1. Management of Natura 2000 Sites
CGBN
Co-ordination Group
for Biodiversity and Nature
6th meeting – 16/10/09
Agenda item 4.A-1
Management of Natura 2000 Sites

2. Ongoing Initiatives Preparatory Actions 2007
Collect information on SAC designation process
Collect information on integrated management approaches
Development of a new communication tool on Natura 2000 management: The Natura 2000 communication platform
Development of the Natura 2000 Partner Award Scheme
First results of these actions are now available and will be presented and discussed at the first meeting of the Expert Group on Natura 2000 management (Brussels, 25th November 2009)

3. Ongoing Initiatives (continued)
Preparatory Actions 2008
Dealing with conflicts in the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network - best practices at the local / site level
To promote best practices for implementation and management; balance between multiple uses and multiple interests; - Assess the current situation;
- Identify and review good examples
- Contribute to transposition of lessons learned
- European and regional workshops in 2009 & 2010
- Final report: June 2010

4. Ongoing Initiatives (continued)
Dealing with conflicts in the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network – strategic planning
Tasks: Problem definition, review of existing approaches, best practice and recommended methodologies and tools for strategic assessments
- Workshop held in Antwerp on 26th May 2009
- International workshop to be held on 19th November 2009
- Final report: June 2010

5. Ongoing Initiatives (continued)
Development of sector specific guidance documents
Estuaries, coastal zones and ports
Non energy extractive industries
Wind farms
Rivers and inland waterways
First results of these activities are now becoming available under the form of draft guidelines which are being further developed and finalized. A major result of the initiatives is also the growing interest, understanding and involvement of the respective stakeholder groups in Natura 2000

6. New Initiatives Natura 2000 and the Water Framework Directive:
Group bringing together MS and stakeholder experts from the water and nature protection areas
Experts from Member States to be nominated by the Water Directors and the Biodiversity Co-ordination Group / Nature Directors
Workshop in 2010 based on DG ENV FAQ paper
Experience of Member States linking first river basin management plans and nature protection objectives
Potential development of recommendations/guidance for 2nd RBMP (to be decided later on the basis of the workshop outcome)

7. New Initiatives (continued)
Development of sector specific guidance on Natura 2000 and agriculture
Working group on Natura 2000 and Agriculture planned for 2010
Close cooperation between DG ENV and DG AGRI
Involvement of stakeholder organisations and NGOs
Development of recommendations and guidance
Forum for exchange of information on good practice
Link with Natura 2000 Communication Platform

8. New Initiatives (continued)
Expert Group on Natura 2000 management
First meeting planned for 25th November 2009
Draft agenda:
Discussion and adoption of the terms of reference of the Expert Group
Presentation and discussion of information on SAC designation in the Member States (results from ‘Preparatory Actions’ contract)
Presentation of the ‘Natura 2000 Communication platform’
Presentation and discussion of the ‘Natura 2000 Partner’ Award Scheme
Discussion of a list of priority issues to be discussed in the Group

9. Expert Group on Natura 2000 management
Some possible issues to be discussed in the Group:
Designation of SACs
Establishment of conservation objectives
Management plans
Management bodies
Communication & information (communication tool)
‘Natura 2000 Partner’ Award Scheme …