Ecological compensation of highway impacts : negotiated trade-off or no-net-loss

The ecological compensation principle was introduced in the Dutch Structural Scheme for the Rural Areas (1993). The principle aims to enhance the input of natural conservation interests in decision-making on large development projects and to counterbalance the adverse impacts of such projects when implemented. The thesis describes the process of implementing the ecological compensation principle within the Directorate-General of Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) as initiator of highway projects. Additionally, it has developed a theoretical and practical framework for ecological compensation. Ecological compensation and related issues have been investigated in the different stages of planning, decision-making and realisation of highway projects. The thesis? leading element is the incentive-based character of compensating for impacts according to the Structural Scheme. This implies the parties involved are obliged to reach agreement on finding and realising compensation sites. Besides some specific conditions, there is still no legislation that facilitates the initiatiors? acquisition of lands for compensation purposes.