Introduction
An overview of the issues concerning coastal infrastructure development in relation to Natura 2000
Europe’s coastal zones feature a rich heritage of nature and biodiversity. As a result, numerous Natura 2000 sites are located in coastal areas. However, at the same time European coasts are economically vibrant and form the backbone of trade and local employment. Often economic development in coastal areas clashes with the obligations of European nature protection.
This situation requires the cooperation of many stakeholders with different and often opposed interests as well as a steady contact to policy makers in Brussels, who are willing to provide guidance for the specific application of nature legislation in coastal areas. Broad stakeholder cooperation across interests and national boundaries can create win-win situations and the achievement of environmental as well as economic goals.
Specific issues that have dominated the agenda of the field during the last years include: circumstantial interpretation of nature legislation, integrated management plans and alternative modes of compensation. Even though many positive results could be achieved already, the sector of coastal zone protection and development continues to require much attention.
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