SEA Glossary
Consultation Authority
A specialist body with environmental expertise that can consider plans and programmes submitted by a Responsible Authority. The Consultation Authorities are; Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland), Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Environmental Report
Document required by the SEA Directive [Directive 2001/42/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment as part of an environmental assessment, which identifies, describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a plan or programme and reasonable alternatives. Section 14 and Schedule 3 of the Act sets out the information required in an Environmental Report.
Plan or Programme
The term "plan or programme" covers any plans or programmes to which the Act applies and specifically includes strategies.
Pre-screening
Where a plan as described in section 5(4) of the Act is considered, in the opinion of the Responsible Authority, to have no or minimal effect on the environment they may exempt the plan from SEA. To reach such a decision the Responsible Authority must consider the significance of the environmental effects against the criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Act. Under section 7 of the Act, Responsible Authorities have statutory obligation to notify Scottish Minister of their pre-screening decisions and a register of decision is available for public inspection.
Responsible Authority
Any person, body or office holder exercising functions of a public character. If such an authority prepares a strategy, plan or programme which requires an SEA then that authority js responsible for the SEA. Where more than one authority is responsible for a strategy, plan or programme they should reach an agreement as to who is responsible for the SEA. Where an agreement cannot be reached, he Scottish Ministers shall make the determination.
Scoping
The process of deciding the scope and level of detail to be included in the environmental report.
Screening
The process of determining the likely significance of effects on the environment of a strategy, plan or programme. Schedule 2 of the Act sets out criteria for determining the likely significant effects on the environment.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Generic term used to describe environmental assessment as applied to strategies, plans and programmes. The term "SEA" is used to refer to the type of environmental assessment required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Sustainable Development
Securing the future, acknowledging that achieving economic growth has to be done in such a way that it does not harm the environment or squander the natural resources we depend on, and having to distribute the wealth it creates to improve quality of life and to eradicate poverty.