Order No. 526 on subsidies to establish natural water levels through Natura2000 projects.

This Order sets regulations on rural development and funding for projects related to Natura2000. The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark regulates this Order and may grant subsidies for non-productive investments aimed at establishing natural water level conditions to improve the conservation of habitats and species in particularly designated Natura2000 hydrology areas. These subsidies may be granted following digital application to the Ministry and shall be evaluated and accepted based on priority criteria set out for these projects in adherence to EU provisions. These areas must not be used for growing crops, seed production nor for cultivation of energy crops, ornamental plants, greenery and Christmas trees. The areas within these projects must permanently remain a region of natural water level conditions and maintained as grassland or natural areas.
The Ministry may set set additional conditions for these subsidies where the project area shall contain provisions for drainage conditions, maintenance of plant and plant cover.
The Order consists of 11 Chapters and 4 Appendices: Application (1); Definitions (2); Administration (3); Criteria and conditions for grants (4); Registration (5); Eligible costs (6); Calculation of subsidy (7); Changing the project and ttransfer of undertakings (8); Payment of subsidies (9); Cancellation of commitments, repayment and reduction of subsidy (10); Entry into force (11).
Appendix 1 - Scoring system for prioritization.
Appendix 2 - Weighting Category.
Appendix 3 - Calculation of point scoring system for violation of agreements.
Appendix 4 - Assessment of violation of duty in relation to the purpose of the subsidy scheme.