The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017

PART 7 FORESTRY PROJECT WITH SIGNIFICANT TRANSBOUNDARY EFFECTS

Forestry project in Scotland likely to have significant effects in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom

27.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) it comes to the attention of the Commissioners that a forestry project proposed to be carried out in Scotland is the subject of an EIA application and is likely to have significant effects on the environment in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom; or

(b) an EEA State other than the United Kingdom likely to be significantly affected by such a forestry project so requests.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the Commissioners must—

(a) send to the EEA State, as soon as possible and no later than their date of publication in The Edinburgh Gazette referred to in sub-paragraph (b), the particulars mentioned in paragraph (3) and, if they think fit, the information referred to in paragraph (4);

(b) publish the information in sub-paragraph (a) above in a notice placed in The Edinburgh Gazette indicating the address where further information is available; and

(c) give the EEA State a reasonable period of time in which to indicate whether it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide.

(3) The particulars referred to in paragraph (2)(a) are—

(a) a description of the forestry project, together with any available information on its possible significant effect on the environment in another EEA State; and

(b) information on the nature of the decision which may be taken.

(4) Where an EEA State indicates, in accordance with paragraph (2)(c), that it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide, the Commissioners must, as soon as possible, send to that EEA State the following information:—

(a) a copy of the application concerned;

(b) a copy of the EIA report in respect of the forestry project to which that application relates; and

(c) relevant information regarding the procedure under these Regulations,

but only to the extent that such information has not been provided to the EEA State earlier in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).

(5) The Commissioners, insofar as they are concerned, must also—

(a) arrange for the particulars and information referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4) and any additional information submitted by the applicant to be made available, within a reasonable period of time, to the authorities designated in accordance with Article 6(1) of the Directive and the public concerned in the territory of the EEA State likely to be significantly affected; and

(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before EIA consent for the forestry project is granted, to forward to the Commissioners, within a reasonable period of time, their opinion on the information supplied.

(6) The Commissioners must, in accordance with Article 7(4) of the Directive,—

(a) enter into consultations with the EEA State concerned regarding, amongst other things, the potential significant effects of the forestry project on the environment of that EEA State and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects; and

(b) determine in agreement with the other EEA State a reasonable period of time for the duration of the consultation period.

(7) Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with paragraph (6), on the determination of the application concerned the Commissioners must inform the EEA State of the decision and forward to it a copy of the decision notice.

Projects in another EEA State likely to have significant transboundary effects

28.—(1) Where the Commissioners receive from an EEA State other than the United Kingdom pursuant to Article 7(2) of the Directive information which that EEA State has gathered from the applicant of a forestry project which is proposed in that EEA State which is likely to have significant effects on the environment in Scotland, the Commissioners must, in accordance with Article 7(4) of the Directive—

(a) enter into consultations with that EEA State regarding, amongst other things, the potential significant effects of the forestry project on the environment in Scotland and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects;

(b) determine in agreement with that EEA State a reasonable period, before consent for the project is granted, during which members of the public in Scotland may submit to the competent authority in that EEA State representations pursuant to Article 7(3)(b) of the Directive; and

(c) in so far as they have received such information, notify the consultation bodies and the public concerned of the content of any decision of the competent authority of the relevant EEA State and in particular—

(i) any conditions attached to it;

(ii) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision was based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public; and

(iii) a description of the main measures to avoid, reduce and if possible, offset the major adverse effects that have been identified.

(2) The Commissioners must also—

(a) arrange for the information referred to in paragraph (1) to be made available, within a reasonable period of time, both to the authorities in Scotland which they consider are likely to be concerned by the forestry project by reason of their specific environmental responsibilities, and to the public concerned in Scotland; and

(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned in Scotland are given an opportunity, before consent for the forestry project is granted, to forward to the competent authority in the relevant EEA State, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied.