Assess­ing environmental impact

Further explanation can be found in-text below and on the National Planning Agency’s website.

The IRCA creates project definition documents for projects which adhere to the Transport Plan, irrespective of whether they relate to environmental impact assessment or not.

In these documents, a rough overview of the planned project is provided, alongside its relevance towards the organising principles in effect, and all relevant environmental impact assessment.

The project definition documents are updated in accordance with any changes that might occur in planning.

The fifteen-year Transport Plan falls under chapter III in laws on environmental impact assessment of projects and planning.

The environmental impact assessment is intended to ensure that consideration is shown regarding environmental protection and sustainable development immediately at a project’s developmental stage.

The IRCA creates preparatory documents for projects subject to disclosure to the National Planning Agency, due to examination of requirements for mandatory environmental assessment, and/or due to project execution application.

An investigation must be conducted as to whether certain projects are subject to mandatory environmental assessment, such as those designated in amendment #1, figures 2.02, 2.03, 10.03, 10.08 and 10.18 in legislation on environmental impact assessment, as well as all projects in protected areas.

Preparatory documents relate to the scope and environmental impact of a project, and are intended to streamline the environmental assessment process, as well as proposing preventative measures to reduce said impact.

The documents are sent to relevant municipalities as soon as they are ready.

Any project that might be subject to environmental impact assessment in accordance with laws on assessing a project’s environmental impact (19th article, legislation nr. 111/2021) is disclosed to the National Planning Agency, which determines whether or not the project is subject to mandatory environmental impact assessment.

Projects outlined in laws on environmental impact assessment, amendment #1, figures 2.01, 10.06, 10.07 and 10.09, are always subject to environmental impact assessment.

A plan of assessment, developed in co-operation with the National Planning Agency and other relevant parties, is developed for projects subject to mandatory environmental impact assessment. Included in this plan is a description of how the environmental impact assessment is to be approached, and which of the project’s and environment’s factors will be under specific scrutiny in the environmental impact assessment report.

When the National Planning Agency has accepted the plan of assessment, a report is commissioned wherein the environmental impact of a proposed project and subsequent work on it is assessed, alongside suggestions for countermeasures in relevant areas.

The National Planning Agency then advertises the report and seeks review and public commentary within six weeks.

The National Planning Agency can insist that the IRCA produce further documents if deemed necessary to reach a conclusion on a project’s environmental impact assessment.

Within seven weeks from the advertising of the environmental impact assessment report, the National Planning Agency gives its own opinion on the project’s environmental impact assessment.

This opinion provides grounds, methods and hypotheses regarding the project’s environmental impact. The evidence-based result of the agency regarding the project’s environmental impact assessment follows, with any necessary conditions regarding preventative measures and surveillance directed to the permit provider.

When the view of the National Planning Agency regarding a project’s environmental impact assessment is available, it is then disclosed to project operators, reviewers, and the public.

Municipality administrations are responsible for providing permits for projects after familiarizing themselves with the IRCA’s environmental impact assessment report pertaining to the project, whilst taking an evidence-based stance towards the decision made by the National Planning Agency regarding mandatory environmental impact assessment, or the National Planning Agency’s official opinion regarding the project’s environmental impact.

Permits can be subject to preventative measures, surveillance and/or security policies undertaken to minimise the effects of a project on the environment, cultural heritage sites and natural wonders, or to guarantee safety.

The decision of the municipality administration can be appealed to the appeals committee of environmental, and natural resource matters.