SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION

Status Conferred on Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

Scottish Nautural Heritage have recently announced a change in status of sites previously proposed to the European Commission as candidates for Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna, commonly referred to as the Habitats Directive. The Commission has recently approved the list of sites submitted by the UK following an assessment to ensure that the Directive has been applied consistently across the European Union. It has confirmed that Scottish Ministers have decided to formally designate Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands as a Special Area of Conservation with effect from 17 March 2005.

THE MILLENNIUM ECO-SYSTEM ASSESSMENT

The human race is living beyond its means and is in a collision course with nature, according to a report backed by 1,360 scientists from 95 countries. The study was prepared in Washington under the supervision of a board chaired by Robert Watson, the British born chief scientist at the World Bank and former scientific adviser to the White House. The authors of the report have initiated a “stark warning” for the entire world, because our wetlands, forests, savannahs, estuaries, coastal fisheries and other habitats that recycle air, water and nutrients for all living creatures are being irretrievably damaged.

The Millennium Eco-System Assessment, which will be launched at the Royal Society in London this evening ( March 30 2005 ) has very special implications for the people of Sutherland and Caithness . On their doorstep, is one of the worlds most important peatlands . It is our responsibility – as indeed it is the responsibility of the whole of the United Kingdom , to protect this valuable world asset.

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SUTHERLAND & CAITHNESS PEATLANDS?

The peatlands of Sutherland and Caithness hold a special place of national and international importance. Nowhere else in Britain , and possibly the world, is there such an extensive area of this type of peatland, covering approximately 400,000 hectares. They are recognised to be of national importance for conservation both as a habitat in their own right and because of the diverse range of rare and unusual breeding birds they support.

IMPORTANT EUROPEAN DESIGNATION ANNOUNCED

As from March 17 2005 , this unique part of our landscape has been approved as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This has come about because under an EU rule commonly known as the Habitats Directive , Sutherland and Caithness peatlands qualify for special protection. This designation has now been formalised by the Scottish Executive.

A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR AN IMPORTANT LANDSCAPE

Now that Europe and the Scottish Executive have finally recognised the significance of this important landscape we must ensure that its protection remains at the top of the environmental agenda.

In 2003 a process was put in place to establish a management strategy for the Sutherland & Caithness peatlands . It was led by the LIFE Peatland's project in partnership with SNH, RSPB, Plantlife and the Forestry Commission. There was participation by other environmental bodies as well with input from Scottish Executive and Highland Council. Now the draft of the strategy has been placed in the public domain, and everyone has the opportunity to read it and make their comments. The implications for the region – one could say the world – are immense. Just how is this important landscape to be managed?

YOU MUST HAVE YOUR SAY

The document can be downloaded by following the link below.

Read the document and see for yourself how important this consultation is and how you can help protect the unique environment of Sutherland & Caithness. At the beginning of the document is a list of questions which might help in forming your response.

The deadline for this is Friday 29 April 2005 .

For further information or to send your comments, contact

Caroline Eccles, LIFE Peatlands Strategy Officer,
Scottish Natural Heritage,
10 Henderson Road, Inverness IV 1AU
Telephone: 01463 706450

If you prefer to be part of a bigger group, email your comments to enquiries@landscapeweb.org.uk

LANDSCAPE (Sutherland Campaign for Action to Protect our Environment) will include your contribution in its presentation to the LIFE Project or forward them directly, according to what you ask us to do.

WHAT THE MANAGEMENT DOCUMENT HAS TO SAY ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

90. In 1997 at the Kyoto summit meeting, the UK government signed up to targets for reductions in the emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The promotion of renewable energy technologies is one element of the government’s programme to meet these targets, and is supported by financial incentives.

91. Along with other areas with consistently high average wind speeds, open landscapes and relatively low population densities, Caithness and Sutherland have seen a rapid rise in interest from would-be developers encouraged by these incentives; articularly those looking at onshore wind technologies. There are currently over 40 wind turbine proposals in Caithness and Sutherland. At present there is no national trategic framework to guide potential developers, although the Highland Council is now embarking on a regional strategy.

92. The development of renewable energy generation capacity is an important part of efforts to tackle global warming, but environmental standards should also be maintained to ensure that environmental losses do not outweigh gains. With adequate planning it should be possible to enable some schemes to progress in appropriate locations and at the correct scale. Smaller scale schemes that bring community benefit are likely to be more appropriate in this area.

93. Particular issues in relation to the peatlands include the possible loss of habitats and wildlife. The impact on birds will depend on the numbers and species of birds present, their flight patterns in relation to the wind turbines, the number, size and characteristics of the wind turbines, and ancillary developments including transmission lines. Potential consequences include bird collision and disturbance.

94. Other issues are the potential damage to peat
soils, bog structure, hydrological integrity, creation of access tracks into the peatlands, associated changes in land use, grazing, and disturbance to deer in the construction phase. Consideration is also needed of the impact on open landscapes, where wind turbines can be very visible, the potential attrition of the wild land resource and the cumulative impact of successive
developments. Building on peat in the uplands, on a slope or where previously disturbed by forestry are all very technically demanding situations, which can potentially cause difficulties.

95. Whilst proposals may not themselves be located on peatland, they may impact on the flight lines of peatland birds and the feeding range of eagles. Many of the breeding birds fly daily to the north coast to feed, passing over large areas of undesignated land. Migration routes also take birds across undesignated land. Information on bird flight lines is currently incomplete. There is a risk that developers will seek to fit proposals between the designated peatland sites, and consideration will need to be given to the impact this might have not only on the peatlands, but also on any potential World Heritage Site nomination.

96. The technology for harnessing tidal and wave energy is perhaps twenty years behind that for wind energy. Nevertheless consideration is already being given to the north coast, given its potential suitability. A particular issue here will be the use of the coast by peatland breeding birds. Red throated divers feed in the calmer sandy bays during the breeding season for example, and common scoters winter on the sea lochs.