Thames Temporary Berth Installation
Ecological Impact Assessment
Carcinus was contracted to complete an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) to assess the potential impacts of a temporary berth installation in the river Thames. Building works are scheduled on a riverside property, and the nature of the site requires a barge to facilitate the movement of construction materials and provide additional working space.
The objectives of the EcIA were to:
- Identify designated marine nature conservation sites either within the site or the Zone of Influence of the proposed working area;
- Assess the potential for the site and the Zone of Influence to support populations of protected species or species of nature conservation importance;
- Record the main habitats and features of ecological interest at the site;
- Assess the ecological importance of the site;
- Describe any proposed mitigation measures of the installation project; and
- Assess the potential impacts and likely residual effects of the project.
Following the detailed desk-based study and drawing on the professional experience of our marine environmental consultants, conclusions were drawn at the end of the EcIA report with commitments and recommendations for the client to ensure the project conforms to planning policy/legislation. Our consultants ensured that the assessment encompassed all relevant marine ecological receptors, including benthic ecology, fish, marine mammals and estuarine birds. A significance level was also applied to any potential impacts resulting from the works.
Our expert ecology team began with a visual assessment to identify and record the main substrate areas and types. Within each distinct habitat, the substratum and characteristic species were identified using rapid in-situ inspection. Sediment type, geomorphological features and biological features were recorded.
An extended Phase I survey approach was adopted to record additional information like species composition and specific sediment type. Multiple cylindrical push cores (0.01 m2) were taken at 15 cm depth across the survey area for taxonomic and Particle Size Distribution analysis. Quadrats were also placed at coring positions, and further up shore to the river wall for SACFOR analysis of species abundance.
Water Framework Directive
In addition, the installation of the temporary berth required a Marine Licence, which in turn required demonstration of compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (in addition to the EcIA).
Carcinus produced a detailed WFD assessment on behalf of our client, to conclude whether the project would have a negative impact on the WFD status of the waterbody in question, or prevent the status from improving. Long-term/permanent impacts, and temporary impacts from particular phases of the project (i.e. installation) are also considered as part of the assessment.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about our Marine Environmental Consultancy services, please read and download our Capability Statement, or read about our recent projects below. Alternatively, you can contact us directly.