data concerning the area;

conducting studies for the protection, rehabilitation and the promotion of the area; and raising

public awareness on the importance of the area, plus promoting ecotourism programs.

RECEIVING SIDE 80x80

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4.4 Baseline Description of Natura 2000 Site

4.4.1 General Description

The Natura 2000 site is located in the south part of Central Macedonia Region, including the area

of Axios, Loudias and Aliakmonas Delta. The SPA (GR1220010) covers an area of 29,647 ha

and the SAC (GR1220002) covers 33,676 ha, stretching from Axios, Loudias, Aliakmonas Delta

in Thermaicos Gulf and along Axios River lowland area to the north. The area is characterised by

diverse habitat including grasslands, broadleaved deciduous woodland and riparian vegetation,

sea inlets and salt marshes.

More than 35% of the site is covered by estuaries, inland and salt marshes and watercourses.

The rest of the site is covered by arable land, both irrigated (e.g. ricefields) and non-irrigated land

along with extensive cereal cultures. Reed beds with Phragmites australis, Bolboschoenus

maritimus and Typha latifolia, occupying stagnant or slow flowing lagoons and artificial ditches,

are a very important habitat for birds and help in maintaining the structure of the wetland areas.

Aquatic weeds (e.g. Potamogeton spp., Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum spp.etc) grow in

canals, rice fields and fresh water bodies.

A small but significant wetland, with extensive salt marshes and a small shallow lagoon with a

well-developed dune system, is situated in the southwestern part of the Natura site (27 km away

from the proposed pipeline route).

SPA GR1220010 is designated according to the criteria set out in the Birds Directive for the

following trigger species which have significant populations in the SPA area:

• Seagulls: Larus genei, Larus melanocephalus Sterna albifrons Sterna nilotica

• Forest species: Calandrella brachydactyla

• Herons and pelicans: Ardeola ralloides, Egretta garzetta, Ixobrychus minutus Nycticorax nycticorax, Pelecanus crispus Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Platalea leucorodia

• Aquatic species: Charadrius alexandrinus, Glareola pratincola, Haematopus ostralegus, Himantopus himantopus, Limosa limosa, Numenius tenuirostris, Recurvirostra avosetta, Tadorna tadorna

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4.4.2 Designation and Conservation Objectives

The Conservation Objectives for both SPA and SAC are outlined in the Greek Law 1289/Β/28-12-

98 (transposition of the Habitats Directive) and Greek Law 68/Β/4-2-98 (transposition of the Birds

Directive).

The stated overarching conservation objective for Natura 2000 sites is “the conservation and

management of nature and landscape as natural heritage and valuable national natural

resource”. This includes:

• the protection and conservation of protected habitat’s natural characteristics;

• the protection and conservation of protected fauna and flora of the area;

• the preservation of forested areas as valuable raptor habitat;

• development, compatible with the above activities, to preserve and secure traditional land use techniques;

• development of ecotourism compatible with sustainable development; and

• the conservation of nesting sites for protected raptor species.

4.4.2.1 Habitats Directive Site - SAC (GR1220002)

The habitats under protection of the SAC, their coverage and presence within the Project

construction area are presented in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 Habitat Types Present on the Site

Annex I Habitat Types Code

Description Annex I Habitat

Total coverage within site

(ha)

Habitat within

construction working area (ha)

Habitats included in Annex I of Council Directive 92/43/EEC 1150 Coastal lagoons 29.4 Not crossed 1130 Estuaries 336.8 Not crossed 1160 Large shallow inlets and bays 336.8 Not crossed 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines 0.2 Not crossed 1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand 120.5 Not crossed 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) 319.2 Not crossed

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Annex I Habitat Types Code

Description Annex I Habitat

Total coverage within site

(ha)

Habitat within

construction working area (ha)

1420 Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Arthrocnemetalia-fruticosi) 2,806.8 Not crossed

3150 Eutrophic natural lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation 65.6 Not crossed

3280 Constantly flowing Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidion species and hanging curtains of Salix and Populus alba 81.5 0.15

6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion 89.5 Not crossed

92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries 559.3 0.63 92D0 Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea and

Securinegion tinctoriae) 1,136.5 Not crossed

Other habitats not included in Annex I of council Directive 92/43/EEC 1020 Arable land 6,052.7 3.19 1050 Settlements 79.8 Not crossed 72A0 Reedbeds 850.6 Not crossed

All other 8057.3 Not crossed Note: Data obtained from Ministry of Environment of Greece. Collated by ERM (2012)

According to Annex I Habitat Types Mapping obtained from the Environmental Information

Network (Ministry of Environment), the proposed pipeline route would cross Salix alba and

Populus alba galleries (Natura 2000 Habitat Code 92A0) and Habitat 3280 (constantly flowing

Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidion species and hanging curtains of Salix and Populus

alba), if the HDD crossing technique is not applied. The utilization of this construction method for

crossing the Axios River will avoid direct occupation of both Annex I habitats:

Habitat 92A0 ‘Salix alba and Populus alba galleries’ Habitat 92A0 consists of riparian forests of the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins dominated

by Salix alba and Populus alba. Such habitat develops close to riverbeds and is seasonally

covered by water (Dafis et al., 2001 and EC, 2007); occurring in scattered areas in Greece

(Dimopoulos et al., 2001). Along the banks of the Axios River extensive, species-rich stands have

developed with Populus nigra, Salix eleagnos, S. amplexicaulis, S. purpurea, Alnus glutinosa,

Platanus orientalis, Fraxinus angustifolia, Juglans regia, Ulmus glabra, U. minor, Cornus

sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Sambucus nigra etc.

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Figure 4-2 European Habitat 92A0 ‘Salix alba and Populus alba galleries’ in Axios River

Source: ERM (Field survey June 2011)

Habitat 3280 ‘Constantly flowing Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidion species and hanging curtains of Salix and Populus alba’ Habitat 3280 is formed by Nitrophilous annual and perennial grasses and reeds in the alluvial

formations of Mediterranean river banks, with Paspalum paspaloides, P. vaginatum, Polypogon

viridis (=Agrostis semivericillata), Cyperus fuscus and Salix spp and Populus alba galleries. This

habitat may also cover floodplain areas in addition to river banks.

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Figure 4-3 Location of Annex 1 Habitats in vicinity of the Project (River Axios Crossing)

Note: Data obtained from Greek Ministry of Environment of Greece. Produced by ERM (2012)

4.4.2.2 Birds Directive Site – SPA (GR1220010)

Within the designated SPA, 198 bird species have been recorded, 82 of them listed in Annex I of

Council Directive 2009/147/EC. This is a very important site for breeding, passage and wintering

of waterbirds, such as Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides, breeding). It is used for wintering by

species of global conservation concern like Aythya nyroca (passage), Haliaeetus albicilla

(wintering), Aquila clanga (1-3 wintering individuals), Gallinago media (passage). The site

regularly holds thousands of individuals of waterbirds during winter, including approximately:

5,000 Phalacrocorax pygmeus; 1,000 Anas penelope; 2,500 Calidris alpina; 7,000 Larus

ridibundus; and 5,000 Larus cachinnans.

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At least 9 species of European conservation concern are reported breeding at the site (Burhinus

oedicnemus, Calandrella brachydacyla, Ciconia ciconia, Ixobrychus minutus, Lanius collurio,

Larus genei, Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Platalea leucorodia, Plegadis falcinellus). There are also

12 species recorded of global conservation concern including Aquila clanga, Aythya nyroca,

Branta ruficollis, Circus macrourus, Coracias garrulous, Falco cherrug, Falco verspertinus,

Gallinago media, Milvus milvus, Numenius tenuirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, Pelecanus

crispus).

4.4.3 Qualifying Features / Species of the Protected Sites

Table 4-2 presents the ‘qualifying features / species’ for both the SPA and SAC site, including

Annex I (of Council Directive 2009/147/EC) bird species that are reportedly present at the site

throughout the year or using the forest as a wintering or staging site (Notes are provided at the

end of the table). Table 4-3 gives mammal, amphibian, reptile, fish, invertebrate and plant

species that are listed in Annex II (of Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and reportedly present within

the Natura 2000 site.

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Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP GPL00-ERM-642-Y-TAE-0017 Rev.: 02 Document Title: Integrated ESIA Greece

Annex 8.11 - Appropriate Assessment for GR1220002 and GR1220010

Table 4-2 SPA GR1220010 Qualifying Features: Birds listed in Annex I of Council Directive 2009/147/EC

DE Name

Conservation Status

(assuming all are Annex I)

Recorded in area during field study

POPULATION

Habitat and territory Status within Greece Status within the Natura 2000 site Resident Migratory

Breed Winter Stage

A293 Moustached warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon)

Red Data Book: VU IUCN: LC Europe: Secure

P Wetlands with dense reedbeds and shrubs

A229 Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Red Data Book: DD IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 3, Depleted

P R Inhabits a variety of artificial aquatic environments, shores of lakes, ponds, streams, and in wetlands. This species has no nest-fidelity meaning that usually it builds a nest per breeding season.

A255 Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris)

IUCN: LC Europe: Spec 3, declining Red Book Greece :LC

No recorded or reported nesting sites at crossing area

P P Grassland, scrubland, ground nesting. Widespread Expected to nest in open country, grassland, scrubland anywhere in the route.

A091 Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Red Data Book- Greece: EN Europe: SPEC 3, Rare IUCN: LC

P Cliff nesting, open and semi-open habitats, shrublands, grasslands, woodland brushlands, and coniferous forests.

A090 Greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga)

Red Data Book- Greece: EN IUCN: Vu,

1--3 Open natural landscapes.

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DE Name

Conservation Status



POPULATION


Breed Winter Stage

Pop decreasing Europe: SPEC 1, Endangered

A089 Lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)

Red Data Book- Greece: EN Europe: SPEC 2, Declining

No recorded or reported nesting sites at crossing area.

R 1 Tree nesting in dense forest with old-growth structure.

Widespread in northern Greece

A209 Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)

Red Data Book Greece: EN IUCN LC Europe Depleted

No reported or recorded nesting sites t crossing area. No presence of suitable habitat.

7--15 11--50 Nests usually in dense extended reedbeds, in shallow freshwater with high vegetations, usually in colonies with other herons. The nest is built on the reedbeds

Patchy restricted breeding range nesting mainly in Thrace, Macedonia, and Ipirus The most important nesting site is Axios estuaries

Recorded colony at Axios estuaries

A024 Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides)

Red Data Book Greece VU IUCN LC Europe Rare

No reported or recorded nesting sites at crossing area. No presence of suitable habitat.

150-300

101-250

Nests in coastal or lake forest with willows, rarely in reedbeds. Forms mixed colonies, in lower positions than other herons.

Common widespread passage migrant/ breed colonially in 9 wetlands of Macedonia and Ipuris

Recorded colony at Axios estuaries

A222 Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)

Red Data Book Greece DD IUCN: LC Europe:

30 Open country and grasslands. Prefers habitats rich in small mammlas like reedbeds, grasslands with high vegetations or dunes. Staginng at reedbeds

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SPEC 3,depleted

A060 Ferruginous duck(Aythya nyroca)

Red Data Book Greece VU IUCN NT Europe VU

P Wetlands. In Greece the species is mainly found in Amvrakikos.

A021 Great bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

Red Data Book Greece EN IUCN LC Europe Depleted

P The Great Bittern is a rare and passage migrant. The breeding population is highly localized within two sites in the Amvrakikos wetland complex

A396 Red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis)

Red Data Book Greece VU IUCN EN Europe VU

3 Wetalnds. Goose is today a scarce and local winter visitor almost exclusively in NE Greece (Thrace and E. Macedonia).

A133 Eurasian thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus)

Red Data Book-Greece: NT Europe Vulnerable

No recorded or reported nesting sites at crossing point. No presence of suitable habitat.

5--11 Nests in sandy or rocky terrain in open areas with low vegetation coverage. In Greece it is located in coastal wetlands with dunes.

West Greece, Macedonia, Thrace, and small populations at Thessaly and Sterea Ellada.

Expected to nest in the south part of the site in the estuaries

A403 Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

Red Data Book-Greece: VU Europe:

1--3 1--5 Large range. Inhabits dry open plains. Nests on rocks in forest openings or at the edge of forest clusters but mainly in open areas with rocky formations.

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SPEC 3, Vulnerable

A243 Greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)

Red Data Book Greece NE IUCN: LC Europe: Vunerable

No recorded presence at crossing area. Presence of potentially suitable breeding habitat at edges of agricultural and fallow land of the crossing area.

P Grassland, shrubland and agricultural land, ground nesting.

Widespread in Greece and in large islands

Expected to nest in lowland grassland or agricultural land

A010 Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)

R P

A224 Eurasian nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Europe SPEC 2 Status depleted

No recorded presence at crossing area. Presence of potentially suitable breeding habitat fallow land of the crossing area.

P P Ground nesting, occupies unvegetated gaps in lowland heath and conifer forest clearings prefer glades, meadows and other open or lightly forested zones, home range 1.5-32 km

Widespread, summer visitor

Expected to nest in unvegetated gaps in lowland heathlands and grasslands in the site

A138 Kentish plover IUCN LC No recorded 50-- Nests individually or in small colonies Widespread in Expected to nest in

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(Charadrius alexandrinus)

Red Data Book Greece:LC Europe Declining

presence at crossing area. Presence of potentially suitable breeding habitat fallow land of the crossing area.

100 (5 m to 80 m distance) sometimes with other species. Typical nesting habitat is sandy, muddy with pebbles coasts, dunes, costal lagoons, swamps, and estuaries.

mainland, Pelloponisos and large islands

sandy, muddy, gravel coasts with dunes which are found at the south part of the site, in Axios estuaries.

A196 Whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybridus)

IUCN LC Red Data Book Greece EN Europe Depleted

P Wetlands, nest in small colonies in freshwater wetlands, building the nest on Nymphaea alba) or other floating vegetation (Trapa natans) in water depth 60-80 cm

A197 Black tern (Chlidonias niger)

IUCN:LC Red Data Book Greece EN Europe Declining

P Wetlands, nest in small colonies in lakes or swamps with dense aquatic vegetation building the nest on floating vegetation. (Typha spp) in depth of water over 50cm.

A031 White stork (Ciconia ciconia)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 2, depleted Red Data Book Greece : VU

No recorded presence or nesting sites / or reported nesting sites at crossing area.

51--100

Tree and building nesting. Breeds in open farmland areas with access to marshy wetlands, scattered trees).

Widespread and locally common

Expect to nest in trees and, mainly building and electricity poles.

A080 Short-toed eagle (Circaetus

Greek Red Data Book

P 5--10 Tree-nesting, mature trees. Forages in intensive and non-intensive agricultural

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gallicus) NT Europe: SPEC 3, Rare

land and grassland. Nest in old trees of mature deciduous or coniferous forests - Pinus spp. Quercus spp. Fagus spp.) in semimountainous or mountainous area.

A081 Western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

IUCN:LC Europe :Non-Spec, Secure Greek Red Data Book VU

No recorded presence in study area. No presence of potentially suitable habitat.

3--5 6--10 6--10 Ground nesting, freshwater habitat, forages mainly in wetlands. Nest in extended reedbeds.

Scarce and local resident, breeding in a few wetlands of Northern Greece.

Expect to nest in extended reedbeds along the site.

A082 Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 3, Depleted Greek Red Data Book NE

11--20 Open habitats such as pasture, grassland and shrubland.

A083 Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus)

IUCN:NT (Pop. decreasing) Europe: SPEC 1, Endangered

P Grasslands, open habitat.

A084 Montagu's harrier(Circus pygargus)

IUCN: LC Europe: Non-SPEC

P Forages mainly in open areas with sufficient tall ground vegetation, arable land, scrubland, grassland.

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A231 European roller (Coracias garrulus)

IUCN: NT, Pop decreasing Europe: Spec 2, vulnerable Red Data Book Greece VU

P The species prefers lowland open countryside with patches of oak (Quercus) forest, mature pine (Pinus) woodland with heathery clearings, orchards, mixed farmland, river valleys, and plains with scattered thorny or leafy trees. It winters primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains1. In Europe, the species mainly breeds in abandoned Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) cavities in white poplar (Populus alba), especially in riparian forests, less often in Salix spp., or infrequently in natural cavities of planes (Platanus orientalis), walls or sandbanks They mostly forage in agricultural habitats, especially meadows (May and August) and in cereals in June-July. Fallow land is always favoured. Vineyards can be attractive if the soil keeps some vegetation cover Hedgerows (as well as fences and power lines) are essential perches while looking for prey.

A038 Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)

P

A429 Syrian woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus)

IUCN: LC Europe Non-Spec, secure Red Data Book Greece NE

P Tree nesting, deciduous or evergreen forest near agricultural land. This species has no nest-fidelity meaning that usually it builds a nest per breeding season.

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A027 Great egret (Egretta alba)

IUCN: LC Conservation status within forest is insignificant (rare)

30--120

The species has a very large range. It inhabits fresh, brackish or saline wetlands and shows a preference for shallow waters in open, unvegetated sites. Habitats frequented include the margins of shallow lakes, rivers, streams. The species also occupies dry fields, inland savannas and cattle pastures.

A072 Little egret (Egretta garzetta)

IUCN LC Europe secure Red Data Book Greece LC

No recorded presence in study area. No presence of potentially suitable habitat.

274-700

101-250

Nests in small platforms in coastal forests, rarely in reedbeds.

Amvrakikos, Kerkini, Axios

Colony reported at Axios estuaries, south part of the site

A447 Cretzschmar's bunting (Emberiza caesia)

IUCN: LC Europe: non spec, secure Red Data Book Greece LC

P Ground nesting, mainly on open hillsides with bushes, might be present and breeding in also in arable land, grassland and scrubland.

A101 Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 3, vulnerable Greek Red Book EN

P Tree nesting, hunts in open spaces, nesting in abandon nests usually in trees or uses a rocky ledge or other coastal slopes

A511 Saker falcon (Falco cherrug)

IUCN VU Europe

P open grassy landscapes such as desert edge, semi-desert, steppes and arid

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Vulnerable Red Data Book Greece CR

montane areas

A098 Merlin (Falco columbarius)

IUCN: LC Europe : Non-Spec, Secure Red Data Book Greece NE

P Patchy shrub/grasslands used for hunting. The Saker Falcon is a widespread but rare winter visitor and a passage migrant in Greece. Suspected to nest in 1-2 locations in Northern Greece, but not yet confirmed. Most Greek records come from the mainland, particularly Thrace and Macedonia, with Only a few records from the south and the islands. The species is usually seen in open valleys and coastal plains, particularly in large wetlands, where it has been recorded hunting water birds, waders etc.

A103 Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Europe: Non-Spec, secure IUCN LC Red Data Book Greece LC

P P Open country. Usually nests in steep cliffs, gorges and other coastal slopes. Nest is usually found in small cavities.

A097 Red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus)

IUCN NT Europe Endangered Red Data Book Greece DD

P Open areas with cultivations, meadows or scrubland

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A321 Collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)

IUCN: LC Europe: Non-Spec, Secure Red Data Book NE

P Deciduous woodlands, arable land and plantations.

A154 Great snipe (Gallinago media)

IUCN NT Europe VU Red Data Book Greece

P wetland areas, including marshlands and short grass or sedges on lake edges or in flooded field

A002 Arctic loon (Gavia arctica)

IUCN LC Europe Depleted Red Data Book Greece NE

3--11 Usually winters in coastal wetlands and estuaries and rarely in inland wetlands.

A189 Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)

IUCN LC Europe - Red Data Book Greece-

No recorded presence or colony in the study area.

2--4 This species breeds in colonies on lakes, marshes and coasts

Expected to nest in coastal area of Axios estuaries

A135 Collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola)

IUCN LC Europe Declining Red Data Book Greece VU

110--160

51--100

Nests in open flat areas with no vegetation in the edge of wetlands or lagoon islet. The nest is usually build in a dent in bare ground

Widespread passage migrants, nesting in few wetlands of Northern Greece

Expected to nest in coastal area of Axios Estuaries

A075 White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

IUCN: LC Europe SPEC 1,

1 Cliffs, coastal areas or riparian habitat.

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Rare Red Data Book Greece CR

A092 Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)

IUCN LC Red Data Book- Greece: EN Europe: SPEC 3, Rare

P Tree nesting in coniferous or deciduous woodland, foraging on grassland, meadows, and shrubland.

A131 Black-winged stilt(Himantopus himantopus)

IUCN LC Europe Secure Red Data Book Greece LC

No recorded presence in study area.

100-150

51--100

Nest in shallow wetlands with low and scarce vegetation, individually or in small colonies

Widespread Expected to nest in open areas, with scarce vegetation

A439 Olive-tree warbler (Hippolais olivetorum)

IUCN: LC Europe: Non-Spec, secure Red Data Book Greece : NT

P Nesting low trees or bushes, open canopy in oak woods.

A418 Spur-winged Plover (Hoplopterus spinosus)

IUNC LC Europe VU Red Data Book Greece VU

P In Greece Spur-winged Plovers are nesting in coastal wetlands with halophytic vegetation, mainly in dry areas with sparse vegetation

A022 Little bittern IUCN LC No recorded 30-80 C The nest is normally placed near open Widespread in Expected to nest in

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Breed Winter Stage

(Ixobrychus minutus)

Red Data Book Greece LC Europe Depleted

presence in study area. No presence of suitable habitat.

pools in thick emergent vegetation close to the surface of the water, or in low bushes or trees close to water. Nests are often reused in consecutive years. Species prefers aquatic margins with dense aquatic vegetation. Nest is anchored on reedbeds.

Northern Greece, locally in Peloponissos and some islands

dense and extended reed beds along the site. Nest or nesting area can be used for several years

A339 Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 2, Depleted Red Data Book Greece NE

No recorded presence or nesting site in study area.

P P Tree-bush nesting Breeds on heaths and commons with thorn bushes and gorse, foraging meadows, open land, can be present (breeding) in arable land.

Widespread in mainland

Expected to nest in bushes along the site

A339 Lesser Grey shrike (Lanius minor)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 2, declining Red Data Book Greece NT

P Tree nesting, Meadows with bare ground, arable land pastureland, grassland (breeding). This species has no nest-fidelity meaning that usually it builds a nest per breeding season.

A180 Slender billed gull (Larus genei)

IUCN LC Red Data Book Greece VU Europe Localised


R 200 Nests in estuaries or islets creating large and dense colonies.

Rare and local resident

Species is recorded nesting at Aliakmon estuaries on the south of the site

A176 Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus)

IUCN LC Europe Secure

No recorded presence or nesting site in

800-1400

2000 Large range, global population stable. Most are fully migratory and travel along coastlines between their breeding and

Widespread but localised resident in Northern Greece

Expected to nest in coastland area of Axios, Loudias,

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Breed Winter Stage

Red Data Book Greece EN

study area. wintering areas. Outside of the breeding season the species becomes entirely coastal, favouring estuaries, harbours, saline lagoons and other sheltered waters (IUCN).

wetlands Aliakomans Delta, at the south part of the site

A177 Little gull (Larus minutus)

IUCN LC Europe Secure Red Data Book Greece-


P On migration the species occurs at sea, along shores, and on reservoirs, lagoons and lakes2, wintering along the coast on sandy and muddy beaches, mouths of rivers and at sea, especially at stream and sewage outlets

A157 Bar tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)

IUCN LC Europe EN Red Data Book Greece NE

P Coastal wetlands, and coastal mudflats

A246 Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 2, Depleted Red Data Book Greece LC

P Ground-nesting, feeding bare ground and short vegetation, may be present in arable land, scrubland, grassland Ground-nesting, feeding bare ground and short vegetation, may be present in arable land, scrubland, grassland

A242 Calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 3, declining Red Data Book Greece VU

No recorded presence or nesting site in the area. Potential breeding habitat present

P Ground nesting, Agricultural land, grassland and pasture. This species has no nest-fidelity meaning that usually it builds a nest per breeding season. In Greece Calandra Larks breed in dry, stony pasture, non-intensive farmland, sand dunes, edges of halophytic

Widespread but local and scarce resident

Expected to nest in lowland plains along the site

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in study area. vegetation and areas with sparse or no vegetation, usually at sea-level, although locally they may nest as high as 1,200 m.

A073 Black kite (Milvus migrans)

IUCN: LC Europe: SPEC 3, Vulnerable Red Data Book Greece CR

P Tree nesting, might be present in a variety of habitats like arable land, pastureland, forest and grassland.

A074 Red kite (Milvus milvus)

IUCN: NT, Pop decreasing Europe: Spec 2, declining

R Red kites are a wide-ranging species with a wide habitat tolerance. Their only requirements are large, mature trees in which to build nests, 2-25 km territory.

A159 Slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris)

IUCN CR Europe - Red Data Book Greece CR

1--2 Species inhabits fresh, brackish or saline waters with aquatic vegetation.

A023 Black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

IUCN LC Red Data Book NT Europe Secure

No recorded colony in study area.

420-800

101-250

251-500

Nests in coastal or lake forest with willows, poplars, and rarely in reedbeds. Usually it arrives earlier than other heron species and builds the nest in higher places on the trees

Widespread in Northern Greece

Reported colony at south part of the site, in Axios estuaries

A071 White headed duck (Oxyura

IUCN EN Red Data

2 Winters mainly in coastal wetlands and more rarely in inland wetlands.

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Breed Winter Stage

leucocephala)

Book EN Europe VU

A094 Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)

Europe: SPEC 3, rare IUCN LC Red Data Book LC

1 Riparian habitat./wetlands

A020 Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus)

IUCN VU RED Data Book Greece VU Europe Rare

5--50 Wetlands

A019 White pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

IUCN LC Europe Red Data Book Greece VU

10--50 Wetlands coastal areas

A072 Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

IUCN: LC Europe: Non-Spec, Secure

R Tree nesting, forest and woodland.

A393 Pigmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)

IUCN LC Europe Rare Red Data Book Greece LC

No records in study area.

1--10 6000 Inland and coastal waters. Nest in colonies in coastal areas.

Widespread in North and Central Greece

Reported colony at south part of the site, in Axios estuaries

A170 Red-necked phalarope

IUCN LC Europe

1 On passage the species frequents inland saline and hypersaline lakes as

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Breed Winter Stage

(Phalaropus lobatus)

Secure Red Data Book Greece NE

well as reservoirs, sewage-ponds and coastal marshes

A151 Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

IUCN LC Europe VU Red Data Book Greece NE

3000 During migration, it is found at the mudflats on the edge of lagoons or lakes, in rice fields and in wet meadows.

A035 American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)



10-900 saline lagoons, mudflats, and shallow brackish coastal or inland lake

A034 Spoon bill (Platalea leucorodia)

IUCN LC Europe Rare Red Data Book Greece VU

No records of colony in study area.

16--50 Nests in shallow wetlands with muddy or sandy bottom, lakes, rivers or swamps with dense vegetation. It prefers dense reedbeeds but can also be found in trees or big bushes in mixed colonies with herons. The nest is a platform made from sticks on the ground, on the reedbed, or on trees

Rare and local resident in Axios Estuaries, Kerkini Lake, Gallikos river, and Amvrakikos gulf

Expected to nest in south part of the site in Axios estuaries

A032 Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

IUCN LC Europe Rare Red Data Book Greece CR

No recorded or reported presence in area. Presence of potentially suitable habitat.

1--5 11--50 Nests in freshwater wetlands with dense riparian vegetation and reedbeds. Forms mixed colonies with herons. Nest is platform by branches usually a meter above water on reedbeds, bushes or small trees

Northern and West Greece wetlands

Expected to nest in extended reedbeds and dense riparian vegetated areas along the site

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A140 Eurasian golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

IUCN LC Europe Depleted Red Data Book Greece NE

P Wetlands

A132 Pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

IUCN LC Europe Red Data Book Greece VU

No records in study area. No presence of potentially suitable breeding habitat.

180--200

486 1240 Nest exclusively in coastal wetlands, mainly in lagoons, salt marshes, with saltwater in islets or small mound with scarce or no vegetation at all

Widespread and locally fairly common resident with patchy breeding distribution

Expected to nest in Axios-Loudias-Aliakomnoas Estuaries at the south part of the site

A195 Little tern (Sterna albifrons)


No records in study area. Potentially suitable habitat found in study area

180--290

Nests in small colonies in areas bare or with scarce vegetation, with gravel or sandy ground

Widespread in wetlands

Expected to nest in seasonal floodplains, saltmarshes and wet meadows

A190 Caspian tern (Sterna caspia)

IUCN LC Europe Rare Red Data Book Greece

2--10 Winters in coastal zone and occasionally in estuaries, ports, saltmarshes.

A193 Common tern (Sterna hirundo)

IUCN LC Europe Red Data Book Greece LC

No recorded presence or nesting site in study area. No presence of potentially suitable

200--390

Nests in habitats meeting the following requirement. Free of human disturbance or predators, usually islets. Low vegetation or bare. Nest is dent under bush. It nests rarely in rivers

Widespread in wetlands

Expected to nest in islets of Axios estuaries at the south part of the site

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breeding habitat.

A191 Sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis)

IUCN LC Europe Declining Red Data Book Greece VU

100--400

nesting habitat is sand bars and islets in lagoons and deltas, where they form mixed colonies with other tern species

A307 Barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

IUCN: LC Europe: Non-SPEC, secure Red Data Book Greece NT

P Breeds in mature scrubby thickets and hedgerows, present in pastureland, forest and shrubland. Breeds in mature scrubby thickets and hedgerows, present in pastureland, forest and shrubland.

A397 Ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

IUCN: LC Europe SPEC 1, Rare Red Data Book Greece VU

1--2 Usually it is found in coastal wetlands with extensive mudflats. Rarely in freshwater wetlands

A166 Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

IUCN LC Europe Depleted Red Data Book Greece LC

10--30 Cliffs, coastal areas or riparian habitat.

A167 Terek sandpiper IUCN LC P Open intertidal estuaries and mudflats,

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(Xenus cinereus)

Europe Secure Red Data Book Greece NE

as well as coral reefs, sandy and pebbly beaches, sandbars and mudflats at river mouths, coastal swamps, saltpans1, coastal lagoons and saltmarsh creeks

NOTES: Species of European Conservation Concern (SPEC). SPEC 1 species are those which are of global conservation concern, SPEC 2 species are those which have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe (if the population is threatened, declining, depleted from historical levels or is found only in a few locations) and is concentrated in Europe (i.e more than 50% of the global population occurs in Europe) and SPEC 3 species are which have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe (see above), but which are not concentrated in Europe. Species which do not fulfil these criteria are regarded as non-SPEC species and of least conservation concern. IUCN : Endangered (En): Population decline of >50%, a restricted range or low population size and so faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable (Vu): Population decline of >30%, a limited range or small population size, so the population faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. Near Threatened (NT): A species which does not qualify for either of the three categories above, but which is close to doing so, or is likely to do so in the near future. Species which do not fulfil these criteria are considered of Least Concern (LC), though some for which information is relatively limited are highlighted as Data Deficient. An additional category of Extinct is reserved for those for which there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Resident: to be found throughout the year on the site Breeding: uses the site to nest and raise young Staging: site used on migration or for moulting outside the breeding grounds Wintering: uses the site during the winter P: Present R: Rare C: Common Numbers under “Population” column indicate the estimated size of the population of a given species

Collated by ERM (2012)

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Table 4-3 SPA GR1220010 and SAC GR1220002 Qualifying Features: Other Species listed in Annex II of Council Directive 92/43/EEC

DE Name Conservation Status

Recorded in area during field

study Resident Status within

Greece Status within

Natura 2000 site Habitat and territory

1355 European otter (Lutra lutra)

IUCN: NT Red Data Book Greece EN

No signs of Otter (Lutra lutra) however species expected since cover and food are abundant.

P Widespread in mainland, also in some islands. More frequent in Northern Greece.

Potentially could be found in river banks and in coastal areas in the north of the site

This species inhabits a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests and coastal areas independent of their size, origin or latitude. In most parts of its range, its occurrence is correlated with bank side vegetation showing importance of vegetation to otters. Otters in different regions may depend upon differing features of the habitat, but to breed, they need holes in the river banks, cavities among tree roots, piles of rock, wood or debris. The Eurasian otters are closely connected to a linear living space. Most portion of their activity is concentrated to a narrow strip on either side of the interface between water and land.

1335 European ground squirrel (Spermoph-illus citellus)

IUCN(Europe): VU Red Data Book Greece VU

Colonies of European ground squirrel found at 1.5 km distance from the study area

P Ground Squirrel in Greece are distributed in 3 clearly defined and probably isolated sub-populations, in western Macedonia, in central Macedonia and in Thrace.

Endemic to eastern Europe. Localised populations in Greece which comprises the southernmost part of its distribution. It is found in short-grass steppe, meadows and fields. The species in Thrace inhabits deforested lowland areas. The European Ground Squirrel is restricted to short-grass steppe and similar artificial habitats (pastures, lawns, sports fields, golf courses) on light, well-drained soils, where it can excavate its burrows. It avoids agricultural land, with the exception of vineyards in some parts of its range.

1279 Four lined snake (Elaphe quatuor- lineata)

IUCN: Red Data Book Greece NT

No records in study area

P Potentially could be present in all agricultural area of the site

In agricultural land near human settlement

1220 European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis)

Appendix II of the Bern Convention Annexes II and IV of the EU Natural Habitats


P Present in waterbodies such as lakes, small rivers and big ponds in low and

In all streams and creeks with perennial water flow or with some water ponds during summer.

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Directive National Legislation (Presidential Decree 67/1981)IUCN: NT Red Data Book Greece NT

middle elevations

1222 Caspian Turtle (Mauremys caspica)

Annex II


R

1219 Mediterran-ean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca)

Appendix II of the Bern Convention Annexes II and IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive National Legislation (Presidential Decree 67/1981)


R Open areas and forest meadows

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1217 Herman’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)

Appendix II of the Bern Convention Annexes II and IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive National Legislation (Presidential Decree 67/1981) Vulnerable species according to the Greek Red Data Book

No records in study area but generally expected

P Open areas and forest meadows

Terrestrial turtle found in greater numbers at lower and warmer open areas. In restricted forested areas population density is greatly reduced. The species spawn in open sunny areas such as pastures, abandoned crop and the large forest clearings.

1152 South European Toothcarp (Aphanius fasciatus)

IUCN LC Red Data Book LC

No evidence exists of species being resident within river channels of the delta

P Axios delta Usually common in salt marsh pools, lagoons and shallow hyperhaline and brackish coastal wetlands and marine wetlands

1134 European Bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus)

Appendix III of the Bern Convention Annex II of the EU Natural Habitats Directive

No observation recorded in study area, but expected to be present

C Common all along the Axios and Vardarovasi rivers

Collated by ERM (2012)

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4.4.4 Vulnerability of the Protected Sites

Generally, the main threats to the qualifying species of the SPA and SAC are drainage and land

reclamation projects, activities of high disturbance such as hunting, logging, expansion of

agricultural land and intensive cultivation into the wetlands, intensive livestock farming, and water

pollution from industry and intensive agriculture.

4.5 Assessment of Impacts on Annex I Habitats due to Project Activities

4.5.1 Identification of Potential Impacts

The described activities in Section 2 may potentially give rise to the following types of impacts

(Table 4-4) to Annex I Habitats.

Table 4-4 Potential Impacts due to Project Activities

Receptor Project phase Activity Impact

Habitats listed in Annex I in the Habitats Directive

Construction

Working strip clearance Clearance of HDD working sites Trenching Backfilling Machinery operation Reinstatement

Temporary, short term habitat loss along the working strip and permanent habitat loss in the PPS for forest habitats. Temporary, short term habitat loss along the working strip in open habitats. Temporary fragmentation of open habitats by the working strip. Permanent fragmentation in forest habitat. Creation of conditions favourable to invasive species replacing native vegetation. Temporary drying of substrates. Reinstatement of the original habitats along the working strip in line with the restriction imposed by the PPS.

Operation and maintenance

Regular clearance of the PPS

Fragmentation of forest habitats. No impact in open habitats.

Decommissioning No activities foreseen No impacts foreseen. Safety and non-routine events

Repair activities in case of leak or damage by third party activities

Impacts similar to construction activities.

Source: ERM (2012)

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4.5.2 Impact Assessment

4.5.2.1 Habitat Loss

During construction activities habitat loss will be limited to the agricultural areas on the western

part of the river, where a 38 m stringing strip will be created and the receiving side of the

trenchless crossing will be located (a site approximately 6,400 m2).

Table 4-5 Habitats Potentially Affected by Project Components Pipeline route section (KP)

Habitats crossed by route Affected area (m2) Type of impact

Pipeline strip 370.1-370.2 Constantly flowing

Mediterranean rivers (habitat 3280)

Not affected due to trenchless crossing method

No impact

370.2-370.5 Riparian forest of Salix and Populus alba (habitat 92A0)

Not affected due to trenchless crossing method

No impact

38 m wide working strip for stringing 2.5 km west from receiving site

Agricultural land 9,500 m2 Temporary and short term

HDD working areas 369.6-369.7 Agricultural land 10,000 m2 Temporary and short term 371.4-371.5 Agricultural land 6,400 m2 Temporary and short term Source: ERM (2012)

During construction activities the vegetation within the working strip and receiving side will be

cleared. The impact is temporary, as the working strip will be reinstated to its preconstruction

condition and no trees will need to be cut. Agricultural areas are considered of medium

sensitivity, and the impact will be temporary and short term, therefore the impact is considered as

not significant.

No other habitat loss is anticipated due to the trenchless techniques being applied at the Axios

River crossing. Therefore, it is considered that there will be no impact on Annex I Habitat types

from pipeline construction.

During operation there will be no additional habitat loss within the protected area.

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4.5.2.2 Habitat Fragmentation

The clearance and fencing of the working strip during the construction phase will result in a

temporary fragmentation of habitat. The fragmentation is expected in the agricultural areas

crossed by the pipeline and the HDD rigs, but will have a short duration (estimated to be

approximately 2 months). The anticipated impact is therefore considered not significant.

During operation, any agricultural areas will be restored and no additional impacts are

anticipated.

4.6 Assessment of Impacts on Annex II Species due to Project Activities


The activities described in Section 0 may potentially give rise to the following types of impacts

(Table 4-6) to Annex II Species.

Table 4-6 Potential Impacts due to Project Activities Receptor Project phase Activity Impact

Species listed in Annex II in the Habitats Directive

Construction

Working strip clearance Clearance of HDD working sites Trenching Backfilling Machinery operation Reinstatement Hydrotesting

Loss of individuals. Temporary loss of grass habitats and permanent loss of forest habitats in the working strip. Temporary fragmentation. Temporary loss of foraging habitat. Temporary disturbance.



Maintaining of fragmentation in the PPS in forest habitats. No impact in open habitats.

Decommissioning No activities foreseen No impacts foreseen. Safety and Non-routine events

Repairs in case of leak or damage by third party activities


Source: ERM (2012)

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During construction activities the vegetation within the working strip is expected to be cleared.

Due to trenchless techniques to be used, no habitat loss is anticipated in the riparian forest

habitat which provide potentially suitable habitat for mammals like Lutra lutra.

Temporary habitat loss will be limited to agricultural areas (corn and cereal cultivations) on the

west of the Axios River. The working strip will be completely reinstated after construction,

therefore habitat loss is considered to be temporary and short term.

No other pipeline facilities, installations or additional access roads (the working strip is to be used

for access) will be required at the Axios River. Habitat loss from the clearing of the working strip

will therefore be the only direct impact during construction. Magnitude of impact is considered

small.

Spermophilus citellus (European ground squirrel) are potentially vulnerable to construction

activities, as it forms colonies which are underground. There were no records of Spermophilus

citellus colonies in the protected site. However, one Spermophilus citellus colony is reported from

Axios River, at the east side of the river, outside the protected area. As a suitable habitat for this

species is crossed by the pipeline (open areas with agricultural land) its presence cannot be

excluded from the area of construction. As a result habitat loss from construction activities could

potentially have an impact of moderate significance to Spermophillus citellus.

Due to the short term and temporary nature of any habitat loss in the construction zone no

impacts are anticipated in reptiles’ or amphibians’ habitats within the site.

During operation, all area will be completely reinstated and there will be no residual impact in the

protected area.

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4.6.2.2 Habitat Fragmentation

The clearance of the working strip will result in temporary habitat fragmentation. This could

potentially affect localised and vulnerable species. Reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and

birds during the breeding period are more susceptible to habitat fragmentation. However, due to

the temporary duration of these activities, the impact is considered as not significant.

During operation, due to the limited and restricted area (the 8 m wide PPS) that will remain

cleared and the absence of physical barriers (trenches) along the pipeline, the impact is

considered not significant.

4.6.2.3 Disturbance and Loss of Individuals

Operation of machinery, heavy equipment and supporting vehicles, and the presence of people

during construction are a source of noise, light and visual impact. Mammals like Lutra lutra are

expected to move away from the source of disturbance. However disturbance from construction

activities is more likely to affect Spermophilus citellus if a colony is located in the vicinity of

construction area. It is envisaged that the direct mortality of some reptile and amphibians

individuals will occur during excavations and vegetation clearance.

Increased vehicular traffic is also expected to cause a rise in losses of tortoises and snakes due

to collisions. Tortoises do not exhibit territorial behaviour but still show fidelity to their hibernation

sites and therefore might not be dissuaded by construction activities. It is possible that tortoise

mortality will also increase 1-2 years after construction due to increased visibility of young and

vulnerable individuals to predators in the worked areas. In the case of the pipeline, the clearing of

vegetation will be followed by increased human disturbance that will probably discourage the

animals from immediately using the new open sites.

No disturbance or loss of individuals is expected in fish populations of the Axios River as there

will be no construction activities within the river channel. However, although the river is not being

considered as an abstraction point for water to be used in the hydrotesting of the pipeline, it is

being considered as a discharge point for approximately 15,420 m3 of water – refer to Table 2-1.

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Environmental effects are expected to be minimal or negligible when discharge rates are under

10% of the receiving river flow. The flow rate of the Axios River at the pipeline crossing point

(KP 370.25) was measured at 37.75 m³/sec during field surveys in June 2011 (dry season). In

consideration of the relatively substantial, perennial flow rate of the Axios River, sensitivity of the

watercourse is considered to be low. The temporary nature of the hydrotest activities associated

with the watercourse, the fact that the water will have been passed through a sedimentation pool

prior to discharge (see Section 2.2.2.3), as well as being discharged at a controlled rate,

magnitude of impact is considered to be small. Therefore any impacts are considered not significant.

4.7 Assessment of Impacts on Annex I Bird Species due to Project Activities


Table 4-7 presents how the activities described in Section 2 could impact Annex I Bird Species.

Table 4-7 Potential Impacts on Annex I Birds due to Project Activities Receptor Project phase Activity Impact

Species listed in Annex II in the Habitats Directive

Construction

Working strip clearance Clearance of HDD working sites Trenching Backfilling Machinery operation Reinstatement

Habitat loss in the area of working strip. Loss and damaging of old trees. Fragmentation. Disturbance (noise, light, human presence). Loss of individuals.



Habitat loss in the area of safety zone in forest. Fragmentation. Disturbance.

Decommissioning No activities foreseen No impacts foreseen. Safety and non-routine events

Repair activities in case of leak or damage by third party activities


Source: ERM (2012)

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On the western side of the river the pipeline route crosses agricultural land, predominantly cultivated for cereals (e.g. wheat and corn).

Temporary loss of agricultural land (mainly cereal cultivations) could potentially affect species using these areas as nesting-breeding habitat. Species usually nesting in agricultural areas, meadows, fallow open country land are ground-nesting species like Galerida cristata and Melanocorypha calandra (Greek Red Data Book) which are reported breeding at the Natura 2000 site. Other important ground nesting species which are reported from the site, but there are no data indicating that they breed on the site are Circus cyaneus, Circus macrourus and Circus pygargus. These ground-nesting species usually have no nest fidelity building a new nest each breeding period; however the majority of them tend to remain in the broader area.

There will be no habitat loss of riparian forest of Salix alba galleries which could potentially affect species nesting or foraging in this habitat. Species nesting in this type of forest are usually tree-nesting species like Dendrocopos syriacus, Accipiter brevipes and Hippolais pallida.

Heron and cormorant colonies have only been recorded in the southern part of the Natura 2000 site, along the Axios River many kilometres south of the Project crossing and therefore, their habitat will not be affected by the Project. Species like Phalacrocorax pygmeus (wintering) are however expected to forage in the river surrounded by the riparian forest. No impact is anticipated to foraging given the temporary nature of construction activities and the remoteness of the crossing from the main part of the Natura site, especially for birds, which correspond to the area also designated as National Park of “Axios, Loudias Aliakmonas estuaries” located at the southern part of the site. Indeed, the majority of the species reported from the site are located at this part of the Natura 2000.

The magnitude of habitat loss during construction is considered to be small. The affected agricultural area consists of a very small part of the habitat of the same type within the site. However, the significance of the habitat loss during breeding period could be considered as moderate for ground nesting birds subject to protection in the Natura 2000 site as it is a temporary effect limited to the duration of the works.

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During operation phase, as described in previous sections, there will be no permanent loss of

habitat as the working strip is going to be reinstated to prior to construction status. Agricultural

land, meadows and other open habitat will be completely reinstated and replanted for the whole

working strip.

4.7.2.2 Disturbance (Noise, Light and Human Presence)

In general the disturbance to birds depends on the season. For all bird species the impact will be

higher during their breeding period. An additional parameter when assessing the disturbance is

the distance from the source of it, which depends on each bird species. Song birds and the

ground-nesting birds may be affected up to a distance of about 500 m from the source of

disturbance, while for raptor species the distance can be up to 2 km (Birdlife, 2004). Disturbances

during breeding period can cause abandonment of nests and the failure of reproduction for that

year, or even the permanent displacement from the area in the case of breeding raptors.

Disturbance from artificial lighting at night may affect nocturnal species which are sensitive to

strong light. Disturbance during construction activities may then give rise to impact in some

species during breeding period, especially for the above mentioned species potentially using the

area of the Project as a breeding site (Galerida cristata and Melanocorypha calandra).

Agricultural land with scattered trees may also provide breeding habitat for some important tree-

nesting species and raptor species. Tree-nesting species like Ciconia ciconia can be found in

agricultural land using stand-alone trees to build their nest as well as raptor species like Falco

tinnunculus. Falco tinnunculus was directly observed during the field study visits. These species

could potentially also be affected by pipeline construction activities in the agricultural area during

the breeding season.

During construction phase the impact magnitude is considered as medium as it will be temporary,

limited to the duration of the construction works (approximately 2 months) and will affect a small

area within the whole habitat, which given the mobility of birds contribute to reduce the

magnitude.

Therefore the significance of the disturbance during breeding period is major for the first 500 m

around the working strip.

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During non-breeding periods the sensitivity of birds to this impact is low. Therefore the

significance of the impact is minor.

No disturbance is expected during operation phase.

4.7.2.3 Fragmentation

Fragmentation during construction period could potentially affect species that may nest in the

area. Due to the landscape of the area crossed by the pipeline (agricultural land) fragmentation of

it is not expected to affect foraging, or wintering staging species. Fragmentation of open areas

during construction could affect Galerida cristata, Melanocorypha calandra Ciconia ciconia, Falco

tinnunculus during breeding period.

If construction will be carried out during breeding period, the impact is considered short term and

temporary with medium magnitude. Given the sensitivity of the receptor and status of protection,

the significance could be moderate.

During operation phase, the agricultural land will be completely reinstated, with no residual

impact remaining on agricultural land or on other open areas like meadows, pastures. There are

no expected impacts during operation on birds (either breeding, staging or foraging).

4.7.2.4 Loss of Individuals

During the construction phase, clearance of the working strip and heavy machinery operation

could result in loss of nests, eggs and individuals (mainly juveniles) for ground nesting species in

open areas, agricultural land and tree nesting species during breeding period. Species that could

potentially be affected are ground nesting species in the area like Galerida cristata and

Melanocorypha calandra.

As a result, in case of construction operation during breeding period the anticipated impact to

ground-nesting species is potentially of major significance due to the sensitivity of the species

despite the temporary action of the impact and limited area affected. Construction operation

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outside the breeding season is highly unlikely to give rise to any impact regarding loss of

individuals of bird species.

As mentioned earlier, no clearance operation is expected to be carried out during the operation

phase in the protected area due to the landscape of the area crossed by the pipeline being

agricultural land. Therefore, no impact is anticipated regarding loss of individuals.

4.8 Cumulative Impacts

The area is already influenced by anthropogenic change: many settlements are located relatively

close to the proposed crossing point of the Axios River; the Egnatia Highway crosses the Natura

2000 site 500 m south of the proposed pipeline crossing; and several secondary roads run close

to the river, mainly used by farmers cultivating the land on the western and eastern sides of the

river. However, as described in Section 4.3.2, no other planned projects or investments are

known to be proposed within the Natura 2000 site and therefore no cumulative impacts are

expected during the TAP construction period. The Project will use existing infrastructure and no

other Project construction facilities (pipe yards, camps etc) will be located in the area.

During operation, no cumulative impacts are anticipated as the pipeline will be completely

underground and no other pipeline facilities (BVSs etc) are located in the area. As described in

previous sections, after implementation of mitigation measures, habitat loss is expected only

along the 8 m PPS, in the narrow zone of vegetation on the river banks.

4.9 Mitigation Measures

In order to minimise, mitigate or completely avoid potential impacts during construction and

operation of the pipeline, mitigation measures will be implemented during the different phases of

the Project. In this context, it must be mentioned that the key mitigation measure embedded

within the Project design and to be implemented during construction, is the use of HDD as the

crossing technique for the Axios River, as it avoids all direct impacts to the riparian habitats and

the watercourse itself.

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Mitigation measures are given for impacts considered as significant during the assessment

performed in Sections 4.5 to 4.8.

4.9.1 Habitat Loss / Degradation & Habitat Fragmentation

The following measures will be implemented to address impacts relevant to habitat loss,

degradation and / or fragmentation:

Establishment of working strip to ensure impacts are restricted to that area;

Accesses and displacement of machinery to be done by existing roads and the working strips. No upgrading or construction of new roads within the protected area.

No construction materials will be taken from the surrounding environment unless approved by the responsible authority;

Restoration of sites to their original condition where possible upon completion of construction;

Retain original vegetation where possible for reinstatement;

Establish a pre / post construction biodiversity baseline from which all mitigation, restoration, and loss / degradation can be measured;

Work to be supervised by an on-site Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW);

Undertake works outside the bird breeding season which takes place between 1st March and the 31st July and where not possible pre-vegetation clearance surveys will be undertaken; Should any nests be located, no works are to be carried out within a 25 m buffer of the nest site until chicks have fledged from the nest or it is abandoned;

Work to retain passage for species as long as possible across the corridor and following works to reinstate passage to be conducted immediately upon pipe section completion;

Translocate important flora species, if found, to other suitable areas;

Micro-sitting of the route to be done, where possible, for best position available for biodiversity;

Habitat compensation measures should be considered where required to replace permanently lost and damaged habitats. This may include new habitat creation, restoration of damaged habitats and habitat enhancement;

Ecological awareness training should be provided to all personnel; and

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Establish a Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan;

4.9.2 Disturbance

The following measures will be implemented to address impacts relevant to species disturbance:

Access to works area will only be allowed by site staff;

Undertake works outside the bird breeding season (i.e. 1st March and 31st July) and where this is not possible pre-vegetation clearance surveys will be undertaken. Should any nests be located, no works are to be carried out within a 25 m buffer of the nest site until chicks have fledged from the nest or it is abandoned;

Monitoring of impacts on flora and fauna;

Include management actions for threatened/ protected species within the Biodiversity Management Plan (which includes all Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) listed in ESMP);

Use of directional lighting;

If required, screens will be used around working area as buffer to visual/light/noise sources;

Night working should be limited and the use of lighting along the corridor minimised,

Limit personnel and vehicle movements to only within work areas;

Best construction site practices should be adopted to minimise the risks of adverse effects on neighbouring habitats / species from construction activities (dust, noise, waste disposal etc). This will include appropriate toilet and litter collection facilities as inspected by the ECoW;

All important sites (i.e. breeding, feeding, nesting, etc) for species to be identified by ECoW and avoided throughout the construction period;

If ponds are located efforts will be made to avoid them. Where this is not possible efforts to remove any sensitive amphibians present, will be made as well as provision for an alternative pond for translocated species to be put in; and

Ecological awareness training should be provided to all personnel.

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4.9.3 Loss of Individuals

The following measures will be implemented to address impacts relevant to loss of species

individuals:

Restriction on access to forested areas during and following construction;

Establish a Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan;

Limiting vehicle speed (limits will be established at the Traffic Management Plan);

Fauna species should not be caught or killed during construction;

Establishment for a procedure to avoid, monitor and control invasive species if necessary;

At trenches, plugs will be incorporated every 100 m and daily fauna retrieval will be conducted if required;

Works to be supervised by an on-site ECoW;

Where appropriate, temporary or permanent provisions for fauna to cross the working strip/ roads using underpasses, tunnels or other measures should be installed;

Prior to discharge, hydrotest water will be tested to ensure that its quality complies with local and international requirements for wastewater discharge. Local treatment (i.e. filtration) will be provided if necessary; and

Hydrotest water discharges will not be made without prior agreement and appropriate consents and approvals from the authorities.

4.10 Assessment of Residual Impacts

Implementation of the aforementioned mitigation measures will minimise impact significance. The

subsequent residual impacts are presented in Table 4-8. It must be mentioned that the table

refers only to impacts considered as significant before the implementation of the mitigation

measures (i.e. impacts on species). Thus, impacts on habitats are not considered as these were

assessed as not significant (see Section 4.5).

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Table 4-8 Residual Impacts associated with Project Activities Impact / Risk Mitigation Measure to Address Impact / Risk Significance of Residual Impact Construction Phase Impact derived from Habitat Loss / Degradation & Habitat Fragmentation on species

Establishment of working strip to ensure impact is restricted to that area;

No construction materials will be taken from the surrounding environment unless approved by the responsible authority;

Restoration of sites to their original condition where possible upon completion of construction; and

Retain original vegetation where possible for reinstatement.

Establish a pre- post construction biodiversity baseline from which all mitigation, restoration, and loss / degradation can be measured;

Work to be supervised by an appropriately trained on-site Ecological clerk of Work (ECoW);

Undertake works outside the bird breeding season between 1st March and the 31st July and where not possible pre-vegetation clearance surveys will be undertaken; Should any nests be located, no works are to be carried out within a 25 m buffer of the nest site until chicks have fledged from the nest or it is abandoned;

Work to retain passage for species as long as possible across the corridor and following works to reinstate passage to be conducted immediately upon pipe section completion;

Translocate important flora species to other suitable areas;

Micro-siting of the route to be done, where possible, for best position available for biodiversity (Particularly important where areas of European Priority Habitats and designated sites are affected);

Habitat compensation measures should be considered where required to replace permanently lost and damaged habitats. This may include new habitat creation, restoration of damaged habitats and habitat enhancement;

Ecological awareness training should be provided to all personnel; and

Establish a Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan.

MinorImpacts from habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are temporary, short term and limited to the agricultural fields (corn and cereals) where the open-cut section will be performed and the receiving sites will be located. Overall residual impacts will be minor post-mitigation.

Loss of Individuals Undertake works outside the bird breeding season between 1st March and the 31st July and where not possible pre-vegetation clearance surveys will be undertaken; Should any nests be located, no works are to be carried out within a 25 m buffer of the nest site until chicks have fledged from the nest or it is abandonedRestriction on access to forested areas during and following construction;

Establish a Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan;Limiting vehicle speed (limitis will be established at the Traffic Management Plan);

Fauna species should not be caught or killed during

MinorImpacts relating to loss of individuals are expected to be minimal and considered to be: Relatively low in occurrence; Limited to accidental causes;

and Of low consequence to the

population as a whole. Impacts are likely to be limited to localised areas and temporary in

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Impact / Risk Mitigation Measure to Address Impact / Risk Significance of Residual Impact construction;

Establishment for a procedure to avoid, monitor and control invasive species if necessary;

At trenches, trench plugs to be incorporated every 100 m and daily fauna retrieval is to be conducted;

Works to be supervised by an appropriately trained on-site ECoW;

Where appropriate, temporary or permanent provisions for fauna to cross the working strip/ roads using underpasses, tunnels or other measures should be installed;

Incorporate specific measures for large carnivores across the entire Project area (refer BAP); and

Prior to construction inspect for potential colonies of Spermophillus citellus.

nature. Overall residual impacts will be minor post-mitigation due to avoidance of construction activities during breeding period, the temporary duration of activities and the limited area of working strip.

Species Disturbance and Displacement

Access to the works area will only be allowed by site staff;

Undertake works outside the bird breeding season between 1st March and the 31st July and where not possible pre-vegetation clearance surveys will be undertaken; Should any nests be located, no works are to be carried out within a 25 m buffer of the nest site until chicks have fledged from the nest or it is abandoned.

Monitoring of impacts on flora and fauna at sensitive locations;

Include management actions for threatened / protected species within the Biodiversity Management Plan (which includes all BAPs listed in ESMP);

Relocation or endemic/ rare plant species to suitable nearby habitats;

Use of directional lighting;

Use screens around work area as buffer to visual/ light / noise sources;

Night working should be limited and the use of lighting along the corridor minimised, especially near wildlife habitats (i.e. forests, water bodies);

Limit personnel, vehicle movements to only within work areas;

Best construction site practices should be adopted to minimise the risks of adverse effects on neighbouring habitats / species from construction activities (dust, noise, waste disposal etc). This will include appropriate toilet and litter collection facilities;

All important sites (i.e. breeding, feeding, nesting, etc) for species to be identified and avoided throughout the construction period;

Where ponds are located efforts will be made to avoid them. Where this is not possible efforts to remove any amphibians present, especially B. variegata (NT), B. bufo (NT), B. viridis (NT), R. balcanica (VU), R. graeca (NT), R. lessonae (NT), and S. salamandra (NT), will be made as well as provision for an alternative pond for

MinorImpacts relating to species disturbance and displacement are expected to be minimal and considered to be: Of relatively low magnitude; Of low consequence to species

population due to their existing habitat use/ wide natural range or species possess higher susceptibility to anthropogenic influences.

Impacts are likely to be limited to localised areas and temporary in nature. Overall residual impacts will be minor post-mitigation

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Impact / Risk Mitigation Measure to Address Impact / Risk Significance of Residual Impact translocated species to be put in; and

Ecological awareness training should be provided to all personnel.

Source: ERM (2012)

By conducting construction related activities outside the breeding season any residual impacts

will be reduced to minor significance. The same applies to impacts arising from the disturbance

or loss of individuals of a species. Minimising the Project footprint during construction proceeded

by the restoration and revegetation of the working strip, will mitigate habitat degradation and

minimise any residual impacts. Agricultural and open habitats will be completely reinstated

leaving no residual impacts.

During pipeline operation and after applying the measures presented in Table 4-8 regarding PPS

clearance outside breeding period, the significance of residual impacts (habitat fragmentation,

disturbance or loss of individuals) are considered to be minor.

In accordance with the above, the proposed mitigation will minimise any potential impacts to the

qualifying features of the Natura 2000 site.

4.11 Alternative (Including Zero Alternatives)

The SPA / SAC of Axios-Loudias Aliakmonas, located between the bay of Therme in the south

and the border with Macedonia in the north forms a natural barrier dividing in two the region of

Central Macedonia. Any kind of infrastructure willing to go from east to west Greece needs to

traverse this protected area.

During the route selection process several alternatives routes for crossing the Axios River were

developed. The initial screening of these options proves that crossing at the selected location

was the preferred route for the following reasons:

minimal length of crossing of the site

avoids areas designated as National Parks and Ramsar sites ;

avoids crossing of wetlands;

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avoids crossing of priority habitats in the site; and

crosses lands with low conservation value.

Provided the area had to be crossed and after minimizing the crossing section avoiding the

National Parks, the remaining alternatives made reference to the crossing technique: Open-cut or

HDD.

4.11.1 Comparison of Alternatives

4.11.1.1 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Open-cut alternative results in a greater impact regarding habitat loss. As the section of the

pipeline crossing the Natura 2000 site is approximately 1.4 km in length and the working strip is

38 m, the area affected by construction works would be 53,200 m2 in the case of the open-cut

alternative while it only affects to 23,100 m2 in the HDD.

In addition, the open-cut alternative would cross European habitats 92A0 and 3280, including the

permanent loss of them within the 8 m PPS for the operation phase. No European habitat is

directly affected by HDD alternative. The open-cut alternative would also affect directly the

aquatic habitats by the works within the river. Further investigation is required to determine the

final crossing methodology to be used.

4.11.1.2 Disturbance

Both alternatives will result in temporary disturbance within the boundaries of the SPA / SAC site,

assuming a 500 m displacement of birds around the working strip.

However this impact will be limited to a section of 400 m and the construction rigs within the HDD

option while the disturbance of the open-cut option affects the whole crossing section (1.4 km)

resulting in direct disturbances on aquatic and riparian habitats and species not affected by the

other alternative.

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During operation, the only disturbance impacts will result from pipeline inspections and these are

not predicted to cause any significant disturbance impacts.

4.11.1.3 Loss of Individuals

As the works in the open-cut alternative affects not only to terrestrial habitats but also to the

aquatic one, it has been considered that the potential mortality of protected species (including

fishes) would be greater for the open-cut-option.

4.11.2 Zero Alternative

The zero alternative is the non-project alternative. This alternative suggests conservation of the

current status of the SPA and SAC of Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas or its change due to natural

factors of the environment (climate change, etc.).

4.12 Compensatory Measures

No compensatory measures are foreseen.

4.13 Summary

4.13.1 Habitats

No impacts are anticipated in Annex I Habitat Types. After the implementation of the restoration

plans, the agricultural area and open habitat will be reinstated to pre-construction condition and

the PPS will be replanted (i.e. with appropriate shallow-rooting crops / vegetation). As a result,

there will be no significant alteration to the character of the habitat in the area.

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4.13.2 Species

Through Project design and the implementation of mitigation measures any loss of significant

areas of key habitats or any significant increase in habitat fragmentation will be avoided or

minimised. Any interference with species of conservation interest on the site will be equally

minimised, especially through the avoidance of construction activity during the bird breeding

season.

Despite potential minor residual impacts on species, these remain at an individual level. No

inference with the balance, distribution and density of key species or any reduction of species

population or population of international conservation interest is expected due to:

• the temporary and short-term nature of the construction activities;

• the non-intrusive nature of the pipeline during operation (i.e. underground);

• the limited and restricted area crossing the site;

• the remoteness from known bird breeding and wintering areas in the southern part of the

Natura site; and

• mitigation measures to be applied.

Therefore, only minor, adverse residual impacts on species are anticipated as a result of the

construction and operation of the Project that would compromise the integrity of the Natura 2000

site.

Date 06/2013

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