SEA IN THE CONTEXT OF LANDTUSE PLANNING

included as an appendix to the plan or the programme, or can be integrated in the structureand text of the plan or the programme. Regardless of whether the Environmental Report ispresented in a separate document or integrated in the plan, the SEA guidance emphasises thatconduction of SEA shall be regarded as an integrated part in the plan-making, rather than aseparate project (Skipulagsstofnun 2007). According to the Icelandic SEA Act, the scope andthe level of detail of the information in the environmental report shall be decided inconsultation with the Planning Agency. In Article 10 of the SEA Act, examples are given ofthe different considerations to be kept in mind when weighing the different environmentalimpacts and their significance. In Article 6 of the Act, the main information that shallalways be present in the Environmental Report is listed (presented in figure 5.2 below).a) An outline of the main contents and main objectives of the plan or the programme and their relationshipwith other plans and programmesb) A description of the main relevant aspects of the environment for the contents and the geographicalscope of the plan that are likely to be considerably affected by the implementation of the plan, and thepresentation of the likely development without the implementation of the plan or programmec) A description of the environmental problems that concern the plan, especially areas that are of specialnatural value as well as information on environmental protection objectives that the authorities haveadopted and are of relevance to the plan or programmes. The plan shall illustrate the way thoseobjectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation.d) Definition, description and assessment of the likely considerable environmental effects of theimplementation of the plan or programme and the realistic alternatives of the plan, considering the mainobjectives of the plan preparation and its geographical scope.e) Information on the mitigation measures envisaged.f) An outline of the alternatives studies and the reasons for selecting that proposed alternative. descriptionof how the assessment was undertaken, including any difficulties, such as technical deficiencies or lackof information or knowledge when compiling the required informationg) A description of how monitoring of considerable environmental effects of the implementation of the planor programmeh) A summary of the items a – i.FIGURE 5.2. CONTENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ACCORDING TO CHAPTER 1.5 OF THE SEA GUIDANCE(SKIPULAGSSTOFNUN 2007)5.3.3 ConsultationAccording to Article 7 of the Act, consultation with the Planning Agency shall be carried outduring the scoping phase of the environmental assessment. At later stages of the assessment,i.e. when the assessment has been carried out and the results presented in the environmentalreport, the plan or the programme as well as the environmental report shall be advertisedofficially, presented to the public, institutions, authorities and other bodies as appropriate.The public has six weeks to get acquainted with the environmental report and to submitcomments to the relevant authority.5.3.4 The results of the assessment and relation to decision making?According to Article 9 of the Act, those who are responsible for the environmentalassessment shall with the adoption of the plan or the programme pay consideration to theenvironmental report and the comments that have been received. Changes shall be made tothe plans policies and the results of the strategic environmental assessment as appropriate.The changes made, comments received as a result of consultation shall be accounted for in aspecial memorandum/report that shall accompany the final version of the plan or theprogramme.69