Advisory Council

10th Council Meeting - 3rd September 2008

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)Ray Spain

SEA and RBMP’s• SEA is derived from Directive 2001/42/EC on the effects of

certain plans and programmes on the environment, commonly known as the SEA Directive.

• The Directive was transposed into national legislation in both Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2004.

• Required for Plans or Programmes for; Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Energy, Industry, Transport, Waste Management, Water Management, Telecommunications and Tourism.

• EPA Report 2007 concluded SEA is required for RBMP’s and POM’s.

What is an SEA?Directive -“to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the

integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programs with a view to promoting sustainable development, by ensuring that, in accordance with this Directive, an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programs which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.”

In reality -a formal process, involving the systematic identification, evaluation and integration

of significant environmental effects of plans, programs and policies and managing the implications..

Also-a valuable tool that will influence decision-making at each stage and which also

gives the public and other interested parties an opportunity to comment and to be kept informed on decisions that may impact on the environment and how they were made.

Main Steps to SEAFour main steps of SEA

1. Screening – Is an SEA needed? √

2. Scoping – What should it include? √

3. Environmental Assessment Report

4. SEA Statement

Technical AdvisorsGrace Glasgow -WFDGerry Carty - SEAShane Herlihy - SEARichard Hamilton - PlanningElizabeth Arnett - StakeholdersTom Curtis – Appropriate Assess.

Technical AdvisorsGrace Glasgow -WFDGerry Carty - SEAShane Herlihy - SEARichard Hamilton - PlanningElizabeth Arnett - StakeholdersTom Curtis – Appropriate Assess.

Eastern, Western & South Western RBD

Eastern, Western & South Western RBD

North Western

iRBDPILOT

North Western

iRBDPILOT

Shannon, Neagh Bann, North Eastern

(i)RBDSouth Eastern RBD

Shannon, Neagh Bann, North Eastern

(i)RBDSouth Eastern RBD

Staff Resource:

Antonia GaughranRuth BarrDr Jennifer Haddow

Dr Fiona CurranRichard

Bingham

Staff Resource:

Antonia GaughranRuth BarrDr Jennifer Haddow

Dr Fiona CurranRichard

Bingham

Staff Resource:Ruth Barr, Dr Jennifer Haddow,

Richard Bingham, Sophie Gilloway

Staff Resource:Ruth Barr, Dr Jennifer Haddow,

Richard Bingham, Sophie Gilloway

Resource & Technical Assistance:

RPS Belfast, RPS Limerick, RPS Letterkenny, RPS Carlow

Resource & Technical Assistance:

RPS Belfast, RPS Limerick, RPS Letterkenny, RPS Carlow

Resource & Technical Assistance:RPS Dublin, RPS Cork, RPS Galway

Resource & Technical Assistance:RPS Dublin, RPS Cork, RPS Galway

Staff Resource:

Dr Marian Coll, Maeve Walsh, Dr Fiona Curran

Staff Resource:

Dr Marian Coll, Maeve Walsh, Dr Fiona Curran

Project Team – RPS GroupProject Manager

Dr Alan Barr

SEA CoordinatorDr Antonia Gaughran

Project ManagerDr Alan Barr

SEA CoordinatorDr Antonia Gaughran

Programme

Phase I: Environmental Assessment & Report (Jul – Dec 2008)

Phase II: Public Consultation (Jan – Jun 2009)

Phase III: Preparation of Submission Reports (Jul –Aug 2009)

Phase IV: Preparation of SEA Statements (Jul - Sep 2009)

Fixed Milestones: Draft RBMP 22 December 2008 Final RBMP 16 October 2009

Key Issues• River Basin Management Plans are top tier plans -

driving future land use plans. They are Strategic.

• 8 Separate Plans - each with its own unique issues and needs

• Statutory Deadlines – no slippage

• Communication – critical through all stages

• Local Knowledge with Central Management

• Habitats Directive Assessment

SEA PROCESS

Screening

MethodologyRBMP PROCESS

Initial Characterisation

ScopingSignificant Issues

Alternatives

Status / Risk / Possible Measures

Set Objectives

Action Programme

Objectives / Indicators / Targets

Environmental ReportDraft RBMP

Final RBMP SEA Statement

Consultation

Implementation & review cycle - 2nd RBMP

Thank you