12C.—(1) The Department shall prepare an environmental statement in any case to which Article 12B applies.
(2) The environmental statement referred to in paragraph (1) must—
(a)be prepared by persons who have sufficient expertise to ensure the completeness and quality of the statement;
(b)contain a statement by the Department setting out how the requirements of paragraph (2)(a) have been complied with;
(c)be prepared, taking into account other environmental assessments with a view to avoiding duplication of assessment; and
(d)where an opinion is issued in accordance with paragraph (3), be based on the most recent opinion issued.
(3) The Department may request the Commission to give an opinion as to the information to be contained in any environmental statement.
(4) Where the Department requests an opinion under paragraph (3) before a determination has been made under Article 12A(7) or (10), the Commission shall deal with the request on the assumption that the works specified in the drainage scheme will have significant effects on the environment.
(5) Before giving an opinion under paragraph (3) in relation to any drainage scheme the Commission shall consult the Department and each of the consultation bodies.
(6) Giving an opinion under paragraph (3) shall not preclude the Commission from requesting further information from the Department under Article 12H(8).]
F1Arts. 12, 12ZA, 12A-12I substituted (16.5.2017) for arts. 12-12H by The Drainage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/88), regs. 1, 21