C7.5.3 Environmental Report
The Environmental Report should explain the activities undertaken at each stage of the SEA process and presents the results of the assessment. Annex I of the SEA Directive specifies the information that must be included in the report.
Information required in the Environmental Report
- An outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or programme and relationship with other relevant plans and programmes.
- The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution of these without implementation of the plan or programme.
- The environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected.
- Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including (especially any relevant to any other existing European Directives).
- The environmental protection objectives (whether International, European or National), which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation.
- The likely significant effects on the environment, including on issues such as biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors.
- The measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme.
- An outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the required information.
- A description of the measures envisaged concerning monitoring.
10. A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings.