3.—(1) The functions of the Department shall include formulating and implementing policies for nature conservation and the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside.
(2) In exercise of its functions under paragraph (1) (and without prejudice to the generality of that paragraph), the Department may—
(a)carry out, commission, or support by financial means or otherwise, such inquiries, investigations or researches as it considers necessary or expedient;
(b)provide advice and disseminate knowledge about nature conservation and the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside;
(c)establish, manage and maintain nature reserves in Northern Ireland;
(d)take such steps as it considers expedient to encourage the provision and improvement, for persons resorting to the countryside, of facilities for the enjoyment of the countryside and open-air recreation in the countryside.
(3) The Department—
(a)may provide, or assist in the provision of, publicity, mapping and information services relating to the countryside, to places of beauty and interest therein; and
(b)shall take such steps as appear to it expedient for securing that suitable methods of publicity are used for the prevention of damage in the countryside and for encouraging a proper standard of behaviour on the part of persons resorting to the countryside.
4.—(1) In exercising functions relating to land under any statutory provision, public bodies shall have regard to the need to conserve the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside and the need to protect (so far as reasonably practicable) flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the countryside from any harmful effects which might result from the exercise of such functions.
(2) In paragraph (1) the expression “public bodies” includes government departments, district councils and statutory undertakers, and any trustees, commissioners, board or other persons who, as a public body and not for their own profit, act under any statutory provision for the improvement of any place or the production or supply of any commodity or service.
5 .F1 Para. (1) rep. by 1989 NI 3
(2) The Committee for Nature Conservation shall—
(a)exercise the functions conferred on it by this Order; and
(b)advise the Department on matters relating to nature conservation.
Para. (3) rep. by 1989 NI 3