1. Natura 2000 and river basin management
Joaquim Capitão
DG ENV.B.2

2. Why a EU nature policy? Transboundary problems
Major habitats under threat
wetlands in north & west Europe have been reduced by 60% in recent decades
Species also in decline
45 % of Europe’s butterflies threatened
38% of Europe’s birds threatened
Transboundary problems
eg. migratory birds
Landuse-impact of other EU-policies
agriculture, transport, fisheries, ...
JOINT ACTION NEEDED!

3. Legal Instruments for nature
National Legislation
Protected species, protected areas, hunting provisions, ...
EU directives
International Conventions
Bern, Bonn, Ramsar, Washington (CITES),
Biological Diversity

4. Key Priorities of the 6th Environment Action Programme
1. Climate Change
2. Nature and Biodiversity
One of the specific aims:
Halt biodiversity decline by 2010
3. Environment and Health and quality of life
4. Natural Resources and Waste
156 priority actions

5. EU-nature conservation policy
Two main directives:
“Wild Birds Directive” (79/409/EEC)
bird species
“Habitats Directive” (92/43/EEC)
other animal and plant species, habitat types

6. NATURA 2000 network NATURA 2000 Habitat types (Annex I) Species
(Annex II)
« Habitats » Directive
June 1992
National list of sites
June 1995
List of Sites of Community Importance
June 1998
Special Conservation Areas
June 2004
« Birds » Directive
NATURA 2000
Special Protection Areas
NA103IT

7. Natura 2000 and rivers
Annex I of the Habitats Directive lists the habitat types for which protection Natura sites have to be established. These include several habitats which depend strongly on water management.
Examples:
“Estuaries”
“Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide”
“Salix alba and Populus alba galleries”

8. Natura 2000 and rivers (2)
Annex II of the Habitats Directive lists the species for which protection Natura sites have to be established.
In this case also, many species depend strongly on water quality and quantity for their survival (e.g. many fish species, amphibians, otter).
Water availability is also essential for the survival of many bird species, covered by the Birds Directive.

9. Site management Article 6(1) of the Habitats Directive:
For special areas of conservation, Member States shall establish the necessary conservation measures involving, if need be, appropriate management plans specifically designed for the sites or integrated into other development plans, and appropriate statutory, administrative or contractual measures which correspond to the ecological requirements of the natural habitat types in Annex I and the species in Annex II present on the sites.

10. Site management (2) Article 4(4) of the Birds Directive:
In respect of the protection areas referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting the birds, in so far as these would be significant having regard to the objectives of this Article. Outside these protection areas, Member States shall also strive to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats.

11. Art. 6.3 and 6.4 “Habitats” Directive
Plan/project with impact on a site
IIs the plan/project likely to have a negative impact on the values of the NATURA 2000 site? 1 
YES
EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES
Does the evaluation conclude that there will be significant negative consequences? 2 
YES
STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
If the initial project is kept 3
No priority habitats/species and overriding public interest 
YES
COMPENSATION MEASURES
Priority habitats/species and specific interest for human health, public safety or environment 
YES
COMPENSATION MEASURES
Priority habitats/species and other overriding public interests 
YES
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
+ COMPENSATION MEASURES
NA107IT

12. Monitoring Article 11 of the Habitats Directive:
Member States shall undertake surveillance of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species referred to in Article 2 with particular regard to priority natural habitat types and priority species.

13. Natura 2000 and the Water Framework Directive
Natura 2000 sites need to have adequate management in view of conservation of species and habitats
Management of water quality is essential for many species and habitats
Natura 2000 sites can spread over more than one river basin while several sites can also be located within the same river basin
Nature and water authorities need to work together to set up adequate management and monitoring