Final environmental report

1 Non technical summary 3

2 Introduction 5

2.1 Comments received during consultation of draft Environmental Report 5

2.2 Structure of the Report 6

3 Overall development context of the BSR Programme 7

3.1 Objectives and priorities 7

3.2 Environmental context of the BSR programme 7

4 Environmental Policy Framework 14

4.1 Introduction 14

4.2 Priorities of the Environment Action Programme 2002-2012 14

4.3 Environmental Thematic Strategies 17

5 Approach to assessing the likely significant environmental effects 22

5.1 Introduction 22

5.2 Approach and methodology applied in assessment 22

5.3 Level one: Development objectives 23

5.4 Level two: Measures and eligible activities 23

5.5 Level three: Selection criteria for the proposed activities 24

6 Assessment of the likely significant impacts 25

6.1 Assessment of the aim, objectives, and priorities - an overall comment. 25

6.2 Assessment of directions for support 26

6.3 Summary of the cumulative effects 28

6.4 Possible effects on the identified environmental objectives 28

6.5 Assessment of the likely significant impacts of not adopting the BSR Operational Programme 29

7 Proposed guidelines for environmental assessment of project applications 30

7.1 Step one 31

7.2 Step two 32

7.3 Step three 32

7.4 Step four 32

8 Monitoring of the significant environmental impacts 33

1 Non technical summary

2 Introduction

2.1 Comments received during consultation of draft Environmental Report

2.2 Structure of the Report

3 Overall development context of the BSR Programme

3.1 Objectives and priorities

3.2 Environmental context of the BSR programme

3.2.1 Economic development and related pressures on the environment

Sustainable use of natural resources

Energy

Transport

Tourism

Industry

Agriculture

Forestry

Fisheries

3.2.2 Environmental developments

Climate change

Stratospheric ozone depletion

Air pollution

Chemicals

Waste

Water

Soil

Technological and natural hazards

Biodiversity

Human health

4 Environmental Policy Framework

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Priorities of the Environment Action Programme 2002-2012

4.2.1 Priority 1: Climate change

4.2.2 Priority 2: Nature and biodiversity

4.2.3 Priority 3: Environment and health and quality of life

4.2.4 Priority 4: Natural resources and wastes

4.3 Environmental Thematic Strategies

4.3.1 Air pollution

4.3.2 Prevention and recycling of waste

4.3.3 Protection and conservation of the marine environment

4.3.4 Soil Protection

4.3.5 Sustainable use of pesticides

4.3.6 Sustainable use of natural resources

4.3.7 Urban development

5 Approach to assessing the likely significant environmental effects

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Approach and methodology applied in assessment

5.3 Level one: Development objectives

5.4 Level two: Measures and eligible activities

5.5 Level three: Selection criteria for the proposed activities

6 Assessment of the likely significant impacts

6.1 Assessment of the aim, objectives, and priorities - an overall comment.

6.2 Assessment of directions for support

6.2.1 Biodiversity, flora and fauna

6.2.2 Population and human health

6.2.3 Soil/ Land use

6.2.4 Water

6.2.5 Air and Climatic factors

6.2.6 Material assets

6.2.7 Cultural heritage

6.2.8 Landscape

6.2.9 Energy and use of renewable resources

6.2.10 Transport demand

6.2.11 Adaptation to climate change

6.3 Summary of the cumulative effects

6.4 Possible effects on the identified environmental objectives

6.5 Assessment of the likely significant impacts of not adopting the BSR Operational Programme

7 Proposed guidelines for environmental assessment of project applications

7.1 Step one

7.2 Step two

7.3 Step three

7.4 Step four

8 Monitoring of the significant environmental impacts

Appendix 1: Assessment of the relevance and consistency of proposed measures to the EU Environmental Policy Framework

Appendix 2: Assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed measures

Appendix 3: Format to be filled in by project applicants

Introduction

Likely significant environmental impact

Relevant environmental projection objectives likely to be influenced by the project

Indicators and data

Appendix 4: Overview of comments received during consultation of the draft Environmental Report