3.1.3. Step 3: Identify which Natura 2000 sites may be affected by the plan or project

Identifying the Natura 2000 sites that may be affected should be done by taking into consideration all aspects of the plan or project that could have potential effects on any Natura 2000 sites located within the zone of influence of the plan or project. This should take into account all of the designating features (species, habitat types) that are significantly present on the sites and their conservation objectives. In particular, it should identify: any Natura 2000 sites geographically overlapping with any of the actions or aspects of the plan or project in any of its phases, or adjacent to them; any Natura 2000 sites within the likely zone of influence of the plan or project. Natura 2000 sites located in the surroundings of the plan or project (or at some distance) that could still be indirectly affected by aspects of the project, including as regards the use of natural resources (e.g. water) and various types of waste, discharge or emissions of substances or energy; Natura 2000 sites in the surroundings of the plan or project (or at some distance) which host fauna that can move to the project area and then suffer mortality or other impacts (e.g. loss of feeding areas, reduction of home range); Natura 2000 sites whose connectivity or ecological continuity can be affected by the plan or project. The range of Natura 2000 sites to be assessed, i.e. the zone in which impacts from the plan or project may arise, will depend on the nature of the plan or project and the distance at which effects may occur. For Natura 2000 sites located downstream along rivers or wetlands fed by aquifers, it may be that a plan or project can affect water flows, fish migration and so forth, even at a great distance. Emissions of pollutants may also have effects over a long distance. Some projects or plans that do not directly affect Natura 2000 sites may still have a significant impact on them if they cause a barrier effect or prevent ecological linkages. This may happen, for example, when plans affect features of the landscape that connect Natura 2000 sites or that may obstruct the movements of species or disrupt the continuity of a fluvial or woodland ecosystem. To determine the possible effects of the plan or project on Natura 2000 sites, it is necessary to identify not only the relevant sites but also the habitats and species that are significantly present within them, as well as the site-specific conservation objectives. Box 4 lists examples of the data sources that can be used for this purpose. The information provided in the Natura 2000 standard data form (17) is the starting point for identifying the habitat types and species that are significantly present on the site and that could be affected by the plan or project, as well as any existing pressures and impacts on the site. Other information at site-level can be obtained from sources such as the Natura 2000 site management plan, lists of operations that may cause damage or deterioration, the results of monitoring surveys of habitat and species inside the site, as well as sources outside the Natura 2000 site at biogeographic, national and local level. It is important that this data and information is made publically available e.g. through a central database or through online portals and websites from national or regional authorities, and regularly updated, so that all stakeholders and authorities concerned can easily have access to them. The Commission’s website provides data and maps for all Natura 2000 sites in the EU via the Natura 2000 viewer and the Natura 2000 public database: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/data/indexen.htm. Most Member States also have publically available information on Natura 2000 sites and their features. Geographical information systems (GIS) can also aide in the understanding of the relationship between aspects of a plan or project and the specific features of the Natura 2000 site. Practical tools and information systems are available in different countries to help identify potential impacts from different types of projects and plans on Natura 2000 sites. Box 6 gives some examples of such tools.

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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.