Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003

Valid from 14/12/2007

13 River basin management plans: approval S

(1) After considering a river basin management plan submitted to them under section 10(1) or in pursuance of section 12(3)(b) or subsection (4) of this section, the Scottish Ministers may—

(a) approve it (in whole or in part and with or without modifications), or

(b) reject it.

(2) Before determining whether or not to approve a plan, the Scottish Ministers may request such further information and carry out such other investigations and consultation as they think fit.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must state their reasons for their determination under subsection (1) in relation to a plan.

(4) Where the Scottish Ministers reject a plan, they must return the plan to SEPA and direct it to resubmit the plan with—

(a) such modifications (if any) as the direction may specify, and

(b) any further modifications which SEPA considers appropriate,

by such time (if any) as the direction may specify.

(5) Where the Scottish Ministers approve a plan, SEPA must—

(a) publish the approved plan in such manner as it thinks fit,

(b) make copies of it available for public inspection,

(c) make copies of it available for sale at a reasonable price, and

(d) publicise—

(i) the publication of the approved plan, and

(ii) the arrangements for making copies of it available for public inspection in pursuance of paragraph (b).