What is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) register?
The EIA register for The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 shows information about decisions that we make during the EIA process.
On 23 June 2025, Scottish Forestry are launching a new EIA public register. This new system will make it easier to access EIA screening opinions by publishing them online.
Our new public register for EIA screening opinions will also let you search using maps. Users will be able to see where forestry projects have been screened and approved.
Projects where a scoping opinion or final decision (determination) has been made will be shown on a different part of the register.
As part of the transition to this new public register, the current table-based system we publish will no longer be used.
However, the table will be available for viewing for a further 16 weeks until 10 October 2025.
After this, all:
- EIA opinions/decisions made since 1 April 2019 – 20 June 2025 will be available in the historical spreadsheet
- all screening opinions made on or after 23 June 2025 will be published on the new public register
Please see Briefing Note 49: June 2025 - EIA register and SORF changes which details this change along with changes to the screening opinion request form which is now available on the Apply for a screening opinion page.
How does the register work?
The register shows details of individual cases at 3 possible stages:
1. Screening
A Screening Opinion is our decision on whether a forestry project proposed is likely to have significant environmental effects.
If we decide that it does, then the project moves onto the Scoping stage.
- Screening opinions made after 20 June 2025 are available on the Public register of EIA screening opinions
- Screening opinions made from the 3 March 2025 to the 20 June 2025 are available via the Public Register of Environmental Impact Assessments
As part of the transition to the new public register, this page will be available for a further 16 weeks until 10 October 2025 - Screening opinions made from 1 April 2019 until 20 June 2025 are available via a spreadsheet in our publications library
You should contact the relevant local Conservancy office if you require information on a specific case.
2. Scoping
The purpose of Scoping is to identify the EIA issues which must be addressed in the applicant’s EIA Report.
Scoping opinions made from 1 April 2019 until 20 June 2025 are available via a spreadsheet in our publications library.
Scoping opinions made after 20 June 2025 are available on the Environmental Impact Assessment - Forestry Projects Casework page, under the specific project’s section.
3. Determination of an Application for EIA Consent
After a formal public consultation, we make our final decision (determination) on whether to:
- approve the EIA forestry project
- approve it with conditions
- refuse it
EIA decisions made from 1 April 2019 until 20 June 2025 are available via a spreadsheet in our publications library.
EIA decisions made after 20 June 2025 are available on the Environmental Impact Assessment - Forestry Projects Casework page, under the specific project’s section.
Historical spreadsheet of EIA opinions/ decisions
EIA opinions/decisions made from 1 April 2019 until 20 June 2025 by Scottish Forestry are available via a spreadsheet in our publications library.
Note that:
- This dataset has been collated manually using information gathered from the case record for each project
- The spreadsheet will be updated for the final time on the 31 July 2025 to capture the cases moving from the legacy public register to this historical spreadsheet
Requesting copies of documentation
You should contact the relevant local Conservancy office to request or view copies of any:
- EIA Scoping Request
- Direction
- Screening or Scoping Opinion
- EIA Report
- other information, including:
- reports and advice to Scottish Ministers
- Statement of Reasons
You can either request:
- that the EIA documents are sent to you electronically
- to arrange to view these documents at a Scottish Forestry office