ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR PERSONNEL EMPLOYED IN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATION OF INVESTMENTS IMPACT ON PROTECTED AREAS NATURA 2000

Jacek Witkowski
Dr., Lublin University of Technology, POLAND, j.witkowski@pollub.pl

Abstract
The subject of the study is the factual knowledge possessed by the officials employed in local self-governments and its importance in terms of the process of evaluation of the impact of investment projects on protected areas Natura 2000. Pursuant to applicable Polish laws containing provisions introduced in connection with the necessity to adhere to EU Directives, the entity responsible for execution of aforesaid evaluation and for issuance of the decision based on this evaluation and permitting for project implementation varies in accordance with the type of the project. Self-government authorities of communes which are the smallest administrative units in Poland are duly authorized units in this scope de facto in case of the majority of projects implemented in rural areas but not in case of those implemented within Natura 2000 areas. However on the other hand, we should consider the problem of indirect impact of planned objects on protected area. In such situations much depends on attitudes and decisions made by local officials.

The article will refer to the results of research carried out in the group of officials acting as communes management in Lubelskie Voivodship situated in south – east part of Poland. Particularly, the conclusions will be presented which relate to the skills development by self-government personnel. In future, these skills will facilitate the correct understanding and making the correct decisions in terms of widely understood local development in compliance with the requirements in the scope of environmental protection in Natura 2000 areas.

Keywords: natura 2000 areas, ecological education, local self-government