Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Version 0 Environmental Report SEA 09.07.2014 2014-2020 RO-BG CBC Programme Project Identification Project title: ”Ex-ante Evaluation and SEA of Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020” Contract number: 11716/19.09.2013 Contracting Cross Border Cooperation Regional Office Călărași for Romania-Bulgaria Border Authority: Chiciu area, part of the main building representing the Passengers and Goods Transport Public Service headquarter at CBCP Călărasi (Romania) – Silistra (Bulgaria), Călărasi County Tel. + 40 242 313 091, Fax: + 40 242 231 3092 www.calarasicbc.ro/www.cbcromaniabulgaria.eu Contact person: Nicoleta MINCU – Executive Director Bogdan MUȘAT – Head of Joint Technical Secretariat for Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007- 2013 Implementing Ministry of Regional Development and Public Authority: Administration (MDRAP) – Managing Authority for the Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 Apolodor street, Bucuresti Tel: 004 0737 244 509; 0372 111 339; Fax: 004 0372 111 456 www.cbcromaniabulgaria.eu Contact person: Ioana GLĂVAN – Head of Unit Contractor: International Consulting Expertise srl (ICE) (Technical capacity third sustaining partner ÖAR Regionalberatung GmbH) Vasile Lascăr nr. 42-44, floor 7, apt.17-18, Sector 2, Bucuresti Tel: 021 201 65 14 / 021 201 65 15, Fax: 021 211 01 81 Email: [email protected], www.iceconsult.ro Contact person: Maria TIMOFTE – Head of Contract Management Department Tel: 0731 019412, E-mail: [email protected] This Report has been prepared by the Technical Assistance team composed of Svetla TRAYCHEVA and Marilena PĂTRASCU – SEA Experts. The findings, conclusions and interpretations expressed in this document are those of the authors alone and should in no way be taken to reflect the policies or opinion of the European Commission or other parties. 2 Environmental Report SEA 09.07.2014 2014-2020 RO-BG CBC Programme Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................... 14 1.1 Presentation of the Programme’s Title-Holder ............................................. 14 1.2 Background of Programme’s Development .................................................. 15 1.3 Methodology and Legal Framework ..................................................... 16 1.1.1 Environmental Policy and Objectives ....................................................16 1.1.2 Legislative Framework for SEA ............................................................16 1.1.3 Methodological approach ..................................................................18 1.1.4 Method of environmental assessment ....................................................19 2 Description of Romania - Bulgaria CBC Programme 2014-2020 ..................... 20 2.1 Contents of the Programme ............................................................. 20 2.1.1 Introduction .................................................................................20 2.1.2 Eligible geographic area ...................................................................20 2.1.3 Relevant period of time ....................................................................20 2.2 Main objectives of the Programme ..................................................... 20 2.3 Indicative actions/ measures under the Priority Axes ............................... 24 2.3.1 Actions under Priority Axis 1: A well connected region ...............................24 2.3.2 Actions under Priority Axis 2: A green region ...........................................26 2.3.3 Actions under Priority Axis 3: A safe region .............................................28 2.3.4 Actions under Priority Axis 4: A skilled and inclusive region .........................30 2.3.5 Actions under Priority Axis 5: An efficient region ......................................31 2.4 Relationship with other relevant plans and programmes ............................ 33 2.4.1 Main EU Strategic Documents .............................................................33 2.4.2 National Strategies, Programmes and Plans in Romania ..............................34 2.4.3 National and Regional Programmes, Plans and Strategies for Bulgaria .............54 3 Environmental Aspects ..................................................................... 70 3.1 General Baseline .......................................................................... 70 3.1.1 Geographical area likely to be affected .................................................70 3.1.2 Size of the population likely to be affected ............................................71 3.2 Current state of the environment ...................................................... 71 3.2.1 Geological setting and relief ..............................................................71 3.2.2 Climate and Air Quality ....................................................................73 3.2.3 Water .........................................................................................79 3.2.3.1 Surface Water ...................................................................... 79 3.2.3.2 Ground Water ....................................................................... 85 3.2.4 Soil and land use ............................................................................90 3.2.5 Landscape ....................................................................................94 3 Environmental Report SEA 09.07.2014 2014-2020 RO-BG CBC Programme 3.2.6 Biodiversity ..................................................................................97 3.2.6.1 Flora and fauna ..................................................................... 97 3.2.6.2 Designated Areas .................................................................. 105 3.2.7 Cultural Heritage ......................................................................... 108 3.2.8 Material Assets ............................................................................ 112 3.2.9 Waste ....................................................................................... 120 3.2.10 Population and Human Health .......................................................... 125 3.3 Likely evolution without implementation of the programme ...................... 137 3.3.1 Climate and Air Quality .................................................................. 137 3.3.2 Water ....................................................................................... 137 3.3.2.1 Surface Water ..................................................................... 137 3.3.2.2 Ground Water ...................................................................... 137 3.3.3 Soil .......................................................................................... 138 3.3.4 Landscape .................................................................................. 138 3.3.5 Biodiversity ................................................................................ 138 3.3.6 Cultural Heritage ......................................................................... 138 3.3.7 Waste ....................................................................................... 139 3.3.8 Material Assets ............................................................................ 139 3.3.9 Population and Human Health .......................................................... 139 4 Environmental characteristics of the areas to be significantly affected ........ 140 4.1 Landscapes and areas having a recognised international protection status ..... 140 4.2 Landscapes and areas of Community interest ........................................ 141 4.3 Landscapes and areas having a national nature protection status ................ 142 4.4 Areas designated for extraction of water intended for human consumption .... 143 4.5 Water bodies designated for recreation, including areas designated as bathing waters ...................................................................................... 147 4.6 Areas designated for the protection of economically significant aquatic species148 4.7 Areas of nutrient-sensitive waters, including vulnerable areas ................... 149 4.7.1 Sensitive areas ............................................................................ 149 4.7.2 Vulnerable areas .......................................................................... 150 5 Existing environmental problems ....................................................... 151 5.1 Climate and Air Quality ................................................................. 151 5.2 Water ...................................................................................... 152 5.2.1 Surface Water ............................................................................. 152 5.2.2 Ground Water ............................................................................. 153 5.3 Soil ......................................................................................... 154 5.4 Landscape ................................................................................. 155 5.5 Biodiversity ................................................................................ 156 5.5.1 Flora and Fauna ........................................................................... 156 4 Environmental Report SEA 09.07.2014 2014-2020 RO-BG CBC Programme 5.5.2 Designated Areas .........................................................................