(1)  The planning authority or any other person preparing a draft plan must prepare an environmental impact statement to accompany a draft plan, a modification to a draft plan, a draft amendment to a plan and a modification to a draft amendment to a plan.

(2)  An environmental impact statement must –

(a) disclose any available information relating to the environmental impact of the draft plan, except if there is a reason for confidentiality; and

(ab) if it relates to finfish farming, address any matter relating to environmental management that is required by the Director, EPA, in a notice under section 17A(1) , to be addressed in the environmental impact statement or in any environmental impact statement; and

(b) contain information appropriate to the significance of the draft plan, a modification to a draft plan, a draft amendment to a plan and a modification to a draft amendment to a plan to the environment and the likely public interest.

(3)  An environmental impact statement is not required for a modification to a draft plan if the Panel is satisfied that there is not likely to be any significant effect on the environment as a result of the modification.