/ Professor Colin A. Galbraith
Director of Policy and Advice
Direct Dial: 0131-316 2601
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Hugh Dignon

Nature Conservation Species Team

Scottish Government

Victoria Quay

EDINBURGH

EH6 6QQ

8 May 2008

Dear Hugh

PROPOSAL BY THE SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST AND THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND TO UNDERTAKE A TRIAL RE-INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN BEAVER TO KNAPDALE, ARGYLL

We have now reviewed the application and I am pleased to be able to send you our comments on the license application, our assessment in relation to the Natura interest (SAC and SPA), and in relation to the SSSI interest. I attach also a report outlining our understanding of the experience of beaver reintroduction in other parts of Europe.

I attach 4 documents:

1 Comments on the license application.

2 Comments on the Natura interest.

3 Comments on the SSSI interest.

4 The European experience document.

It is important that I add some covering comments to these documents, and do so specifically in relation to our assessment of the interactions between beavers and the Natura and SSSI interest.

Given the nature of the application we have adopted a very precautionary approach to our assessment. Where we have judged there to be any possibility of the project leading to a change in the existing species assemblage or habitat complex in the trial area, then we have undertaken a full assessment. In doing this we have considered the potential for both positive and negative changes. The consequence of this approach has been a very detailed scrutiny of the project and a fine-grained consideration of possible changes.

In completing this work this we have followed the standard methodology for such assessments of Natura sites. This has been a three part process as follows:

1 Determine whether the proposal is directly connected with or necessary to site management for conservation, if not,

2 Determine whether the proposal is likely to have a significant effect on the site either individually or in combination with other plans or projects; and if so then,

3 Make an appropriate assessment of the implications (of the proposal) for the site in view of the sites conservation objectives.

We have, consequently, undertaken assessments for each part of the Natura interest in turn.

The key conclusion to this evaluation is that the proposed project should, with some relatively minor management measures put in place, have no real impact on the existing interest. We recognise also that some of the issues raised can only be addressed once the project is underway, e.g. visitor management or the long-term future of any artificial lodges built to facilitate the initial release of animals.

Clearly the management of the project will be of considerable importance should the trial proceed and we continue to encourage the applicants to liaisethroughout the duration of the project with a range of bodies at the national level, as well as with the local community in Mid Argyll.

We have considered also the role of SNH should the project go ahead. We suggest that we might have a role as observers on any project management group and that we might co-ordinate any monitoring work developed to evaluate the progress of the trial. This would allow an independent view; and would ensure direct reporting to you, as well as ensuring the public availability of any data collected as part of the trial.

Please let me know if you need any further information from us at this stage.


Yours sincerely

Professor Colin A Galbraith

Director of Policy and Advice

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