Problems associated with the preparation of strategic environmental impact assessment of plans

Environmental protection policy is being carried out, among other things, through suitable sectorial plans and programs. In this sense, considering and inclusion of all important environmental aspects in preparing and adopting spatial and urban plans, will significantly contribute to the sustainable development aims. The aim of this paper is to analyze our experience in application of the Law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment. We have paid special attention to its drawbacks, observed in preparation of strategic environmental impact assessments. These have mostly been prepared without employing adequate methods and without corresponding input data which would be processed by means of adequate methods. For the purpose of efficient document preparation, 13 typical examples have been analyzed and a series of principles, criteria and solutions for the observed problems is defined on the basis thereof.