
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and shall come into operation on 19th July 2015.
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
2 

(1) The Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5)—
(2) In regulation 2 insert in the appropriate alphabetical order—“
 ”baseline” means the low-water line along the coast as defined in the Territorial Seas (Baseline) Order 2014”
(3) After regulation 2A insert—“
2B. 
These Regulations apply to the areas specified in the following table—

Table 1
Type of damage Area in which these Regulations apply
Damage to surface water or groundwater Northern Ireland in so far as it extends to all water up to one nautical mile seaward from the baseline in Northern Ireland.
Damage to marine waters All water up to 12 nautical miles seaward from the baseline in Northern Ireland so far as not already addressed as damage to surface or groundwater.
Damage in an Area of Special Scientific Interest Northern Ireland
Damage to a protected species or natural habitats Northern IrelandThe seabed out to 12 nautical miles
Damage to land Northern Ireland”
(4) For regulation 3(1) substitute—“
3. 

(1) Subject to regulations 5, 6 and 7, these Regulations apply to environmental damage to—
(a) Protected species or natural habitats, or an area of special scientific interest;
(b) Surface water or groundwater;
(c) Marine waters; or
(d) Land.”
(5) After regulation 3(4) insert—“
(4A) Environmental damage to marine waters means damage to marine waters classified as such pursuant to Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy, such that their environmental status is significantly adversely affected in accordance with Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.”
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 24th April 2015
Wesley Shannon
A senior officer of the
Department of the Environment
