Implementation of SEA in Flanders: Attitudes of key stakeholders and a user-friendly methodology

The EIA Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, was commissioned by the Ministry of the Flemish Community to develop user-friendly methodology for strategic environmental assessment (SEA). One component of this study is a survey of individuals involved in the Flemish environmental impact assessment process. Its most important result is the very low percentage of respondents not in favour of SEA and the lack of awareness of many administrators of the environmental consequences of their decisions, at the level of policies, plans, and programs. The majority of respondents are in favor of screening procedures in collaboration with specialists, an examination of alternatives, public participation, and quality control. Proposals for an SEA system for Flanders and the challenges facing its implementation in the future are discussed. Flexibility is a major feature of the proposed SEA system. Administrative services can choose between an integration of SEA principles into existing planning procedures or an introduction of a separate SEA procedure.