Week 1 p 2 Flashcards
Define assessment and appraisal
Assessment
* The overall process including monitoring and review
mechanisms
Appraisal
* The methodologies and techniques for capturing or
producing information on individual impacts
What is a Strategic Environmental Assessment?
Generally refers to assessments of policies, programmes or plans with a focus on the natural environment
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?
Generally refers to project-based assessments with a strong focus on the biophysical or natural environment
Is required by law for certain projects
What is an Environmental Statement?
The written material submitted to the local planning
authority in fulfilment of the EIA regulations
How does an SEA assess environmental impact?
The situation is assessed without introducing any changes, and then multiple solutions are proposed where the environmental impact can be assessed against time to pick the best option.
It’s long-term, qualitative, considers a wide range of policies and wide range of projects.
How does an EIA assess environmental impact?
Modelling and existing data studies existing environmental impact against time, then modelling and judgement assesses environmental impact against time.
What impacts are measured against regulations?
Climate change, air quality, noise, and environmental capital
Define SEA
SEA is a formalised and systematic process of evaluating the environmental effects of a policy, plan or programme.
Define EIA
(i) EIA is the assessment of the impact of a planned activity on the environment. The assessment process and relevant projects are defined in law.
What are the 6 stages of an SEA?
- Setting the context and establishing the baseline
* Are the any existing national/local objectives? What would happen in a ‘do-nothing’ scenario? - Deciding the scope of SEA and developing alternatives
* How will success be measured? What are reasonable alternatives? - Assessing the effects of the plan and reasonable alternatives
* Details of calculations, assessment of potential impacts, timescales, scale, permanent/temporary, probability, frequency. - Proposal of mitigation measures
* What are the benefits of alternatives? - Consultation on the draft plan and Environmental Report
- Monitoring implementation of the plan
When is an SEA required?
According to Directive 2001/42/EC (2), an SEA is mandatory for plans/programmes which are:
prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, waste/water management, telecommunications, tourism, town & country planning or land use and which set the framework for future development consent of projects listed in the EIA Directive. OR when Habitats Directive requires it
What impacts does the SEA cover?
Environmental (biodiversity, population, flora, fauna, soil, water, air pollution, climate + GHG)
Historical Environment (Cultural, Architectural and Archeological heritage, and landscape)
Human effects (health and material assets)
What is the aim of an EIA?
For the local planning authority to consider a project with full knowledge of the likely significant effects, using this knowledge in the decision making process to grant planning permission. This protects the environment.
What are the 5 stages of the EIA?
- Screening
* Determining whether a project requires an EIA. - Scoping
* Determining the extent of issues to be considered in the assessment and reported in the Environmental Statement. - Preparation of an Environmental Statement
* Include the information required to assess the likely significant environmental effect of the development. - Planning application
* Publication of Environmental Statement by public notice. ‘Consultation bodies’ and public must have the opportunity to give their views. - Decision making
* The Environmental Statement and any comments/representation are taken into account by the local planning authority. Public must be informed of the decision and reasons.
When is an EIA required?
If set in Annex 1 (Mandatory Transport Projects):
Construction of lines for long-distance railway traffic and airports with runway length > 2100m
Construction of motorways, express roads, roads of >= 4 lanes
Widening of roads to >= 4 lanes for longer than 10km
Inland waterways and ports for inland vessels > 1350 t
Trading ports, piers, outside ports which take vessels > 1350 t
or if in Annex 2, exceeds threshold set in that category in Annex 2, is in sensitive area such as SSSI, SPA, national park, AONB etc, and is likely to significantly effect environment due to location, nature, and size.
