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Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Phase 1 “Progress and Lessons”

Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Phase 1 “Progress and Lessons” Mark Jennison and Trevor Baker BMT Cordah Ltd. Presentation Overview. Introduction to SEA Phase 1 SEA Approach Process and Work Programme Detailed Methodology Findings to date Lessons Learnt.

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Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Phase 1 “Progress and Lessons”

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  1. Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Phase 1 “Progress and Lessons” Mark Jennison and Trevor Baker BMT Cordah Ltd.

  2. Presentation Overview • Introduction to SEA • Phase 1 SEA • Approach • Process and Work Programme • Detailed Methodology • Findings to date • Lessons Learnt

  3. Introduction to SEA Basic Features: • Tool/instrument to influence PPP processes by provision of ‘environmental’ information; • Earlier consideration of environmental issues (opportunities and risks); • Better link to national and global issues (greenhouse gases); • Identify preferred option from alternatives; • Acquisition of key baseline data; • Less resources and effort needed for EIAs; and • Provides the context for decisions on individual projects.

  4. SEA Approach Goal: • Provision of useful input to decision-making process Basic Guiding Principles: • Following ‘SEA’ Directive and draft ODPM guidance • Consideration of DTI SEA work for oil &gas activities • ‘Good’ international practice (IAIA, UN)

  5. SEA Approach ‘SEA’ Directive Key Features: • Plan and Programme Focus (not policy) • Implemented during preparation process (alternatives) • Scoping required to determine focus and content of Environmental Report (Directive includes biodiversity, health and cultural heritage) • Draft and Final Environmental Reports • Consultations on draft plan/programme and Reports (decision input) • Statement on use of Report in the decision

  6. Strategic Areas

  7. Phase 1 SEA Approach Process: • Establish SEA Steering Group • Establish SEA website as focus for awareness and consultation • Provide overview of baseline situation, trends, problems and causes • Scope key issues and impacts • Develop scenarios for impact prediction (No wind farms, most likely, maximum credible)

  8. Phase 1 SEA Approach Process: • Impact prediction and evaluation • Cumulative impact analysis

  9. Phase 1 SEA Approach Process: • Identification of mitigation and enhancement measures • Preferred option/scenario identified • Preparation of environmental management plan (mitigation and monitoring)

  10. Phase 1 SEA Approach Environmental Report: Information and advice pertaining to: • Absolute constraints • Relative constraints • Lowest level of constraint • Significance of environmental and socio-economic impacts from scenarios • Recommendations for environmental management framework

  11. Phase 1 SEA Approach Timetable: • Preparation of draft Environmental Report (To be issued at the end of April) • Consultation • Summary of consultation responses • Final document expected end of May

  12. Phase 1 SEA Approach Methodology and findings • data collation and review • quantitative data to GIS • constraints mapping • risk based impact analysis • scenario building

  13. Risk-based impact analysis • Consequence: effect of an activity’s interaction with the natural and socio-economic environments • Likelihood: probability that an activity will occur • Risk = consequence x likelihood

  14. Example assessment - noise Impact Likelihood Consequence Risk Seismic 5 3 15 (moderate) Construction* 5 1 5 (low) Operational * 5 3 15 (moderate) Decommissioning 3 5 15 (moderate) *Depends on type of noise and species

  15. Socio-economic environment

  16. Natural environment

  17. Spatial analysis

  18. Socio-economic environment

  19. Natural environment

  20. Constraints map - all data

  21. Scenario’s and time horizons • No development • Likely development • Maximum development • 2010 and 2020

  22. Scenarios likely max 2010 within 12nm 2500 4000 beyond 12nm 1500 3500 Total 4000 7500 % UK supply 4 8 2020 within 12nm 3700 5000 beyond 12nm 6500 12000 Total 10200 17000 % UK supply 10 17

  23. Maximum credible development, 2020

  24. Preliminary conclusions • Data gaps: baseline information on birds, elasmobranchs, squid, fishing, recreational navigation • Data gaps: impacts on birds, cetaceans, elasmobranchs, seascape • Number of constraints decline offshore

  25. Lessons learnt • Understanding of SEA, (not a ramped up EIA or a substitute for EIA) • Effectiveness of GIS • Difficulties in accessing data and information and in appropriate format • Mix between issue focus and impact focus • Stakeholder interests very wide ranging • Effective and appropriate consultation

  26. “It’s a start”

  27. www.og.dti.gov.uk/offshore-wind-sea/

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