The promotion of the project for the renovation of the Liopetri Fishery Shelter was approved by the Environmental Authority, after previously taking into account the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, the Special Ecological Assessment and the positions of the members of the Committee and the various departments and services. The total capacity of the shelter in fishing boats will amount to 114.
The constructions for the renovation of the Fishing Shelter of Liopetri are part of the logic of preserving the character of the area, without significant effects on the existing environment. The renovation will organize the space in which anarchy is observed today from various uses and constructions and will allow their more effective control in the future. The Environmental Authority emphasizes that in the area of the shelter should not be developed in the future additional uses that will bring new pressures, through activities that are not included in this application and design.
According to the Environmental Authority, the constructions are not expected to have significant effects within the area of the Natura 2000 Network Special Protection Zone (SPA) Agia Thekla - Liopetri and its protection objects, although cumulatively with other developments in the area there is increased pressure.
This is because the measures listed in the Special Ecological Assessment, which is an integral part of the positive opinion, will be strictly implemented.
Among other things, it is proposed to design the time planning of the construction phase so as to avoid the winter period of the species charadrius leschenaultii. Consequently, an effort should be made to avoid construction works in the period November - May.
It is noted that the Department of Urban Planning and Housing with a letter of the day. 10/5/2018 sent to the Department of Environment his application for the project of Configuration of the Fishing Shelter and the River in Liopetri. At the same time, he sent an Environmental Impact Assessment Study, based on his provisions on Environmental Impact Assessment by Certain Law Works.
For the completion of the MEEP, the applicants and the designers of the project proceeded to conduct a series of geological surveys / studies as well as coastal engineering studies.
During the examination it was found that additional information was required for construction details, which were presented and taken into account during the preparation of the final opinion.
The area of the fishing shelter is located south of the A3 motorway, between the quarry zone of Xylofagos and Agia Thekla. The area of the proposed project occupies an area of 10 ha of barren land, which is already widely used and without the appropriate infrastructure. Administratively, the area belongs, for the most part, to the community of Liopetri and a small part is located within the boundaries of the Municipality of Sotira. The study area is included in the Natura 2000 network and occupies 13,04% of the total area of the SPA (70 ha) "Agia Thekla-Liopetri" (CY3000009) and 0,5% of the SCC (76,39 ha) "National Forest Park Liopetri River "(CY3000001) and concerns the area that is already used by fishermen and the public for various activities without the appropriate infrastructure.
The purpose of the project is the configuration of the fishing shelter and the river and the organization of a National Park, with a strong environmental and educational character. The implementation of the project aims at highlighting the rural landscape of Cyprus and the promotion of the cultural heritage and its role in shaping the landscape of the island.
The projects that will be carried out in the current phase concern the protection and promotion of the natural environment of the river area, the smooth operation of the fishing shelter with the creation of an organized space with basic infrastructure projects and the promotion of the special character of the area.
No significant effects are expected on the Natura Network
The Adequate Impact Assessment Study in the area of the Natura 2000 Network was submitted in May 2018 and was examined on 25/7/2018. The Ad-hoc committee examined the project taking into account the findings of the due diligence study, the cumulative effects with the other projects implemented in the wider area and the members' own knowledge. The study focused on the effects of the creation and operation of the project, the conservation objectives of the protected area and the objects of protection (designation species), as well as the importance of the area as a migration corridor. For the evaluation of the project, the necessity for the creation of the shelter was taken into account in relation to the existing situation and the infrastructure.
During the evaluation it was estimated that there will be the following effects:
• Disturbance to the bird fauna from the construction works. This impact is considered small-scale, local in nature and limited in time during the construction phase and reversible by taking appropriate mitigation measures.
• Noise to the bird during the operation phase due to increased traffic, noise levels and lighting. This effect is considered small-scale, local in nature and reversible by taking appropriate mitigation measures.
During the integrated examination of the environmental impact of the project in the area of the Natura 2000 Network Special Protection Zone (SPA) Agia Thekla-Liopetri, in its protection objects (characterization items), in its conservation objectives, as well as the coherence of the network area , the Environmental Authority has taken into account the Adequate Impact Assessment Study in the Areas, the Natura 2000 Management Plan, the relevant legislation and the data and expertise of the experts of the Ad-hoc Committee.
In conclusion, taking into account the above, the project under consideration is not expected to cause significant effects on the species designation of the Natura 2000 SPA area "Agia Thekla - Liopetri" and the habitats used by them as vital feeding, nesting, breeding and resting areas. taking the appropriate mitigation measures recorded in the report.
PARKINGS FOR VISITORS AND FISHERS
The proposed projects are located on the east and west side of the existing fishing shelter Liopetri and can be summarized as follows:
• Dismantling / demolition of existing arbitrary structures.
• Entrance Kiosk.
• Fisheries training center
• Multi-functional space.
• New quays.
• Boat lifting and launching ramp.
• Crane position.
• Catch sorting - processing area.
• Area for boat repair - carnagio.
• River bridge.
Also, 2 parking spaces will be created. One parking lot is located at the northern limit of the study area in relation to the motorway exit and the entrance kiosk and will serve the visitors of the environmental park and there will be 61 parking spaces and the second space (50 parking spaces) will be created. within walking distance of the fishing center to serve fishermen.
Finally, it is planned to widen the road access of approximately 900m to the fishing shelter so that the total traffic width is 9-10,50m (including the road, pedestrian, bicycle path), the configuration of the pedestrian and bicycle path and the protection of the bicycle path. erosion, where required, using wire boxes and natural boulders.
