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Sound of Arisaig as a mSAC: new details of
SNH advice about regulation.
What is its relevance to the proposed
Marine and Coastal National Park in the area?
James Irvine
Teviot Scientific, Edinburgh & Perthshire
Filed 01 May 06
©www.land-care.org.uk
The Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann
Traigh) was designated by Scottish Ministers as a Special Area of
Conservation (SAC) on 17th March 2005.
According to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH):
"this site is also referred to as a 'European
site' (Regulation 10(1)). A 'European marine site' is a 'European
site' which is wholly or in part marine (Regulation 2(1)) and
is hereafter referred to as a marine SAC"
On 30th March 2006 SNH published its advice to
the relevant authorities as to how the Sound of Arisaig mSAC should
be managed (1). SNH also stated
that this advice can also be used by other competent authorities
when assessing plans or projects.
The advice is certainly highly proscriptive. To
read in full Click Here
There can be small wonder that those who live
and work in the Arisaig area and beyond are very concerned that
the Scottish Executive, presumably on the advice of SNH, way choose
to create a Coastal & Marine National Park in their area (2,
3).
In June 2005, the Scottish Executive announced
their intention to create Scotland's first coastal & marine
National Park in 2008. Indeed, SNH states that the Scottish Executive
is committed to do so. It is claimed that this follows the Government's
consideration of the responses received from the consultation on
'Strategic Frame for Scotland's Marine Environment' in 2004.
SNH was requested by the Scottish Executive to
provide advice on
aims, powers and governance structure which
would be appropriate for a National Park Authority and its likely
running costs
area or areas Ministers should consider as leading
candidates for designation
SNH states on its website that
"following extensive stakeholder engagement
and debate, this advice has now been finalised and on 31st March
2006 was submitted to Scottish Ministers".
But who did SNH choose to consult among the extensive
list of alleged stakeholders? It would appear that those who live
and work in the proposed areas were not due to be consulted until
their area had been chosen by Ministers.
This incredible situation was in fact confirmed
by Ian Jardine, Chief Executive SNH at the recent Scottish Countryside
Alliance (SCA) conference at the MacRobert Centre, Royal Highland
Show Ground, Ingliston, Edinburgh, "Who runs rural Scotland?"
Following a barrage of criticism from other speakers, and in a preview
of the conference published in The Scottish Farmer, he admitted
a list of SNH self-criticisms. But he was challenged that he had
missed out a confession for being "disingenuous".
Reminded that SNH had failed to show up at a meeting
of 100 angry persons at Mallaig Community Centre entitled
"Are you concerned at the prospects of
living in a coast national park?"
he stated that SNH was not required to consult
locally until after the choice of site had been decided. In other
words, the views of the local residents did not matter in choosing
the site, but only when the choice was a fait accompli.
And then, presumably, the situation would be explained to them lest
they might be confused. Me thinks that is indeed disingenuous, as
well as demeaning and patronising.
The local Community Council is holding a public
meeting on May 4th in Arisaig at 7.30pm to discuss the matter. It
is understood that the usual SNH device to break up those present
into small groups has been refused, and that after a presentation
by SNH, John Hermse of the NW & Mallaig Fishermen's Association
and Kirsty Macleod, founder director of the People TOO organisation,
will address those present.
It should be an interesting meeting.
But there must be serious concern about the tactics
of SNH and its relationship with the Scottish Executive. Ian Jardine
was pressed further during informal discussion at the SCA cnference
mentioned above. It was put to him that consultations carried out
by SNH were largely a sham, and that SNH pressed ahead regardless
with its main objectives whatever the responses it received. This
was evidenced by its handling of the consultations which ended up
as the Land Reform (Scotland) Act (5).
He stated that
"the job of SNH is to fulfill the Government's
wishes".
In other words, the assessment of the responses
to SNH consultations are conveniently adjusted by SNH to fit what
the government wishes.
No small wonder there is a lack of trust in SNH
(6). No wonder there is much resentment
over the activities of this massively expensive, manipulative quango
that so seriously lacks the necessary knowledge and expertise to
achieve a sensible balance between conserving ecology (so often
too finely focussed on single species) and the needs of the people
who make their living from it, and who over generations have cared
for it well.
©www.land-care.org.uk
References
1. Scottish Natural Heritage (2006).
Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort t Loch Ceann Traigh) Special Area
of Conservation. Advice under Regulation 33(2) of The Conservation
(Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994 (as amended).
www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/about/directives/Sound_of_Arisaig.pdf Click
Here
2. Irvine, James (2006). Public
meeting to consider proposed Coastal and Marine National Park: Mallaig
25th March 2006.
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 27 Mar 06, www.land-care.org.uk
Click Here to View
3. Macleod, Kirsty (2006). Report
of Mallaig meeting 25th March to consider proposed Coastal &
Marine National Park
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 02 Apr 06, www.land-care.org.uk
Click Here to View
4. Scottish Natural Heritage (2006).
SNH advice on coastal and marine national parks. Advice to Scottish
Ministers
www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/natparks/CMNP/advice/CMNPAdvicefinal.pdf
Click Here to View
5. Editorial (2003). Re-drafted
SNH Scottish Outdoor Access Code pays little heid to consultation
responses
See SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS Homepage, filed 02 Dec 03, www.land-care.org.uk
Click
Here to View
6. Irvine, James (2003). Does
SNH conduct itself as an honest broker or as a political manipulator?
See SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS Homepage, filed 25 Oct 03, wwwland-care.org.uk
Click
Here to View |
