Strategic Environmental Assessment, Screening for Appropriate Assessment and Appropriate Assessment (if required) of the Irish Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme 2023-2027

Tender description

The successful tenderer/consortium will be required to compile: a. An appropriately scaled Strategic Environmental Assessment of the draft Forest Strategy and the draft Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which fully complies with the principles and requirements of Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment and the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 435 of 2004), as amended; b. A screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the draft Forest Strategy and draft Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which complies with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011); c. Subject to the results of the AA screening process, an AA of the draft Forest Strategy and draft Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which complies with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011); Tenderers should note that there is no guarantee that the Assessment referred to at (c) will be required. On receipt of the Screening Report referred to at (b), the Contracting Authority will make a decision on whether the successful tenderer will be requested to proceed with the assessment referred to at (c). The successful tenderer/consortium will be required to compile all above reports under this contract. In this regard it is essential that the personnel proposed by the tenderer to carry out this work are appropriately qualified and experienced in this area. The AA and SEA may be carried out concurrently and draw upon common data but should be clearly distinguishable in terms of their scope and conclusion.