Impact study of the beach cleaning project

at Marina di Vecchiano (PI) in Areas Within or Adjacent to the Natura 2000 Sites of the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli.

LOCATION

Tuscany

TYPE

Impact study

CLIENT

Comune di Vecchiano

The Impact Study (Level: Appropriate Assessment) aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts of beach cleaning activities at Marina di Vecchiano, carried out by the Comune di Vecchiano, prior to the start of the bathing season.

The study specifically evaluated significant impacts on habitats and species (flora and fauna) within the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) “Selva Pisana” (IT5170002) and “Dune litoranee di Torre del Lago” (IT5170001).

The study focused on confirming the absence of degradation in the conservation status of the habitats and species present, with special attention given to those listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and in Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.

The study and subsequent impact assessment aimed to identify and assess the degree of disturbance, both temporary and permanent, that any plan or project could generate within an existing or proposed Natura 2000 site.

As a legally mandatory and technically essential tool, the Impact Study seeks to achieve a balance between habitat and species conservation and the sustainable use of land and resources. It identifies potential interference from the project on the surrounding environment and recommends, where necessary, mitigation or compensation measures.

The beach cleaning project included extraordinary annual cleaning of Marina di Vecchiano’s beach before the summer season, involving the removal of inorganic waste and organic material such as large logs and smaller wood debris. Regular maintenance followed daily or weekly throughout the summer, with additional cleaning at the end of the winter season (up to March 31st).

The primary issues identified in relation to the conservation goals of the area were:

the proposed use of mechanical equipment for both ordinary and extraordinary cleaning in areas under Natural Reserve protection, which contradicts the Park’s guidelines specifying manual cleaning for such areas;
the removal of small and large beach debris, which can lead to the loss of habitats suitable for nesting species of conservation concern (e.g., the Kentish plover), and interrupt the ecological succession that forms the dune environment, a key conservation objective.

Impacts on areas with higher tourism potential (and lower environmental integrity) were considered negligible, while impacts on areas with greater natural value (and more difficult access for beach tourism) were deemed sensitive or significant.

The proposal of site-specific management measures was able to mitigate the identified impacts on more sensitive areas without compromising their accessibility to tourism. This approach focused conservation efforts on the areas with the highest natural value while promoting tourism in areas with lower environmental quality, regardless of their proximity to the SACs.