Protecting RAMSAR sites from SMP induced Coastal Erosion

The North Norfolk District Council website includes information on the required legal protection of RAMSARRAMSAR The Convention on Wetlands is of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat http://ramsar.org (Ramsar Convention or Wetlands Convention) was adopted in Ramsar, Iran in February 1971 and entered into force in December 1975. The Convention covers all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use. The Convention has three main 'pillars' of activity: + the designation of wetlands of international importance as Ramsar sites www.wetlands.org/RDB/quick.html + the promotion of the wise-use of all wetlands in the territory of each country + and international co-operation with other countries to further the wise-use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention's Contracting Parties have assumed a wide range of related obligations. As of December 2003 there were 138 Contracting Parties to the Convention http://ramsar.org/key_cp_e.htm, with 1,328 Ramsar sites covering over 111 million hectares. sites that could be used if the government persists in implementing the proposed Natural England policy suggesting the abandonment of the Norfolk Broads and other vital wildlife reserves of the threatened by marine inundation should the flood defences be allowed to disappear.

From the North Norfolk District Council website in section 3.5.1 it states ….

Sites of International importance

The UK is a contracting party to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, which it ratified in 1982. The first conference of the Convention was held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. Consequently, Ramsar is the term by which sites identified under the Convention have become known. Ramsar sites include rare wetlands of international importance with particular reference to wildfowl populations. Special Protection Areas (SPAsSPA Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC Birds Directive, which came into force in April 1979. They are classified for rare and vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Directive), and for regularly occurring migratory species.), designated by member states under Article 4 of the European Community Wild Birds Directive, are designed to conserve the habitat of rare or endangered birds, or birds whose habitat is threatened, by protecting habitats from pollution, disturbance or deterioration. The North Norfolk Coast Ramsar Site and SPASPA Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC Birds Directive, which came into force in April 1979. They are classified for rare and vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Directive), and for regularly occurring migratory species. covers eight parishes and the Broadland Ramsar Site and SPA covers part of the parish of Potter Heigham on the edge of the district. Some of Great Yarmouth North Denes SPA is within the North Norfolk District Council area. Both Ramsar sites and SPAs are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIsSSSI Site of special scientific interest).

Special Areas of Conservation (SACsSAC Special Areas of Conservation) are designated sites under European and under U.K legislation – Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994. These include species and/or habitats of European importance. The sites will also already be SSSIs. There are currently eight SACs within the North Norfolk District (Appendix 2). There is a category called candidate SACs, which are SACs that have not yet been ratified. SPAs and SACs together make Natura 2000Natura 2000 A European network of protected sites developed to maintain or restore natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna to favourable conservation status within the European Union. which is an overall network of protected areas throughout Europe.


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