Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement - Essay Example

[Type the company SEA ment SEA ment [Type the 3/22/2008 Order No: 212618 SEA ment Background The SEA was founded in Scotland for Energy Efficiency and Micro generation Strategy. The draft strategy has set out improving energy efficiency and encourage on micro generation across the domestic business and public sectors. The Scottish executive has determined on a voluntary basis which would be prudent to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Strategy. The Authority does not consider the Draft Strategy which requires mandatory SEA within the terms of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmers. Context for the SEA The Responsible Authority does not consider that the Draft Strategy requires mandatory SEA within the terms of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmers (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the Regulations), but has chosen to volunteer an SEA because the Draft Strategy can be defined as a "plan or programme" (Walker, May 2007, p.26) under the Regulations and partly meets the relevant criteria under Regulation 9a. Although the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the Act) has now come into force, the first preparatory act of the Draft Strategy was undertaken prior to commencement of the Act, and therefore the SEA has been undertaken in accordance with the Regulations and not the Act. Strategic Environmental Assessment, "a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of plans, programmes and strategies, during their development" (Walker, May 2007, p.1), aims decision-making after integrating environmental factors, environmental protection improving plans and participation of common people. SEA process has included the following activities: -Preparing an ER including on the basis of baseline data, existing environmental problems and strategic alternatives. Activities and Consultation of SEA Activities undertaken in completing this SEA are mentioned below: Preparation for an approach to the SEA and a period for public consultation were proposed focusing the view of the responsible authority on: the SEA was to scope out the environmental topics, "[r]elationships with other plans, programmes and environmental objectives, environmental baseline" (The Scottish Government, 2008). Submission and Review regarding Scoping Report, furthermore, environmental assessment to be designed and undertaken in exhaustive length. On the basis of above mentioned activities, responses from the consultation were taken for consideration in developing the Draft Strategy and undertaking the SEA. Moreover, a formal consultation concerning SEA process is being undertaken. The utmost criteria of the SEA process: "[s]coping Report sent to Consultation Authorities in October 2006 and Final Strategy and Post adoption SEA Statement" (The Scottish Government, 2008). The Dublin City Council made a study in quest of available scopes for developing a new major water source for the Greater Dublin Area in 2005 and the council adopted the findings found by the SEA after considering ER and stakeholder issues. SEA Directive was transposed in England to carry out strategic environmental assessment for transport plans and programmes in England following requirements set by SEA which integrates the Directive's requirements with existing transport appraisal processes. Basically the objective of the SEA Directive is described by Article 1: "the SEA Directive is 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 ... with a view to promoting sustainable development." (TAG, December 2004) Guidance thus can be mentioned that SEA has been securing new plans for transportation which will include the transport plans, and now, centralised to local plan implementation for transplantation. Again, the guidance is not willing to be used as a law rather provides a "basis for understanding SEA, but is no substitute for giving careful thought to developing the approach to the SEA of the particular plan" (TAG, December 2004). Furthermore, SEA intends to be merged with the process of transport planning. Definition of 'Environmental Assessment' according to The SEA Preparing an Environmental Report on the likely significant effects of the draft plan on the environment on major three issues of "carrying out consultation on the draft plan and the accompanying Environmental Report; taking into account the Environmental Report and the results of consultation in decision-making; and providing information when the plan is adopted and showing how the results of the SEA have been taken into account" (TAG, December 2004). However, NATA often goes to focus on many aspects of the SEA Directive. "NATA is an approach for improving the consistency and transparency with which transport decisions are made. It presents the key economic, environmental and social impacts of decisions in a clear, consistent and balanced way using an Appraisal Summary Table and associated worksheets" (TAG, December 2004). In relation to the environment and sustainability, a monitoring process took place in 2006 after the Final Devon Local Transport Plan and the SEA State was submitted. From 2007 the SEA has been accompanying National Park Plan and keeping reports on "how the SEA has informed development of the plan" (CNPA, 2007). Objectives and Content of this Post-Adoption SEA Statement The Post-Adoption SEA Statement deals with the factors that how the findings of the SEA have been taken under special consideration in the development of the final LTS including following key information: "How the findings of the ER have been integrated into the LTS How comments made during consultation which relate to the SEA have been addressed The reasons for choosing this LTS in light of the other reasonable alternatives and Measures to be taken to monitor the environmental effects associated with implementing the LTS." (Walker, May 2007,p.2) SEA shows probable impacts of the development of transport infrastructure: "Loss of habitats, disturbance to/fragmentation of habitats, severance of wildlife corridors e.g. roadside verges, hedges, and direct effects on species, including European Protected Species, nationally" (Walker, May 2007, p.4). Other associated issues regarding maintenance are as follows: "Bird breeding can be negatively affected by The ER identified the potential for negative effects on biodiversity due to proposals for major infrastructure. Ensure that all new infrastructure projects and maintenance works have due regard to the network of designated wildlife sites .pieces of conservation concern (as listed in the Glasgow Biodiversity Audit); and the appropriate habitat and species plans of Glasgow's Local Biodiversity Action Plan; Action - Ensure that specific landscape and environmental features are incorporated within designs to maintain existing habitats and / or create new habitats, with the objective of compensating for, or enhancing affected landscapes and wildlife habitats" (Walker, May 2007,pp.4-5). Consultation Responses received from Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Laois County Council Heritage Office and Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government during the public consultation stage of the SEA process recommended to planning matters, likely, "the addition of wider Biodiversity monitoring within the LAP area" (Media, n.d., 2514). The beginning of the process of updating the Provisional second Plymouth Local Transport Plan by the Plymouth City Council in 2005 was to produce a new version for the period 2006 to 2011 which is known as the Final LTP2. While updating, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was taken under consideration to perceive and avoid any probable immense environmental effects related to the draft plan. The SEA process also dealt with specialist analysis and consultation with statutory bodies and interested parties. "This SEA statement is the final document produced during the SEA process and shows how environmental considerations have been incorporated into the Final LTP2" (Muller, Leben, and Treleven., 2006, p.1). It also remarks how the Environmental Report and consultation responses have been taken for special consideration. Besides, the SEA Statement supplies rationalization for the LTP2 option selected, and "describes the environmental monitoring measures established as a result of the SEA" (Muller, Leben, and Treleven., 2006, p.1). While the SEA process revealed a kind of neutralized effects, it influenced Section 5.6 (Air quality) of the LTP2. Changes were also made to other sections of the LTP2 (for example the section on Urban Renaissance), although this is not directly attributable to the Environmental Report. Consultation responses were received on both the LTP2 and the Environmental Report, and recorded in the 'Consultation Report' with eight consultation responses received on the Environmental Report reflected in this SEA Statement. All comments on the Environmental Report have been taken under special consideration in the LTP2. No statutory requirement is set yet for monitoring in the absence neither significant positive nor negative environmental effects arising from the proposed LTP2. Steps in the SEA -When it is necessary it checks if plan or programmed requires an SEA. -Decision on scope and level of detail of assessment. - Environmental report and draft plan or programmed. Consultation requirement - When screening is required consultation with consultation bodies, then, information is made open to the public. The Way Environmental Report has Undergone Special Consideration This explains how the LTP2 has improved because of the findings of the Environmental Report. Furthermore, it identifies where the LTP2 has improved, although the changes cannot be directly attributed to the Environmental Report. How the SEA process has improved the LTP2 environmentally: Although there are no significant adjustments to the LTP2 based on information mentioned in the E R, "the SEA process itself may have influenced the LTP2 to some extent through increasing the environmental awareness of the planners involved in the plan making process" (Muller, Leben, and Treleven., 2006, p.12). Moreover, providing people with the opportunity to comment on a provisional version of a plan ensures that they are given a voice in the planning process through the amendments to the planning process introduced by SEA. Alternatives considered in the Provisional LTP2 As mentioned before, the SEA process is in search to ensure that the significant environmental effects of alternative options for the plan are assessed and considered during the plan preparation and adoption processes. The options assessed for the LTP2 were6:basic package (accounting for 80% of total expenditure of the LTP2); basic package + public transport focus; basic package + focus on demand restraints such as congestion charging, parking restraints etc; and basic package + focus on cycling, walking and environmental improvements. Conclusive Remarks Eventually, it is inevitable to state that SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) statement has been undergone in the course like pendulum: neither too positive nor too negative. The SEA statement is opening a window for publics to make comments freely. On contrary, plans for transportation has been creating further negative impacts related to environmental issues. References Walker, Ewan. (May 2007). The Glasgow Local Transport Strategy. Strategic Environmental Assessment. Retrieved 17 March 2008 from http:// www.glasgow.gov.uk/.../1F5B4523-79FA-4654-8C01-F1A24013E690/0/Glasgow_LTS_Post_Adoption_SEA_Statement.pdf The Scottish Government. (2008). Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland : SEA Environmental Report. Sunday, March 16, 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2008 from http://openscotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/Q/Page/1 Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). (December 2004). Strategic Environmental Assessment for Transport Plans and Programmes. TAG Unit 2.11. Retrieved 17 March 2008 from http://www.webtag.org.uk/webdocuments/2_Project_Manager/11_SEA/index.htm Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA). (2007). National Park Plan 2007 - SEA Statement. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 15 March 2008 from http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/parkauthority/nationalparkplan/sea_statement.php Media, SEA Statement for the Portlaoise Local Area Plan. Laois County Council. Retrieved 18 March 2008 from http://www.laois.ie/media/Media,2510,en.pdf Muller, Elizabeth. Leben, Jure. and Treleven, Colin., (2006). Local Transport Plan 2006-2011: Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement. Unpublished Project Report of Centre for Sustainability at TRL Limited: Plymouth City Council. Retrieved 18 March 2008 from http:// www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouth_ltp_sea_statement.pdf Read More