Procedure for the Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment of Contemplated Investment Projects in the Polish Legal System

In the process of implementing a construction project, it is necessary to meet numerous requirements imposed on investors by regulations related to broadly understood environmental protection, which are significant for the vast majority of investment processes. For obvious reasons, the environment, understood as all natural elements, is not subject to geopolitical division principles. Therefore, the issue of international cooperation between states in the field of environmental protection is becoming increasingly important. One of its major tools is the procedure for transboundary environmental impact assessment in the Polish legal order. The article presents regulations applying to the strategic environmental impact assessment and verification of the environmental effects of project implementation. The complex nature of the indicated regulations, as well as their nonuniform application by entities issuing administrative decisions may directly contribute not only to delays in implementing an investment project, but also to a significant increase in its costs. It should also be remembered that strict compliance with these requirements is a necessary condition for the participation of Community funds in the implementation of a specific project.