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TOADELEMandEBRDcopytoMinistryofEnvironment

Skopje,04.11.2013

Subject:CommentsonthefinalbiodiversitymonitoringreportforthepreconstructionphaseoftheprojectBoskovMostDearSir/Madam,Wewouldliketothankyouforsendingthefinalbiodiversityreporttous,andforallowingtimeforustocomment;likewisewethankyouforsendingpreviouslysubmittedseasonalreports.Wewouldalsoliketothankyouforinvitingourrepresentativestothepublichearingheldon25.10.2013;unfortunatelywewerenotabletoattendduetotheshortnoticeofthemeeting.Wewouldbegratefulifyouwouldconsiderourcommentsonthisreportbelow,theyarerelatedtotheenvironmentalissuesandtosomeofthestudiedgroups.

Beforeelaboratingourcommentsinmoredetail,wewouldliketodrawyourattentionagaintotheongoingprocessforthereproclamationofMavrovoasNationalParkandthepreparationandadoptionoftheManagementplanforMavrovoNationalPark.ThiscomplexprocessshouldresultindecisiononthelevelofacceptabledevelopmentandthelevelofprotectionoftheenvironmentwithintheNationalpark(80%oftheHPPBoskovMostprojectislocatedinthePark).

ThepreparationofanurbanplanningdocumentfornoninhabitedareaswiththeareaassignedfortheHPPBoskovMostprojectisalsoongoing.ThisdocumentissubjecttoaStrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentaccordingarticle3,point15oftheOrdinanceonstrategies,plansandprogrammes;andchangesaresubjecttoenvironmentalimpact,humanlivelihoodandhealthassessment(OfficialgazetteoftheRepublicofMacedoniaNo.153/07from20.12.2007).

TheabovementioneddocumentsandproceduresareimportantfortheoverallassessmentoftheimpactsofBoskovMostHPPprojectontheenvironment.

SummaryOurcommentsontheBiodiversityMonitoringReportrefertothespeciesgroupsaswellastotheabsenceofimportanttechnicaldata.Inordertocarefullyanalyzeandjudgethisreport,wehaveconsultedseveralinternationalrenownedspeciesexperts.Conclusions:

Thisbiologicaldiversitysurveyisinlargepartssuperficial,incompleteandmisleading. Itisnotinlinewithinternationalmonitoringstandards.

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Incontrasttowhatthesurveyconcludes,BoskovMostHPPwouldresultinseveredestructionofbiodiversityandtopopulationdeclineofendangeredspecies.

Wedemand:

Additionalresearch:InordertofilltheknowledgegapsandtopresentascientificallyaccuratepictureoftheimpactsoftheHPP,westronglydemandthesurveytobecomplemented.Themonitoringprocedureforspeciesgroups,suchasformacrozoobenthos,mammals,andbirdsshouldbestartednextspring.

Completetechnicaldata:Addtechnicaldataabouttheoperationoftheproject(e.g.outflow/dischargeduringdifferenttimesoftheyear,kmaffectedbydrainageandflush,effectsonwaterlevelsofMalaRekaandRadikaduringoperationetc.)

GeneralCommentsontheReport:ThegreatestconcernofthenationalandinternationalorganisationsrepresentedherecomesfromthecharacteroftheproposedhydropowerplantBoskovMost.BoskovMostwoulddrainlargepartsoftherivernetworkandwouldbeflushingotherpartsoftherivernetwork.ItwouldbeoperatedasapeakingHPP;itwillonlyoperateintimesofgreatestenergydemand,duringwhichitwilldischargelargequantitiesofwateruptothemaximumcapacityoftheoutflowpipes22m3/sec.ThedailyfluctuatingwaterleveldownstreamoftheoutflowisoneofthemostdevastatingeffectsoftheHPPontheriverecosystem.Ingeneral,thepracticeofhydropeakinginevitablyproducespermanentnegativeecologicaleffectsonthedownstreamsystemsfor10sofkilometres,evenshowingeffectsupto100kilometresawayfromthereleasepoint.Thereisnormallyastrongreductionintheprimaryfoodbase(i.e.adecreaseinmacrozoobenthicproductivityandbiomass)andadisruptionofspawningandrearingofyoungfishes.TheeffectsofhydropeakingareoftensopervasivethatlargereachesofriverlandscapesinEuropehavebeendeclaredasHeavilymodifiedundertheEUWaterFrameworkDirective(WFD)forthisimpactalone,andthusarelargelyexemptfromtheoverallgoalofreachinggoodecologicalstatus.Thus,incontradictiontothestatementspresentedintheReport,(andwithreferencetotheEnvironmentalImpactSurvey),itisnotpossibleforustoenvisageanHPPatBoskovMost,withoutenvisagingsignificantreductionsintheecologicalstatusoftheaffectedwaterbodies,includingriverreachesdownstream,whichhavenotbeenconsideredinthismonitoringstudy.MaintainingthecombinedcatchmentsofallwatersinthewatershedofMalaRekaatabiologicalminimum(mostofthewaterbeingforcedintopipes),alongwiththemodificationsoftheriverbeddownstreamoftheHPPandthedailyflushes,willleadtoinevitablelossofthemajorityofthebiodiversityintheriverecosystem.ThiswillnotonlyapplytotheMalaReka,butalsodownstreamintheriverRadika,andindirectlyupstreamofthepointwheretheMalaRekajoinstheRadika.

Overall,theReportappearstooffertheviewthatalthoughBoskovMostprojectundoubtedlyaffectsecologicalprocessandnumerousplantsandanimals,thenegativeeffectscanbeeasilymitigated.Thisisnotaviewthatwe,asaprofessionalscientistscanshare,especiallyasthisprojectislargelytobecarriedoutwithinanIUCNCategoryIINationalPark,whoseprimarygoalis:protectinglargescaleecologicalprocesseswithcharacteristicspeciesandecosystemsThemanagementobjective(s)shouldapplytoatleastthreequartersoftheprotectedareathe75percentrule.(Dudley,2008GuidelinesforapplyingProtectedAreaManagementcategories).ThesegoalsappeartobeinstarkcontrasttothoseoftheHPPBoskovMost.

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Specificcomments:Inordertoanalyzeandtojudgethereportcorrectly,wesenttheassessmenttothefollowinginternationallyrenownedexperts:Dragonfliesandothermacrozoobenthos:GeertdeKnijfResearchInstituteforNatureandForest,Brussels.Dr.JrgenOttMemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupandEuropeanFocalPointFish:Dr.JrgFreyhofLeibnizInstituteofFreshwaterEcologyandInlandFisheries,BerlinandEuropeanRegionalChairoftheIUCN_SSC/WIFreshwaterFishSpecialGroup.Dr.StevenWeissKarlFranzenUniversityGrazandchairofIUCNSalmonidSpecialistGroup&RedListAuthorityforSalmonidFishesinEurasia.Birds:MSCWillemVandenBosscheandMSCBorisBarovSciencedepartmentofBirdLifeEuropeMammals:EurasianOtter:Dr.NicoleDuplaix,ChairoftheIUCNSSCOtterSpecialGroupBalkanLynx:Dr.UrsBreitenmoserCoChair,IUCNSSCCatSpecialistGroupRiverecosystem:UlrichEichelmannCEOofRiverwatch,SocietyfortheprotectionofRivers.Dr.KaiFrobelScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermanyPleasefindtheirindividualstatementsattached.1. Ambientnoiseandambientairquality

Themeasurementsofambientnoiseinthefinalreporthavebeencompletedduringthesummerof2012(August).AtthelastmeetingheldinELEM(18.03.2013)itwasagreedbyallpartiesthatanadditionalmeasurementshouldtakeplaceduringthewinterseason.Thefinalreportneedstobeupdatedwithresultsfromanadditionalmeasurementofthenoiseinanewseason.ThemeasurementsofambientairqualityinthefinalreporthavebeencompletedduringtheperiodAugustSeptember2012.AtthelastmeetingheldinELEM(18.03.2013)itwasagreedbyallpartiesthatanadditionalmeasurementofambientairshouldtakeplaceduringthewinterseason.Thefinalreportshouldbeupdatedwithresultsfromanadditionalmeasurementofambientairqualityinonenewseason.

2. LackofdetailedinformationonmacroinvertebratesThebiologicalsurveyreportseemsimpressiveinthatmanydifferentgroupsoforganismshavebeensurveyed,andasexpected,agreatdealofbiodiversityisfoundintheMavrovoNationalParkandsurroundingareas.However,tounderlinethedifficultyingainingaroughestimateofthelevelsofbiodiversitythatwillbeaffectedbythisproject,wenotethatnospeciesofthelargeorderTrichoptera(caddisflies)arereported,ratheronlyemptyhouses.Trichoptera(wronglylistedasTrohopterainyourReport)areoneofthemostdiverseandfunctionallyimportantgroupsofmacroinvertebratesinthesesystems.MacroinvertebratesarehighlysensitivetoHPPdevelopmentandthereisnodoubtthatsignificantnegativeimpactsinbiodiversity,productivityandbiomassofthesecreatureswilloccur,andthesereductionscanhaveknockoneffectsformanyaquatic,semiaquaticandriparianspeciesthatdependonthisfaunaasafoodbase.Severalspeciesarenot

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determinedexactly,butarenamedsp.(iespeciesnameunknown).This,combinedwiththeverylimiteddescriptionofthemacroinvertebratefaunadescriptionsindicatesthataspecialistwasnotinvolvedinthestudycontrarytowhatwewouldhaveexpected.3. LackofdataonOdonata(dragonflies)andothermacrozoobenthosOdonata(dragonflies)arecharacteristic,easilyvisible,andanimportantgroupforconservation,theyaretotallydependentaquaticecosystems,includingriversandhavenotbeenwellcoveredwithinthestudy.Thereportdoesnotpresenttheappliedmethodologyforthesurveysconductedonthemacrozoobenthos;itdoesnotgiveevidenceofsamplingintensity,statehowmanydaysobservationswereconductedorhowmuchtimewasspentateachwaterbody.Furthermore,thereportdoesnotspecifyhowthespecieswereidentified.Mostprobably,onlyimagines/adultsweredetected.ThelarvalstagesweredeterminedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurveyonly(seebelow),howeveralthoughadultdragonfliesareseenflyingintheair,theirlarvalstages,whichcantakeupto5yearsforCordulegasterspecies,aredependentonwater.ThereforethesespeciesarenotterrestrialinvertebratesaslistedintheReportbutfreshwaterinsects.Thesurveyitselfdidnotfocusonlarvalstagesandexuviaewereobviouslynotmappediftheyhadbeenthiswouldhaveprovedthecloseaffiliation(philopatry)ofcertainspeciestothestudyregion.Onlyeightdragonflyspeciesweredetectedinthewholestudyarea,thatisfarlessthanexpected.ForexamplewewouldhaveexpectedthatCordulegasterheroswouldhavebeenpresent,isaspeciesprotectedbytheEuropeanHabitatsDirectiveandhasbeenfoundinthelowerpartoftherivercatchmentofMalaReka,recordshavebeenpublishedforDebarregionintheCrniDrimRiver.Asurveywouldcertainlyyieldmanymorelocalitiesinthearea.ExceptCordulegasterbidentata(classifiedasNearThreatenedontheEuropeanRedList)alldragonfliesrecordedaremoreorlessgeneralist(euryoecious)species.AnothertwospeciesarementionedinthecontextoftheMZBsurvey.Thenumberofdetecteddragonflyspeciesissurprisinglylow,giventheamountofaquatichabitatspresentinthestudyarea.ThedragonfliesofMacedoniahavenotbeenstudiedintensivelyinthepast,Boudotetal.(2009)but59speciesareknowntooccurinthecountry,withreferencetoBoudotswork,acomprehensivedragonflysurveyfortheprojectareawouldbeexpectedtorevealhigherdragonflybiodiversity.SomespecieswhichoccurfrequentlyalongtheMediterraneanbasinandtheBalkanPeninsularespectivelyarenotrepresentedinthereportareCalopteryxsplendens,Coenagrionpuella,AnaximperatororAnaxparthenope,Crocothemiserythraeaamongothers).Forsomefamiliesnospecieshavebeendetectedatall(Lestidae,Gomphidae,Corduliidaeamongothers).Webelievethesurveysconductedwerenotcomprehensiveasotheravailablestudieshavedetectedthespeciesorfamiliesmentionedabove(forexampleDeKnijfetal.2013).ThislackofcomprehensivenessisalsoevidentinthelownumberofspeciesdetectedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurvey.ThepresenceofAeschnacyaneaissurprising,asthespeciesisratheruncommoninthestudyregion.ItisobviousthatinternationallyrespecteddragonflyexpertsfromMacedoniaandtheBalkanPeninsulaingeneralhavenotbeenconsulted.WenoticedthatsomespeciesarelistedintheReportasonlybeingpresentforashorttimeoftheyear.Thisistruefortheadultsbutnotforthelarvaethatstayintothewaterforatleast1year,butcanbeaslongas5year,dependingonthespecies.Thereforetable112mustbeseenasanattempttoshowtheflightperiodoftheadults.Thistableisnotcorrect;CalopteryxvirgoisincludedonthewingfromMaytilllateAugust,probablyeventillSeptember,thisisnotthecaseitfliesonlyinMay.

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Generally,hydropeakingsignificantlyimpactsthedownstreamdragonflycommunity.Theseimpactsarefrequentlydevastatingforthespeciesduringthehatchingperiodasallindividualsarekilledatthesametime.Intheaftermathofahydropeakingeventdroughtconditionsprevailandimportanthabitatsforthelarvaefalldry.Thisleadstoevenmorefatallossesinthepopulationthroughdesiccationofsensitivelarvaeandelevatedpredationonlarvaebybirds.Evenifhydropeakingdoesnotoccurduringthehatchingperiod,extremedischargeswillleadtothedislodgingofmanyindividualsandultimatelyelevatedmortalityrates.Thisisindirectcontrasttotheinformationgivenonpage54ofthereport.Themostlikelyoutcomeofhydropeakingisthatnearlyalldragonflyspecies,notonlytheCordulegasterspecies,willbecompletelydisseminated.TheconstructionoftheHPP,thedrainageofstreamsandtheresultingflushwaveswillalsoseverelydamagetheriparianvegetation(riveredgeplants).Thiswillalsohaveanegativeimpactontheemergencessubstratesusedbydragonfliesduringthetransitionphasefromlarvaelivinginthewatertoflyingadults.TheColeopteraspeciesCerambyxcerdoisthreatenedinEuropeandlistedonintheannexesoftheEUHabitatsDirective(inAnnexesIIandIV).However,thespeciesisnotidentifiedassuchinthelistoftheReport(Seepage53).4. UniquefishspeciesaffectedTwosalmonidspecieshavebeenreportedastheonlyfishspeciesintheaffectedriversystems:SalmofarioidesandSalmomontenegrinnis.NeitherofthesespecieshasgonethroughanykindofIUCNthreatassessment.Thisistypicalforthegenusinthisregionasthereisconsiderablecontroversyabouttheirtaxonomyandlittlereliabledataorresearchaimedatresolvingthesituation.Tounderscorethecomplexity,anotherspecies,SalmomacedonicushasbeenenteredintotheIUCNGlobalRedListasDataDeficient.Eitherway,thereislittledoubtthattheregionaffectedbythisprojectcontainsuniquepopulations/speciesofsalmonidfishes,forwhichwelacksufficientdataforpropertaxonomicassignment,letaloneanassessmentoftheirthreatenedstatus.Fromsection1.2.3.3(additionalmeasurestomitigateimpacts)itisassumedthatbarrierstomigrationwillbethemostimportantimpactoftheHPP.Itshouldbeemphasizedthathabitatdegradationduetomajorhydrologicalimpacts(waterabstraction,floodingbythereservoir,andhydropeaking)willbethemostdirectanddamagingimpacttotheaquaticsystems.StockingcannotcompensateforhabitatdegradationandisseldomconsideredaviablemeasureorevencompatiblewiththeprimarygoalsofCategoryIINationalParks,whichareprimarilyconstructedtopreservebiodiversityandecosystemfunction.Stockingofsalmonidfishesisnotoriouslyineffectiveandoftenresultsinasuiteofadditionalproblemsforthenativefauna.TheReportstatesthatminimumflowrequirements(MFR)willbeappliedandthatthiswillresultinnoreductionintheecologicalstatusoftheaffectedwaterbodies.ThisstatementisnotcompatiblewithfactsortheexistingEUlegalframework.Theaffectedriversareinpristineornearlypristinecondition,andweknowofnoMFRlegislation(e.g.inEurope),whichwouldnotleadtoasignificantecologicaldegradationasdefinedundertheWaterFrameworkDirective(WFD)oftheEuropeanUnion.MFRarecompromisesaimedatmaintainingsomefunctionalorsocioeconomiccomponentsofariverwithinourculturallandscapes.TheyarenotmeasuresofconservationornatureprotectionthatweredesignedorenvisionedtobeappliedtonaturereservesorNationalParkswherethemaintenanceofnaturalecologicalprocessesandbiodiversityareprimarymanagementgoals.EvenifStateoftheartminimumflowsassociatedwithhydropowerdevelopmentinEuropeareapplied,theywillseverelyimpactecologicalfunction,productivityandbiomassofthefishandaquaticinvertebratepopulationsoftheaffectedrivers.5. Poorsectiononbirds

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Regardingthesectiononbirds,wenotethatthemethodssectionlacksconsiderabledetail.Itisnotclearhowmanyvisitsweremadetoeachsite;therearenoquantitativeestimatesofthepresentpopulations,anditisthereforenotclearhowtheconclusionsaredrawnregardingthedegreeofimpact.Threatcategoriesareoutofdate,andsomeofthespeciesnamesareincorrectallpointingtolowqualityresearch.Somespecieswithpotentiallyhighconservationconcernlistedintheseasonalreports(e.g,Ficedulasemitorquata,NT)arenotlistedinthefinalreport.Mostimportantly,itisnotobviouswhatthebasisfortheconclusionwas.Thereisnoinformationonthepercentageofpopulationaffected,andnoqualitativeassessmentofthepotentialimpact.Itwouldhavebeenhelpfultohaveatleastacrudequantitativeestimatee.g.astratificationoftheareabyhabitattypeandsomesortofassessmentwhichhabitatswillbemost/leastaffected,theirareaofdistributionintheNationalparkandhenceaproxyoftheanimalpopulationsaffected.6. Mammalsa) MethodologyThemethodologyofmammalsurveyshouldhavepresenteddetailsonthelocationsofthecameratrapsandlynxesprey,asthisiswhattheconclusionthatthelynxdoesnothuntintheregionarebasedon(page72).Wefeelmorephotographicevidencewasneeded.b) OttersMorespecifically,fewpristineriverecosystemsremaininsoutheasternEuropewhereotterscanflourish,soeachoneisprecious.MalaRekaandRadikaaretwosuchRivers.Theproposeddrainageofthestreamsdetailedinthisreport,willhaveanimmediatenegativeimpactonthefishhabitatsandfishpopulationsinthesewatersheds,aswellastheamphibianpopulations.Fishandamphibiansarebothfavouredpreyforottersandasaresult,theottersfoodsupplywillbeaffectedyeararound.AlthoughnodetailsareprovidedconcerningtheeffectsoftheproposeddailyflushingregimenofthemainriversMalaRekaandRadika.Suchrepeatedanddrasticwaterlevelchangescanonlyhaveaseveredetrimentaleffectonbothottersandtheirprey.TheconstructionoftheHPPwillalsoseverelydamagetheriparianvegetationalongtheriver,coverwhichottersrequirefortheirdensandinparticular,forraisingtheircubs.Theotterswillalsoabandonconstructionareasduetothehumandisturbanceandnoiselevels.Itisstatedinthereportthatthereductionofthequantityofwaterintheaffectedwatercourses,i.e.thereducedflow,willeasetheaccesstofood(page73ofthereport)whichunderlinestheabsenceoftheauthorsbasicunderstandingofotterecologyandbehaviouraswellasthehowriverecosystemsfunction.BoskovMostwillhavedirectandsevereimpactontheresidentotterpopulationwhichisunlikelytosurvive.Inouropinionthisbiologicaldiversitysurveyremainssuperficial,incompleteandmisleadingwithregardstotheotter,clearlynottakingtheriskstothisthreatenedspeciesseriously.

c) LynxTheriskofHPPBoskovMosttotheCriticallyEndangeredBalkanlynxLynxlynxbalcanicus(Krytufek2012)populationremainsoneofthekeycontroversialaspects,whichthestudyhasfailedtoanswer.TheReportarguesthattheHPPconstructionwouldnotposeabigproblemtothelynx.Wethinkthisisawrongconclusionandthatanyadditionallossofhabitatorincreaseddisturbancewillnegativelyaffectthelynxoritsprey(seebelow).However,thisisamatterofinterpretation.Westronglyargue,that,aslongastheBalkanlynxisCriticallyEndangered#(Melovski2012),nofurtherriskmustbeputonthisspecies.Webelievethattheconstructionwillhaveanegativeimpactonthelynx,andaseriousstudyonthisimportantissuehasnotbeenmade.Toundertakeconstructionwithoutaddressingthisissueinascientificmannerisnotacceptable.ComprehensivescientificecologicalstudiesonlynxpopulationsinMacedoniabyKORA,theMacedonianEcologicalSocietyandNPMavrovooverthelastseven

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years(20062013)arenotproperlyreflectedinthereport.Factshavebeenomitted,eventhoughalltherelevantdocumentswereprovidedtotheexpertsinvolvedinthepreparationofthestudyforthebiodiversitymonitoring,asagreedduringearlierconsultationmeetings.Therecentpopulationestimates(Melovski,2012)yieldanalarming22to40individualsinthepotentialdistributionrangeoftheBalkanlynxandnotaround100asstatedinthereport.Furthermore,thecomprehensivesurveysinMacedoniaandneighbouringcountrieshaverevealedthatMavrovohoststheonlyremainingpopulationnucleusoflynx,thusholdsthelastsourcepopulationwithreproductionoftheBalkanlynx.WestronglycautionagainstputtinganyadditionalstressonthissourcepopulationasitmayleadtotheextinctionofoneofthemostthreatenedmammalpopulationsinEurope.Recentcameratrappingstudy(Stojanovetal.,2013)conductedinwithintheboundaryofNPMavrovoshowedthattheresidentfemaleinthesouthernterritoryoftheparkhadoffspringlastyear(thefemalewasphotographednearthevillageofGariin2008,MalBrzovecin2012,2013andJadovskaRekanearvillageSelcein2010,2013).Aradiotelemetrystudyin2010and2011showedthat,formostoftheperiodhewasfollowed,theterritoryoftheresidentmalecoveredexactlythesameareaoftheplannedconstructionforBoskovMost.IttermsofthehabitatpreferencesoftheBalkanlynx,thefactsinthereportaremisleadingandimplythatconflictbetweenthelynxpopulationandtheconstructionsitewillbeavoided.EurasianlynxandthustheBalkanlynxmuchpreferforestedhabitatsandtransitionalwoodlandshrub(Avukatovinprep.;Ivanovinprep.);thesearethehabitatsthatwillbedestroyedbyHPPBoskovMostconstruction.TheReportstateslynxmoveandfeedmostlyintheupperpartsofJadovskaandTresonechkariverwatersheds...Ourfieldresearchdoesnotsupportsuchanassumption.Actually,themainpreyitemintheBalkanlynxdietistheroedeer(57%oftheradiotaggedlynxspreyinMavrovowereroedeerandonly28%werechamois,Melovskiet.al.2010,2011)andNOTthechamoisasstatedintheReport.Weconcurthatthemainchamoishabitatintheconstructionareawontbethreatened.However,theroedeerhabitatwillbeaffectedbytheHPPconstruction.Theshorttermdisturbancemightleadtotemporaldislocationofthepopulationsofthechamoisandtheroedeer,butalsoofthelynx.Theshorttermdisturbance,althoughtemporary,mayhaveadecisivenegativeimpactonthelynx,whichisatthebrinkofextinction.Ifboth,preyandpredatoraretemporarilydepressed,preymightrecover,butthepredatormaynotbecauseanyadditionalstresstoacriticallyendangeredtaxoncouldpushittoextinction.d)GeneralcommentsonmammalswithregardtoinfrastructureandwaterlevelsWeareoftheopinionthatthereservoirandtheadjoiningobjectsandinfrastructure(especiallypipelinesandsiphons)willposebarrierstounhamperedmovementsofthemammals(whichwillmostlyaffectthewildboar,chamois,thebrownbear,thegreywolfandthelynx),andthedamitselfwillpresentabarriertothesemiaquaticspecies(theotterandthewatervole).Thechangeintheundergroundwatertable(increasedlevelsintheproximityofthedam)cannegativelyaffectthepopulationsoftheLesserMoleRatSpalaxleucodon,whicharecharacterizedwithhighcaryotypediversityandrepresentpotentiallysignificantconservationunits.Inadditionallpopulationsofmobilespecieswillbereducedbyincreaseddisturbanceandnoiselevels.TheinfrastructureforthedamandtheHPP(accessroads,powerlines,waterpipelines,waterreservoirs,tyroliancatchments,materialextractionsites,workerscamps,depotsetc.)willtakemuchmoreareathanthereservoiritself,andwillcauselongreachingconsequences,habitatfragmentation,andcrosscuttingofwildlifetracksandpaths,especiallyinthecanyonpartsofMalaRekacatchment.Thecontaminationwithlightduringtheconstructionandoperationalperiodswillalsocontributetoincreaseddisturbance.

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Toconclude,althoughtheconflictsstatedherearecharacteristicforallHPP/damconstructions,webelievethatbecausethemajorityofthisprojectissituatedinaNationalPark,therisksitposestobiodiversityareunacceptablyhigh.WefearthatifallplannedinfrastructureactivitiesinMavrovoNPcontinue,duetothecumulativeimpact,theParkwillnevermeetthe"75%rule"(thetotalcoverageofthezoneofstrictprotectionandthezoneofactivemanagement)forformalacceptanceoftheParkasCategoryIIprotectedareaunderIUCNguidelines(Dudley,2008).Inviewofthefactsandprofessionalopinionshighlightedinthesecomments;IUCNsresolutionforconservationofMavrovoNPadoptedatthelastIUCNWorldConservationCongressJeju,Korea2012;theattentionoftheinternationalconservationcommunitythatthisissuehasraised;andthecumulativeeffectoftheremainingenergyproductionprojectsplannedforthisNationalPark;wewouldexpectthatELEMandEBRDwillundertakeamoredetailedandobjectiveassessmentoftheimpactofHPPBoskovMost.Suchastudyshouldfillthegapsinthestudyhighlightedandidentifypropermitigationmeasures.Alternativelytheycouldabandontheplansfortheimplementationofthisproject.Inouropinion,thefinalbiodiversitymonitoringreportremainsincomplete,inaccurate,andattimesdeliberatelymisleading.

Weremainopenforfutureconsultations,

Sincerely,

UlrichEichelmann CEO,RiverWatch

AnaColovicLesoska EcoSvest,Skopje

Dr.JrgenOttMemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupandEuropeanFocalPointofthegroup

Dr.KaiFrobel ScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermany

Dr.GeertDeKnijf ResearchInstituteofNatureandForest,Brussels

Dr.StevenWeiss

KarlFranzensUniversittGrazandIUCNSalmonidSpecialistGroup(SSG)&RedListAuthority(RLA)forSalmonidFishesinEurasia

Dr.JrgFreyhofLeibnizInstituteofFreshwaterEcologyandInlandFisheries,Berlin

ScBorisBarov ConservationActionandScienceDepartmentofBirdLifeEuropeScWillemVandenBossche

Dr.MetodijaVelevski MacedonianEcologicalSociety

Dr.NicoleDuplaix Chair,IUCNSSCOtterSpecialistGroup

Dr.UrsBreitenmoser CoChair,IUCNSSCCatSpecialistGroup

MScAleksandraBujaroska

Front21/42,Skopje

MSc.ElizabethRadfordPlantlifeInternationalandIUCNSSCPlantConservationCommitteemember

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References:Avukatov,V.(inprep.):UsingGIStechnologyforrapidassessmentofthepotentialdistributionofthe

Balkanlynx.Diplomathesis.FacultyofElectricalEngineeringandInformationTechnologies,Skopje.

Boudot,J.P.etal.(2009):AtlasoftheOdonataoftheMediterraneanandNorthAfrica.LibellulaSupplement9:1256.

Breitenmoser,U.,vonArx,M.,Bego,F.,Ivanov,Gj.,Kei,E.,Melovski,D.,Schwaderer,G.,Stojanov,A.,Spangenberg,A.,Traje,A.,Linnell,J.2008:StrategicplanningfortheconservationoftheBalkanlynx.Proceedings,IIICongressofEcologistsofMacedoniawithInternationalParticipation,Struga,0609.10.2007.MacedonianEcologicalSociety,Skopje,2008.242248.

DeKnijfetal.(2010):EuropeanRedListofDragonflies,IUCN,EuropeanUnion2010:140

Dudley,N.(Editor)(2008).GuidelinesforApplyingProtectedAreaManagementCategories.Gland,Switzerland:IUCN.x+86pp.

Freyhof,J.&Brooks,E.(2011).EuropeanRedListofFreshwaterFishes;IUCNandEuropeanUnion:172pp.

Ivanov,Gj.(inprep.):AspatiallyexplicitmodelfortherecoveryofthecriticallyendangeredBalkanlynx.Masterthesis.FacultyofNaturalSciencesandMathematics,Skopje.

Jovic,M.&B.Mihajlova(2009):CatalogueoftheOdonatacollectionintheMacedonianmuseumofnaturalhistory.Actaentomologicaserbica14(2):133146

Jovic,M.(2009):ReportonMacedonia2008projectOdonata.IDFReport21:123.

Knijf,G.De,C.Vannappelghem,C.&H.Demolder(2013):OdonatafromMontenegro,withnotesontaxonomy,regionaldiversityandconservation.Odonatologica41(1):129

Kottelat,M.&Freyhof,J.2007.HandbookofEuropeanFreshwaterFishes.Kottelat,CornolandFreyhof,Berlin,xiv+646pp.

Krytufek,B.(2012):ValidnamefortheBalkanlynx:LynxlynxmartinoiMiri,1978,isajuniorsynonymofLyxlyxbalcanicusBure,1941.FoliaZoologica.12pp.

Melovski,D.(2012):StatusandthedistributionoftheBalkanlynx(LynxlynxmartinoiMiri,1978)anditsprey.Masterthesis,UniversityofMontenegro,85pp.

Melovski,D.,Stojanov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.(2010):Status,ecologyandlandtenuresystemofthecriticallyendangeredBalkanlynxinMacedoniaandAlbaniaRadiotelemetryannualreport,MES,17pp.

Melovski,D.,Stojanov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.(2011):Status,ecologyandlandtenuresystemofthecriticallyendangeredBalkanlynxinMacedoniaandAlbaniaRadiotelemetryannualreport,MES,17pp.

Stojanov,A.,Melovski,D.,Sarov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.AndZimmermann,F.(2013):SystematiccameratrappingsurveyinMavrovoNationalPark,Macedoniainwinter2012/2013,MES,16pp.

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Odontologicalcommentsontheannualreport

SurveyinthePreConstructionPhase(PreconstructionSurvey)AnnualReport

Authors: Dr.JrgenOtt(www.lupogmbh.de)

x FormerPresidentoftheGermanSocietyofOdonatologists(GdOe.V.)x CoordinatingAuthorofthelatestandthepreviousGermanRedListofdragonfly

speciesx CoauthoroftheEuropeanIUCNRedListofdragonflyspeciesx MemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupandEuropeanFocalPointof

thegroupx HeadofthefederalstateassociationofnatureconservationofFriendstheEarth

Germanye.V.x ConsultantinthefieldsofZoologyandFaunafortheSoutherndistrict

governmentGermany

Dr.KaiFrobel(kai.frobel@bundnaturschutz.de)

x BiodiversityConsultantforx ScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermanyx BiodiversityConsultantforFriendsoftheEarthBavariax BavarianrepresentativeattheGermanSocietyofOdonatologists(GdO)

Generalaspects:

Dragonfliesonlyplayaminorroleintheprojectreport.Thereisnospecificchapterdealingwiththeoccurrenceofdragonflyspeciesinthestudyarea,whichindicatesthattheorderhasnotbeeninvestigatedinparticular.

Methodology:

Thereportdoesnotpresenttheappliedmethodology.Itdoesnotgiveevidenceoftheintensityoftheconductedsurveys(Onhowmanydaysobservationswereconducted?Howmuchtimewasspentoneachwaterbody?).Furthermore,thereportdoesnotspecifyhowthespecieswereindentified.Mostprobably,onlyimagines/adultsweredetected.Obviously,thelarvalstagesweredeterminedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurveyonly(seebelow).Thesurveyitselfdidnotfocusonlarvalstagesandexuviaewereobviouslynotmapped.However,thesewouldhaveprovedthephilopatryofcertainspecies.

Acomprehensivedescriptionoftheappliedmethodologyisnotprovidedinthereportandtheresultspresentedareinsufficientlyreliable.

11

Results:

Merely8dragonflyspeciesweredetectedinthewholestudyarea.ExceptCordulegasterbidentataallofthesearemoreorlesseuryoeciousspecies.AnothertwospeciesarementionedinthecontextoftheMZBsurvey.

Thenumberofdetecteddragonflyspeciesissurprisinglylow.Regardingtheaquatichabitatspresentinthestudyarea,onewouldexpectsignificantlyhigherdragonflybiodiversity.EvenifthedragonfliesofMacedoniahavenotbeenstudiedintensivelyinthepast,accordingtoBoudotetal.(2009)59speciesareknowntooccurinthecountry.Withregardstothisreference,acomprehensivedragonflysurveyfortheprojectareashouldgenerallyrevealhigherdragonflybiodiversity.

ManyspecieswhichoccurfrequentlyalongtheMediterraneanbasinandtheBalkanPeninsularespectivelyarenotrepresentedinthereport(C.splendens,C.puella,A.imperatororA.parthenope,C.erythraeaamongothers).Forsomefamiliesnospecieshavebeendetectedatall(Lestidae,Gomphidae,Corduliidaeamongothers).Thereisindicationthattheconductedsurveyswerelittleintensesinceotheravailablestudieshavedetectedthespeciesorfamiliesmentionedabove(compareDeKnijfetal.2013).

EvidenceofthislackofintensityisalsogivenregardingthelownumberofspeciesdetectedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurvey.However,thepresenceofA.cyaneaissurprising,asthespeciesisratheruncommonforthestudyregion.

Obviously,internationallyrespecteddragonflyexpertsfromMacedoniaandtheBalkanPeninsulaingeneralhavenotbeenconsulted.

Potentialimpactsofhydropeaking:

Generally,hydropeakingsignificantlyimpactsthedownstreamdragonflycoenosis.Theseimpactsarefrequentlydevastatingforthespecies.

Especiallyduringthehatchingperiodhydropeakingeventshavedisastrousaftermathsasallindividualsarekilledatthesametime.Afterthehydropeakingeventsdroughtconditionsprevailandimportanthabitatsforthelarvaefalldry.Thisleadstoevenmorefatallossesinthepopulationinmanyways(e.g.desiccationofsensitivelarvae,elevatedpredationonlarvaebybirdsetc.)

Evenifhydropeakingdoesnotoccurduringthehatchingperiod,extremedischargeswillleadtowardsthedislocationofmanyindividualsandtowardselevatedmortalityratesintheend.

References:

TheonlyreferencelistedinthedragonflysectionwasthebookwrittenbyK.D.Dijkstra.

12

Notonlysophisticatedliteratureforthedeterminationofdragonflyspeciesismissing(exuviae,larvae),butalsoearlierpublishedreferencesfromMacedoniaandtheBalkanPeninsulaingeneralarenottakenintoaccount(e.g.byAdamovic,Karaman,Buchholz,Herbert).

Otherimportantsourcesofinformationwhicharealsonotcitedare:

Boudot,J.P.etal.(2009):AtlasoftheOdonataoftheMediterraneanandNorthAfrica.LibellulaSupplement9:1256.

Jovic,M.&B.Mihajlova(2009):CatalogueoftheOdonatacollectionintheMacedonianmuseumofnaturalhistory.Actaentomologicaserbica14(2):133146

Jovic,M.(2009):ReportonMacedonia2008projectOdonata.IDFReport21:123.

Foracomparisonofthepossibledragonflyfaunasee:

Knijf,G.De,C.Vannappelghem,C.&H.Demolder(2013):OdonatafromMontenegro,withnotesontaxonomy,regionaldiversityandconservation.Odonatologica41(1):129

Commentsonothersections:

Macrozoobenthos:

Severalspeciesarenotexactlydetermined,butarenamedsp.Thisfactindicatedthatarealspecialistwasnotinvolvedregardingalsothefactthatthefaunaingeneralisdescribedonlytoalimitedextendandintensity.

Cerambyxcerdo:

ThisColeopteraspeciesissubjecttotheEUHabitatsDirectiveandlistedinAnnexesIIandIV.However,thespeciesisnotidentifiedassuchinthelistoftheannualreport.

Comparepage53

Muscardinusavellanarius:

ThespeciesislistedinAnnexIVoftheHabitatsDirectiveaswell,butnotclassifiedassuchinreport.

Comparepage569/70

Society for the protection of Rivers To ELEM and the EBRD

Comments on surveys concerning HPP Boshkov Most/MK

Vienna, 22.10.2013

Dear Sir or Madam, Riverwatch is an NGO advocating globally for the protection of rivers. Thankfully, we received the two studies "Biodiversity survey over the area of HPP Boshkov Most" and the Environmental Monitoring over the Area of HPP Boshkov Most for the purpose of scrutiny.

I would like to inform you that we view the assessment of the biodiversity as exceedingly inadequate and the conclusion for the respective species groups as utterly incomprehensible and simply incorrect. It seems as if the authors have failed to comprehend the ecological repercussions that will follow from the construction of the power plant, or were not provided with adequate data. Thus, they not only arrive at a wrong conclusion in regards to species groups, but also at an inaccurate overall result. While the impacts on species groups have been gravely understated, the consequences of the practice of hydro-peaking on the Mala Reka and downstream have been left out entirely from the study. Furthermore, I would like to point out that the projected power plant is inconsistent with EU guidelines, as it contradicts the principle of non-deterioration of status in the Water Framework Directive. Moreover, it is inconsistent with Natura2000 guidelines, particularly the Habitat Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992). The construction of this power plant would not be possible within the EU. In the light of Macedonias accession aspirations, the government of Macedonia and involved companies are advised to closely adhere to European standards.

Riverwatch, Society for the Protection of Rivers, Neustiftgasse 35,1070 Vienna

Finally, I would like to remark, that, on top of all, the project contradicts National Park Regulations, and thus construction at the proposed spot must be avoided at any cost.

Riverwatch will help to bring the case of Boshkov Most to the attention of the European Union and other international bodies. I hope my comments were of help to you! Sincerely,

Ulrich Eichelmann CEO Riverwatch

Riverwatch, Society for the Protection of Rivers, Neustiftgasse 35,1070 Vienna

KARL-FRANZENS-UNIVERSITT GRAZ Institut fr Zoologie Univ.-Ass. Dr. Steven Weiss 8010 Graz, Universittsplatz 2 Tel.Nr.++43 0316/380/5599 FaxNr.++43 0316/380/9875 E-mail: steven.weiss@uni-graz.at IUCN Salmonid Specialist Group (SSG) & Red List Authority (RLA) for Salmonid Fishes in Eurasia 24.10.2013

Statement Concerning the Establishment of the Hydro Power Plant Boshkov Most To whom it may concern, I have briefly reviewed the biological survey for the HPP Boshkov Most project, and would like to make a few brief yet critical statements. Overall, there seems to be the view that although such a project undoubtedly affects ecological process and numerous plants and animals, the negative effects can be easily mitigated. This is not a view that I can, as a professional scientist share, and especially due to the fact that this project is largely to be carried out in a National Park, I strongly feel that it is in stark conflict with the primarly management goals of a IUCN Category II National Park. Salmonid species Two salmonid species have been reported as the only fish species in the affected river systems; Salmo faroides and Salmo montenegrinnis. Neither of these species is officially recognized by the IUCN or has gone through any kind of assessment. This is typical for the genus in this region as there is much controversy on their taxonomy and little reliable data or research aimed at resolving the situation. To underscore the complexity, Salmo macedonicus has been entered into the IUCN data bank with no assessment due to deficient data. The species is reported to occur in the Mala Reka, yet the species has not been reported in the Boshkov Most biological survey? It is not clear whether S. macedonicus has been overlooked or misidentified. Either way, there is little doubt that the region affected by this project contains unique populations/species of salmonid fishes, for which we lack sufficient data for proper taxonomic assignment, let alone assessment of their vulnerability. Reduced-flow effects, barrier effects, stocking, hydropeaking From section 1.2.3.3 (additional measures to mitigate impacts) it is assumed that barriers to migration will be the most important impact of the HPP. It should be emphasized that habitat degradation due to major hydrological impacts (water abstraction, flooding by the reservoir, and hydropeaking) will be the most direct and damaging impact to the aquatic systems. Stocking cannot compensate for habitat degradation and is seldom considered a viable measure or even compatible with the primary goals of Category II National Parks, which are primarily constructed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem function. Stocking of salmonid

fishes is notoriously ineffective and often results in a suite of additional problems for the native fauna. The report states that minimum flow requirements (MFR) will be applied and that this will result in no reduction in the ecological status of the affected water bodies. This statement is not compatible with facts or the existing EU legal framework. The affected rivers are in pristine or nearly pristine condition, and I know of no MFR legislation (e.g. in Europe), which would not lead to a significant ecological degradation as defined under the Water Frame Directive (WFD) of the European Union. MFR are compromises aimed at maintaining some functional or socio-economic components of a river within our cultural landscapes. They are not measures of conservation or nature protection that were designed or envisioned to be applied to nature reserves or National Parks where the maintenance of natural ecological processes and biodiversity are primary management goals. Even if State-of-the-art minimum flows associated with hydropower development in Europe are applied, they will severely impact ecological function, productivity and biomass of the fish and aquatic invertebrate populations of the affected rivers. Hydropeaking The survey does not explicitly address the impacts of hydropeaking on the Mala Reka or downstream water bodies. Fluctuating water levels due to hydropeaking (the project is planning peak flows) are among the most large-scale and pernicious ecological impacts of particular HPP constructions. Hydropeaking can produce permanent ecological effects for 10s, or even up to 100 km or more on the downstream systems. Most often, there is a strong reduction in the primary food base (i.e. macrozoobenthic productivity and biomass) and disruption of spawning and rearing of young fishes. The effects of hydropeaking are often so pervasive that large reaches of river landscapes in Europe have been declared as Heavily-modified under the EU WFD for this impact alone, and thus largely exempt from the overall goal of reaching good ecological status. Thus, in contrast to the statements in the biological survey (and reference to the EIS), it is not possible to envision such a project without significant reductions in the ecological status of the affected water bodies, including river reaches downstream, which have not even been considered. Aquatic invertebrates The biological survey report is in part impressive in that many different organismal groups have been surveyed, and as expected, a great deal of biodiversity is found in the Mavrovo National Park and surrounding areas. However, to underscore the difficulty in gaining a rough estimate of the levels of biodiversity that will be affected by this project, I note that the large order Trichoptera (caddis flies), one of the most diverse and functionally important groups of macroinvertebrates in these systems is listed as Trohoptera, and for this group NO species are reported, rather only empty houses. Macroinvertebrates are highly sensitive to HPP development and there is no doubt that significant negative impacts in biodiversity, productivity and biomass will occur, and these reductions can affect many aquatic, semi-aquatic and riparian species that depend on this fauna as a food base. Sincerely, Steven Weiss, Assoc. Prof. Dr.

Stichting BirdLife Europe Avenue de la Toison dOr 67 B-1060 Brussels - Belgium

Tel: + 32 2 280 08 30 Fax: + 32 2 230 38 02 Email: europe@birdlife.org Website: http://europe.birdlife.org

To:ELEM(ElektraninaMakedonija)EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(EBRD)

Brussels,30thOctober2013

Ref:WV13/122

Subject:CommentsonthefinalreportformonitoringofthebiodiversityinthephasebeforeconstructionoftheprojectBoskovMost

DearSir,

WewouldliketothankyoufortheopportunitytogivesomegeneralcommentsonthefinalreportoftheprojectBoskovMost(ADElektraninaMakedonija,2013;BiodiversitySurveyinthePreconstructionPhaseovertheareaofHPPBoshkovMostannualReport;EmpiriaEMS,Skopje;Tehnolab,Skopje;SocietyforStudyandProtectionofBirdsofMacedonia,Skopje).

Overall,weareconcernedabouttheimpactsthatthisproject,largelytobecarriedoutinaNationalPark,undoubtedlywillhaveontheecologicalprocessandnumerousplantandanimalspecies.WeareworriedoftheconflictofthisprojectwiththeprimarymanagementgoalsofthisIUCNCategoryIINationalPark.

Theobservationswewanttoshareare:

thesectiononmethodsusedforthemonitoringisnotverydetailed.Itisforinstancenotclearhowmanyvisitsweremade.

therearenoquantitativeestimatesofthepresentbirdpopulationsinthereport.Thereforeit

isnotclearhowtheconclusionsaredrawnforthedegreeofimpacttothesespeciespopulations.thethreatcategoriesareoutofdateandsomenamesaremistaken(thisgivestheimpression

ofgenerallowquality)andmostimportantly:whatisthebasisfortheconclusion?Asthereisnoinformationonthe

proportionofthepopulationthatwillbeaffected,thereisnoqualitativeassessmentofthepotentialimpact.Itwouldhavebeenhelpfultohaveatleastacrudequantitativeestimatee.g.astratificationof

Stichting BirdLife Europe Avenue de la Toison dOr 67 B-1060 Brussels - Belgium

Tel: + 32 2 280 08 30 Fax: + 32 2 230 38 02 Email: europe@birdlife.org

theareabyhabitattypeandsomesortofassessmentwhichhabitatswillbemost/leastaffected,theirareaofdistributionintheNationalParkandhenceaproxyoftheanimalpopulationsaffected.

Weremainopenforfutureconsultationsandadvices,

Yourssincerely,

ScBorisBarov ConservationActionandScienceDepartmentofBirdLifeEurope

ScWillemVandenBossche

StichtingBirdlifeEurope

Website: http://europe.birdlife.org

IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group leading global otter conservation

Otter Specialist Group

October 22, 2013

Statement Concerning the Establishment of the Hydro Power Plant Boshkov Most Two reports, the "Biodiversity survey over the area of HPP Boshkov Most" and the Environmental Monitoring over the Area of HPP Boshkov Most have been brought to the attention of the IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group. As the chair of this group of international otter experts I would like to comment and express my concerns on the chapter concerning the threatened Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). Few pristine river ecosystems remain in southeastern Europe, like the Mavrovo National park, where otters can flourish and so each one is precious. The authors of the study appear to be unfamiliar with the habitat requirements and the ecology of the otters in this region and the effects that the HPP Boshkov Most may have on the resident otter population. The proposed drainage of the streams, detailed in this report, will have an immediate negative impact on the fish habitats and fish populations in these watersheds. The same will be true for the amphibian populations, both favored prey categories for otters. As a result, the otters food supply will be affected year around. Further, no details are provided concerning the effects of the proposed daily flushing regimen of the main rivers Mala Reka and Radika. Such repeated and drastic water level changes can only have a severe detrimental effect on both otters and their prey. The construction of the HPP will also severely damage the riparian vegetation along the river. This will also have a negative impact on the otter that requires riparian cover for its dens and, in particular, for raising its cubs. The otters will also abandon these construction areas due to the human disturbance and noise levels. You state in the report that the reduction of the quantity of water in the affected watercourses, i.e. the reduced flow, will ease the access to food (page 73 of the report) which underlines the absence of the authors basic understanding of otter ecology and behavior as well as the functioning of river ecosystems. In our opinion this biological diversity survey remains superficial, incomplete and misleading with regards to the otter, clearly not taking the risks to this threatened species seriously.

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3803, USA T +1-503.371.2255 | F+1- 541.737.3590 | E Nicole.Duplaix@oregonstate.edu www.iucnosg.org

IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group leading global otter conservation

Boshkov Most will have direct and severe impact on the resident otter population which is unlikely to survive. The IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group therefore requests that the EBRD conducts more detailed assessments to determine how the local otter populations will be impacted by the HPP Boshkov Most and what palliative measures need to be taken. We remain at your disposal to further assist and advise you for this important project. Sincerely

Dr Nicole Duplaix, Chair

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3803, USA T +1-503.371.2255 | F+1- 541.737.3590 | E Nicole.Duplaix@oregonstate.edu www.iucnosg.org

ToElektraninaMakedonija(ELEM),andEuropeanBankforReconstructionaandDevelopment

Muri/Bern, Switzerland, 1 November 2013 Comments to the biomnitoring study for HPP Boskov Most, regarding the Balkan lynx Lynx lynx balcanicus TheriskofHPPBoshkovMosttotheCriticallyEndangeredBalkanlynxLynxlynxbalcanicus(Krytufek2012)populationremainsoneofthekeycontroversialaspects,whichthestudyforbiomonitoringofthebiologicaldiversityintheregionofBoskovMostHPPfailedtoanswer.TheReportarguesthattheHPPconstructionwouldnotposeabigproblemtothelynx.Wethinkthisisawrongconclusionandthatanyadditionallossofhabitatorincreaseddisturbancewillnegativelyaffectthelynxoritsprey(seebelow).However,thisisamatterofinterpretation.Westronglyarguethat,aslongastheBalkanlynxisCriticallyEndangered(Melovski2012),nofurtherriskmustbeputonthisspecies.Webelievethattheconstructionwillhaveanegativeimpactonthelynx,andaseriousstudyonthisimportantissuehasnotbeenmade.Toundertakeconstructionwithoutaddressingthisissueinascientificmannerisnotacceptable.ComprehensivescientificecologicalstudiesonlynxpopulationsinMacedoniabyKORA,theMacedonianEcologicalSocietyandNPMavrovooverthelastsevenyears(20062013)arenotproperlyreflectedinthereport.Factshavebeenomitted,eventhoughalltherelevantdocumentswereprovidedtotheexpertsinvolvedinthepreparationofthestudyforthebiodiversitymonitoring,asagreedduringearlierconsultationmeetings.Therecentpopulationestimates(Melovski,2012)yieldanalarming22to40individualsinthepotentialdistributionrangeoftheBalkanlynxandnotaround100asstatedinthereport.Furthermore,thecomprehensivesurveysinMacedoniaandneighbouringcountrieshaverevealedthatMavrovohoststheonlyremainingpopulationnucleusoflynx,thusholdsthelastsourcepopulationwithreproductionoftheBalkanlynx.WestronglycautionagainstputtinganyadditionalstressonthissourcepopulationasitmayleadtotheextinctionofoneofthemostthreatenedmammalpopulationsinEurope.Recentcameratrappingstudy(Stojanovetal.,2013)conductedinwithintheboundaryofNPMavrovoshowedthattheresidentfemaleinthesouthernterritoryoftheparkhadoffspringlastyear(thefemalewasphotographednearthevillageofGariin2008,MalBrzovecin2012,2013andJadovskaRekanearvillageSelcein2010,2013).Aradiotelemetrystudyin2010and2011showedthat,formostoftheperiodhewasfollowed,theterritoryoftheresidentmalecoveredexactlythesameareaoftheplannedconstructionforBoskovMost.IttermsofthehabitatpreferencesoftheBalkanlynx,thefactsinthereportaremisleadingandimplythatconflictbetweenthelynxpopulationandtheconstructionsitewillbeavoided.EurasianlynxandthustheBalkanlynxmuchpreferforestedhabitatsandtransitionalwoodlandshrub(Avukatovinprep.;Ivanovinprep.),thesethehabitatsthatwillbedestroyedbyHPPBoshkovMostsconstruction.TheReportstateslynxmoveandfeedmostlyintheupperpartsofJadovskaandTresonechkariverwatersheds...Ourfieldresearchdoesnotsupportsuchanassumption.

AA_CatSG.docx 2

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHAIR: Dres Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland. T: +41 31 951 9020, F: 951 9040

,

Actually,themainpreyitemintheBalkanlynxdietistheroedeer(57%oftheradiotaggedlynxspreyinMavrovowereroedeerandonly28%werechamois,Melovskiet.al.2010,2011)andNOTthechamoisasstatedintheReport.Weconcurthatthemainchamoishabitatintheconstructionareawontbethreatened.However,theroedeerhabitatwillbeaffectedbytheHPPconstruction.Theshorttermdisturbancemightleadtotemporaldislocationofthepopulationsofthechamoisandtheroedeer,butalsoofthelynx.Theshorttermdisturbance,althoughtemporary,mayhaveadecisivenegativeimpactonthelynx,whichisatthebrinkofextinction.Ifboth,preyandpredatoraretemporarilydepressed,preymightrecover,butthepredatormaynotbecauseanyadditionalstresstoacriticallyendangeredtaxoncouldpushittoextinction.

Dr. Urs Breitenmoser Co - chair, IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

Prof_Steven_Weiss.pdfKARL-FRANZENS-UNIVERSITT GRAZUniv.-Ass. Dr. Steven Weiss