Antecedentes

7.1 Views on the N-RIP Stage 2 report and the findings of the SEA are now being sought. Consultees are invited to review the documents (see box below for further information).

7.2 At the end of the consultation period, responses will be reviewed and used to inform the implementation of the N-RIP.

7.3 Once the consultation period is complete and the contents of the N-RIP Stage 2 report have been reviewed, a Post-Adoption SEA Statement will be

produced which will set out the key findings from the SEA, consultees’ views on the Environmental Report, and Scottish Enterprise/Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s response(s) to the issues that have been raised.

Comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or sent to The Scottish Government, EA Team, 2H South, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ by 10 November 2010.

Documents are available for viewing at the same address; at Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HD; or Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Cowan House, Inverness Business and Retail Park, Inverness IV2 7GF.

If you require further information or a copy of the documents please contact the above email address or telephone 0131 244 7650.

Table 9. Summary of mitigation measures

Effect Mitigation Measure

Potential disturbance of birds by noise and vibration, light, dust, movement and human presence:

• breeding populations of common tern • species using habitat adjacent to site

Time construction activities to avoid

• common tern breeding season (April-June). • overwintering birds

• sensitive seasons for individual species Use less intrusive piling methods.

Further consultation is required with SNH on the scheduling of construction activities. Consideration should be given to issues such as when birds are present and which parts of the SPA birds use.

Potential loss of habitat, through construction of facilities, land reclamation etc.

• avoid construction on intertidal habitat through project planning and design; avoid reclamation by using alternative inland site(s)

• if avoidance is not possible, provide compensatory habitat elsewhere

Potential loss of roosting sites. Avoid roosting sites or provide alternative sites Potential habitat loss through disturbance preventing use of

certain areas by birds. This could result in loss of roosting sites and feeding sites.

Control of light and noise and vessel and vehicle movement during bird breeding seasons.

Time construction activities to avoid overwintering birds. Potential developments or structures (tall buildings, cranes)

may cause significant changes to flight routes along the coast. There is also the risk of collision.

More information will be required on the routes of birds which may be affected. Planning and design measures required to minimise disruption e.g. location of cranes; avoid placement of tall structures within flight paths.

Potential effects on coastal habitats from changes in erosion/ deposition patterns resulting from construction of facilities, land reclamation etc

• Avoid or use alternative sites

• Use project planning and design to avoid features (e.g. structures) which will result in changes to erosion/deposition patterns.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna

Potential light disturbance for birds particularly in wet conditions.

Effect Mitigation Measure

Potential disturbance to fish species travelling to SACs, resulting from noise and vibration caused by piling/dredging.

• Although salmon pass through harbour all year round, there are certain periods of intense salmon migration. Time activities to avoid these (to be discussed with SNH).

• It may also be necessary to use quieter piling methods. • Avoid construction during migration of other fish species. Adverse effects from potential oil spillages etc. Good housekeeping measures to avoid spillages.

Reduction in water quality, resulting from an increase in turbidity during dredging, would have adverse effects on fish. High concentrations of suspended solids could result in physical obstruction to salmon movement.

Time dredging activities to avoid the most intense periods of migration.

Use good dredging practices (see “marine and water environment” below)

Effects on salmon movement would have negative effects on freshwater pearl mussels.

Implement measures to avoid adverse effects on salmon movements

Potential for disturbance to native oyster beds Planning and design measures to avoid or reduce impacts • Disturbance of seals, otters and cetaceans through

noise and vibration caused by piling/dredging. • Disturbance of seals.

• Prey species (fish) may also be disturbed and/or displaced.

• Time activities to avoid the sensitive seasons for individual species (Common seal breeding season: June-July; Grey seal breeding season: September-November).

• Use less intrusive piling methods.

• Plan activities to reduce noise levels and/or utilise mitigation measures such as bubble curtains (if feasible).

• Consult with SNH on most appropriate times. • Potential disturbance to bottlenose dolphins from

dredging operations, resulting from noise, increased turbidity, etc. Such disturbance can alter dolphin movement or foraging behaviour.

• Increased vessel movements will also cause disturbance.

• Time construction activities to reduce noise impacts and physical dangers posed by increased vessel traffic to dolphins.

• Adhere to careful dredging practice and use a precautionary approach to avoid or reduce impacts.

• Use less intrusive piling methods.

• Plan activities to reduce noise levels and/or utilise mitigation measures such as bubble curtains (if feasible).

• Consult with SNH. Disturbance to subtidal sandbanks as a result of dredging

operations.

Use project planning and design to ascertain whether dredging will result in changes local to erosion/deposition patterns; design mitigation accordingly.

Effect Mitigation Measure Population /

Human Health

Noise disturbance during the construction of facilities. Ensure piling takes place during daytime hours, no Sunday working. Construction protocols and/or good neighbour agreements would set out conditions for controlling noise and/or disturbance from construction activities/those other than piling. Potential decrease in water quality through increased

turbidity resulting from dredging. This will likely be local in extent.

Adhere to careful dredging practice and use a precautionary approach to avoid or reduce impacts. Timing of dredging and disposal operations, selection of BATNEEC26 dredging methods. Port owner will need to manage contractors accordingly.

Potential for smothering of seabed habitat by sediment disturbed during dredging. This will likely be local in extent.

Use project planning and design to avoid sensitive features. Potential for sediment dispersal during land reclamation,

resulting in increased turbidity and potential smothering of seabed habitat. Both of these would likely be local in extent.

Use of sediment control measures during land reclamation

If increased turbidity/potential smothering is not local in extent, there is potential for adverse effects on bathing waters/shellfish waters.

as above for dredging

Water & Marine Environment

Potential disturbance to fish farms resulting from noise (piling) and reduced water quality (dredging).

Plan piling/dredging to reduce noise levels and/or utilise mitigation measures such as bubble curtains (if feasible), vibro- piling etc.

Potential to be at risk of flooding from the sea Ensuring suitable design measures to increase defensibility and mitigate adverse effects of potential sea level rises

Climatic Factors

Increase in GHG emissions due to vessel movements associated with O&M.

Implement energy- and fuel-efficiency measures to reduce fuel consumption and consequent GHG emissions.

Air Increase in NOx emissions due to vessel movements associated with O&M.

Implement energy- and fuel-efficiency measures to reduce fuel consumption and consequent NOx emissions.

Erosion/deposition patterns may be affected locally through: • Construction of outer tidal berth

• Channel widening

• Dredging and/or flood defence measures

Use project planning and design to avoid features (e.g. structures) which will result in changes to erosion/deposition patterns, or to ascertain whether dredging will result in changes to local erosion/deposition patterns; design mitigation accordingly.

Soil,

Geology & Coastal Processes

Land reclamation may affect erosion/deposition patterns Undertake further studies during project planning and design to

26

Effect Mitigation Measure

locally. ascertain whether changes to erosion/deposition patterns will

result in significant effects.

Cultural Heritage

Potential adverse effects on the setting of an historic features. (Feature itself will be protected from loss and/or damage.)

Site elements such that views into and out of the historic feature are not obstructed. Site buildings, cranes etc away from the historic feature. Areas nearby should be used for less visually intrusive activities, e.g. laydown areas rather than taller structures.

Landscape / Seascape

Development has potential to affect landscape and seascape.

Use project planning and design measures to contain landscape effects, e.g. grouping of tall structures, or to avoid further landscape/ seascape impacts.

Material Assets

It is likely that construction waste will be sent to landfill, resulting in decreased capacity at such sites.