In addition to environmental effects, we are also examining themes such as health, sustainability, and climate adaptation for the renewal of the environmental vision. We refer to the environmental impact report as an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). For these studies, we established a research agenda: the Scope and Detail Level Note (SDLN). We requested advice from the MER committee regarding this.
In the advice, the committee highlights 2 important points. The first point is to make the environmental impact report area-focused. The province of Gelderland has areas that differ in environmental pressure and tasks. Look at each area to identify issues, tasks, and opportunities. Analyze this thoroughly and then investigate the effects of various development possibilities. The second point from the committee concerns the timeframe of the environmental vision. Due to the provinces desire for more direction and necessary choices in the short term, the committee advises also to look at the required changes in the coming 10 years.
The full advice from the MER committee can be found on the website of the commission mer.nl.
What does the next step look like?
In addition to the advice from the MER committee, in the spring of 2025, everyone could respond to the SDLN by submitting a view (response). All received views and our response to them will be compiled into a so-called view note. The view note is expected to be ready by summer. Everyone who submitted a view will receive a message with our response to the views. We will work on the advice from the MER committee and use both this advice and all incoming responses when drafting the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the elaboration of the environmental vision.
Your opinion matters - also in the next phase
The renewal of the environmental vision is a collaborative effort. In the first participation round (September - November 2024), we gathered broad ideas from residents, organizations, and other stakeholders. The outcomes are included in the participation report and are processed in the framework note. After the summer, a second participation round will follow. We will assess the concept: is it understandable what we write? What do you think of the content and the choices made? Are the environmental effects accurately and understandably depicted? Soon we will tell you more about how you can participate.