This Chapter   deals with assessment and approval of actions that Part   3 prohibits without approval ( controlled actions ). (It does not deal with actions that a bilateral agreement declares not to need approval.)

A person proposing to take an action, or a government body aware of the proposal, may refer the proposal to the Minister so he or she can decide:

  (a)   whether his or her approval is needed to take the action; and

  (b)   how to assess the impacts of the action to be able to make an informed decision whether or not to approve the action.

  (a)   a process laid down under a bilateral agreement; or

  (b)   a process specified in a declaration by the Minister; or

  (c)   a process accredited by the Minister; or

  (ca)   information included in the referral; or

  (d)   preliminary documentation provided by the proponent; or

  (e)   a public environment report; or

  (f)   an environmental impact statement; or

  (g)   a public inquiry.