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Requirements of the Habitats Directive and planning and implementation of the projects

Cohesion Fund and Environmental Impact Assessment TAIEX Seminar

Prague, 24 February, 2005

András Demeter,Nature & Biodiversity Unit,

Directorate-General Environment,European Commission

Contact: Andras.Demeter@cec.eu.int

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Key Priorities of the 6th

Environment Action Programme

= 156 priority actions

1. Climate Change

2. Nature and Biodiversity One of the specific aims (Gothenburg summit): Halt biodiversity decline by 2010!

3. Environment and Health and quality of life

4. Natural Resources and Waste

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Legal Instruments for nature

National LegislationProtected species, protected areas, hunting

provisions, ...

European Union

International ConventionsBern, Bonn, Ramsar, Washington (CITES),

Biological Diversity

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EU-nature conservation

policyTwo main directives:•“Wild Birds Directive”

(79/409/EEC) bird species

•“Habitats Directive” (92/43/EEC) other animal and plant species,

habitat types

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BIRDS DIR. - 1979

All bird species protected

No priority bird species (cf. indicative list for Life-Nature)

EU territory treated as a whole

Habitat conservation measures (incl. SPAs in NATURA 2000)

Regulated hunting and trade limited to a few species

HABITATS DIR. - 1992

Species/habitats of EU interest

protected

Priority Habitats/species

Biogeographical regions

Site protection and management measures (SACs) in NATURA 2000

Species protection and management

PRIORITY EU LEGAL INSTRUMENTS FOR NATURE & BIODIVERSITY

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Natura 2000 network

Global aim: Maintain or restore the favourable

conservation status of certain species and natural

habitat types in their natural range

SPA SCI

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What is the target of protection under

Natura 2000? - I

• Birds Directive

– 181 vulnerable bird species(Annex I)+13 species (EU15+10)

– migratory bird species (esp. wetlands)

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Implementing the Birds Directive –

nesting and migratory species

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2 of the 13 new bird species in Annex I also

proposed by CZ, HU, PL, SK (BG)

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Setting up Natura 2000

Birds Directive 1) Member States classify (CC: by

accession)

2) Commission takes coordinating role

Reference list: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) based on international criteria

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What is the target of protection under

Natura 2000? - II

Species and habitats of Community interest

• Habitats Directive (its annexes I-V)– appr. 200 habitats (EU15)

+ 20 habitats (EU15+10)– appr. 700 species (EU15)

+ 165 species (EU15+10)

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The species such as the steppe polecat (Mustela

eversmanii)or the beetle Carabus hungaricus have been

proposed by both the Czech Republic and Hungary

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Not only endemic plants...

Dianthus moravicus

Galium sudeticum

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but also species which occur in other

acceding countries..

e.g. Cirsium brachycephalum

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Setting up Natura 2000

Habitats Directive 1) National lists proposed (CC: by

accession)2) Selection process on biogeographical

level (aim: Community list) - MS & EC - max. 3 years

3) Designation by MS max. 6 years after Community list

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NA103IT

NATURA 2000 network

« Habitats » Directive

Art. 3

« Birds » Directive

Art. 4

Special Protection Areas

May 2004

2005 - 2006

End 2007Special Conservation

Areas

NATURA 2000

National list of sites

Habitat types (Annex I)

Species

(Annex II)

List of Sites of Community Importance

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What is special about

Natura 2000?• Clearly defined objectives

• Science based

• Biogeographic regions

• Site evaluation/selection on EU-level

• Management / Integration

• Legal obligation for the member states

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State of play in 2005

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Natura 2000 in the EU-15

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What about the new Member States?

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MS Total Number Total Area (km²) Terrestrial Area (km²) % Terrestrial (1)

No. of sites in which a marine part is noted

Marine Area (km²)

CY 2 108 108 1,2 0 0

CZ 38 6.936 6.936 8,8   -

EE 67 12.063 5.668 12,5 26 6.394

HU 55 11.376 11.376 12,2   -

LT 40 3.570 3.570 5,5   0

LV 97 6.751 6.232 9,6 4 520

MT 6 8 8 2,4   0

PL 72 33.156 24.362 7,8 3 8.794

SI 27 4.656 4.653 23,0 1 3

SK 38 12.295 12.295 25,2   -

EU-10 442 90.918,64 75.207 10,19 34 15.711

Special Protection Areas – February, 2005

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SPAs database - February 2005

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

CY CZ EE HU LT LV MT PL SI SK EU

0

2.000

4.000

6.000

8.000

10.000

12.000

14.000

16.000

18.000

% Terrestrial (1)

Marine Area (km²)

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MS Total Number Total Area (km²)

Terrestrial Area (km²)

% Terrestrial (1)

No. of sites in which a marine part is noted

Marine Area (km²)

CY 26 510 459 5,0 5 50

CZ 864 7.244 7.244 9,2   -

EE 509 10.591 7.172 15,9 34 3.419

HU 467 13.025 13.025 14,0   -

LT 276 1.409 1.389 2,1 1 20

LV 331 7.651 7.095 11,0 6 556

MT 23 39 39 12,5   0

PL 184 11.715 11.715 3,7   0

SI 259 6.360 6.359 31,4 3 0,2

SK 382 5.739 5.739 11,8   -

EU-10 3.321 64.283,30 60.237 8,16 49 4.046

Sites of Community Importance – February 2005

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pSCIs database - February 2005

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

CY CZ EE HU LT LV MT PL SI SK EU-10

0

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

5.000

% Terrestrial (1)

Marine Area (km²)

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Article 6• For sites Member States shall:

– Establish necessary conservation measures– Avoid deterioration

• Prepare appropriate assessment for any plan or project (except direct management of site)– Likely to have a significant effect on site– Either individually or in combination with other

plans or projects

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Article 6

• Requirements have to be transposed in the national legislation

• “Appropriate assessment” might be a separate document or part of the EIA package

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The procedureScreening: the process which identifies the likely impacts upon Natura

2000 site of a project or plan, either alone or in combination with other projects or plans, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant

Appropriate assessment: the consideration of the impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site of the project or plan with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where there are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts;

Alternative solutions: the process which examines alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project or plan that avoid adverse impacts on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site;

If adverse impacts remain: an assessment of compensatory measures where, in the light of an assessment of Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI), it is deemed that the project or plan should proceed.

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Art. 6.3 and 6.4“Habitats” Directive

NA107IT

Plan/project with impact on a sitePlan/project with impact on a site

Is the plan/project likely to have a negative impact on the values of the NATURA 2000 site?YES EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES

1

Does the evaluation conclude that there will be significant negative consequences? YES STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

2

If the initial project is kept

YES Inform the CommissionCOMPENSATION MEASURES

3

• No priority habitats/species and overriding public interest

YES Opinion of the CommissionCOMPENSATION MEASURES

• Priority habitats/species and specific interest for human health, public safety or environment

YES OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION+ COMPENSATION MEASURES

• Priority habitats/species and other overriding public interests

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ScreeningIs the project or plan directly connected to or

necessary for the management of the site and is unlikely to have significant effects?

YesNo

Significant Impacts are likely to occur ?

Yes

No

Move directly to the relevant authorisation procedures

Appropriate assessment

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Screening

• Brief description of the plan or project

• Brief description of the site

• Brief description of potential effects on the Natura 2000 site

• Assessment of significance (use criteria)

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No significant effect

• Fill in the Annex I (A) of the project document

• Signed and stamped by responsible authority

• Add the screening report to the project document and submit to the Commission

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Appropriate assessmentCan be concluded that the integrity of the site will

not be affected by the project or plan? Yes

It is possible to design appropriate mitigation measures that will cancel or minimise the

adverse impacts?

It is objectively concluded that adverse impacts on the integrity of the site remain?

Move directly to the relevant authorisation process

No

Yes

No

No

To 6.4

Yes

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Article 6

“Appropriate assessment”• Study prepared by project promoter• Used by responsible nature conservation

authority for the assessment and filling in the ANNEX I (A) form (in case of Community funding)

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Appropriate assessment

No significant negative consequences

• Mitigation measures

• Appropriate assessment’s report

• Should be made publicly accessible

• Annex I (A)

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Alternative solutions

• It is for national competent authority to determine whether alternative solution exists or not

• Alternatives suggested by project proponent• Alternatives suggested by other stakeholders• Mitigation measures

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Overriding public interest

• targeted to protect fundamental values for citizens’ lives (health, safety, environment)

• carrying out activities of economic or social nature, fulfilling specific obligations of public service

• within the framework of fundamental policies for the State and society

• Determined by national authorities

• Supported by evidence

• Weigh against conservation status of the site and objectives of the directive

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Compensation measures• Within the same biogeographic region (HD)• Within the same range and/or migration rout (BD)• Within the territory of the same Member State• Maintain coherence of the Natura 2000 network• Enlargement of the same site• Designation of new site with the same quality, function and

structure• Restoration of an other site• Creation of a new site

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Compensation measures

• The Commission informed and consulted well in advance

• Timing of compensation agreed

• Responsibilities agreed (also financial)

• Legal (contractual measures in place)

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Art. 6.3/4 Habitats Directive, simplified

Possible negative impact on Natura 2000 site?

Nature impact assessment

yes

If negative

Overriding public interest? If yes

Compensation measures - Commission opinion (if priority interest)

Alternatives? If no

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The way article 6 is implemented in the United Kingdom

(diagramme by Wyn Jones)

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Imperative reasons excluding socio-economics

YY NN

Imperative reasons including socio-economics

YY NN

Priorityfeatures

YY NN

YY NN

No adverse effect on integrity

Alternative solutions

NN YY

SoS to secure compensation

measures

Notify SoS

Plan or Project Plan or Project ExpressExpress

Further info and

consult EN

YY NN

Avoid by conditions

YY NN

Likely Significant Effect Branch-line

Usual Considerations Junction

DECISIONSVILLE STATION

Appropriate Appropriate Assessment Assessment of Plans and of Plans and

ProjectsProjects

STOP

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Imperative reasons excluding socio-economics

YY NN

Imperative reasons including socio-economics

YY NN

Priorityfeaturesbranchline

YY NN

YY NN

No adverse effect on integrity

Alternative solutions

YY NNSOS to secure compulsory measures

Notify SOS

Plan or Project Plan or Project ExpressExpress

Further info and

consult EN

YY NN

Avoid by conditions

YY NN

Likely Significant Effect Branch-line

Usual Considerations Junction

DECISIONSVILLE STATION

Appropriate Appropriate Assessment Assessment

of Plans of Plans and Projectsand Projects

STOP

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The Commission is concerned because…

The Habitats and Birds Directive: a sector with high public attention: for example, in mid-2003

– 53% of all environmental complaints (97%: bad application)

– 30% of all environmental own initiative cases (93% bad application)

– 28% of all environmental infringement cases (78% bad application)

Most of them relate to project developments (art.6), not to designation of sites

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dealing with plans and projects

New Member States : Art.6 (2/3/4) apply from accession onwards

Problems:– no or inappropriate nature impact assessments– negative results of assessments not respected– no alternatives considered– no or inadequate mitigation / compensation measures– no designation or nomination of a qualifying site:

provisions apply nevertheless (SPAs: even stricter rules!)

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

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The Commission’s response

Production of guidance documents

Information & communication (NATURA newsletter, web site, etc)

Legal actions (many court cases)

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Guidance documents, for example

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Should there always be a conflicts between conservation goals and economic interests?

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Conclusions as regards planning vs. Art. 6 of the

Habitats Directive

• The Competent Authority must be „competent”

• Appropriate assessment ≠ EIA • Case by case judgement important

• Resource-demanding legal obligation

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Best of luck in applying Article 6, and thank you for your attention!

More information at homepage:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/

nature/home.htm