Page "Site of Special Scientific Interest" Paragraph 14

The decision to notify an SSSI is made by the official nature conservation body ( the appropriate conservation body ) for that part of the United Kingdom: Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage or the Countryside Council for Wales.

SSSIs were originally set up by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, but the current legal framework for SSSIs is provided by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, amended in 1985 and further substantially amended in 2000 ( by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 ), in Scotland by the Nature Conservation ( Scotland ) Act 2004 and in Northern Ireland by the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands ( Northern Ireland ) Order 1985.

SSSIs are also covered under the Water Resources Act 1991 and related legislation.