COMMISSION NOTE ON THE DESIGNATION OF SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SACs) Habitats Committee Brussels, 26 April 2012

Context SAC designation is key milestone in implementation of the Habitats Directive Deadline for achieving this objective (6 years after establishment of SCIs) increasingly imminent/overdue Clarifying the duty of SAC designation has been initial priority of work of Management Group on Natura 2000 This Commission note updates an earlier note to Habitats Committee (Habs 05 – 10/07) Finalised Note has been subject to extensive consultation with Management Group and has full regard to earlier debate in Habitats COM

SAC deadlines (as of May 2013) and estimated progress on designation

Definition of SAC in the Habitats Directive - Art 1 - ".. means a site of Community importance designated by the MS through a statutory, administrative and/or contractual act where the necessary conservation measures are applied for maintenance or restoration, at a favourable status, of the natural habitats and/or the populations of species for which the site is designated.

Structure of the Note What is purpose of SAC designation? What does SAC designation entail? By when is SAC designation to be achieved? What is procedure for SAC designation? What legal provisions must apply to SACs as a result of designation? What type of legal protection regime needs to be established for SACs?

Apply conservation measures Art 6.2 Prevent deterioration SCI Set conservation objectives Art 6.3&4 Authorisation procedure for potentially damaging operations identify & define conservation measures Six years SAC Implementation of conservation regime for SAC Art 6.1 Apply conservation measures