The purpose of this Law is to integrate environmental aspects in the drafting and authorization of projects and plans and programmes that have significant effects on the environment, with the purpose of promoting sustainable development and guaranteeing a high level of environmental protection.
The Law establishes procedures that govern environmental impact assessments, which include: a) Promote sustainable development, guarantee the quality of life of people and the protection of human health, the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, the landscape and the rational use of natural resources, in accordance with the most advanced scientific knowledge; b) Guarantee the information and participation of citizens on environmental aspects within the framework of the approval procedure of certain projects, plans and programmes. Annex I lists the projects submitted to the environmental impact assessment and Annex II lists those projects that, due to their characteristics, have a smaller degree of impact on the environment and are not subject to environmental impact assessment procedures and that must present only a restoration plan and a monitoring plan, simplifying in this way the project authorization procedures.