 |
 |
|
|
The Lacoma Wetlands are of special ecological value beyond regional importance. The landscape has been notified to the European Commission as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) in line with the requirements of the Habitat Directive [92/43/EEC], which entails the special level of protection assigned to those areas. It is not possible in terms of timescale and quality to compensate for a loss of this landscape elsewhere. This has clearly be shown in extensive and specialist opinions submitted by the registered nature conservation organisations throughout the planning application procedure. A positive determination of the planning application would probably not withstand legal scrutiny and permissions issued to date do not directly affect this separate procedure related to the habitat directive. The retention of Lacoma Wetlands would provide an essentially required attractive connection between Cottbus and the proposed lake in place of the existing open cast mine. An outline concept and vision for the revitalisation of Lacoma village has been developed and can be viewed on www.lacoma.de.
The loss of lignite from Cottbus-Nord open cast mine, if Lacoma Wetlands were
retained, would amount to only 48 Million tonnes, which would be within
reasonable limits of reduced capacity for Jänschwalde power station. This could
be partially compensated by provision of lignite from southern parts of the
Lusatian mining area.
|
||