The Scottish Government

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

SEA is a key component of sustainable development establishing important new methods for protecting the environment and extending opportunities for participation in public policy decision making. SEA achieves this by:-

• systematically assessing and monitoring the significant environmental effects of public sector strategies, plans and programmes
• ensuring that expertise and views are sought at various points in the process from SNH, SEPA, Historic Scotland and the public
• requiring a public statement as to how opinions have been taken into account

Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005

The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force on February 20, 2006. The Act repealed the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004, which was in force prior to the Act. Responsible Authorities who had already started preparing plans and programmes on or before February 19, 2006, are able to continue following the provision set out in the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Responsible Authorities in this position should refer to the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (commencement and savings) order 2006 (SSI No. 19 (C.2)).

The link to the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004 is provided below, under useful links.

Contact details

Technical or informal enquiries may be directed to the Consultation Authorities, however all other enquiries, including those queries relating to Screening and Scoping procedures should be directed to the SEA Team at:

Useful links

Other devolved administrations