According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, one of the sites that remains from the nine sites examined (number 7) is located approximately 40 meters south of the nitrogen-sensitive Natura 2000 area Drents-Friese Wold and the Leggelderveld. Nitrogen is released during the construction of the drilling installations and the maximum amount of nitrogen that may reach the ground is exceeded.
Research also shows that protected animal species are present at this location. “For the construction of the drilling site, trees have to be cut down. Protected nests can be destroyed all year round and breeding birds can be disturbed by the presence of people, equipment and noise.” These include little grebes, honey buzzards, wrynecks, black woodpeckers, woodlarks, whinchats, stonewagons and gray shrikes that occur in the area.
In addition, the drilling site borders a small heathland with pools where badgers, snakes, salamanders and various species of frogs occur. The pool is used in the reproduction of amphibians. “The present frogs attract females with their calls and this noise may travel less far due to any background noise disturbance, thus hindering the luring of females,” the researchers write.
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