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Environmental impact reporting and strategic environmental assessment

In preparing activities, plans and programs that may affect the environment, an environmental impact report (m.e.r.) or strategic environmental assessment (SMB) is frequently required. M.e.r and SMB assist in preparing radical and at times disputed decisions.

Oranjewoud's m.e.r. consultants can indicate when an m.e.r. or SMB may be necessary or desirable and they possess all the required expertise to perform an m.e.r. or SMB.

Study potential effects

Developing residential areas and industrial sites, building roads and waterways, disposing or processing of waste materials and intensive cattle farming: these are just a few examples of activities that carry consequences for the environment. Since we want to take care of our surroundings and avoid overly impulsive decisions, it is important that we study potential environmental effects prior to implementing plans.

Mandatory

In a great number of activities an environmental impact report (m.e.r.) is mandatory in order for the authorities to decide (for example, in approving a plan, or issuing a permit or court order) to allow the plan to go ahead.

 

M.e.r. assessment

In a number of cases in which the activities concerned are more minor in nature, the authorities need to decide if there is a need to prepare an m.e.r. prior to taking a decision authorizing implementation. An m.e.r. assessment note must be produced for this purpose.

Activities for which an m.e.r. is mandatory

Activities for which an m.e.r. is required, and those for which the authorities must evaluate whether an m.e.r. is necessary (m.e.r. assessment), are listed in the decree on environmental impact reporting. Generally speaking this includes:

  • Infrastructure projects
  • Residential areas and industrial sites
  • Land lay-outs and recreational projects
  • Extraction of water and minerals
  • Processing or removing waste materials and dredge mortar
  • Energy projects

Strategic environmental assessment (SMB)

Strategic environmental assessment (SMB), also called strategic m.e.r., is a new development resulting from European regulations. Strategic environmental assessment takes place during the development of plans and programs, but at an earlier stage and at a more abstract level than the actual decision that allows the activities to be performed.

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