66In the present case, in order to determine whether the 2007 decision was adopted in compliance with the requirements of Article 4(7) of Directive 2000/60, it must be ascertained, first, whether all practicable steps were taken to mitigate the adverse impact of the contested project on the status of the body of water concerned; second, whether the reasons behind the project were specifically set out and explained; third, whether the project serves an overriding general interest and/or the benefits to the environment and society linked to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 4(1) are outweighed by the benefits to human health, the maintenance of human safety or the sustainable development resulting from that project; and, fourth, whether the beneficial objectives pursued by that project cannot, for reasons of technical feasibility or disproportionate cost, be achieved by other means which are a significantly better environmental option (see, to that effect, judgment of 11 September 2012 in Nomarchiaki Aftodioikisi Aitoloakarnanias and Others, C‑43/10, EU:C:2012:560, paragraph 67).
Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.