EN E-001787/2021 Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission (16.6.2021) Lake Vegoritida is a special area of conservation (SAC) designated under the Habitats Directive1. According to the 2nd Greek river basin management plan2 under the Water Framework Directive3, the lake is not in good ecological condition mainly due to pressures from agriculture, diffuse pollution and industry. Abstraction of water for energy production appears to be the main cause for the water level fluctuations. It is the responsibility of the Greek authorities to establish and implement the necessary management measures in accordance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive in order to avoid the deterioration of the site's conservation values and to restore the water balance necessary to achieve the good condition of protected habitats and species. Greece was condemned by the Court of Justice of the EU in December 2020, for not having established the necessary conservation objectives and measures for sites designated as SACs, and will need to establish them in accordance with the requirements of the Directive. The river basin management plan also contains relevant measures, including recording of the water use and its impact and a dedicated management plan for the lake. European Regional Policy supports actions related to protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency including water management and biodiversity. The Regional Operational Programme “Western Macedonia 2014-2020” has allocated EUR 55.6 million for environmental projects. Finally, a project totalling EUR 6.43 million under the national programme “Transport, Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development” consists in regular monitoring of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of waters in lakes including Vegoritida and provision of data to the National Network for Water Monitoring. 1 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 2 http://wfdver.ypeka.gr/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EL09_SDLAP_APPROVED.pdf 3 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1–73..