Summary:

The diversity of habitats and species in rivers valleys of Poland has European significance. The occurence of habitats and species, in certain proportions and quality, is a basis for including area of their occurence into the Natura 2000 system. Ca 40% of areas of Natura 2000 include river valleys and they comprise both areas important for birds (Birds Directive) and for habitats (Habitat Directive). Directives of EU do not impose methods of habitat and species conservation. The only criterion is maintenance favorable conservation status for them. That means that the area of habiat must be stable in the long term or increasing, and its quality must being maintained. The restoration processes are welcomed. The plans for all investments or any other works which might influence the favorable conservation status of habitat and species must be subjected to environmental assessments, which recognize influence of project on habitats and species protected by directives. In the absence of alternative solutions only overriding public interest may allow for habitat or species deterioration; for some species or habitat only human health or public safety are more important. In such cases compensatory measures has to be employed to maintain Natura 2000 is previous status. Specific management instructions will be written in management plans, prepared for each area separately. Although management plans can impose some difficulties on investments, they are indispensable element of appropriate investment planning, according to principles of sustainable development.