1. Article 6.3 Habitats Directive Implementation in Slovenia International Workshop on Appropriate Assessment of Plans, Oxford, 1-2 October 2009 Branko Kontic, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana

2. Introduction Background: chemical engineering Expertise: environmental evaluations (EIA, SEA), risk assessment & process safety, mass-balance environmental modelling Teaching: environmental assessment, environmental protection, environmental engineering Working experience: 30 years in environmental assessment

3. History of EA in Slovenia First formal assessment in 1972: Evaluation of alternatives for a motorway Kranj-Ljubljana Foundation of SEPO (EIA Group) at the JSI in 1974: based on the agreement between Bank of Ljubljana and the JSI; a pioneer of environmental consideration for plans, programmes, and projects (later on in 80-ies WB, EBRD, IMF tookover this praxis); altogether produced 900 environmental assessment Environmental Protection Act in 1993: introduction of obligatory and formal EIA for projects Decree in 2005: introduction of obligatory and formal assessment of plans and programmes; involves implementation of Article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive

5. Process of the implementation of Article 6.3 Habitats Directive

6. Some issues Lack of optimisation (planning alternatives, consideration of development vs conservation goals) Understanding of environmental evaluation in the context of spatial/land-use planning Relation between scientific information and interests; misuse of scientific evidence: presence of an environmental element (nature) does not imply a decision what to do with that element Valuing system, value judgements Rigidness of the administration, reviewing of Environmental Reports Education: research vs administration/regulatory needs