Natura 2000 sites and municipality

Abstract

The analysis of the legal position of municipalities in relation to Natura 2000, which is the subject of this article, comes down to three issues: the creation of these areas, local planning in these areas or in their immediate surrounding and their management. While the role of municipalities is important, but not leading, in the creation of Natura 2000 sites, the responsibility of the management of those sites lies with this local government unit. Local planning and management are mutually complementary and can be described as the management of N atura 2000 sites. The relationship between these activities is expressed also in the fact that the stage of undertaking an economic activity in a given area must always be preceded by the fulfilment of the conditions resulting from the A ct on Spatial Planning and Development. The impact of the municipality on the protection and management of Natura 2000 sites is created with the use of legal planning and spatial management tools. While determining the purpose and principles of development of an area, a municipality cannot ignore the presence of area forms of nature protection, including Natura 2000 sites. An important instrument through which a municipality creates a Natura 2000 site is to carry out a strategic environmental impact assessment of planning documents. The presence of Natura 2000 sites can be and often is development accelerator for municipalities and an instrument of their sustainable development.