An appeal from conservationists united in the initiative for the Protection of the MAGREDI of CELLINA  in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region Italy.

MAGREDI, typical Italian meadowlands similar to the Hungarian Puzta, are characteristic of the Alta Pianura Friulana (High Friuli Plain). This countryside consists primarily of wide, undisturbed spaces, with rare endemic flora and breed or stopover habitats for many steppe region bird species.

Despite the "on-paper" protection of such areas (Aree di reperimento, L.R.42/96) and the definition of Two Sites of Common Interest (SIC) and more recently of a Place of Relevant Environmental Interest (ARIA), an international cross-country rally, comparable to the Paris-Dakar motor race, is being planned in the middle of of the Magredi region of the Cellina-Meduna rivers.

The plain fact is that the Magredi are in reality less protected today than they were 20 years ago. Paradoxically they have become the scene of incidents reported daily by the mass media and are now a symbol of human destruction of natural resources: dumping or illegal storage of asbestos and (under investigation) depleted uranium, landfills, and uncontrolled industrial and infrastructural development.

The final straw for the environment is illegal use by motorcycles and SUVs under the auspices of the "Italian Baja" club ("Pajero cowboys"), which scar and suffocate the  Magredi with a network of tracks and ruts.

This is taking place at a much more intense level than official organisations want to admit. And as with most environmental damage the indirect consequence, primarily fragmentation and abandonment of habitat, are probably more serious than the visible damage. It also leads to a general increase in recreational and leisure activities that increase the pressure on the flora and fauna and their biotopes.

A stop must be put to the official sympathy shown for the destructive activities of organisations like the "Italian Baja" by ending the financing and the patronage of such initiatives. It is high time that the authorities admitted that the present regulations and legislation, and their ineffective implementation, do not afford adequate protection to the Magredi. The only worthwhile solution would be the establishment of a nature reserve with a proper monitoring, control and enforcement structure as for other natural areas of outstanding importance in Italy.

The organizers of the various rallies are attempting to organise a major rally in Magredi from 15^th to 18^th March 2004. Last December a local campaign of SMS and fax messages to the local media succeeded in having the rally moved to a less sensitive location outside the Magredi. This time we appeal to our friends worldwide for support our campaign to stop a small but well organized and powerful group of persons, with good political contacts, imposing their will on the majority and contributing to the destruction of an original and natural resource, rich in biodiversity, which belongs to us all.

• Rescheduling of the Cellina Rally planned for 15^th to 18^th March in a less sensitive area outside the "Magredi".
• No further events, of disruptive and destructive potential for the Magredi, must be permitted.
• The short term conservation of the Magredi must be guaranteed by effective enforcement of existing legislation. Stop dumping of dangerous waste. Stop illegal use by motor vehicles.
• Guarantee the long-term conservation of this important natural resource by the creation of a nature reserve with relevant legislation and effective monitoring and enforcement resources.
• Ask for assurance that the authorities will fulfil their responsibilities.

Subject:

THE CONSERVATION OF THE MAGREDI IS OF MORE THAN REGIONAL IMPORTANCE

By email to the responsible authorities of the Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia

Dear President,

Dear Ministers,

We request you to act urgently on the following matters:

It is imperative that the Cellina Rally planned for 15^th to 18^th March is rescheduled in a less sensitive area outside the "Magredi" natural area. This area of natural beauty and containing rare and vulnerable flora and fauna must be conserved for the majority of Italian and European citizens and not destroyed by use as a playground for an environmentally insensitive minority.

We urge you further to prohibit all further events of disruptive and destructive potential for the Magredi.

The short term conservation of the Magredi must be guaranteed by effective enforcement of existing legislation. Prevent and punish the dumping of waste dangerous to the environment and your own citizens. Stop the illegal use of the area by motor vehicles.

In the long term the of this important natural resource can only be guaranteed by the creation of a nature reserve with relevant legislation and effective monitoring and enforcement resources. We ask you to work with local and national environmental organisations to achieve this end.

In the assurance that you will use your office to the good of the majority of the citizens in your region, and in anticipation of an encouraging reply, we remain,

Yours sincerely,

(Name and address)