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PART IIIN.I.DRAINAGE SCHEMES

[F1Direction that Articles do not applyN.I.

12ZA.(1) The Department may direct that—

(a)F2... a specific drainage scheme is exempt from the requirements of Articles 12A to 12I and 13A if it considers that the application of those Articles would have an adverse effect on the fulfilment of the drainage scheme’s purposeF3...; or

(b)those Articles do not apply in relation to a particular proposed drainage scheme if the sole purpose of the proposed drainage scheme is to respond to a civil emergency and the Department considers the application of the Articles would have an adverse effect on the fulfilment of that purpose.

(2) The Department shall only make a direction under paragraph (1)(a) in an exceptional case and where it does so it shall—

(a)make available to the public by general and local advertisement, the information considered in making the direction, the reasons for making the direction, briefly describe the proposed drainage scheme and the effect of the direction;

(b)consider whether, in that case, another form of assessment of the environmental effects of the proposed drainage scheme would be appropriate; and

(c)make available to the public any information obtained under that other form of assessment.

(3) No direction shall be made under paragraph (1)(a) or (b) where the Department or any other Northern Ireland department is aware that the proposed drainage scheme would be likely to have significant effects on the environment of [F4an EEA State] .]