Upload
katoka
View
52
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
River Basin Management Plans & Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment. Ray Spain Local Authorities Workshop, 3 rd December 2008. What is SEA?. Purpose to ensure that the environmental consequences are assessed during preparation and prior to adoption of RBMP - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
River Basin Management Plans
& Strategic Environmental Assessment &
Appropriate Assessment
Ray Spain
Local Authorities Workshop, 3rd December 2008
What is SEA?
Purpose • to ensure that the environmental
consequences are assessed during preparation and prior to adoption of RBMP
• to ensure the RBMP & POMs are as robust as possible in the context of the wider environment
What is the Process?
• Screening – Is an SEA needed?
• Scoping – What should it include?
• Environmental Assessment and Report – Alternatives
• SEA Statement
SEA Screening
• The statutory bodies responsible for SEA in Ireland and
Northern Ireland are
• DEHLG
• EPA
• DCENR
• Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly EHS)
The statutory bodies concluded that SEA is required for RBMPs
and POMs (2007) at a RBD level – 8 SEAs for the island of
Ireland
SEA SCOPING• What should it include?
• Scoping ran in parallel, and fed into, the Water Matters (SWMI) Report
• Scoping is complete! for each of the 8 RBD’s.
• Scoping Documentis available for download atwww.serbd.com
SEA Environmental Assessment Report
• ALL legislative requirements of Schedule 2 of the SEA Regulations (1 - 10)
– Information on the current state of the environment and likely evolution in the absence of the Plan (business as usual)
– Environmental protection objectives relevant to the plan
– Reasons for selecting the alternatives (supplementary measures)
– Likely significant effects on the environment
– Mitigation and monitoring measures
SEA PROCESS
Screening
Overall 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
Habitats Directive Assessment
(Appropriate Assessment)
– Habitats Directive, Article 6 (92/43/EEC)
– SACs, SPAs (Natura 2000 sites), and Ramsar Sites
– Narrow focus - maintaining integrity and conservation objectives of the site
– Protection led
– Precautionary
Four main steps
Screening
Appropriate assessment (avoidance first, then mitigation)
Assessment of alternative solutions
Assessment where no alternatives exist (compensatory measures)
Appropriate Assessment
SEA PROCESS
Screening
Scoping
Alternatives
SEA Statement
Potential Impacts to
SAC / SPA
HABITATS DIRECTIVE ASSESSMENT
Assessment of Alternatives
Assessment Where No Alternatives Exist
Screening
Appropriate Assessment
Role of SEA & HDA
• SEA in decision making
– Provides for high level of protection of the environment
– Informs decision making
– Assist in making more environmentally sustainable decisions
• HDA in decision making – more focused
– Maintains the integrity of site and its features
– Influences decision making
– Prevents development that could harm sites
Integration with RBMP
• RBMP must show how this was done
• SEA– RBMP must have regard to SEA
• HDA – mitigation measures must be included in RBMP
Timetable
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