Protected area

Area designated as requiring special protection under the European directives. A register is established on a river basin scale identifying various protected areas: vulnerable areas ("Nitrates" Directive), sensitive zones ("Urban Wastewater Treatment" Directive), areas designated under the "Habitats" Directive and "Birds" Directive as bathing areas, shellfish areas, categories of streams (Directive 78/659/EEC). The register of protected areas has been established in the assessment of the different basins and will be updated regularly.