Screening Requirements
Screening can be defined as: "the process for deciding whether a particular plan or programme, other than those for which an SEA is mandatory, would be likely to have significant environmental effects, and would thus warrant an SEA."
In determining whether a particular plan or programme, or modification to a plan or programme, would or would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment, the Competent Authority shall take account of the relevant criteria set out in Schedule 1 of S.I. No 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004)
In addition, where it appears to the Competent Authority that a plan or programme, or modification to a plan or programme, might have significant effects on fisheries or the marine environment, the Competent Authority must notify the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Minister should be consulted on all plans or programmes that could have an effect, whether direct or indirect, on the aquatic environment.
In notifying the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Competent Authority shall state that it is proposing to prepare a plan or programme, or to modify a plan or programme and indicate that under the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004, [or the European Community (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004], a submission or observation in relation whether the proposed plan or programme, or modification to the plan or programme would or would not be likely to have significant effects on fisheries and the marine environment may be made within a specified period. The specified period shall be not less than 4 weeks from the date of the notice.
When consulting with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources it is important that the Competent Authority provide enough information about the plan or programme for the Environmental Authority, as well as all other consultees, to understand what is proposed.
Please provide some details of the Plans or Programmes (or modification envisaged to a Plans or Programmes) and the geographical location nationally/locally (normally by means of a map). An initial assessment of the Screening issues raised in the regulations "criteria for determining whether the proposal is likely to have significant effects on the environment", should also be provided. This might be by way of a Screening Statement as detailed in the publication "SEA Methodology for Plans and Programmes in Ireland" (available from EPA publications or at www.epa.ie)
In determining the likely significant effects of the plan or programme regard should be had to the need for the sustainable development of the inland and marine fisheries resource (including the conservation of fish and other species of fauna and flora, aquatic habitats and the biodiversity of inland and marine water ecosystems).
Consideration should be given to potential significant impacts on:
- Water quality
- Surface water hydrology
- Fish spawning and nursery areas
- Passage of migratory fish
- Areas of natural heritage importance including geological heritage sites
- Designated marine protected areas
- Biological Diversity
- Ecosystem structure and functioning
- Seabirds and marine mammals
- Fish and shellfish cultivation
- Sport and commercial fishing and angling
- Amenity and recreational areas
- Mineral and aggregate resources
- Sediment transport and coastal erosion
- Navigation
- Other legitimate use of the sea
