November 20 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Friday it is sending the first written warning to Bulgaria about the development of ski infrastructure in the Rila Mountain and the potential impact on the sites designated as part of the Natura 2000 network in the country.
"The Commission is concerned that some of the developments in question were authorized by the national authorities before any proper assessment of their impact and cumulative effects on protected species and habitats had been carried out," it said in a statement.
The Commission said in October it was sending a written warning to Bulgaria about a similar problem identified in the Pirin Mountain where an extensive ski centre is also being developed.
"In both cases the Commission aims to fully assess the situation and to ensure that the sites are properly protected," it added.
The Natura 2000 network of protected areas is the European Union's most important instrument for conserving natural habitats and the animal and plant species they contain.
The EU Treaty gives the Commission powers to take legal action against a member state that is not respecting its obligations. If the Commission considers that there may be an infringement of EU law that warrants the opening of an infringement procedure, it addresses a "Letter of Formal Notice" (first written warning) to the member state concerned, requesting it to submit its observations within a specified period, usually within two months.
In the light of the reply or absence of a reply from the member state concerned, the Commission may decide to address a "Reasoned Opinion" (final written warning) to the member state. This clearly and definitively sets out the reasons why it considers there to have been an infringement of EU law and calls upon the member state to comply within a specified period, normally two months.
If the member state fails to comply with the reasoned opinion, the Commission may decide to bring the case before the European Court of Justice. Where the Court finds that the Treaty has been infringed, the offending member state is required to take the measures necessary to conform.
The EU Treaty gives the Commission power to act against a member state that does not comply with a previous judgement of the European Court of Justice. The article also allows the Commission to ask the Court to impose a financial penalty on the member state concerned.