[DREAL Occitanie] Natura 2000 — Habitats Directive

Application Spaces

* The Habitats Directive of 22 May 1992 determines the establishment of a European ecological network of Natura 2000 sites comprising both special areas of conservation classified under the Habitats Directive and special protection areas classified under the Birds Directive on 23 April 1979.

* Special areas of conservation (SACs) are maritime and terrestrial sites which include natural habitats or habitats of species of wild fauna and flora listed by order of the Minister responsible for the environment and whose rarity, vulnerability or specificity justify the designation of such areas and hence special attention.

* The provisions on Natura 2000 sites are applicable in the European territory of the Member States.

Objectives

* Definition of objectives:

O Maintain or restore in a state favourable to their long-term maintenance the natural habitats and populations of the species of wild fauna and flora that have justified the designation of the Natura 2000 site.

O Avoid the deterioration of natural habitats and disturbances that would significantly affect the species of wild fauna and flora that justified the designation of the Natura 2000 site.

* Device to achieve the objectives:

O Measures to achieve the objectives thus defined are taken under Natura 2000 contracts or charters or by virtue of laws, regulations and administrative provisions, in particular those relating to national parks, nature reserves, biotopes, classified sites or nature police.

O An objective document (DOCOB) sets out for each site the guidelines and measures for the management and conservation of habitats and species, the modalities for their implementation and the accompanying financial arrangements.