Evaluation guide

Section 1: strategic action and environmental baseline description, strategic action and SEA process integration

1

Contents and main objectives of the strategic action are outlined.

2

Relationship with other relevant strategic actions are outlined.

3

SEA objectives are outlined.

4

How the SEA was conducted is described.

5

How SEA and strategic action making processes were integrated (i.e. SEA should take place during strategic action preparation and before its adoption or submission to the legislative procedure) is described.

6

With a view to avoid duplication of assessment, the report describes what issues are addressed in other assessments, i.e. at other levels/layers within a planning system/hierarchy.

7

The report provides information on the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment, economy and social aspects likely to be significantly affected and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the strategic action.

8

The report provides information on any existing environmental/sustainability problems that are relevant to the strategic action including, in particular, those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance.

9

The report provides information on environmental protection objectives, established at international, African or DRC level, which are relevant to the strategic action and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation.

Section 2: Identification and evaluation of key issues and options

10

How reasonable alternatives were identified, considering objectives and geographical scope of the strategic action is descrived.

11

Environmental issues considered in assessment are listed.

12

The report describes how environmental issues considered in assessment were identified.

13

The report provides information on the likely significant effects of different options on: 1) biodiversity, 2) population, 3) human health, 4) fauna, 5) flora, 6) soil, 7) water, 8) air, 9) climatic factors, 10) material assets, 11) cultural heritage, including architecture and archaeology, 12) landscape, 13) the interrelationship between the above factors.

14

Matters more appropriately assessed at other levels or layers of decision-making, with a view to avoid duplication, are provided.

15

The report shows how state-of-the-art knowledge and methods of assessment were used.

16

The assessment focuses on significant issues and disregards less significant ones. Reasons for eliminating issues from further consideration are documented.

Section 3: Determination of impact significance

17

The assessment identifies the degree to which the strategic action sets a framework for project/other activities, either in terms of location, size, nature and operating conditions or by allocating resources.

18

The assessment identifies value and vulnerability of the area likely to be affected due to special natural characteristics or cultural heritage, exceeded environmental quality standards, exceeded limit values or intensive land use.

19

The report refers to the strategic action effects on areas or landscapes that have a recognized DR Congolese, African or international protection status of the various options.

20

The probability, duration (short, medium and long term, permanent and temporary), frequency and reversibility of effects (both positive and negative) of the various options are identified.

21

The secondary, cumulative and synergistic nature of the effects of the various options are identified.

22

The transboundary nature of the effects of the various options are identified.

23

Risks to human health and the environmental issues (e.g. due to accidents, of various options) are identified.

24

The magnitude and spatial extent of the effects (geographical area and size of population affected) of the various options are identified.