Italy mandates environmental assessment for Eastern Alps flood risk plan

The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security has mandated that the 2027-2033 Flood Risk Management Plan (PGRA) for the Eastern Alps District must undergo a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This decision, formalized in a September 2026 decree, marks a significant shift from the previous planning cycle, which had been exempt from such assessments.

This requirement aims to ensure that flood mitigation strategies for major rivers, such as the Piave and Tagliamento, are evaluated against various scenarios and alternatives. The goal is to identify interventions that reduce flood risk while minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems, local economies, and territories. For the Tagliamento, discussions involve sediment management and Natura 2000 sites, while for the Piave, the focus includes a complex system of expansion basins and flood management works.