Consultation on SEPA’s approach to determining whether to grant authorisation for activities likely to have significant adverse impacts on the water environment
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a public consultation inviting views from those interested in how SEPA handles applications for authorisation of activities likely to have a significant adverse impact on the water environment.
Under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005, anyone who wishes to carry out a controlled activity (such as abstracting water from, undertaking engineering works in or discharging pollutants into the water environment) requires an authorisation before they can do so.
Many applications made to SEPA are for controlled activities that will not result in significant adverse impacts on the water environment. This consultation deals with the small proportion that would result in such adverse impacts and how SEPA handles them. It explains how SEPA takes into account the benefits expected to result from a proposed activity; and the adverse impacts of the proposal, including its consequences for the interests of third parties.
SEPA has provided on its website ten questions regarding the matter along with a covering letter and supporting guidance for the consultation.
The consultation will close on 11 April 2008.
Further information about the consultation is available from:
http://www.sepa.org.uk/consultation/index.htm
Source: www.sepa.org.uk (accessed 04/03/08)