§3.2.1 Step 1: Collect information on the project and on the Natura 2000 sites concerned

The information required for the appropriate assessment includes a description of the Natura 2000 sites likely to be affected, the species and habitats significantly present on the site (so called designating features) and their conservation objectives, as well as a description of the plan or project and its possible effects on the site’s conservation objectives. Part of this information may already have been collected during the screening phase, but usually the information will need to be more detailed for the appropriate assessment. Pursuant to Article 5(2) of the EIA Directive and Article 5(4) of the SEA Directive, at the request of the developer, the competent authority should establish the scope of the environmental impact assessment (scoping). The purpose of scoping is to identify those elements that should be covered in the environmental assessment report prepared by the developer and submitted to the competent authority. In particular, the scoping exercise should help to identify the most important elements to be studied so that these can be addressed in greater detail. (23) The scoping will vary depending on the plan or project and the sites concerned. However, normally it will include a description of the site, a description of the plan or project and the identification of its potential impacts on the site, in view of the sties conservation objectives. Irrespective of whether the appropriate assessment is integrated into the EIA/SEA or not, the scoping should indicate the baseline conditions within the site (i.e. the conditions of protected habitats and species significantly present on the site, the site-specific conservation objectives as well as of other elements that determine its integrity and the importance of the site for the coherence of the network) that will need to be identified and studied during the appropriate assessment, the level of detail of the analysis, the methods, criteria for the evaluation of significance, types of mitigation measures and alternatives to be analysed, etc. Article 5(2) of the EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU) Where requested by the developer, the competent authority, taking into account the information provided by the developer in particular on the specific characteristics of the project, including its location and technical capacity, and its likely impact on the environment, shall issue an opinion on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included by the developer in the environmental impact assessment report in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article. The competent authority shall consult the authorities referred to in Article 6(1) before it gives its opinion. Member States may also require the competent authorities to give an opinion as referred to in the first subparagraph, irrespective of whether the developer so requests. Article 5(4) of the SEA Directive (Directive 2001/42/EC) The authorities referred to in Article 6(3) shall be consulted when deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information which must be included in the environmental report. The extent and level of detail required for data collection, surveys and investigations will differ depending on the project and the site(s) affected. It must therefore be decided on a case-by-case. It may depend, for instance, on the complexity of the project and of the site, as well as the site’s importance for the species and habitats for which it has been designated. It will also depend on the data that is already available on the site and the species and habitats significantly present, as well as on information from previous assessments, etc. Harmonised and high quality geographic information usually facilitates the work of the developers, authorities and stakeholders and is of particular importance in the context of transboundary projects and impacts. For example, in the case of a project affecting a cross-border river or an installation which can potentially create transboundary pollution, it is very important that common standards are used to identify, assess and mitigate these impacts. The EU directive ‘INSPIRE’ (INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe) aims to make such standardised data available and used (24). Table 3 provides an indicative checklist of baseline information required for the appropriate assessment, while Table 4 gives an example of information to collect when assessing the effects of plans and projects on Natura 2000. Baseline information about Natura 2000 sites and their features Information sources Available at/from Conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites. Conservation measures established for the sites. Land use, prohibited and permitted activities in the sites. Main threats and pressures identified in the sites. Maps of Natura 2000 sites (showing site boundaries and location of relevant features) Natura 2000 standard data forms Statutory acts to designate an SAC or SPA Management plans and other site management documents/instruments (regulations, contracts, agreements,) National/regional online portals Official journals Conservation authorities/agencies Natura 2000 viewer (25) Natura 2000 database (26) National databases The habitat types and species present and their condition on the sites: conservation degree, representativeness, etc. Importance of the sites to the habitats and species present. Main ecological requirements, vulnerability and sensitivity of the habitat types and species. Natura 2000 standard data forms Site management plans Designating acts Statutory plans and policies for nature conservation at national/regional/local level Species and habitats conservation action plans Current and historical maps, surveys, etc. Expert-based information National/regional online portals Natura 2000 viewer Natura 2000 database National databases Competent authorities Available literature Scientific institutions Conservation status of habitats and species, trends, main threats and pressures on them (in the biogeographic region and at national level). National reports on conservation status under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive Online reports (27) Baseline information about the project/plan Information sources Available at/from Full characteristics of the plan or project: total area affected by the project, project activities, emissions, natural resources use, phases, time planning, etc. Relationship (e.g. key distances or pathways) between the plan or project and the Natura 2000 site. Plan or project documents (blueprint, maps, etc.) Maps, GIS Project/plan promoter Natura 2000 viewer Characteristics of other plans or projects (implemented, approved or proposed) that may cause in-combination or cumulative effects with the project being assessed on Natura 2000 sites. Databases, e.g. on SEA, EIA, appropriate assessments of plans/projects, regional or municipal plans, local authority planning applications Competent authorities Online platforms Information about other assessments required for project consent or plan approval. National legislation Competent authorities Official journals Organisations involved in/concerned by the sector/activity of the plan or project. Sectoral organisations/associations Project/plan developer Competent authorities Assessments of similar plans or projects. EIA and SEA statements, appropriate assessment reports and other documentary evidence from similar plans or projects assessed in the past Official journals Competent authorities, relevant agencies and other bodies Elements Scope Information to collect Natura 2000 sites Habitats General — code, name, priority character; — characteristic species; — relevant variables of structure and function and ecological requirements. Biogeographical region (country level) — conservation status of the habitat in the biogeographical region (national); — role and importance of the site for the habitat conservation. Natura 2000 site — conservation degree and representativeness of the habitat in the site; — conservation objective set for the habitat in the site; — habitat distribution area in the site (including mapping), % of total area (country/region); — pressures, threats and impacts affecting the habitat in the site; — vulnerability to the project potential impacts. Species General — code, name, priority character, protection status in the region/country; — ecological requirements and factors that influence the species population dynamics. Biogeographical region (country level) — conservation status of the species in the biogeographical region (national); — role and importance of the site for the species conservation. Natura 2000 site — conservation condition of the species in the site; — conservation objective set for the species in the site; — species distribution area and use of the site (including mapping); — population and trends in the site; % of total population in the country/region; — existing pressures and threats on the species in the site; — species vulnerability to potential impacts ( e.g. sensitivity to disturbance); Landscape features that are important for the coherence of the Natura 2000 network Biogeographical region (country level) — type (ecological corridor, stepping stone, etc.); — Natura 2000 and other areas connected or ecologically related (including mapping); — species (or habitats) for which it is important, and importance for their conservation; — pressures, threats and impacts affecting the feature; — vulnerability to the project and potential impact. Adapted from: Recommendations on the information to include in the appropriate assessment of projects on the Natura 2000 network in the EIA documents of the national administration in Spain (Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, 2018). Available at: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/temas/evaluacion-ambiental/guias-directrices/

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07