The Act – Section by Section Part 1 – Protection of the water environment Section 21 - Controlled activities regulations: procedure
85.Subsection (1) requires the Scottish Ministers to consult various bodies (including SEPA, the responsible authorities and representatives of local government, industry, agriculture, fisheries and small business interests) before making any regulations under section 20. Subsection (1)(d) will enable the Scottish Ministers to include other interests in their consultation as they see fit.
86.Subsection (2) provides additional consultation requirements that apply in relation to the making of general binding rules pursuant to section 20 and paragraph 3(2) of schedule 2. General binding rules will be generally applicable conditions applying to particular water uses, sectors or areas and will be made by the Scottish Ministers by regulations. In addition to the consultation requirements specified in paragraph 85 above, the Scottish Ministers must consult on the rules for at least 28 days. They must give notice of the opportunities for interested parties to make representations about the proposed rules. Further, they must have regard to views expressed during the consultation period in finalising the rules (subsection (4)).