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Environmental impact statement.
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50.—(1) (a) A road authority shall prepare a statement of the likely effects on the environment (hereinafter referred to as an “environmental impact statement”) of any proposed road development consisting of—
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(i) the construction of a motorway,
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(ii) the construction of a busway,
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(iii) any prescribed type of proposed road development consisting of the construction of a proposed public road or the improvement of an existing public road.
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(b) Where the Minister considers that any proposed road development (other than development to which paragraph (a) applies) consisting of the construction of a proposed public road or the improvement of an existing public road would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, he shall direct the road authority to prepare an environmental impact statement in respect of such proposed road development and the authority shall comply with such direction.
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(c) Where a road authority considers that any proposed road development (other than development to which paragraph (a) applies) consisting of the construction of a proposed public road or the improvement of an existing public road would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, it shall inform the Minister in writing and where the Minister concurs with the road authority he shall give a direction to the road authority under paragraph (b).
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(2) An environmental impact statement shall contain the following specified information:
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(a) a description of the proposed road development, comprising information about the site, design, size, physical characteristics and land-use requirements of the development;
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(b) the data necessary to identify and assess the main effects which the proposed road development is likely to have on the environment;
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(c) a description of the likely significant effects, direct and indirect, on the environment of the proposed road development, explained by reference to its possible impact on—
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(i) human beings, fauna and flora,
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(ii) soil, water, air, climate and the landscape,
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(iii) the inter-action between any of the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) and (ii),
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(iv) material assets, and
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(v) the cultural heritage;
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(d) where significant adverse effects are identified with respect to any of the matters referred to in paragraph (c), a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy those effects;
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(e) where appropriate, an outline of the main alternatives (if any) studied and an indication of the main reasons for choosing the proposed alternative, taking into account the environmental effects; and
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(f) a summary in non-technical language.
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(3) An environmental impact statement may include, by way of explanation or amplification of any of the specified information referred to in subsection (2), further information on any of the following matters:
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(a) the estimated type and quantity of expected emissions resulting from the proposed road development when in operation;
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(b) the likely significant direct and indirect effects (including secondary, cumulative, short, medium, and long term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects) on the environment of the development proposed which may result from—
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(i) the use of natural resources,
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(ii) the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances, and the elimination of waste;
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(c) the forecasting methods used to assess any effects on the environment about which information is given under subparagraph (b);
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(d) any difficulties, such as technical deficiencies or lack of knowledge, encountered in compiling any specified information.
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