1. Update on work of Natura 2000 management group
Micheal O’Briain – ENV.B.3

2. Context
A key priority for the coming years is the designation by Member States of SCIs as SACs and the putting in place of the necessary conservation measures….that meet the ecological requirements of habitats (Annex I) and species (annex II) of habitats Directive
Member States are legally obliged to designate the SCIs as SACs within 6 years, establishing priorities in the light of
the importance of the sites for the maintenance or restoration, at a favourable conservation status, of the habitats and species and for the coherence of Natura 2000, and
the threats of degradation or destruction to which those sites are exposed.
The six-year deadline for SAC designation has already expired for some SCIs and will become increasingly relevant over the next few years

4. Overall outcome of 1st assessments made on the conservation status (2009)
HABITAT TYPES
favo
urable
unfavourable -
inadequate
unfavourable -
bad
unknown
SPECIES

5. Expert group on Natura 2000 management
to promote the exchange of experience, expertise and good practice on the management of Natura 2000
to assist the Commission in developing guidelines on specific topics linked to the management of Natura 2000 sites.
comprised of experts from competent authorities of Member States, COM services & key stakeholder groups
3 meetings: 25 November 2009, 22nd February & 21 June 2010
Current priorities
Designating SACs in accordance with Article 4(4) of the Habitats Directive
Setting conservation objectives for Natura 2000 sites
A dedicated CIRCA site for documents of the Group at:

6. SAC designation
Habitats Directive does not set a detailed procedure for SAC designation
for Member States to arrange under their national laws and administrative systems.
this should ensure the unquestionable binding force of the SAC designation and provide a high degree of legal certainty (cf ECJ ruling C- 415/01).
Commission view that only achieved through a binding legal act which at the same time provides an adequate legal protection regime for the SACs.

7. Requirements of SAC designation
A clear legal basis for underpinning the designation with explicit references to the Habitats and Birds Directives
description of the site consistent with, the relevant information in Standard Data Form (SDF). - all species listed in Annex II & habitat types in Annex I significantly present on the site
a map/boundary information, sufficient to determine the spatial location of the site (same as boundaries of SCI)
Motivation of SAC legal designation: that habitat & species are restored or maintained at a favourable conservation status
conservation objectives for the site should be identified and specified at the time of designation to ensure legal certainty
SAC protection: Art 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 apply to SAC

8. Issues for setting conservation objectives
For which species and habitat types should conservation objectives be formulated?
What is the scale of definition: site/regional/national level?
Should there be common standards for conservation objectives (e.g. clear, verifiable/measurable, operational?)
Is there a need for legal underpinning of conservation objectives?
‘Deadline’: when must conservation objectives be achieved?