1. Kerstin Sundseth, Ecosystems LTD
Elaborating EC Guidance for inland waterways in and around Natura 2000 sites
Kerstin Sundseth, Ecosystems LTD

2. EU Biodiversity Action Plan
EU Policy Framework
EU Sustainable Development Strategy
6th Environment Action Programme
EU Biodiversity Action Plan
Habitats & Birds Directives
NATURA 2000 NETWORK
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

3. EU Guidance on Nature Directives
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

4. Sector Specific Guidance
Non Energy Extractive industries
Wind Energy developments
Ports and Estuaries
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

5. Wind Energy guidance CHAPTER 1: Purpose of the guidance
CHAPTER 2: Wind energy developments in the EU
CHAPTER 3: The EU’s Policy framework and legislation on
Nature and Biodiversity
CHAPTER 4: Potential impacts of wind energy
developments on nature and wildlife
CHAPTER 5: The importance of strategic planning
CHAPTER 6: Step by Step procedure for wind farms
developments affecting Natura 2000
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

6. Analysing the potential effects
Potential effects at different phases in wind energy development
Effects on different species and habitat types
Methods for assessing & monitoring effects
Cumulative effects ….
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

7. Strategic planning
A review of benefits and best means – eg for appropriate siting of wind farms
Case studies on good practice examples of how this has been applied in different regions/ countries
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

8. Step by step procedure for wind farm developments affecting Natura 2000 sites
Screening:
Gathering information for screening
Determining if there is a significant effect
Carrying out an Appropriate Assessment
Purpose, timing, who does what, steps involved
Scoping and further information gathering (incl studies and research)
Assessing impacts on sites conservation objectives
Searching for mitigation measures
Alternative solutions
IROPI and compensation
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

9. Guidance on inland waterways
Comments from 1st meeting:
Recognise complexity of rivers as dynamic ecosystems – imp to take on board not just species /habitat protection but also ecological processes
Don’t re-invent the wheel – build on what already exists
Address issues at both policy level and project level – give strategic guidance by also site level advice
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

10. Guidance on inland waterways
Comments from 1st meeting:
Conflicts often arise if issues not tackled in right way early on in planning process – promote more integrated, multi-stakeholder approach
Promote good practice examples, incl win-wins to show how it can be done in practice
Make the document practical , user-friendly and ‘communicative’
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

11. Objective of the guidance doc
to provide guidance on how to ensure that activities related to the development and use of inland waterways are compatible with EU’s nature legislation (esp Habitats & Birds Directives, WFD)
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

12. Scope of the guidance doc
Focus is on issues related specifically to inland waterway transport in and around Natura 2000 sites – whilst recognising this has to be set in context, ie highlight multifunctional role of rivers and dynamic ecological processes at play
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

13. Putting ‘meat on the bones’
Some of the challenges:
striking the right balance between science and process management - ie explaining how to carry out AAs / identifying possible effects on nature and wildlife
Identifying the right sources of information as well as practical examples
Keeping the focus (not try to solve all questions) without ending up too sector ‘blind’
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09

14. Urgent call for background material !!!
This year’s work plan
First draft before end of year –
Urgent call for background material !!!
Ecosystems LTD nd EC Rivers WG – Oct 09