The Land Drainage Improvement Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988

Regulation 2

THE SCHEDULE

1.  The term “environmental statement” shall be construed in accordance with the following provisions of this Schedule.

2.  An environmental statement comprises a document or series of documents providing, for the purpose of assessing the likely impact of the proposed improvement works upon the environment, the information specified in paragraph 3 (referred to in this Schedule as “the specified information”).

3.  The specified information is —

a.a description of the improvement works proposed, comprising information about the site and the design and size or scale of the improvement works;

b.the data necessary to identify and assess the main effects which the improvement works are likely to have on the environment;

c.a description of the likely significant effects, direct and indirect, on the environment of the improvement works, explained by reference to possible impact on —

• human beings;

• flora;

• fauna;

• soil;

• water;

• air;

• climate;

• the landscape;

• the interaction between any of the foregoing;

• material assets;

• the cultural heritage;

d.where significant adverse effects are identified with respect to any of the foregoing, a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce or remedy those effects; and

e.a summary in non-technical language of the information specified above.

4.  An environmental statement may include, by way of explanation or amplification of any specified information, further information on any of the following matters —

(a)the physical characteristics of the proposed improvement works, the nature and quality of the materials to be used and the land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases;

(b)the estimated type and quantity of expected residues and emissions (including pollutants of water, air or soil, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation) resulting from the proposed improvement works when in operation;

(c)(in outline) the main alternatives (if any) studied by the drainage body and an indication of the main reasons for choosing the improvement works proposed, taking into account the environmental effects;

(d)the likely significant direct and indirect effects on the environment of the improvement works proposed which may result from —

(i)the use of natural resources;

(ii)the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste;

(e)the forecasting methods used to assess any effects on the environment about which information is given under subparagraph (d); and

(f)any difficulties, such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how, encountered in compiling any item of specified information.

In paragraph (d), “effects” includes secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent, temporary, positive and negative effects.

5.  Where further information is included in an environmental statement pursuant to paragraph 4, a non-technical summary of that information shall also be provided.

6.  The appropriate Minister may make available to the drainage body any information in his possession (not being information provided to him in confidence) which is relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement.