SPECIALISED ECOLOGICAL STUDIES
The Natura 2000 network does not prohibit any activities, within its boundaries, being governed by the philosophy that man must coexist with nature. However, projects and activities with expected negative impacts on rare species and habitats, must be avoided in these areas to ensure satisfactory conservation status.
For projects adjacent to or affect areas of the Natura 2000 network, the Department of the Environment is following an informal procedure of appropriate assessment for both small projects and projects for which it is required to submit a Specialized Assessment Study.
Α Specialized Assessment Study is an assessment of the potential adverse effects of a plan or project (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). These sites are protected by National and European Law.
In the case of Projects adjacent to Natura 2000 sites, during field surveys, special attention is given to target species listed in Annex II under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and bird species listed in Annex I under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Also, following the Game & Fauna Service guidelines for bird surveys for Specialized Assessment Studies the minimum number of daily surveys is increased to at least 10 during the breeding season and 10 during the migratory season.