11.

Relationship between the environmental impact assessment procedure and land use planning

Land use planning in the Czech Republic is part of the Act No.183/2006 Sb., on Land Use Planning and the Building Code, as amended (the Building Act). Land use planning activity is based on an assessment of the current state and development of a particular territory and on this ground the purposeful use of land is suggested. It is to ensure the sustainable development of the territory, harmonization of private and public concerns, protection of the public concern, and the rational use of natural resources. On the one hand, it creates the conditions for development of private and public activities, while on the other hand it is to create the prerequisites for eliminating the unfavourable influence of inhabitants on the individual compartments of the environment.

The land-use planning tools represent a fundamental intersection between the process of environmental impact assessment and the land use planning. In this context, the focus of significance can be seen in the tools of a conceptual character (Territorial Development Policy, Land Use Planning Documentation), as well as tools based on territorial surveys and analyses (land use planning documents). In the subsequent project phase, also zoning, authorization and territorial measures are of importance.

Environmental impact assessment of plans in the context of the Building Act

The environmental impact assessment procedure meets the land-use planning process not only in the strategic impact assessment, but in selected cases also in the project assessment.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is always done for obligatory intentions (plans for which the EIA Report is always processed), or projects for which this requirement results from the conclusions of the inquiry procedure. Typically, the HIA is developed as a separate annex to the EIA Report, which must be prepared by a holder of the certificate of professional competence in the public health impact assessment of the Ministry of Health.

Dispersion Analyses and Noise Studies as a part of the EIA Report are most often used for identifying impacts on the population, often in the form of separate expert reports attached. In addition, electromagnetic radiation and contamination of water sources by chemical substances and pathogenic organisms or their toxins is monitored for projects in relation to human health.