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Why carry out the Environmental Impact Study of your fence?

The fences or fences of land or rustic estates often require carrying out an Environmental Impact Study the Environmental Document. The need for this Environmental Impact Study is determined by the impacts that these facilities can generate on the environment and that we list below.

Are all fences subject to Environmental Impact Assessment?

But not all fences are required to have an Environmental Impact Study. This depends on the legislation that regulates the matter. Thus, for example, in Castilla-La Mancha, Law 4/2007 on Environmental Assessment, frames fences and fences in Annex I when they are of any type on the natural environment, with lengths greater than 4,000 meters or extensions greater than 100 hectares, with the exception of seasonal or non-permanent livestock enclosures and those with heights of less than 60 cm and in Annex II, when fences and/or fences of any type are found above the natural environment, over lengths greater than 2,000 meters and over extensions greater than 2,000 meters and over extensions larger than 5 hectares, with the exception of a seasonal nature or with heights of less than 60 cm.

What are the most evaluated enclosures?

Ideas MedioAmbiental has been preparing Environmental Impact Studies for fences and enclosures for years, which in most cases are motivated by projects to introduce hunting fauna, perimeter fences for relevant plantations (almond or pistachio trees so in vogue today) or simply for the preservation of private property, such as solar plants or agricultural and livestock facilities.

What are the most impactful actions of a fence?

Over the years, we have observed that the most impactful actions on the environment in the construction phase are usually earthworks and the removal of natural vegetation followed by the circulation or access of vehicles to the area. The least important impacts in this phase are the generation of waste, the setbacks or the effect they represent on the landscape, straddling the exploitation phase where the very existence of the fence or enclosure implies the greatest impact, especially on fauna, which can produce various impacts such as the barrier effect; overcrowding, habitat fragmentation, overgrazing or inbreeding in the event of hunting fences and collisions of threatened fauna. Other associated impacts may be the illegal closure of public roads or administrative irregularities and the obvious landscape impact.

What steps can be taken to make fencing more sustainable?

The main preventive measures that we must adopt when designing or building a fence is the need to identify the layout of the enclosure that least affects existing vegetation. If it is necessary to remove vegetation during the works, the transit of off-road machinery will be avoided, as far as possible, work that causes greater discomfort to the fauna must be carried out outside the breeding season of the species present in the environment.

As corrective measures, it is recommended to mark the fence to avoid collisions, thus increasing its visibility with plastic, rubber or other material elements. At this point, it is worth highlighting the measures described in various publications that we link to below:

• How to make and install fence markers for Sage-grouse. USDA
• Fence marking to reduce grouse collisions Forestry Commission
• Greater Sage-Grouse and Fences: Does Marking Reduce Collisions? Wildlife Society Bulletin
• Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage

In Castilla La Mancha, also remember that for an enclosure to be compatible with hunting, it must comply with Law 3/2015, of March 5, on Hunting of Castilla-La Mancha, specifically its Title V; and with the conditions of permeability to small animals according to the determinations established in article 20 of the Regulations of the Castilla-La Mancha Hunting Act:

• In general, their maximum height will not exceed 2 meters and they will be constructed in such a way that the number of horizontal wires is at most the integer resulting from dividing the height of the fence in centimeters by 10, with the two lower wires keeping a minimum separation of 15 centimeters. The vertical threads of the mesh shall be separated from each other by at least 30 centimeters.
• Do not have sharp or sharp elements, as well as devices for anchoring the mesh to the ground other than the posts along their entire length.
• Lack devices or traps that allow hunting pieces to enter and prevent or hinder their exit.
• Under no circumstances will they be electrical or with built-in devices to connect current of that nature.
• In any case, the facility will respect existing public roads, livestock roads, public channels and other easements, which will be passable in accordance with their specific regulations and the Civil Code.

Likewise, public road easements must be respected, ensuring that access to plots and private properties is maintained.

Remember, therefore, that if you are thinking of fencing your land, you should make the relevant consultation about the need to submit your fence to an Environmental Impact Assessment.