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.

The environmental assessment of a plan should be carried out simultaneously and as part of its development. This will include the opportunity to use the environmental assessment to identify and choose between different options.

The final proposal for a plan and its environmental assessment must be presented before the final approval of the plan.

The environmental assessment of a plan is presented in an environmental assessment report and the report can serve as an independent statement and then as a supporting document for the relevant plan. The environmental assessment report can also be integrated in the relevant plan in whole or in part, for example as a separate chapter on the environmental assessment of the plan.

At the final approval of the plan:

• The environmental assessment report and the comments received on the proposal for a plan and the environmental assessment report should be taken into account.

• A summary of how environmental considerations have been integrated into the plan shall be prepared in the light of the environmental assessment report, comments on the proposed plan and the environmental assessment report.

• It is necessary to know how the environmental impact of the implementation of the plan is planned to be monitored.

The final decision and the accompanying documents must be presented to the commentary and made publicly available.