In our (Dutch language) whitepaper, we set out four practical solutions that can be implemented straight away by Dutch provinces to contribute to the general body of knowledge on protected Natura 2000 areas in the Netherlands.
- Conduct more detailed (desk) studies into the current status of the protected habitats in Natura 2000 areas, including on other key ecological factors other than nitrogen deposition, and ensure that all this information is available to professionals on an open-source basis. That way, the available body of knowledge remains current and up to date, and the level of detail increases.
- Ensure that governmental policies aimed at bettering the current state of the protected habitats in Natura 2000 areas are easily accessible (for example through a single web portal for all provinces) and include all studies on the measured and expected effects of these policies in the same place. That way, anyone wanting to conduct new activities or amend its current activities can easily refer to effects of existing policies and actions when assessing the effects of its own project onto Natura 2000 areas.
- Introduce an information obligation in respect of projects that do not cause significant negative effects onto Natura 2000 areas, and consequently do not trigger a permitting obligation. That way, information on the cumulative effect of small projects that only cause limited contributions to the overall background nitrogen deposition levels in the Netherlands is available in real time. This allows provinces to better assess whether a project might need a permit.
- When making use of the exemption for projects iwith an overriding public interest (under the Dutch implementation of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive), we suggest assessing the possibility for overcompensation, to help steer Natura 2000 areas into a better state at shorter notice.
The full version of our whitepaper can be accessed via the Dutch version of this page.
