Environment: assessment of effects of certain plans and programmes

PURPOSE : to provide a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. CONTENT : the Directive provides that an environmental assessment shall be carried out for plans and programmes which are likely to have significant environmental effects. It relates in particular to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport and town and country planning or land use which set out the framework for the future development consent of projects listed in Annex I and II to Directive 85/337/EEC. The environmental report and the opinions expressed by the relevant authorities and the public, as well as the results of any transboundary consultation, shall be taken into account during the preparation of the plan or programme before its adoption or submission to the legislative procedure. The environmental report prepared shall include the information that may reasonably be required taking into account current knowledge and methods of assessment, the contents and the level of details in the plan or programme, its stage in the decision-making process and the extent to which certain matters are more appropriately assessed at different levels in that process in order to avoid duplication of the assessment. In addition, the Member States shall identify the public including the public affected or likely to be affected, or having an interest in, the decision-making subject to this Directive, including relevant any non-governmental organisations concerned. Where a Member States considers that the implementation of a plan or programme being prepared in relation to its territory is likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State, a copy of the draft plan or programme and the relevant environmental report shall be forwarded to the other Member State. Member States shall also ensure that, when a plan or programme is adopted, the authoriities, the public and any Member State consulted are informed and the following items are made available to those so informed: - the plan or programme as adopted; - a statement summarising how environmental considerations have been integrated into the plan or programme. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 21/07/2001. IMPLEMENTATION : 21/07/2004.�