I{ELLENIC REPTJBLIC MIMSTRY FOR TIIE ET\TVIRONMENT ...

Description of proposed activity (e.g. technologyused)The main activity is the pipeline constructionwhich will be conducted through laying thepipeline below ground at approx. lm below thesurfabe.oDescription of purpose of proposed activityIn respect of the crossing of the main road fromMakasa to Egnatia, the laying of the pipelinebelow it will be conducted through horizontaldirectional drilling (HDD). If the HDD is notapplicable, other appropriate technical solutionswillbe adopted.The pipeline will be desigred and constructedbased on the National, European and Internationalcodes and standards.The construction of the IGB will supply Bulgariawith natural gas from alternative sources such asthe Caspian region and the Middle East.Moreover, IGB will be designed so as to have areverse flow operation (from Bulgaria to Greece).oRationale for proposed activity(e.g. socio-economic, physical geographic basis)Additional information/commentsIGB will be another independent source forsupply of natural gas to the Republic of Bulgaria,which will increase the security of supply andcreate opportunities for gas supply to new regionsthrough which the route will run.Moreover, the geostrategic role of Greece andBulgaria will be reinforced, since the transportedquantities can also potentially supply other Balkancormtries, through existing or scheduledinterconnectors (e. g. Romania, Westem B alkans).The IGB project has been declared as of NationalImportance by both the sovereign Countriesinvolved through Resolution No 615/14.07.2009of the Government of the Republic of Bulgariaand Law 4001/2011 of the Republic of Greece.ii) Information on the spatial and temporal boundaries of the proposed ActiviWLocationThe construction of IGB in the territory of theRepublic of Greece will take place within theboundaries of the Municipality of Komotini, inthe Region of Rodopi.Description of the location(e.g. physical-geographic, socio-economiccharacteristics)The Greek part of the route starts at the IndustrialArea of Komotini and for its first part passesthrough level agricultural areas. The routing areathen becomes hilly and in the last section, beforereaching the Greek-Bulgarian border, it becomesmountainous. The route has been selected in order