TO

ADELEM
and
EBRD
copytoMinistryofEnvironment

Skopje,04.11.2013

Subject:Commentsonthefinalbiodiversitymonitoringreportforthepreconstructionphaseof
theprojectBoskovMost

DearSir/Madam,

Wewouldliketothankyouforsendingthefinalbiodiversityreporttous,andforallowingtimefor
ustocomment;likewisewethankyouforsendingpreviouslysubmittedseasonalreports.Wewould
alsoliketothankyouforinvitingourrepresentativestothepublichearingheldon25.10.2013;
unfortunatelywewerenotabletoattendduetotheshortnoticeofthemeeting.Wewouldbe
gratefulifyouwouldconsiderourcommentsonthisreportbelow,theyarerelatedtothe
environmentalissuesandtosomeofthestudiedgroups.

Beforeelaboratingourcommentsinmoredetail,wewouldliketodrawyourattentionagain
totheongoingprocessforthereproclamationofMavrovoasNationalParkandthepreparation
andadoptionoftheManagementplanforMavrovoNationalPark.Thiscomplexprocessshould
resultindecisiononthelevelofacceptabledevelopmentandthelevelofprotectionofthe
environmentwithintheNationalpark(80%oftheHPPBoskovMostprojectislocatedinthePark).
Thepreparationofanurbanplanningdocumentfornoninhabitedareaswiththearea
assignedfortheHPPBoskovMostprojectisalsoongoing.ThisdocumentissubjecttoaStrategic
EnvironmentalAssessmentaccordingarticle3,point15oftheOrdinanceonstrategies,plansand
programmes;andchangesaresubjecttoenvironmentalimpact,humanlivelihoodandhealth
assessment(OfficialgazetteoftheRepublicofMacedoniaNo.153/07from20.12.2007).
Theabovementioneddocumentsandproceduresareimportantfortheoverallassessment
oftheimpactsofBoskovMostHPPprojectontheenvironment.

Summary
OurcommentsontheBiodiversityMonitoringReportrefertothespeciesgroupsaswellastothe
absenceofimportanttechnicaldata.Inordertocarefullyanalyzeandjudgethisreport,wehave
consultedseveralinternationalrenownedspeciesexperts.

Conclusions:
Thisbiologicaldiversitysurveyisinlargepartssuperficial,incompleteandmisleading.
Itisnotinlinewithinternationalmonitoringstandards.
1

Incontrasttowhatthesurveyconcludes,BoskovMostHPPwouldresultinsevere
destructionofbiodiversityandtopopulationdeclineofendangeredspecies.

Wedemand:
Additionalresearch:Inordertofilltheknowledgegapsandtopresentascientifically
accuratepictureoftheimpactsoftheHPP,westronglydemandthesurveytobe
complemented.Themonitoringprocedureforspeciesgroups,suchasformacrozoobenthos,
mammals,andbirdsshouldbestartednextspring.
Completetechnicaldata:Addtechnicaldataabouttheoperationoftheproject(e.g.
outflow/dischargeduringdifferenttimesoftheyear,kmaffectedbydrainageandflush,
effectsonwaterlevelsofMalaRekaandRadikaduringoperationetc.)

GeneralCommentsontheReport:

Thegreatestconcernofthenationalandinternationalorganisationsrepresentedherecomesfrom
thecharacteroftheproposedhydropowerplantBoskovMost.BoskovMostwoulddrainlarge
partsoftherivernetworkandwouldbeflushingotherpartsoftherivernetwork.Itwouldbe
operatedasapeakingHPP;itwillonlyoperateintimesofgreatestenergydemand,duringwhichit
willdischargelargequantitiesofwateruptothemaximumcapacityoftheoutflowpipes22m3/sec.

Thedailyfluctuatingwaterleveldownstreamoftheoutflowisoneofthemostdevastatingeffectsof
theHPPontheriverecosystem.Ingeneral,thepracticeofhydropeakinginevitablyproduces
permanentnegativeecologicaleffectsonthedownstreamsystemsfor10sofkilometres,even
showingeffectsupto100kilometresawayfromthereleasepoint.Thereisnormallyastrong
reductionintheprimaryfoodbase(i.e.adecreaseinmacrozoobenthicproductivityandbiomass)
andadisruptionofspawningandrearingofyoungfishes.Theeffectsofhydropeakingareoftenso
pervasivethatlargereachesofriverlandscapesinEuropehavebeendeclaredasHeavilymodified
undertheEUWaterFrameworkDirective(WFD)forthisimpactalone,andthusarelargelyexempt
fromtheoverallgoalofreachinggoodecologicalstatus.

Thus,incontradictiontothestatementspresentedintheReport,(andwithreferencetothe
EnvironmentalImpactSurvey),itisnotpossibleforustoenvisageanHPPatBoskovMost,without
envisagingsignificantreductionsintheecologicalstatusoftheaffectedwaterbodies,includingriver
reachesdownstream,whichhavenotbeenconsideredinthismonitoringstudy.Maintainingthe
combinedcatchmentsofallwatersinthewatershedofMalaRekaatabiologicalminimum(mostof
thewaterbeingforcedintopipes),alongwiththemodificationsoftheriverbeddownstreamofthe
HPPandthedailyflushes,willleadtoinevitablelossofthemajorityofthebiodiversityintheriver
ecosystem.ThiswillnotonlyapplytotheMalaReka,butalsodownstreamintheriverRadika,and
indirectlyupstreamofthepointwheretheMalaRekajoinstheRadika.

Overall,theReportappearstooffertheviewthatalthoughBoskovMostprojectundoubtedlyaffects
ecologicalprocessandnumerousplantsandanimals,thenegativeeffectscanbeeasilymitigated.
Thisisnotaviewthatwe,asaprofessionalscientistscanshare,especiallyasthisprojectislargelyto
becarriedoutwithinanIUCNCategoryIINationalPark,whoseprimarygoalis:protectinglarge
scaleecologicalprocesseswithcharacteristicspeciesandecosystemsThemanagement
objective(s)shouldapplytoatleastthreequartersoftheprotectedareathe75percentrule.
(Dudley,2008GuidelinesforapplyingProtectedAreaManagementcategories).

ThesegoalsappeartobeinstarkcontrasttothoseoftheHPPBoskovMost.
2

Specificcomments:

Inordertoanalyzeandtojudgethereportcorrectly,wesenttheassessmenttothefollowing
internationallyrenownedexperts:

Dragonfliesandothermacrozoobenthos:GeertdeKnijfResearchInstituteforNatureandForest,
Brussels.Dr.JrgenOttMemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupandEuropeanFocal
Point
Fish:Dr.JrgFreyhofLeibnizInstituteofFreshwaterEcologyandInlandFisheries,Berlinand
EuropeanRegionalChairoftheIUCN_SSC/WIFreshwaterFishSpecialGroup.Dr.StevenWeiss
KarlFranzenUniversityGrazandchairofIUCNSalmonidSpecialistGroup&RedListAuthorityfor
SalmonidFishesinEurasia.
Birds:MSCWillemVandenBosscheandMSCBorisBarovSciencedepartmentofBirdLifeEurope
Mammals:
EurasianOtter:Dr.NicoleDuplaix,ChairoftheIUCNSSCOtterSpecialGroup
BalkanLynx:Dr.UrsBreitenmoserCoChair,IUCNSSCCatSpecialistGroup
Riverecosystem:UlrichEichelmannCEOofRiverwatch,SocietyfortheprotectionofRivers.
Dr.KaiFrobelScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermany

Pleasefindtheirindividualstatementsattached.

1.
Ambientnoiseandambientairquality
Themeasurementsofambientnoiseinthefinalreporthavebeencompletedduringthesummerof
2012(August).AtthelastmeetingheldinELEM(18.03.2013)itwasagreedbyallpartiesthatan
additionalmeasurementshouldtakeplaceduringthewinterseason.Thefinalreportneedstobe
updatedwithresultsfromanadditionalmeasurementofthenoiseinanewseason.The
measurementsofambientairqualityinthefinalreporthavebeencompletedduringtheperiod
AugustSeptember2012.AtthelastmeetingheldinELEM(18.03.2013)itwasagreedbyallparties
thatanadditionalmeasurementofambientairshouldtakeplaceduringthewinterseason.Thefinal
reportshouldbeupdatedwithresultsfromanadditionalmeasurementofambientairqualityinone
newseason.

2.
Lackofdetailedinformationonmacroinvertebrates

Thebiologicalsurveyreportseemsimpressiveinthatmanydifferentgroupsoforganismshavebeen
surveyed,andasexpected,agreatdealofbiodiversityisfoundintheMavrovoNationalParkand
surroundingareas.However,tounderlinethedifficultyingainingaroughestimateofthelevelsof
biodiversitythatwillbeaffectedbythisproject,wenotethatnospeciesofthelargeorder
Trichoptera(caddisflies)arereported,ratheronlyemptyhouses.Trichoptera(wronglylistedas
TrohopterainyourReport)areoneofthemostdiverseandfunctionallyimportantgroupsof
macroinvertebratesinthesesystems.MacroinvertebratesarehighlysensitivetoHPPdevelopment
andthereisnodoubtthatsignificantnegativeimpactsinbiodiversity,productivityandbiomassof
thesecreatureswilloccur,andthesereductionscanhaveknockoneffectsformanyaquatic,semi
aquaticandriparianspeciesthatdependonthisfaunaasafoodbase.Severalspeciesarenot
3

determinedexactly,butarenamedsp.(iespeciesnameunknown).This,combinedwiththevery
limiteddescriptionofthemacroinvertebratefaunadescriptionsindicatesthataspecialistwasnot
involvedinthestudycontrarytowhatwewouldhaveexpected.

3.
LackofdataonOdonata(dragonflies)andothermacrozoobenthos
Odonata(dragonflies)arecharacteristic,easilyvisible,andanimportantgroupforconservation,
theyaretotallydependentaquaticecosystems,includingriversandhavenotbeenwellcovered
withinthestudy.Thereportdoesnotpresenttheappliedmethodologyforthesurveysconducted
onthemacrozoobenthos;itdoesnotgiveevidenceofsamplingintensity,statehowmanydays
observationswereconductedorhowmuchtimewasspentateachwaterbody.Furthermore,the
reportdoesnotspecifyhowthespecieswereidentified.Mostprobably,onlyimagines/adultswere
detected.ThelarvalstagesweredeterminedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurveyonly(seebelow),
howeveralthoughadultdragonfliesareseenflyingintheair,theirlarvalstages,whichcantakeupto
5yearsforCordulegasterspecies,aredependentonwater.Thereforethesespeciesarenot
terrestrialinvertebratesaslistedintheReportbutfreshwaterinsects.Thesurveyitselfdidnot
focusonlarvalstagesandexuviaewereobviouslynotmappediftheyhadbeenthiswouldhave
provedthecloseaffiliation(philopatry)ofcertainspeciestothestudyregion.

Onlyeightdragonflyspeciesweredetectedinthewholestudyarea,thatisfarlessthanexpected.
ForexamplewewouldhaveexpectedthatCordulegasterheroswouldhavebeenpresent,isa
speciesprotectedbytheEuropeanHabitatsDirectiveandhasbeenfoundinthelowerpartofthe
rivercatchmentofMalaReka,recordshavebeenpublishedforDebarregionintheCrniDrimRiver.
Asurveywouldcertainlyyieldmanymorelocalitiesinthearea.ExceptCordulegasterbidentata
(classifiedasNearThreatenedontheEuropeanRedList)alldragonfliesrecordedaremoreorless
generalist(euryoecious)species.AnothertwospeciesarementionedinthecontextoftheMZB
survey.Thenumberofdetecteddragonflyspeciesissurprisinglylow,giventheamountofaquatic
habitatspresentinthestudyarea.ThedragonfliesofMacedoniahavenotbeenstudiedintensively
inthepast,Boudotetal.(2009)but59speciesareknowntooccurinthecountry,withreferenceto
Boudotswork,acomprehensivedragonflysurveyfortheprojectareawouldbeexpectedtoreveal
higherdragonflybiodiversity.SomespecieswhichoccurfrequentlyalongtheMediterraneanbasin
andtheBalkanPeninsularespectivelyarenotrepresentedinthereportareCalopteryxsplendens,
Coenagrionpuella,AnaximperatororAnaxparthenope,Crocothemiserythraeaamongothers).For
somefamiliesnospecieshavebeendetectedatall(Lestidae,Gomphidae,Corduliidaeamong
others).

Webelievethesurveysconductedwerenotcomprehensiveasotheravailablestudieshavedetected
thespeciesorfamiliesmentionedabove(forexampleDeKnijfetal.2013).Thislackof
comprehensivenessisalsoevidentinthelownumberofspeciesdetectedintheframeworkofthe
MZBsurvey.ThepresenceofAeschnacyaneaissurprising,asthespeciesisratheruncommoninthe
studyregion.

ItisobviousthatinternationallyrespecteddragonflyexpertsfromMacedoniaandtheBalkan
Peninsulaingeneralhavenotbeenconsulted.

WenoticedthatsomespeciesarelistedintheReportasonlybeingpresentforashorttimeofthe
year.Thisistruefortheadultsbutnotforthelarvaethatstayintothewaterforatleast1year,but
canbeaslongas5year,dependingonthespecies.Thereforetable112mustbeseenasanattempt
toshowtheflightperiodoftheadults.Thistableisnotcorrect;Calopteryxvirgoisincludedonthe
wingfromMaytilllateAugust,probablyeventillSeptember,thisisnotthecaseitfliesonlyinMay.
4


Generally,hydropeakingsignificantlyimpactsthedownstreamdragonflycommunity.Theseimpacts
arefrequentlydevastatingforthespeciesduringthehatchingperiodasallindividualsarekilledat
thesametime.Intheaftermathofahydropeakingeventdroughtconditionsprevailandimportant
habitatsforthelarvaefalldry.Thisleadstoevenmorefatallossesinthepopulationthrough
desiccationofsensitivelarvaeandelevatedpredationonlarvaebybirds.Evenifhydropeakingdoes
notoccurduringthehatchingperiod,extremedischargeswillleadtothedislodgingofmany
individualsandultimatelyelevatedmortalityrates.Thisisindirectcontrasttotheinformationgiven
onpage54ofthereport.Themostlikelyoutcomeofhydropeakingisthatnearlyalldragonfly
species,notonlytheCordulegasterspecies,willbecompletelydisseminated.

TheconstructionoftheHPP,thedrainageofstreamsandtheresultingflushwaveswillalsoseverely
damagetheriparianvegetation(riveredgeplants).Thiswillalsohaveanegativeimpactonthe
emergencessubstratesusedbydragonfliesduringthetransitionphasefromlarvaelivinginthe
watertoflyingadults.TheColeopteraspeciesCerambyxcerdoisthreatenedinEuropeandlistedon
intheannexesoftheEUHabitatsDirective(inAnnexesIIandIV).However,thespeciesisnot
identifiedassuchinthelistoftheReport(Seepage53).

4.
Uniquefishspeciesaffected
Twosalmonidspecieshavebeenreportedastheonlyfishspeciesintheaffectedriversystems:
SalmofarioidesandSalmomontenegrinnis.Neitherofthesespecieshasgonethroughanykindof
IUCNthreatassessment.Thisistypicalforthegenusinthisregionasthereisconsiderable
controversyabouttheirtaxonomyandlittlereliabledataorresearchaimedatresolvingthe
situation.Tounderscorethecomplexity,anotherspecies,Salmomacedonicushasbeenenteredinto
theIUCNGlobalRedListasDataDeficient.Eitherway,thereislittledoubtthattheregionaffected
bythisprojectcontainsuniquepopulations/speciesofsalmonidfishes,forwhichwelacksufficient
dataforpropertaxonomicassignment,letaloneanassessmentoftheirthreatenedstatus.From
section1.2.3.3(additionalmeasurestomitigateimpacts)itisassumedthatbarrierstomigrationwill
bethemostimportantimpactoftheHPP.Itshouldbeemphasizedthathabitatdegradationdueto
majorhydrologicalimpacts(waterabstraction,floodingbythereservoir,andhydropeaking)willbe
themostdirectanddamagingimpacttotheaquaticsystems.Stockingcannotcompensatefor
habitatdegradationandisseldomconsideredaviablemeasureorevencompatiblewiththeprimary
goalsofCategoryIINationalParks,whichareprimarilyconstructedtopreservebiodiversityand
ecosystemfunction.Stockingofsalmonidfishesisnotoriouslyineffectiveandoftenresultsinasuite
ofadditionalproblemsforthenativefauna.

TheReportstatesthatminimumflowrequirements(MFR)willbeappliedandthatthiswillresultin
noreductionintheecologicalstatusoftheaffectedwaterbodies.Thisstatementisnotcompatible
withfactsortheexistingEUlegalframework.Theaffectedriversareinpristineornearlypristine
condition,andweknowofnoMFRlegislation(e.g.inEurope),whichwouldnotleadtoasignificant
ecologicaldegradationasdefinedundertheWaterFrameworkDirective(WFD)oftheEuropean
Union.MFRarecompromisesaimedatmaintainingsomefunctionalorsocioeconomic
componentsofariverwithinourculturallandscapes.Theyarenotmeasuresofconservationor
natureprotectionthatweredesignedorenvisionedtobeappliedtonaturereservesorNational
Parkswherethemaintenanceofnaturalecologicalprocessesandbiodiversityareprimary
managementgoals.EvenifStateoftheartminimumflowsassociatedwithhydropower
developmentinEuropeareapplied,theywillseverelyimpactecologicalfunction,productivityand
biomassofthefishandaquaticinvertebratepopulationsoftheaffectedrivers.

5.
Poorsectiononbirds
5

Regardingthesectiononbirds,wenotethatthemethodssectionlacksconsiderabledetail.Itisnot
clearhowmanyvisitsweremadetoeachsite;therearenoquantitativeestimatesofthepresent
populations,anditisthereforenotclearhowtheconclusionsaredrawnregardingthedegreeof
impact.Threatcategoriesareoutofdate,andsomeofthespeciesnamesareincorrectallpointing
tolowqualityresearch.Somespecieswithpotentiallyhighconservationconcernlistedinthe
seasonalreports(e.g,Ficedulasemitorquata,NT)arenotlistedinthefinalreport.Mostimportantly,
itisnotobviouswhatthebasisfortheconclusionwas.Thereisnoinformationonthepercentageof
populationaffected,andnoqualitativeassessmentofthepotentialimpact.Itwouldhavebeen
helpfultohaveatleastacrudequantitativeestimatee.g.astratificationoftheareabyhabitattype
andsomesortofassessmentwhichhabitatswillbemost/leastaffected,theirareaofdistributionin
theNationalparkandhenceaproxyoftheanimalpopulationsaffected.

6.
Mammals

a)
Methodology
Themethodologyofmammalsurveyshouldhavepresenteddetailsonthelocationsofthecamera
trapsandlynxesprey,asthisiswhattheconclusionthatthelynxdoesnothuntintheregionare
basedon(page72).Wefeelmorephotographicevidencewasneeded.

b)
Otters
Morespecifically,fewpristineriverecosystemsremaininsoutheasternEuropewhereotterscan
flourish,soeachoneisprecious.MalaRekaandRadikaaretwosuchRivers.Theproposeddrainage
ofthestreamsdetailedinthisreport,willhaveanimmediatenegativeimpactonthefishhabitats
andfishpopulationsinthesewatersheds,aswellastheamphibianpopulations.Fishandamphibians
arebothfavouredpreyforottersandasaresult,theottersfoodsupplywillbeaffectedyear
around.Althoughnodetailsareprovidedconcerningtheeffectsoftheproposeddailyflushing
regimenofthemainriversMalaRekaandRadika.Suchrepeatedanddrasticwaterlevelchangescan
onlyhaveaseveredetrimentaleffectonbothottersandtheirprey.TheconstructionoftheHPPwill
alsoseverelydamagetheriparianvegetationalongtheriver,coverwhichottersrequirefortheir
densandinparticular,forraisingtheircubs.Theotterswillalsoabandonconstructionareasdueto
thehumandisturbanceandnoiselevels.Itisstatedinthereportthatthereductionofthequantity
ofwaterintheaffectedwatercourses,i.e.thereducedflow,willeasetheaccesstofood(page73of
thereport)whichunderlinestheabsenceoftheauthorsbasicunderstandingofotterecologyand
behaviouraswellasthehowriverecosystemsfunction.BoskovMostwillhavedirectandsevere
impactontheresidentotterpopulationwhichisunlikelytosurvive.Inouropinionthisbiological
diversitysurveyremainssuperficial,incompleteandmisleadingwithregardstotheotter,clearlynot
takingtheriskstothisthreatenedspeciesseriously.

c)
Lynx
TheriskofHPPBoskovMosttotheCriticallyEndangeredBalkanlynxLynxlynxbalcanicus(Krytufek
2012)populationremainsoneofthekeycontroversialaspects,whichthestudyhasfailedtoanswer.
TheReportarguesthattheHPPconstructionwouldnotposeabigproblemtothelynx.Wethinkthis
isawrongconclusionandthatanyadditionallossofhabitatorincreaseddisturbancewillnegatively
affectthelynxoritsprey(seebelow).However,thisisamatterofinterpretation.Westronglyargue,
that,aslongastheBalkanlynxisCriticallyEndangered#(Melovski2012),nofurtherriskmustbe
putonthisspecies.
Webelievethattheconstructionwillhaveanegativeimpactonthelynx,andaseriousstudyonthis
importantissuehasnotbeenmade.Toundertakeconstructionwithoutaddressingthisissueina
scientificmannerisnotacceptable.Comprehensivescientificecologicalstudiesonlynxpopulations
inMacedoniabyKORA,theMacedonianEcologicalSocietyandNPMavrovooverthelastseven
6

years(20062013)arenotproperlyreflectedinthereport.Factshavebeenomitted,eventhough
alltherelevantdocumentswereprovidedtotheexpertsinvolvedinthepreparationofthestudyfor
thebiodiversitymonitoring,asagreedduringearlierconsultationmeetings.
Therecentpopulationestimates(Melovski,2012)yieldanalarming22to40individualsinthe
potentialdistributionrangeoftheBalkanlynxandnotaround100asstatedinthereport.
Furthermore,thecomprehensivesurveysinMacedoniaandneighbouringcountrieshaverevealed
thatMavrovohoststheonlyremainingpopulationnucleusoflynx,thusholdsthelastsource
populationwithreproductionoftheBalkanlynx.Westronglycautionagainstputtinganyadditional
stressonthissourcepopulationasitmayleadtotheextinctionofoneofthemostthreatened
mammalpopulationsinEurope.
Recentcameratrappingstudy(Stojanovetal.,2013)conductedinwithintheboundaryofNP
Mavrovoshowedthattheresidentfemaleinthesouthernterritoryoftheparkhadoffspringlast
year(thefemalewasphotographednearthevillageofGariin2008,MalBrzovecin2012,2013and
JadovskaRekanearvillageSelcein2010,2013).Aradiotelemetrystudyin2010and2011showed
that,formostoftheperiodhewasfollowed,theterritoryoftheresidentmalecoveredexactlythe
sameareaoftheplannedconstructionforBoskovMost.
IttermsofthehabitatpreferencesoftheBalkanlynx,thefactsinthereportaremisleadingand
implythatconflictbetweenthelynxpopulationandtheconstructionsitewillbeavoided.Eurasian
lynxandthustheBalkanlynxmuchpreferforestedhabitatsandtransitionalwoodlandshrub
(Avukatovinprep.;Ivanovinprep.);thesearethehabitatsthatwillbedestroyedbyHPPBoskov
Mostconstruction.TheReportstateslynxmoveandfeedmostlyintheupperpartsofJadovska
andTresonechkariverwatersheds...Ourfieldresearchdoesnotsupportsuchanassumption.
Actually,themainpreyitemintheBalkanlynxdietistheroedeer(57%oftheradiotaggedlynxs
preyinMavrovowereroedeerandonly28%werechamois,Melovskiet.al.2010,2011)andNOT
thechamoisasstatedintheReport.
Weconcurthatthemainchamoishabitatintheconstructionareawontbethreatened.However,
theroedeerhabitatwillbeaffectedbytheHPPconstruction.Theshorttermdisturbancemightlead
totemporaldislocationofthepopulationsofthechamoisandtheroedeer,butalsoofthelynx.The
shorttermdisturbance,althoughtemporary,mayhaveadecisivenegativeimpactonthelynx,which
isatthebrinkofextinction.Ifboth,preyandpredatoraretemporarilydepressed,preymight
recover,butthepredatormaynotbecauseanyadditionalstresstoacriticallyendangeredtaxon
couldpushittoextinction.

d)Generalcommentsonmammalswithregardtoinfrastructureandwaterlevels
Weareoftheopinionthatthereservoirandtheadjoiningobjectsandinfrastructure(especially
pipelinesandsiphons)willposebarrierstounhamperedmovementsofthemammals(whichwill
mostlyaffectthewildboar,chamois,thebrownbear,thegreywolfandthelynx),andthedamitself
willpresentabarriertothesemiaquaticspecies(theotterandthewatervole).Thechangeinthe
undergroundwatertable(increasedlevelsintheproximityofthedam)cannegativelyaffectthe
populationsoftheLesserMoleRatSpalaxleucodon,whicharecharacterizedwithhighcaryotype
diversityandrepresentpotentiallysignificantconservationunits.Inadditionallpopulationsof
mobilespecieswillbereducedbyincreaseddisturbanceandnoiselevels.Theinfrastructureforthe
damandtheHPP(accessroads,powerlines,waterpipelines,waterreservoirs,tyroliancatchments,
materialextractionsites,workerscamps,depotsetc.)willtakemuchmoreareathanthereservoir
itself,andwillcauselongreachingconsequences,habitatfragmentation,andcrosscuttingof
wildlifetracksandpaths,especiallyinthecanyonpartsofMalaRekacatchment.Thecontamination
withlightduringtheconstructionandoperationalperiodswillalsocontributetoincreased
disturbance.

Toconclude,althoughtheconflictsstatedherearecharacteristicforallHPP/damconstructions,we
believethatbecausethemajorityofthisprojectissituatedinaNationalPark,therisksitposesto
biodiversityareunacceptablyhigh.WefearthatifallplannedinfrastructureactivitiesinMavrovoNP
continue,duetothecumulativeimpact,theParkwillnevermeetthe"75%rule"(thetotalcoverage
ofthezoneofstrictprotectionandthezoneofactivemanagement)forformalacceptanceofthe
ParkasCategoryIIprotectedareaunderIUCNguidelines(Dudley,2008).Inviewofthefactsand
professionalopinionshighlightedinthesecomments;IUCNsresolutionforconservationofMavrovo
NPadoptedatthelastIUCNWorldConservationCongressJeju,Korea2012;theattentionofthe
internationalconservationcommunitythatthisissuehasraised;andthecumulativeeffectofthe
remainingenergyproductionprojectsplannedforthisNationalPark;wewouldexpectthatELEM
andEBRDwillundertakeamoredetailedandobjectiveassessmentoftheimpactofHPPBoskov
Most.Suchastudyshouldfillthegapsinthestudyhighlightedandidentifypropermitigation
measures.Alternativelytheycouldabandontheplansfortheimplementationofthisproject.Inour
opinion,thefinalbiodiversitymonitoringreportremainsincomplete,inaccurate,andattimes
deliberatelymisleading.

Weremainopenforfutureconsultations,

Sincerely,

UlrichEichelmann

CEO,RiverWatch

AnaColovicLesoska

EcoSvest,Skopje

Dr.JrgenOtt

MemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupand
EuropeanFocalPointofthegroup

Dr.KaiFrobel

ScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermany

Dr.GeertDeKnijf

ResearchInstituteofNatureandForest,Brussels

Dr.JrgFreyhof

KarlFranzensUniversittGrazandIUCNSalmonid
SpecialistGroup(SSG)&RedListAuthority(RLA)for
SalmonidFishesinEurasia

LeibnizInstituteofFreshwaterEcologyandInland
Fisheries,Berlin

ScBorisBarov
ScWillemVandenBossche

ConservationActionandScienceDepartmentofBirdLife
Europe

Dr.MetodijaVelevski

MacedonianEcologicalSociety

Dr.NicoleDuplaix

Chair,IUCNSSCOtterSpecialistGroup

Dr.UrsBreitenmoser

CoChair,IUCNSSCCatSpecialistGroup

MScAleksandraBujaroska

Front21/42,Skopje

MSc.ElizabethRadford

PlantlifeInternationalandIUCNSSCPlantConservation
Committeemember

Dr.StevenWeiss


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synonymofLyxlyxbalcanicusBure,1941.FoliaZoologica.12pp.
Melovski,D.(2012):StatusandthedistributionoftheBalkanlynx(LynxlynxmartinoiMiri,1978)
anditsprey.Masterthesis,UniversityofMontenegro,85pp.
Melovski,D.,Stojanov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.(2010):Status,ecologyandlandtenuresystemofthecritically
endangeredBalkanlynxinMacedoniaandAlbaniaRadiotelemetryannualreport,MES,
17pp.
Melovski,D.,Stojanov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.(2011):Status,ecologyandlandtenuresystemofthecritically
endangeredBalkanlynxinMacedoniaandAlbaniaRadiotelemetryannualreport,MES,
17pp.
Stojanov,A.,Melovski,D.,Sarov,A.,Ivanov,Gj.AndZimmermann,F.(2013):Systematiccamera
trappingsurveyinMavrovoNationalPark,Macedoniainwinter2012/2013,MES,16pp.

Odontologicalcommentsontheannualreport
SurveyinthePreConstructionPhase(PreconstructionSurvey)AnnualReport

Authors:

Dr.JrgenOtt(www.lupogmbh.de)
x
x

FormerPresidentoftheGermanSocietyofOdonatologists(GdOe.V.)
CoordinatingAuthorofthelatestandthepreviousGermanRedListofdragonfly
species
x CoauthoroftheEuropeanIUCNRedListofdragonflyspecies
x MemberoftheIUCNInvertebrateSpecialistGroupandEuropeanFocalPointof
thegroup
x HeadofthefederalstateassociationofnatureconservationofFriendstheEarth
Germanye.V.
x ConsultantinthefieldsofZoologyandFaunafortheSoutherndistrict
governmentGermany

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

BiodiversityConsultantfor
ScientificadvisorforFriendsoftheEarthGermany
BiodiversityConsultantforFriendsoftheEarthBavaria
BavarianrepresentativeattheGermanSocietyofOdonatologists(GdO)

Generalaspects:
Dragonfliesonlyplayaminorroleintheprojectreport.Thereisnospecificchapterdealingwiththe
occurrenceofdragonflyspeciesinthestudyarea,whichindicatesthattheorderhasnotbeen
investigatedinparticular.

Methodology:
Thereportdoesnotpresenttheappliedmethodology.Itdoesnotgiveevidenceoftheintensityof
theconductedsurveys(Onhowmanydaysobservationswereconducted?Howmuchtimewas
spentoneachwaterbody?).Furthermore,thereportdoesnotspecifyhowthespecieswere
indentified.Mostprobably,onlyimagines/adultsweredetected.Obviously,thelarvalstageswere
determinedintheframeworkoftheMZBsurveyonly(seebelow).Thesurveyitselfdidnotfocuson
larvalstagesandexuviaewereobviouslynotmapped.However,thesewouldhaveprovedthe
philopatryofcertainspecies.
Acomprehensivedescriptionoftheappliedmethodologyisnotprovidedinthereportandthe
resultspresentedareinsufficientlyreliable.

10


Results:
Merely8dragonflyspeciesweredetectedinthewholestudyarea.ExceptCordulegasterbidentata
allofthesearemoreorlesseuryoeciousspecies.Anothertwospeciesarementionedinthecontext
oftheMZBsurvey.
Thenumberofdetecteddragonflyspeciesissurprisinglylow.Regardingtheaquatichabitatspresent
inthestudyarea,onewouldexpectsignificantlyhigherdragonflybiodiversity.Evenifthedragonflies
ofMacedoniahavenotbeenstudiedintensivelyinthepast,accordingtoBoudotetal.(2009)59
speciesareknowntooccurinthecountry.Withregardstothisreference,acomprehensive
dragonflysurveyfortheprojectareashouldgenerallyrevealhigherdragonflybiodiversity.
ManyspecieswhichoccurfrequentlyalongtheMediterraneanbasinandtheBalkanPeninsula
respectivelyarenotrepresentedinthereport(C.splendens,C.puella,A.imperatororA.
parthenope,C.erythraeaamongothers).Forsomefamiliesnospecieshavebeendetectedatall
(Lestidae,Gomphidae,Corduliidaeamongothers).Thereisindicationthattheconductedsurveys
werelittleintensesinceotheravailablestudieshavedetectedthespeciesorfamiliesmentioned
above(compareDeKnijfetal.2013).
Evidenceofthislackofintensityisalsogivenregardingthelownumberofspeciesdetectedinthe
frameworkoftheMZBsurvey.However,thepresenceofA.cyaneaissurprising,asthespeciesis
ratheruncommonforthestudyregion.
Obviously,internationallyrespecteddragonflyexpertsfromMacedoniaandtheBalkanPeninsulain
generalhavenotbeenconsulted.

Potentialimpactsofhydropeaking:
Generally,hydropeakingsignificantlyimpactsthedownstreamdragonflycoenosis.Theseimpacts
arefrequentlydevastatingforthespecies.
Especiallyduringthehatchingperiodhydropeakingeventshavedisastrousaftermathsasall
individualsarekilledatthesametime.Afterthehydropeakingeventsdroughtconditionsprevail
andimportanthabitatsforthelarvaefalldry.Thisleadstoevenmorefatallossesinthepopulation
inmanyways(e.g.desiccationofsensitivelarvae,elevatedpredationonlarvaebybirdsetc.)
Evenifhydropeakingdoesnotoccurduringthehatchingperiod,extremedischargeswilllead
towardsthedislocationofmanyindividualsandtowardselevatedmortalityratesintheend.

References:
TheonlyreferencelistedinthedragonflysectionwasthebookwrittenbyK.D.Dijkstra.
11

Notonlysophisticatedliteratureforthedeterminationofdragonflyspeciesismissing(exuviae,
larvae),butalsoearlierpublishedreferencesfromMacedoniaandtheBalkanPeninsulaingeneral
arenottakenintoaccount(e.g.byAdamovic,Karaman,Buchholz,Herbert).
Otherimportantsourcesofinformationwhicharealsonotcitedare:
Boudot,J.P.etal.(2009):AtlasoftheOdonataoftheMediterraneanandNorthAfrica.Libellula
Supplement9:1256.
Jovic,M.&B.Mihajlova(2009):CatalogueoftheOdonatacollectionintheMacedonianmuseumof
naturalhistory.Actaentomologicaserbica14(2):133146
Jovic,M.(2009):ReportonMacedonia2008projectOdonata.IDFReport21:123.

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

Commentsonothersections:
Macrozoobenthos:
Severalspeciesarenotexactlydetermined,butarenamedsp.Thisfactindicatedthatareal
specialistwasnotinvolvedregardingalsothefactthatthefaunaingeneralisdescribedonlytoa
limitedextendandintensity.
Cerambyxcerdo:
ThisColeopteraspeciesissubjecttotheEUHabitatsDirectiveandlistedinAnnexesIIandIV.
However,thespeciesisnotidentifiedassuchinthelistoftheannualreport.
Comparepage53
Muscardinusavellanarius:
ThespeciesislistedinAnnexIVoftheHabitatsDirectiveaswell,butnotclassifiedassuchinreport.
Comparepage569/70

12

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 Heavilymodified 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.

To:
ELEM(ElektraninaMakedonija)
EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(EBRD)

Brussels,30thOctober2013

Ref:WV13/122
Subject:Commentsonthefinalreportformonitoringofthebiodiversityinthephasebefore
constructionoftheprojectBoskovMost

DearSir,
Wewouldliketothankyoufortheopportunitytogivesomegeneralcommentsonthefinalreportof
theprojectBoskovMost(ADElektraninaMakedonija,2013;BiodiversitySurveyinthePre
constructionPhaseovertheareaofHPPBoshkovMostannualReport;EmpiriaEMS,Skopje;Tehnolab,
Skopje;SocietyforStudyandProtectionofBirdsofMacedonia,Skopje).
Overall,weareconcernedabouttheimpactsthatthisproject,largelytobecarriedoutinaNational
Park,undoubtedlywillhaveontheecologicalprocessandnumerousplantandanimalspecies.Weare
worriedoftheconflictofthisprojectwiththeprimarymanagementgoalsofthisIUCNCategoryII
NationalPark.
Theobservationswewanttoshareare:
thesectiononmethodsusedforthemonitoringisnotverydetailed.Itisforinstancenotclear
howmanyvisitsweremade.

therearenoquantitativeestimatesofthepresentbirdpopulationsinthereport.Thereforeit
isnotclearhowtheconclusionsaredrawnforthedegreeofimpacttothesespeciespopulations.

thethreatcategoriesareoutofdateandsomenamesaremistaken(thisgivestheimpression
ofgenerallowquality)

andmostimportantly:whatisthebasisfortheconclusion?Asthereisnoinformationonthe
proportionofthepopulationthatwillbeaffected,thereisnoqualitativeassessmentofthepotential
impact.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 Website: http://europe.birdlife.org

theareabyhabitattypeandsomesortofassessmentwhichhabitatswillbemost/leastaffected,their
areaofdistributionintheNationalParkandhenceaproxyoftheanimalpopulationsaffected.

Weremainopenforfutureconsultationsandadvices,

Yourssincerely,

ScBorisBarov

ConservationActionandScienceDepartmentofBirdLifeEurope

ScWillemVandenBossche
StichtingBirdlifeEurope

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

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

To
ElektraninaMakedonija(ELEM),and
EuropeanBankforReconstructionaandDevelopment

Muri/Bern, Switzerland, 1 November 2013

Comments to the biomnitoring study for HPP Boskov Most, regarding the Balkan lynx
Lynx lynx balcanicus

TheriskofHPPBoshkovMosttotheCriticallyEndangeredBalkanlynxLynxlynxbalcanicus(Krytufek
2012)populationremainsoneofthekeycontroversialaspects,whichthestudyforbiomonitoringof
thebiologicaldiversityintheregionofBoskovMostHPPfailedtoanswer.

TheReportarguesthattheHPPconstructionwouldnotposeabigproblemtothelynx.Wethinkthis
isawrongconclusionandthatanyadditionallossofhabitatorincreaseddisturbancewillnegatively
affectthelynxoritsprey(seebelow).However,thisisamatterofinterpretation.Westronglyargue
that,aslongastheBalkanlynxisCriticallyEndangered(Melovski2012),nofurtherriskmustbeput
onthisspecies.

Webelievethattheconstructionwillhaveanegativeimpactonthelynx,andaseriousstudyonthis
importantissuehasnotbeenmade.Toundertakeconstructionwithoutaddressingthisissueina
scientificmannerisnotacceptable.Comprehensivescientificecologicalstudiesonlynxpopulations
inMacedoniabyKORA,theMacedonianEcologicalSocietyandNPMavrovooverthelastsevenyears
(20062013)arenotproperlyreflectedinthereport.Factshavebeenomitted,eventhoughallthe
relevantdocumentswereprovidedtotheexpertsinvolvedinthepreparationofthestudyforthe
biodiversitymonitoring,asagreedduringearlierconsultationmeetings.

Therecentpopulationestimates(Melovski,2012)yieldanalarming22to40individualsinthe
potentialdistributionrangeoftheBalkanlynxandnotaround100asstatedinthereport.
Furthermore,thecomprehensivesurveysinMacedoniaandneighbouringcountrieshaverevealed
thatMavrovohoststheonlyremainingpopulationnucleusoflynx,thusholdsthelastsource
populationwithreproductionoftheBalkanlynx.Westronglycautionagainstputtinganyadditional
stressonthissourcepopulationasitmayleadtotheextinctionofoneofthemostthreatened
mammalpopulationsinEurope.

Recentcameratrappingstudy(Stojanovetal.,2013)conductedinwithintheboundaryofNP
Mavrovoshowedthattheresidentfemaleinthesouthernterritoryoftheparkhadoffspringlastyear
(thefemalewasphotographednearthevillageofGariin2008,MalBrzovecin2012,2013and
JadovskaRekanearvillageSelcein2010,2013).Aradiotelemetrystudyin2010and2011showed
that,formostoftheperiodhewasfollowed,theterritoryoftheresidentmalecoveredexactlythe
sameareaoftheplannedconstructionforBoskovMost.

IttermsofthehabitatpreferencesoftheBalkanlynx,thefactsinthereportaremisleadingand
implythatconflictbetweenthelynxpopulationandtheconstructionsitewillbeavoided.Eurasian
lynxandthustheBalkanlynxmuchpreferforestedhabitatsandtransitionalwoodlandshrub
(Avukatovinprep.;Ivanovinprep.),thesethehabitatsthatwillbedestroyedbyHPPBoshkov
Mostsconstruction.TheReportstateslynxmoveandfeedmostlyintheupperpartsofJadovska
andTresonechkariverwatersheds...Ourfieldresearchdoesnotsupportsuchanassumption.

AA_CatSG.docx

Actually,themainpreyitemintheBalkanlynxdietistheroedeer(57%oftheradiotaggedlynxs
preyinMavrovowereroedeerandonly28%werechamois,Melovskiet.al.2010,2011)andNOT
thechamoisasstatedintheReport.

Weconcurthatthemainchamoishabitatintheconstructionareawontbethreatened.However,
theroedeerhabitatwillbeaffectedbytheHPPconstruction.Theshorttermdisturbancemightlead
totemporaldislocationofthepopulationsofthechamoisandtheroedeer,butalsoofthelynx.The
shorttermdisturbance,althoughtemporary,mayhaveadecisivenegativeimpactonthelynx,which
isatthebrinkofextinction.Ifboth,preyandpredatoraretemporarilydepressed,preymight
recover,butthepredatormaynotbecauseanyadditionalstresstoacriticallyendangeredtaxon
couldpushittoextinction.

Dr. Urs Breitenmoser

Co - chair,
IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAIR: Dres Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland. T: +41 31 951 9020, F: 951 9040
<urs.breitenmoser@ivv.unibe.ch>,<ch.breitenmoser@kora.ch >