Horn Head SAC
Special Areas of Conservation are defined and regulated by the European Union Habitats Directive 1992 (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 94/97). Member states are obliged to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect and conserve habitats and species of importance in a European Union context. Habitats listed on Annex I of the Directive are habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation. Some of these are priority habitats for which there is a particular obligation for protection. Animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation are listed on Annex II of the Directive. All Special Areas of Conservation are also Natural Heritage Areas. There is a list of Notifiable Actions which apply to each annexed habitat and species. These are activities for which consent must be sought from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage within Special Areas of Conservation. There are 47 designated SACs in County Donegal and more details are available at: www.npws.ie
