Draft Structure of the Environmental Report for the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Baltic Sea 2013

Transcription

1 Draft Structure of the Environmental Report for the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Baltic Sea Introduction 1.1 Legal Basis and Function of Environmental Assessment The environmental assessment for the preparation of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan is based upon 14b Environmental Impact Assessment Act to review environmental effects of certain plans and programs (known as Strategic Environmental Assessment). It is the aim of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to contribute to the promotion of a sustainable development to ensure a high level of environmental protection and to help ensure the appropriate consideration of environment in the preparation and adoption of plans (see Article 1 of the SEA - Directive). The environmental report will determine, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects that the implementation of the offshore grid plan can have on the environment considering other planning opportunities taking into account the essential purposes of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan. 1.2 Outline of Contents and the Main Objectives of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 1.3 Relation to Other Relevant Plans and Programmes consideration of maritime spatial plan for the EEZ in the Baltic Sea, coordination processes with the federal states which are responsible in the coastal waters: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, Consideration of relevant plans and programmes of neighbouring countries, particularly regarding Natura2000 sites. 1.4 Presentation and Consideration of Environmental Protection Objectives The preparation of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan as well as the environmental assessment takes into consideration the environmental protection objectives. These objectives are used to provide information on targeted environmental states for the future (environmental quality objectives). Environmental protection objectives can be gathered in an overall display of the international, joint and national conventions or regulations which deal with marine environmental protection. On the basis of which the Federal Republic of Germany has advocated certain principles and obligated itself to consider certain objectives Overview of International Conventions on Marine Environmental Protection The Federal Republic of Germany is party to all relevant international conventions on marine environmental protection. (1) Worldwide valid agreements that serve all or part of the Marine Environment Protection United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) from 1982 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ship from 1973 as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London, 1972); Protocol of

2 Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas for oil pollution accidents of 1969 Convention on Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in the field of oil pollution (OPRC) of 1990 (2) Regional agreements on marine environmental protection Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (Helsinkiconvention) from 1992 Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention) from 1992 Convention from 1973 on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources in the Baltic Sea and the Belts (3) Specific agreements of protection Convention on Biological Diversity from1993 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals from 1979 (Bonner Convention) Agreements concluded under the Convention: - Agreement on the Conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic, North east Atlantic, Irish and North Seas from 1991 (ASCOBANS) - Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats from 1991 (EUROBATS) - African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement from 1995 (AEWA) Marine Environmental Protection at EU Level Relevant EU legislation has to be considered: Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSFD) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive), Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (WFD) Regulations on sustainable fisheries under the Common Fisheries Policy Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation Legislation at National Level 34 and 36 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) protection of Natura2000-sites, 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) protection of habitats, 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) protection of species Climate Protection Objectives of the Federal Government 25 gigawatts offshore wind-energy generation capacity by 2030 according to government s energy concept Consideration of Environmental Protection Objectives 2

3 2 Description and Assessment of the Environmental Status The state of the environment has to be described and any existing significant impacts have to be assessed. This applies in particular to the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected by the implementation of the plan. Information on any existing environmental aspects which are relevant to the plan with particular emphasis on issues that relate to areas of special environmental relevance (e.g. Natura2000 sites) has to be included. 2.1 Seabed Geomorphology Distribution of Seabed Sediments Geological Structure of the near-surface Sediments Pollutant Distribution in Sediment Evaluation of the State of the Seabed 2.2 Water Currents Sea State and Sea Level Fluctuations Surface Temperature and Temperature Stratification Surface Salinity and Haline Stratification Ice Conditions Suspended Particles and Turbidity Evaluation of the State according to Nutrient and Pollutant Distribution 2.3 Plankton Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Phytoplankton Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Zooplankton Evaluation of the State of Plankton 2.4 Biotope Types 3

4 2.5 Benthos Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of the Benthos Evaluation of the State of the Benthos 2.6 Fishes Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Fishes Evaluation of the State of Fishes 2.7 Marine Mammals Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Marine Mammals Evaluation of the State of Marine Mammals 2.8 Seabirds and Migratory Birds Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Seabirds Evaluation of the State of Seabirds Spatial Distribution and Temporal Variability of Migratory Birds Evaluation of the State of Migratory Birds 2.9 Bats and Bat Migration 2.10 Biological Diversity 2.11 Air 2.12 Climate 2.13 Natural Scenery 2.14 Tangible Assets, Cultural Heritage (Archaeology) 2.15 Human Population, including Human Health 2.16 Interactions amongst Subjects of Protection 3 Development in Case of Non-Implementation of the Plan 3.1 Seabed 3.2 Water 4

5 3.3 Plankton 3.4 Biotope Types 3.5 Benthos 3.6 Fishes 3.7 Marine Mammals 3.8 Seabirds and Migratory Birds 3.9 Bats and Bat Migration 3.10 Biological Diversity 3.11 Air 3.12 Climate 3.13 Natural Scenery 3.14 Tangible Assets, Cultural Heritage (Archaeology) 3.15 Human Population, including Human Health 3.16 Interactions amongst Subjects of Protection 4 Description and Assessment of the Likely Significant Effects of the Implementation of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan on the Marine Environment (Including secondary, cumulative, synergistic, short-, medium- and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects) 4.1 Transformer Platforms Seabed Biotope Types types of habitats (inter alia by the Habitats Directive) protected habitats according to 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) changes in habitats Benthos sediment transport, turbidity plumes and resuspension changes in sediment structure resuspension of pollutants changes of food availability 5

6 4.1.4 Fishes sediment transport, turbidity plumes and resuspension effects of noise changes of food availability changes in resting habitats Marine Mammals effects of noise changes in habitats Seabirds and Migratory Birds risk of collision avoidance behaviour; barrier effect changes in habitats Bats and Bat Migration Climate CO 2 emissions 4.2 Subsea Cable Systems Seabed Biotope Types types of habitats (inter alia by the Habitats Directive) protected habitats according to 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) changes in habitats Benthos sediment transport, turbidity plumes and resuspension changes in sediment structure resuspension of pollutants changes in the food availability changes in substrate changes in seabed temperature Fishes sediment transport, turbidity plumes and resuspension changes in the food availability electric and magnetic fields 6

7 4.2.5 Marine Mammals Seabirds and Migratory Birds 4.3 Interactions of Uses on Marine Environment There are still uncertain interactions that have to be discussed. If applicable, planning in the adjacent coastal marine areas or neighbouring countries have to be taken into account. effects on the marine food chain development of the benthos and fish stocks due to shipping and fisheries prohibition in the safety zones effects on the species diversity, abundance and biomass effects on the biological diversity 4.4 Cumulative Effects 5 Assessment of Species Protection 5.1 Transformer Platforms 5.2 Subsea Cable Systems 6 FFH Impact Assessment 6.1 Legal Basis 6.2 Protection and Conservation Objectives 6.3 FFH Impact Assessment regarding Transformer Platforms 6.4 FFH Impact Assessment regarding Subsea Cable Systems 6.5 Results of FFH Impact Assessment 7 Measures to Prevent, Reduce and as fully as possible Offset any Significant Adverse Environmental Effects of Implementing the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 7.1 Transformer Platforms Construction Phase noise mitigation measures Operating Phase ecologically compatible lighting 7

8 7.2 Subsea Cable Systems Construction Phase ecologically compatible laying procedures minimisation of turbidity plumes Operating Phase minimisation of electric and magnetic fields monitoring of laying depth monitoring of benthic invertebrates 8 Examination of Possible Alternatives and Description of the Implementation of the Environmental Assessment 8.1 Examination of Possible Alternatives Reasonable alternatives to the implementation of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan, taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan have to be examined. The selection of the alternatives has to be explained. 8.2 Description of the Implementation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, including Possible Difficulties in the Compilation of Information Description of the Implementation of the Environmental Assessment Information Gaps sediment and habitat mapping of the EEZ compliance with any conditions of temperature loss in the sediment cumulative effects and interactions Lack of Evaluation Criteria 9 Measures Envisaged concerning Monitoring the Significant Environmental Effects of the Implementation of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 9.1 Transformer Platforms 9.2 Subsea Cable Systems 10 Non-Technical Summary 8