Appropriate Assessment
// Environmental services
Appropriate Assessment & Natura Impact Assessment
The obligation to undertake Appropriate Assessment (AA) is derived from the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The directive sets out the requirements relating to the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna & flora. Under the directive, a network of protected wildlife sites must be kept by member states and maintained in good conservation status.
The Natura 2000 network is composed of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect habitats and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) to protect vulnerable bird species. Natura 2000 sites make up approximately 18% of the EU’s land cover and 6% of its marine territory, making it the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.
In order to protect Natura 2000 sites, it must be established whether a proposed plan or project can be implemented without adversely affecting the integrity of any Natura 2000 site. Aeon Environmental can carry out Appropriate Assessment and prepare Natura Impact Statements/Reports to assist with planning applications.
The stages of the Appropriate Assessment process are outlined below:
01
Screening
To determine whether appropriate assessment is necessary, based on the connectivity between the project and the Natura 2000 site and any likely impacts to the Natura 2000 site, either from the project alone, or in combination with other projects.
02
Appropriate Assessment
The impacts of the project on the Natura 200 site are then assessed through an in-depth evaluation and measures are proposed to avoid or reduce impacts, where possible upon completion of appropriate assessment.
03
Assessment of Alternative Solutions
When sufficient mitigation measures cannot be implemented, alternative ways of completing the project objectives need to be considered to avoid impacts on the Natura 2000 site.
04
Appropriate Assessment
Where no alternative is possible and adverse impacts remain, but the project requirements are for IROPI, compensatory measures must be implemented to ensure the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 site.
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