Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment: Streamlining AA, SEA and EIA - Practitioner's Manual

The three statutory forms of environmental assessment – Appropriate Assessment (AA), SEA and EIA – are summarised in Fig. 1.1; each has separate legislative provisions and procedural requirements. Having to screen for or undertake more than one of these assessments has implications for proponents in terms of resources, timing and approval processes, and may also mean duplication of work and, potentially, of costs when, in many cases, the same datasets are applied and similar steps are involved. In addition, assessments often have to be updated or repeated when, for example, proposals are altered or subject to periodic review. With each revision or new approval comes a requirement to (re)screen and consider potential cumulative and/or in-combination effects of other plans and projects.