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1 Non-technical summary

1.1 Introduction

Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) is required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. It is a systematic method for assessing the environmental effects of plans and programmes during their preparation allowing for the mitigation of any adverse effects before plan implementation.

This is the non technical summary of the Environmental Report prepared as part of the SEA of the consultation document entitled "The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland - A Consultation Document". It sets out a summary of the SEA process, followed by an outline of the assessment of likely environmental effects of the proposals.

1.2 Summary of the SEA process

The SEA process to date has comprised a number of key steps. At the outset of the assessment information screening was undertaken to confirm that the proposals would require an SEA. Following this a scoping exercise was undertaken to identify the method and overall content of the SEA. This phase included a workshop with the Consultation Authorities ( SEPA, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage) and other stakeholders. A scoping report was produced and was sent to the Consultation Authorities. Following consideration of comments on the scoping report, the assessment of the proposals was carried out, culminating in the production of this Environmental Report. This report is now being circulated for further comment, and will be reviewed alongside the content of the proposals on conclusion of the consultation period.

1.3 Scope of the Environmental Report

The Environmental Report includes the following:

• Key facts about the proposals and outline of the definition, objectives and principles contained therein;
• Relationship with other plans, programmes and environmental objectives
• Environmental baseline - current state of the environment
• Identification of SEA framework for the assessment
• Assessment of the proposals in terms of the SEA framework
• Consideration of mitigation
• Suggested SEA monitoring programme
• Next steps

1.4 Summary of the proposals

The proposals contained within "The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland - A Consultation Document" present proposals for new flooding legislation, which will enable Scotland to take a sustainable approach to flood risk management. The paper provides a definition of the term "sustainable flood management" as it is used in the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 ("the 2003 Act").

The 2003 Act transposes the EC Water Framework Directive into Scots Law. The 2003 Act places a duty on Scottish Ministers, SEPA and responsible authorities to promote sustainable flood management when carrying out flood prevention functions. The term "sustainable flood management", however, is not defined in the Act; the Scottish Government feels that it is essential that the term is defined in practical terms to ensure the duty under the 2003 Act is carried out effectively and consistently across Scotland.

The consultation document establishes a framework for effective flood management planning with a hierarchy of plans to deliver sustainable flood risk management in Scotland; this proposed approach includes two key points:

• That SEPA is appointed as the competent authority with overall responsibility for coordinating flood risk management in consultation with other Responsible Authorities
• That Area Advisory Groups (or similar) are set up to provide a forum for the coordination of the Responsible Authorities.

The consultation document is divided into four chapters:

• Chapter 1 gives background information.
• Chapter 2 develops a sustainable approach to flood risk.
• Chapter 3 discusses the Flooding Bill proposals for achieving sustainable flood management.
• Chapter 4 gives details on the Bill proposals for reservoir safety, which do not require a SEA because they cover safety enforcement arrangements.

This SEA deals only with assessment of the definition, objectives and principles used to define sustainable flood management and how an updated structure could support its implementation

1.5 SEA Assessment Framework

A review was carried out of existing plans, programmes and strategies ( PPS) relevant to flood risk management. Environmental problems present in Scotland were then identified through the assessment of the environmental baseline within Scotland and from a Scoping workshop held with the Consultation Authorities and other stakeholders. The SEA Assessment Framework was subsequently developed based on these analyses; a list of objectives to resolve the environmental problems was then produced.

1.6 Environmental issues and evolution of the environment without the proposals

The proposals are intended to provide a definition for sustainable flood management which can be applied consistently across Scotland as a whole. There are a number of environmental issues present within Scotland which the proposals may have a positive or negative effect upon. These problems include:

• Flood risk
• Loss of habitats and habitat fragmentation
• Changes in the population of Scotland
• High levels of heart disease in Scotland
• Anxiety and stress associated with flooding
• Soil erosion and disruption to the hydrological cycle
• Diffuse pollution issues
• Climate change and associated impacts
• Pressures on the historic environment from development

This assessment examines the potential effect of the proposals on the range of environmental problems in Scotland.

Strategic Environmental Assessment often includes the consideration of "alternatives" to the plan under consideration. In the case of the proposals it was considered that there were no reasonable alternatives suitable for assessment.

1.7 Assessment of the proposals

Assessment of the definition, objectives and principles of sustainable flood management was carried out by considering how well they supported the list of environmental objectives which were developed within the SEA. It was not appropriate to assess in detail specific environmental impacts because these will vary for different types of flooding in different areas across Scotland.

The assessment considered the environmental effects across a range of topics specified in the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 considered to be relevant to the scale and nature of the proposals, namely:

• biodiversity, flora and fauna
• population and human health
• soil
• water
• climatic factors
• material assets
• cultural heritage
• landscape

The assessment found that in general the SFM proposals positively progressed towards the list of objectives in the SEA framework. It was acknowledged that in some individual cases there may be conflicts between the needs of flood risk management and the pressures of the local environment. It was identified as being important that in the development of individual flood management schemes that the full range of potential environmental effects in that area should be considered. However, when considered across Scotland as a whole it was felt that the proposals had no significant adverse effects.

1.8 Monitoring

The assessment did not identify any particular significant environmental impacts associated with the proposals. However, the approach generally taken in SEA is to develop a monitoring programme so that any unexpected environmental effects resulting from the proposals can be identified. The monitoring programme also offers a means to ensure that the environmental effects identified within the SEA do turn out as predicted.

To this end a list of potential indicators have been identified which can be used to monitor the effect of the adoption of the proposals.

1.9 How to comment on the Environmental Report

We would welcome your comments on this Environmental Report. The Environmental Report of the SEA for the proposals was published on 12th February 2008 and comments are requested by 23rd April 2008.

Responses other than from statutory consultation authorities should be submitted to:

keith.robertson@sistech.co.uk

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