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The Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire in 2005, also known as the Buncefield incident, highlighted the need for a specialised unit to coordinate the response to such air pollution events. This led to the creation of the Air Quality Cell (AQC) for England and Wales followed by the Airborne Hazard Emergency Response (AHER) in Scotland. During major incidents it is AHER that ensures a comprehens

Air Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) Radioactive substances Our radioactive substances data return forms were revised in March 2026. EASR sealed source data return (Excel, 49 kB) EASR radioactive waste data return(Excel, 80 kB) EASR intention to transfer radioactive waste/contaminated items for the first time (MS Word, 202 kB) Offshore data return (Excel, 59 kB) Waste Waste da

Further technical guidance This page brings together a number of ancillary guidance documents and previous email bulletin information relating to modelling of marine fish-farms for CAR licence applications. Auxiliary biomass sampling transect In areas where the tidal residual current is weak, the auxiliary transect (site-specific sampling 2) may be aligned along a bearing reciprocal to the primary

Marine aquaculture modelling Computer modelling is used as a guide to determining licensed discharge quantities of anti-parasitic chemicals and organic waste arising from marine fish-farm operations. The modelling tools promoted by SEPA provide robust predictions in most cases, requiring relatively little site-specific information. Nevertheless, the quality of the model outputs is dependent upon g

An overview of how SEPA takes account of biodiversity when making regulatory decisions. Protecting habitats, species and Scotland’s ecosystem services is an integral part of SEPA’s regulatory remit. All our regulatory decisions should take account of potential effects on biodiversity and opportunities for biodiversity enhancement. We are responsible for setting standards in environmental licences that protect and help improve the state of water, land and air and the services that eco

Frequently asked questions Why is a sea lice framework needed? Populations of wild Atlantic salmon have been in serious decline in recent decades and are now at crisis point. The pattern of decline is repeated across the salmon’s North Atlantic range and is likely caused, at least in part, by the effect of climate change on the survival of salmon during their time at sea. To build resilience of Sc

Help information Can I view the register full screen?No. The register can only be viewed within the set frame. Can I hide the search menu on the right?No, the search menu on the right hand side is fixed. Why can’t I view my own property?The register is designed to support SEPA’s regulation of the reservoir industry and to support strategic level decision making. It is not suitable for assessing fl

Continuous water quality monitoring equipment was deployed in the inner Clyde estuary adjacent to Govan in 2011. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations are known to occur in the inner Clyde estuary at this location as a result of the decomposition of organic wastes from discharges and urban run off. Limited mixing between fresh water and more dense saltwater leads to large differences between the sal

SEPA often receives environmental event notifications for issues for which are the statutory responsibility of other organisations. To help you get to the right place quickly the table below provides a quick guide to a number of issues, together with how you can contact the right organisation. Responsibilities by topic Responsibilities Organisations Abandoned vehicles Your local authority Y

The regulation and legislation of radioactive substances (RSA) in Scotland. Environmental authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 What are we able to do? We can now accept: Applications for an EASR18 authorisation (please contact SEPA). Online notifications EASR18 for orphan source or managed radioactive substances (only IAEA category 5 that: exceed 200 kBq; tritium sources exceeding 20 GBq; and electrodeposited source. Radioactive substances in IAEA category 4 and ab