Environmental impact reports are part of the process of assessing the environmental impact of projects. Their main objective is to ensure that any new developments or projects are carried out with environmental protection and sustainability in mind. The preparation of environmental impact reports requires not only detailed expertise, but also the ability to analyse the complex interactions between various environmental factors.
Environmental impact reports - legal basis
Precise guidance covering the environmental impact report is provided in the Act of 3 October 2008 on providing information on the environment and its protection, public participation in environmental protection and environmental impact assessments (Journal of Laws 2008 No. 199, item 1227).. Based on the provisions of this law, it is not only possible to effectively minimise the negative economic effects of projects, but also to promote the principles of sustainable development. In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the environmental impact report for an investment project is becoming more and more important, and its quality and comprehensiveness is increasingly decisive. The precise guidelines related to the report are also regulated by regulations, for example the Council of Ministers Regulation of 10 September 2019 on projects likely to have a significant impact on the environment.
What exactly is an environmental impact report?
The environmental impact report is the key document required by law to assess the environmental impact of a project. Jego's main task is a comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts of infrastructure projects, industrial or energy projects both on the surrounding nature and on the health and well-being of local communities. The report provides the foundation for the environmental decision-making process and allows the environmental authorities to assess the compliance of the planned project with the applicable environmental standards, which is necessary to obtain permits for the investment.
Who is affected by the environmental impact report?
Environmental impact report - when is this document required? Projects that may always have a significant impact on the environment include a range of installations and activities that, by their nature, have a potentially large impact on the ecosystem. These projects include large-scale chemical and pharmaceutical installations producing substances, conventional power plants and combined heat and power plants with a thermal capacity exceeding 300 MW. The requirement to have an environmental impact report also applies to large energy projects such as nuclear power plants and offshore wind energy installations with a nominal capacity exceeding 100 MW.
Other significant projects include large industrial installations such as iron and steel mills, metal ore processing plants and onshore wind power plants with significant installation capacity. In addition, environmental reports are required for large transmission installations, such as overhead power lines with a rated voltage of 220 kV and longer than 15 km, as well as for developments related to the processing and storage of nuclear fuels and radioactive waste.
Operators of such projects must prepare an environmental brief to assess the potential impacts of their activities and ensure that they minimise negative impacts on the surrounding environment.
The exact list of projects where an EIA report is required can be found in the Decree of the Council of Ministers of 10 September 2019. on projects likely to have a significant impact on the environment.
Who is responsible for preparing the environmental report?
Environmental impact report - who prepares it? The document is the responsibility of various authorities, depending on the type and scale of the planned project.
The Regional Director of Environmental Protection is the main authority responsible for issuing an environmental decision. This applies to a number of projects, such as the construction of roads, electricity lines, industrial installations or changes to forests.
Environmental decisions are in some cases issued by the General Director of Environmental Protection, e.g. for investments in nuclear energy.
In the case of amalgamation, exchange or division of land, the decision is taken by the district governor, and in the case of conversion of state forests to agricultural use, by the Director of the Regional Directorate of State Forests.
Other projects are subject to a decision by the mayor.
Who prepares the EIA report when an application covers at least two projects carried out as part of one investment project, for which at least two authorities are competent? The decision on environmental conditions is then made by the Regional Director for Environmental Protection.
Such regulations ensure a comprehensive analysis and responsible approach to environmental protection in the process of implementing various projects.
The scope of the environmental impact report can vary from project to project. In order to submit the application correctly and complete the procedure successfully, it is worth using the environmental consulting from the EKOPRO Group. We also provide environmental outsourcing and we carry out environmental audit.
