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Strategic Environmental Assessment of River Basin Management Plans & Programmes of Measures. Steering Group Meeting 4 July 2008. Introductions. Dr Antonia Gaughran Project Co-ordinator. Dr Alan Barr Project Manager. Dr Jennifer Haddow SEA Expert. Grace Glasgow WFD Expert.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment of River Basin Management Plans & Programmes of Measures Steering Group Meeting 4 July 2008
Introductions Dr Antonia Gaughran Project Co-ordinator Dr Alan Barr Project Manager Dr Jennifer Haddow SEA Expert Grace Glasgow WFD Expert
Experience • WFD Projects • NS Share • Shannon iRBD • South Eastern RBD • South Western RBD • Aspects of WFD work programme • Article 5, Risk Assessments • Monitoring • SWMI • Generic text for draft RMMP & POMS
Experience • SEA Projects • Dodder pilot CFRMP • Second National Hazardous Waste Strategy • Midlands Waste Management Plan • Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategy • WFD Scoping Studies
Project Team Project ManagerDrAlan BarrSEA CoordinatorDr Antonia Gaughran Technical AdvisorsGrace Glasgow -WFDGerry Carty - SEAShane Herlihy - SEARichard Hamilton - PlanningElizabeth Arnett - StakeholdersTom Curtis – Appropriate Assess. Eastern, Western & South Western RBD Shannon, Neagh Bann, North Eastern (i)RBD South Eastern RBD North Western iRBD PILOT Staff Resource:Antonia GaughranRuth BarrDr Jennifer HaddowDr Fiona CurranRichard Bingham Staff Resource:Dr Marian Coll, Maeve Walsh,Dr Fiona Curran Staff Resource:Ruth Barr, Dr Jennifer Haddow, Richard Bingham, Sophie Gilloway Resource & Technical Assistance:RPS Dublin, RPS Cork, RPS Galway Resource & Technical Assistance:RPS Belfast, RPS Limerick, RPS Letterkenny, RPS Carlow
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
SEA and RBMPs • 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 RBMPs and POMs.
Main Steps to SEA Four main steps of SEA • Screening – Is an SEA needed? √ • Scoping – What should it include? √ • Environmental Assessment and Report - Alternatives • SEA Statement
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
Significant Issues Scoping Status / Risk / Possible Measures Objectives / Indicators / Targets Set Objectives Alternatives Action Programme Draft RBMP Environmental Report Consultation Final RBMP SEA Statement Implementation & review cycle - 2nd RBMP Methodology RBMP PROCESS SEA PROCESS Initial Characterisation Screening
Methodology • Phase I: Environmental Assessment & Report • Complete scoping phase • Start Pilot SEA immediately • Accelerate collection of baseline • data • Develop Alternatives Paper • Concurrent review • Habitats Directive Assessment
SEA PROCESS Screening HABITATS DIRECTIVE ASSESSMENT “Appropriate Assessment” Scoping Screening Alternatives Appropriate Assessment Environmental Report Assessment of Alternatives Assessment Where No Alternatives Exist SEA Statement Methodology – Habitats Potential Impacts to SAC / SPA Objectives / Indicators / Targets
Methodology • Phase II: Public Consultation • Combine with the consultation on the draft Plans • Take advantage of established relationships from the early stages of the WFD • Ongoing involvement of SEA team at Plan consultation to ensure awareness of all issues
Methodology • Phase III: Preparation of Submission Reports • Central review of all submissions: • Avoids duplication of work on general comments • Allows comments on one RBMP to be recognised in others • Well established and positive working relationships between two teams will allow maximum environmental input on possible changes to Plans resulting from this process • Reports will be clearly written
Methodology Phase IV: Preparation of SEA Statements • Addendum to SEA Environmental Report • Preparation of draft and final SEA statements for all 8 RBDs • Fast tracked to meet the revised 16 October 2009 RBMP deadline under the Water Policy Regulations addendum.
RPS DEADLINES: DECEMBER 2008 SEPTEMBER 2009 RPS READY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE