These Regulations complete the implementation, in relation to water management projects for agriculture in Northern Ireland, of Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment They impose procedural requirements in relation to the consideration of applications or proposals for a relevant project (as defined in these Regulations).
These Regulations require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be carried out for water management projects for agriculture (including irrigation projects) which would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. They provide the procedure for determining by the Department of the Environment whether a water management project requires an EIA, and require an environmental statement to be provided where an EIA is required. They also enable the Department to issue Prohibition Notices and to prosecute any person who contravenes a Prohibition Notice.