ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

RAF Fylingdales is situated in the North York Moors National Park. The site is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The European Union has designated the site as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for the breeding of Merlins.

These designations carry legal responsibilities of which the Station is well aware. RAF Fylingdales is actively working with the enforcing agencies and specialist interest groups to ensure that we manage this special site to preserve and enhance it for future generations.

The MoD land has become a haven for many endangered species, Flora and Fauna, a recent survey has shown that the land owned by MoD is the most important in the UK for Water Voles. The Station created a pond when the old golf balls were removed, to encourage the regeneration of moorland, this pond now has Great Crested Newts in residence.

It is the policy of RAF Fylingdales to initially protect, and subsequently improve, the environment both on and around the Unit. To achieve this, the Station seeks to avoid any activity which will permanently or repeatedly lower the quality of air, water or land, or will endanger the health of our workforce, the general public or other living species, or will cause excess waste or the unnecessary consumption of environmental resources.

At RAF Fylingdales we fully recognise the importance and our duty to ensure a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. Environmental protection is a senior management responsibility, and we strive to attain sound environmental performance through our Environmental Management System, in accordance with the policy of the Secretary of State for Defence. This is implemented into our overall business activity, and is managed at the same level as all other business objectives, minimising significant environmental impacts and ensuring legal compliance.