Environmental Impact

Environmental Impact Assessment for Offshore Wind Development © Elsamprojeckt A/S

Presented by

Sue Sljivic Director RSK Environment Limited

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Definition: “Environmental impact assessment is the process of identification of future consequences of a current or proposed action.…It is an intensely interdisciplinary process that utilises the biological, physical, and social sciences in analysing the potential impacts of an action and devising strategies for minimizing or preventing such impacts.”

EIA Process Milestones • • • • • • •

Baseline and Scoping Report Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Management Plan Contractors Specifications Operating Procedures Major Accident Prevention Plan Decommissioning plan

The EIA Process

Phase I

Section 8 Procedure to Facilitate Preparation of an ES OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT APPLICANT

1 Notification of intent to apply for consent and submit EIA Details of development provided: Size Nature Purpose Likely Environmental Consequences

3

4

Names & Addresses of appropriate consultative bodies & persons

Determination & transfer of materials considered relevant to the preparation of an Environmental Statement

2 Name & Address of applicant

SECRETARY OF STATE DTI

Notification to make available information under Regulation 15

CONSULTATIVE BODIES

Scoping Report Contents – Baseline Environmental Information – Environmental Risk Assessment – Scope of Baseline Surveys – Contents of the Environmental Statement – Others

Phase II

Environmental Statement Contents • • •

Need for the wind farm Location Consents process – Consultation

• Project description (including construction techniques) • Alternatives considered • Assessment methodology – Difficulties and lack of know how

Environmental Statement Contents (continued) • Description of the existing environment • Assessment of environmental effects – Construction – Operation – Decommissioning – Cumulative effects

• Appropriate Assessment • Mitigation measures • Management and monitoring

Baseline surveys • Physical • Biological • Socio economic/Cultural

Physical Studies Physical • Bathymetric & Geophysical • Marine Geology • Oceanographic • Meteorological

Meteorological and Oceonographic Data

Benthic video

Biological Biological Environment • Benthic Sampling • Ornithological surveys • Marine Mammals • Fish and shellfish • Onshore habitats (Dunes/intertidal/Agricultural)

Benthos

Fish and Shellfish

Marine Mammals

Harbour porpoise

Wildfowl & Birdstrike

Socio economic/cultural Studies • • • • • • • • • •

Shipping & Navigation Recreation Commercial Fisheries Noise & Vibration Socio-economic (jobs, planning) Landscape & Visual Assessment Archaeology Emissions and waste Transport Safety (Design codes/risk assessment)

Fishing

Emissions comparison

V’s

© BWEA

Landscape and Visual

© Elsamprojeckt A/S

Assessment of effects Assessment of the severity of Residual Impact (following implementation of mitigation measures) categories include: •Significant •Moderate •Minor •Negligible •Beneficial

Phase III

Environmental Management and Monitoring Continual Improvement Policy

Management Review

Checking and Corrective Action

Planning Implementation