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 3 4
Notification of intent Names & Determination &
to apply for consent Addresses of transfer of materials
and submit EIA appropriate considered relevant to
Details of development consultative the preparation of an
provided: bodies & Environmental
Size persons Statement
Nature
Purpose
Likely Environmental
Consequences
2
Name & Address of
applicant
SECRETARY OF STATE Notification to make CONSULTATIVE
available information BODIES
DTI
under Regulation 15
 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

Management Policy
Review

Checking and Planning

Corrective Action
Implementation