1. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 COWRIE UPDATE Dr. Carolyn Heeps Environmental Policy Manager Marine Estates

2. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Background Project updates Future work

3. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Background Round One pre-qualification Steering Group “to bring together expertise to identify and prioritise generic studies necessary to ensure that the offshore wind industry is developed in an environmentally acceptable way.”

4. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Terms of Reference Develop and implement a programme of short – medium term generic studies Any site-based studies related to industry as a whole Development of monitoring tools and best practice Ensure reports and outcomes are widely accessible

5. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Priority Generic Issues Impacts on birds Potential impact of electromagnetic fields on fish Impacts of noise and vibration on marine life

6. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Liverpool University (£20K) Desk based study and calculations Modelling, ground truthing Outputs: technical report and best practice guidance on mitigation measures Completion date: April/May 2003

7. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Displacement of Melanitta nigra from benthic feeding areas School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University (£176K) Modelling effects due to habitat loss and change Link non-breeding distribution with environmental variables Identify characteristics of preferred feeding areas Outputs: Interim reports, predictive model and guidance Completion: June 2005

8. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Comparison of bird survey methodologies NIOZ (stage 1 - subject to contract -£24K) Comparisons of variety of techniques Design standardised methodologies incl. recording parameters and correction factors Output: one-stop guidance

9. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Comparison of bird survey methodologies (contd) 2 stage approach: 1.Desk study and workshop summer 2003 2.Co-ordinated field testing (mainly boat based) determined by outcome of stage 1.

10. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Assessment of subsea noise and vibration Subacoustech (£158K) Desk based study and site measurements Determine hearing spectra and sensitivity to noise and vibration Determine sound pressure level and frequency spectrum during phases of windfarm project

11. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Assessment of subsea noise and vibration (contd) Outputs: Generic information on effects from pre-construction to operation Determine spatial extent of noise and vibration fields for modelling purposes June 2003-2007

12. BWEA OFFSHORE MARCH 26-27 th 2003 Future of COWRIE Deliverables and accessibility to information Input to SEA and exchange with other networks eg COD Possibility of continued funding through subsequent Rounds Workshops/seminars