Offshore SAC selection process

 

1

Areas of seabed of habitats as listed in Annex I to the Habitats Directive, and fitting the EC Interpretation Manual description, are identified by JNCC following method outlined in JNCC report on ‘Natura 2000 in UK Offshore Waters’ and collation of survey data.

Area of Search (some requiring new survey)

2

JNCC (with the country conservation agencies) consider Areas of Search against the Habitats Directive Annex III Stage 1 selection criteria.  For any potential site fulfilling the criteria, a draft site boundary is defined, SAC Selection Assessment and draft Conservation Objectives and Advice on Operations   documents submitted to JNCC Committee for endorsement, and recommendation to UK Government as a draft SAC.

Draft SAC

(dSAC)

 

3

UK Government consider recommended sites and approve a list for public consultation.   JNCC develop economic Impact Assessment (formerly Regulatory Impact Assessment) to Options stage for each site

Possible SAC

(pSAC)

4

JNCC conduct consultation on selection and boundary of each site, and accompanying Impact Assessment. 

 

5

JNCC address representations made during consultation, revise list of possible sites and/or boundaries as appropriate, update Impact Assessments, and report outcome of consultation to Secretary of State.

 

6

Secretary of State adds sites to Register of European Offshore marine sites, and sends list of eligible sites to the European Commission to consider alongside sites sent by other Member States in the same biogeographic region, according to Annex III Stage 2 selection criteria. 

Candidate SAC

(cSAC)

7

JNCC establish Conservation Objectives for the site and advise Competent Authorities on operations which may adversely affect the integrity of the site. Measures must be taken by Competent Authorities to protect the site.  Such measures include Appropriate Assessments for plans or projects which are likely to have a significant effect on the site, as well as a review of existing licences and consents.  The Competent Authority may only agree to the plan or project if it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site (except in cases of overriding public interest where there is no alternative, in which case compensation applies).

 

8

European Commission approves list of sites for each biogeographic region, and notifies Member State

Site of Community Importance

(SCI)

9

Competent Authorities must take conservation measures for each site to maintain or restore the habitat(s) at favourable conservation status.  This may include development of a Management Scheme for a site or sites.

 

10

UK Government designates sites as SACs.

Special Area of Conservation

(SAC)