Baseline Information

Establishing a baseline enables Responsible Authorities to have an understanding of the existing environment, in order to determine whether significant environmental effects are likely.

It is advisable to consider what baseline information is required for the SEA before embarking on an extensive data collection exercise. 

The collation of baseline environmental information is important for many stages of the SEA process and should therefore be considered quite early in the process. In particular, reference to baseline information can be made at the following SEA stages:

• Screening
• Scoping
• Environmental Report
• Monitoring

The preparation of baseline information can also include consideration of other relevant plans and programmes which may influence, or be influenced by, the Plan being subject to SEA.

This section is subdivided in the following chapters which can be accessed through the menu:

State of the Environment
Legislation and Other Relevant Plans, Programmes and Strategies (PPS)

Other information about the collation of environmental baseline information can be found in the scoping section (Scoping - Baseline).

Other useful information is also available through NetRegs.