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COMMISSION NOTICE Assessment of plans and projects in relation to Natura 2000 sites – Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC · European Union

Location | Must make it possible to maintain the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network. Should host – or be able to develop – the specific features, structure and functions required for compensation according to the results of the appropriate assessment. Must give proper consideration to qualitative ecological aspects such as the uniqueness of the features that will be impaired. Must be determined through careful analysis of local ecological conditions so that compensation is both feasible and as close as possible to the area affected by the plan or project. Must be within the same biogeographical region (for sites designated under the Habitats Directive) or within the same range, migration route or wintering area for bird species (i.e. sites designated under the Birds Directive) in the Member State concerned. Extent | Is determined by: — the extent of the plan or project’s negative effects on the key features and ecological processes, which undermine the integrity of the Natura 2000 site; — scientific evidence of the measures’ capacity to achieve the expected results for maintaining the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network. Is best set on a case-by-case basis, according to the information generated in the appropriate assessment under Article 6(3). Is initially set with the aim of outweighing the worst-case scenarios of likely adverse effects. Is ascertained by monitoring and reporting on ecological functionality outcomes. Timing | Must ensure the continuity of the ecological processes essential for maintaining the structure and functions that contribute to the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network. Considers the coordination required between implementing the plan or project and implementing the compensatory measures. Is determined by the time required for habitats to develop and/or for species populations to recover or establish in a given area. Must include legal safeguards required for long-term implementation and the protection, monitoring and maintenance of the sites to be secured before impacts on habitats and/or species occur. May require the application of specific measures to outweigh interim losses that would occur until the conservation objectives are met. Requires the establishment of robust and complete monitoring programmes capable of assessing the success of compensation measures.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.