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

BMT Cordah Limited 2 Presentation Overview Introduction to SEA Phase 1 SEA –Approach –Process and Work Programme –Detailed Methodology –Findings to date –Lessons Learnt

BMT Cordah Limited 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.

BMT Cordah Limited 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)

BMT Cordah Limited 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

BMT Cordah Limited 6 Strategic Areas

BMT Cordah Limited 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)

BMT Cordah Limited 8 Phase 1 SEA Approach Process: Impact prediction and evaluation Cumulative impact analysis

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

BMT Cordah Limited 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

BMT Cordah Limited 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

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

BMT Cordah Limited 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

BMT Cordah Limited 14 Example assessment - noise ImpactLikelihoodConsequence Risk Seismic (moderate) Construction* (low) Operational * (moderate) Decommissioning (moderate) * Depends on type of noise and species

BMT Cordah Limited 15 Socio-economic environment

BMT Cordah Limited 16 Natural environment

BMT Cordah Limited 17 Spatial analysis

BMT Cordah Limited 18 Socio-economic environment

BMT Cordah Limited 19 Natural environment

BMT Cordah Limited 20 Constraints map - all data

BMT Cordah Limited 21 Scenario’s and time horizons No development Likely development Maximum development 2010 and 2020

BMT Cordah Limited within 12nm beyond 12nm Total % UK supply within 12nm beyond 12nm Total % UK supply1017 Scenarioslikely max

BMT Cordah Limited 23 Maximum credible development, 2020

BMT Cordah Limited 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

BMT Cordah Limited 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

BMT Cordah Limited 26 “It’s a start”

BMT Cordah Limited 27