The initial work on an environmental assessment plans must decide on the focus of the environmental assessment, its scope and focus.
The proposed scope and focus of environmental assessment shall be explained in a written statement, called an assessment description. The responsible party of the relevant program seeks the advice of HMS on the assessment description, in accordance with the Act on Environmental Assessment of Projects and Programs. It is also preferred that the assessment description be more widely presented to the public and public authorities.
A specific assessment description is not necessary for municipal development plans. It is assumed that the description of the planning project, which outlines the background and purpose of the planning effort, also outlines how the environmental assessment of the planning proposal will be conducted.
For other plans, such as Plan for transmission grid, Master plan for nature protection and energy utilisation and Transport plan, a specific assessment description is generally required.