The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

Regulation 8(1)

SCHEDULE 3 N.I. Information about Proposed Project

1.  A description of the relevant project, including in particular— N.I.

(a) a description of the location of the relevant project;

(b) a description of the physical characteristics of the whole relevant project, including where relevant, requisite demolition works, and the land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases;

(c) a description of the main characteristics of the operational phase of the relevant project (in particular any production process), for instance, energy demand and energy used, nature and quantity of the materials used and natural resources (including water, land, soil and biodiversity) used;

(d) an estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions (water, air and subsoil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat, radiation etc.) resulting from the operation of the relevant project.

2.  A description of the reasonable alternatives (for example in terms of project design, technology, location, size and scale) studied by the developer, which are applicable to the relevant project and its specific characteristics, and an indication of the main reasons, selecting the chosen option, including a comparison of the environmental effects. N.I.

3.  A description of the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment (baseline scenario) and an outline of the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the relevant project as far as natural changes from the baseline scenario can be assessed with reasonable effort on the basis of the availability of environmental information and scientific knowledge. N.I.

4.  A description of the factors specified in regulation 4(1) likely to be significantly affected by the project: population, human health, biodiversity (for example fauna and flora), land (for example land take), soil (for example inorganic matter, erosion, compaction, sealing), water (for example hydromorphogical changes, quantity and quality), air, climate (for example greenhouse gas emissions, impacts relevant to adaptation), material assets, cultural heritage, including architectural and archaeological aspects, and landscape. N.I.

5.—(1) A description of the likely significant effects of the relevant project on the environment resulting from, inter alia: N.I.

(a) the construction and existence of the relevant project, including, where relevant, demolition works;

(b) the use of natural resources, in particular land, soil, water and biodiversity, considering as far as possible the sustainable availability of these resources;

(c) the emission of pollutants, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation, the creation of nuisances, and the disposal and recovery of waste;

(d) the risks to human health, cultural heritage or the environment (for example due to accidents or disasters);

(e) the cumulation of effects with other existing and/or approved projects, taking into account any existing environmental problems relating to areas of particular environmental importance likely to be affected or the use of natural resources;

(f) the impact of the relevant project on climate (for example the nature and magnitude for greenhouse gas emissions) and the vulnerability of the relevant project to climate change;

(g) the technologies and the substances used.

(2) The description of the likely significant effects on the factors specified in regulation 4(1) should cover the direct effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative, transboundary, short-term, medium-term and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects of the relevant project. This description should take into account the environmental protection objectives established [F1 in retained EU law or under other national legislation] which are relevant to the project.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 3 para. 5(2) substituted (31.1.2020) by The Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/279), regs. 1(1), 5(9)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

6.  A description of the forecasting methods or evidence, used to identify and assess the significant effects on the environment, including details of difficulties (for example technical deficiencies or lack of knowledge) encountered compiling the required information and the main uncertainties involved. N.I.

7.  A description of the measures envisaged to avoid, prevent, reduce or, if possible, offset any identified significant adverse effects on the environment and, where appropriate, of any proposed monitoring arrangements (for example the preparation of a post-project analysis). That description should explain the extent, to which significant adverse effects on the environment are avoided, prevented, reduced or offset, and should cover both the construction and operational phases. N.I.

8.  A description of the expected significant adverse effects of the relevant project on the environment deriving from the vulnerability of the relevant project to risks of major accidents and/or disasters which are relevant to the project concerned. [F2 Relevant information available and obtained through risk assessments pursuant to retained EU law or UK environmental assessments may be used for this purpose provided that the requirements of any law that implemented the Directive are met.] Where appropriate, this description should include measures envisaged to prevent or mitigate the significant adverse effects of such events on the environment and details of the preparedness for and proposed response to such emergencies. N.I.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 3 para. 8 substituted (31.1.2020) by The Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/279), regs. 1(1), 5(9)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

9.  A non-technical summary of the information provided in accordance with the above headings. N.I.

10.  A reference list detailing the sources used for the descriptions and assessments included in the report. N.I.