Housing, construction and planning authority
Environmental impact assessment of projects
Environmental impact assessment process
If a project is subject to environmental assessment, its potential environmental impacts must be assessed.
Scoping document
The environmental assessment process begins with the preparation of a scoping document. The document describes the way in which the developer intends to evaluate the environmental impact of the project.
The developer prepares the scoping document, presenting the proposed project and explaining the approach to the environmental assessment.
The developer submits the scoping document to HMS, which presents it to the public and publishes it on Skipulagsgátt, planning portal and on the HMS website.
HMS consults with relevant bodies, depending on the nature of the case such as permitting authorities and expert institutions. The public and other stakeholders are also given an opportunity to provide comments and feedback.
The developer is given a chance to respond to the comments before HMS issues its findings on the document.
HMS issues its findings about the scoping document, which includes, as applicable, guidance for the developer on the preparation, content, and presentation of the environmental impact assessment report.
Scoping documents and related findings are available in the Environmental Assessment Database.
Environmental impact assessment report
The developer carries out the environmental assessment in accordance with the assessment plan and the findings of HMS, and presents it in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
Once the developer has completed the report, it is submitted to HMS.
When HMS has confirmed that the report complies with the assessment plan, its own findings on the plan, and the provisions of relevant laws and regulations, the agency makes the report publicly available through the Planning Portal and its own website, and requests comments from relevant consultation bodies.
The public is also given the opportunity to submit comments on the proposed project and its environmental assessment through Skipulagsgátt, planning portal.
HMS' conclusion
After the public consultation period and after receiving comments from consulting parties and the public along with the developer’s response, HMS issues its conclusion on the environmental assessment. This conclusion may include conditions or mitigation measures that the agency considers should be incorporated into permits for the project.
Project permits
After the environmental assessment is completed, the developer applies for the necessary project permits from the relevant municipality and, where applicable, other permitting authorities. Permit decisions must take into account the findings of the environmental assessment.