59.—(1) This regulation applies where an owner of agricultural land applies under section 1 of the Act to the Scottish Ministers for an improvement order authorising drainage works likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location and–
(a)the area of the proposed works exceeds 1 hectare; or
(b)the area of the proposed works or any part thereof lies within a site of special scientific interest.
(2) Where this regulation applies, the owner shall submit an environmental statement to the Scottish Ministers along with the application under section 1 of the Act and the Scottish Ministers shall–
(a)notify and publicise the statement in the same manner as a draft improvement order under paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to the Act; and
(b)forward a copy of the statement to the local authorities and statutory bodies affected or likely to be concerned by the drainage works by reason of their specific environmental responsibilities (including, where appropriate, the consultation bodies).