Marine Management Organisation Marine Licence

Transcription

1 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 Marine Management Organisation Marine Licence 1 Introduction This is a licence granted by the Marine Management Organisation on behalf of the Secretary of State to authorise the licence holder to carry on activities for which a licence is required under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act Licence number The licence number for this licence is L/2016/00016/2 1.2 Licence holder The licence holder is the person or organisation set out below: Name / company name Company registration number (if applicable) Address Contact within company Position within company (if applicable). State if company officer or director Galloper Wind Farm Limited Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 6PB Colin McAllister Consents Manager 1.3 Licence date Version 2 Licence start date 29 January 2016 Licence end date 31 March 2017 Date of original issue 29 January 2016 Date of variation issue 18 February Licence validity This version of this licence is valid from the licence start date to the licence end date. Page 1 of 12

2 SIGN_FIELD_1 SIGN_FIELD_1 SIGN_FIELD_1 SIGN_FIELD_1 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 This version of this licence supersedes any earlier version of this licence. Any activity commenced under a previous version of this licence and which is also a licensed activity authorised by section 4 of this version of this licence may continue in accordance with the licence conditions in section 5 of this version of this licence. Mr Andrew Souter +44 (0) andrew.souter@marinemanagement.org.uk Page 2 of 12

3 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 2 General 2.1 Interpretation In this licence, terms are as defined in section 115 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act and the Interpretation Act 1978 unless otherwise stated. "licensed activity" means any activity set out in section 4 of this licence."licence holder" means the person(s) or organisation(s) named in section 1 above to whom this licence is granted."mmo" means the Marine Management Organisation."mean high water springs" means the average of high water heights occurring at the time of spring tides."sea bed" or "seabed" means the ground under the sea."the 2009 Act" means the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.All times shall be taken to be the time on any given day.all geographical co-ordinates contained within this licence are in WGS84 format (latitude and longitude degrees and minutes to three decimal places) unless stated otherwise. 2.2 Contacts Except where otherwise indicated, the main point of contact with the MMO and the address for and postal returns and correspondence shall be: Marine Management Organisation Lancaster House Hampshire Court Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YH Tel: Fax: marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk Any references to any local MMO officer shall be the relevant officer in the area(s) located at: Marine Management Organisation Pakefield Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0HT Tel: Fax: lowestoft@marinemanagement.org.uk Page 3 of 12

4 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 3 Project overview 3.1 Project title Galloper Wind Farm Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Clearance 3.2 Project description The Galloper Wind Farm (GWF) is a consented offshore wind farm located adjacent to the operational Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm (GGOWF) in the Outer Thames Estuary approximately 27km from the Suffolk coast. GWF will comprise up to 56 turbines and one offshore sub-station, with the approximately 45km long export cable corridor making landfall at Sizewell. The installed capacity of the project will be up to 336MW. Offshore construction of GWF is currently scheduled to commence in June The GWF array site and export cable corridor overlaps with an area known to contain UXO. This marine licence permits GWF Limited the rights to inspect, remove or detonate up to 40 UXO targets across the project site. Page 4 of 12

5 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 4 Licensed activities This section sets out the licensed activities. The licensed activities are authorised to be carried on only in accordance with the activity details below and with the licence conditions as set out in section 5 of this licence. Please note that where licensed quantities are displayed with reference to their constituent materials, the relative quantities given for the constituent materials are indicative only. Site 1 - Galloper Wind Farm Boundary 1 Site location Activity UXO Removal / Detonation Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (northern portion of array) Activity type Activity location Description Methodology Programme of works Other removals See Schedule 1 of this marine licence for the site coordinates. Inspecting, removing or detonating UXO. See Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 - Methodology and Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan, attached to this marine licence. UXO inspection, removal or detonation in array area expected July-September 2016 Site 2 - Galloper Wind Farm Boundary 2 Site location Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (southern portion of array) Activity UXO Removal / Detonation Activity type Activity location Description Methodology Programme of works Other removals See Schedule 2 of this marine licence for the co-ordinates. Inspecting, removing or detonating UXO. See Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 - Methodology and Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan, attached to this marine licence. UXO inspection, removal or detonation in array area expected July-September 2016 Site 3 - Galloper cable boundary 1 Site location Activity UXO Removal / Detonation Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (export cable from northern portion of array to shore) Activity type Activity location Other removals See Schedule 3 of this marine licence for the co-ordinates. Page 5 of 12

6 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 Description Methodology Programme of works Inspecting, removing or detonating UXO. See Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 - Methodology and Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan, attached to this marine licence. UXO inspection, removal or detonation in export cable expected March-June 2016 Site 4 - Galloper cable boundary 2 Site location Activity UXO Removal / Detonation Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (export cable from southern portion of array to northern portion of array) Activity type Activity location Description Methodology Programme of works Other removals See Schedule 4 of this marine licence for the co-ordinates. Inspecting, removing or detonating UXO. See Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 - Methodology and Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan, attached to this marine licence. UXO inspection, removal or detonation in export cable expected March-June 2016 Page 6 of 12

7 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 5 Licence conditions 5.1 General conditions Notification of commencement The licence holder must notify the MMO prior to the commencement of the first instance of any licensed activity. This notice must be received by the MMO no less than five working days before the commencement of that licensed activity Licence conditions binding other parties Where provisions under section 71(5) of the 2009 Act apply, all conditions attached to this licence apply to any person who for the time being owns, occupies or enjoys any use of the licensed activities for which this licence has been granted Agents / contractors / sub-contractors The licence holder must notify the MMO in writing of any agents, contractors or subcontractors that will carry on any licensed activity listed in section 4 of this licence on behalf of the licence holder. Such notification must be received by the MMO no less than 24 hours before the commencement of the licensed activity. The licence holder must ensure that a copy of this licence and any subsequent revisions or amendments has been provided to, read and understood by any agents, contractors or sub-contractors that will carry on any licensed activity listed in section 4 of this licence on behalf of the licence holder Vessels The licence holder must notify the MMO in writing of any vessel being used to carry on any licensed activity listed in section 4 of this licence on behalf of the licence holder. Such notification must be received by the MMO no less than 24 hours before the commencement of the licensed activity. Notification must include the master's name, vessel type, vessel IMO number and vessel owner or operating company. The licence holder must ensure that a copy of this licence and any subsequent revisions or amendments has been read and understood by the masters of any vessel being used to carry on any licensed activity listed in section 4 of this licence, and that a copy of this licence is held on board any such vessel Changes to this licence Should the licence holder become aware that any of the information on which the granting of this licence was based has changed or is likely to change, they must notify the MMO at the earliest opportunity. Failure to do so may render this licence invalid and may lead to enforcement action. Page 7 of 12

8 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 5.2 Project specific conditions This section sets out project specific conditions relating to the licensed activities as set out in section 4 of this licence. Galloper Offshore Wind Farm Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Disposal All works must be undertaken in accordance with the mitigation and marine mammal deterrent protocols detailed within the approved Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan (MMMP) document (attached as schedule 6), as approved by the MMO and NE. Should the MMMP be updated/changed then the works must stop and the MMMP must be re-submitted to the MMO and written approval obtained before works can continue. Reason: To ensure marine mammals are placed at minimum risk during the UXO removal/detonation works No detonations must take place from 1 October to 28 February (inclusive) without obtaining the written approval of the MMO. Reason: To ensure no significant disturbance to the harbour porpoise population of the Southern North Sea psac from underwater noise Local mariners and fishermen's organisations must be notified via a notice to mariners a minimum of 5 working days in advance of commencement of the licensed activities. This notification must include the local port/harbour authority/ies and Vessel Traffic Service(s), HM Coastguard (nmoccontroller@hmcg.gov.uk, The National Maritime Operations Centre) and any other relevant body as considered appropriate by the licence holder. A copy of the notification must be sent to the MMO contacts detailed in section 2.2. of this licence prior to the commencement of the licensed activities. Reason: To minimise interference with other users of the sea, inform them of operations and to ensure other vessels in the vicinity can safely plan and conduct their passage. Page 8 of 12

9 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ Details of the timings and locations relating to the detonation or removal of UXOs must be provided by to the Kingfisher Information Service Seafish at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of licensed activities, for inclusion in the Kingfisher Fortnightly Bulletin and offshore hazard awareness data. A copy of the notification must be sent to the MMO contacts detailed in section 2.2 of this licence a minimum of 5 working days prior to the commencement of the licensed activities. Reason: To notify other sea users in order that they can plan and conduct their passage and ensure navigational safety Bunding and/or storage facilities must be installed to contain and prevent the release of fuel, oils, and chemicals associated with plant, refuelling and construction equipment, into the marine environment. Secondary containment must be used with a capacity of no less than 110% of the container's storage capacity. Reason: To minimise the risk of marine pollution incidents Any oil, fuel or chemical spill within the marine environment must be reported to the MMO Marine Pollution Response Team as soon as possible, and within 24 hours following identification of any such incident. Within office hours: Outside office hours: At all times if other numbers are unavailable: dispersants@marinemanagement.org.uk. Reason: To ensure that any spills are appropriately recorded and managed to minimise the risk to sensitive receptors and the marine environment. Page 9 of 12

10 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ The licence holder must provide a report of the operation through the Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (published by the Crown Estate), should the UXO or any other item found during the works merit inclusion as an item of historic interest. Details of the report must be provided to the MMO within 3 months of submission. Reason: To ensure the integrity of archaeologically important items are not compromised The licence holder must appoint a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) for the duration of the works. The duties of the FLO are specifically as follows: To be familiar with the conditions attached to this licence; To liaise with local fishing industry and advise on timings of operations and exclusion zones; and, To report any incidents to the MMO within 24 hours. The licence holder must inform the MMO of the name and credentials of the FLO not less than 5 working days prior to commencement of the activities. Reason: To minimise the potential impacts on the local fishing industry The MMO contacts and other sea users detailed in of this licence and the Source Data Receipt team, UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2DN ( hdcfiles@ukho.gov.uk; Tel: ) must be notified of the completion of the licensed activities, no later than 10 working days after their completion. Reason: To ensure the local MMO officer is aware of the licensed activities at sea occurring within its jurisdiction and to arrange any enforcement visits where appropriate, to notify other sea users, and to ensure necessary amendments to charts can be made A post-detonation report must be submitted to the MMO within 3 months following completion of the licensed activities. The report must include: Page 10 of 12

11 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 the methods employed for each target; the date and the locations of each UXO that has been detonated; confirmation that debris from each disposed UXO has been removed; any marine mammal detections and the mitigation measures undertaken during the detonation period of the licensed activities; and details of any confirmed Annex I reef locations if encountered. Reason: To ensure that all UXOs have been made safe and to ensure that the Marine Mammal Mitigation Protocol has been followed as specified. Page 11 of 12

12 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 6 Compliance and enforcement This licence and its terms and conditions are issued under the Marine and Coastal Access Act Any breach of the licence terms and conditions may lead to enforcement action being taken. This can include variation, revocation or suspension of the licence, the issuing of an enforcement notice, or criminal proceedings, which may carry a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and / or a term of imprisonment of up to two years. Your attention is drawn to Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, in particular sections 65, 85 and 89 which set out offences, and also to sections 86, 87 and 109 which concern defences. The MMO's Compliance and Enforcement Strategy can be found on our website ( compliance-and-enforcement-strategy). Page 12 of 12

13 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 1. Licence schedule 1 Galloper Wind Farm Boundary 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 1 of 28

14 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 2 of 28

15 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 2. Licence schedule 2 Galloper Wind Farm Boundary 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 3 of 28

16 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 3. Licence schedule 3 Galloper cable boundary 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 4 of 28

17 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 5 of 28

18 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 6 of 28

19 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 7 of 28

20 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 8 of 28

21 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 9 of 28

22 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 10 of 28

23 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 11 of 28

24 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 12 of 28

25 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 13 of 28

26 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 14 of 28

27 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 15 of 28

28 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 16 of 28

29 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 17 of 28

30 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 18 of 28

31 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 19 of 28

32 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 20 of 28

33 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 21 of 28

34 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 22 of 28

35 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 23 of 28

36 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 24 of 28

37 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 25 of 28

38 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 26 of 28

39 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/ 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 27 of 28

40 Licence number: L/2016/00016/2 Case ref: MLA/2015/00423/1 4. Licence schedule 4 Galloper cable boundary 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E 'N 'E Page 28 of 28

41 Document Author: Reinier Zoutenbier Environmental Consultant (RHDHV) Adam Pharaoh Project Manager (RHDHV) Signature: Document Reviewer: Document Approver: Jamie May OSC Package Manager Andy Mee Offshore Site Manager Colin McAllister Consents Manager Signature: pp Signature: Issue Date: 13 October 2015 Document No. & Rev.: Status Supplied: Submitted to MMO Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application Supporting Information Page 1 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

42 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application Copyright 2015 RWE Innogy UK Limited All pre-existing rights reserved. This document is supplied on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Contractual Agreement relating to this work, under which this document has been supplied, in particular: Liability In preparation of this document RWE Innogy UK Limited has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the content is accurate, up to date and complete for the purpose for which it was contracted. RWE Innogy UK Limited makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of material supplied by the client or their agent. Other than any liability on RWE Innogy UK Limited detailed in the contracts between the parties for this work RWE Innogy UK Limited shall have no liability for any loss, damage, injury, claim, expense, cost or other consequence arising as a result of use or reliance upon any information contained in or omitted from this document. Any persons intending to use this document should satisfy themselves as to its applicability for their intended purpose. The user of this document has the obligation to employ safe working practices for any activities referred to and to adopt specific practices appropriate to local conditions. Page 2 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

43 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application REVISION HISTORY Rev. Description Date 1 Submitted to MMO 13/10/2015 Page 3 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

44 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application Contents 1. Introduction UXO Identification, Assessment, Clearance and Disposal Methodology Mobilisation Target Identification and Assessment UXO Removal, Relocation and Disposal Draft Detonation Methodology European Protected Species Licence Marine Mammal Mitigation Protocol Appendix A Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan Page 4 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

45 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application 1. Introduction The Galloper Wind Farm (GWF) is a consented offshore wind farm located adjacent to the operational Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm (GGOWF) in the Outer Thames Estuary approximately 27km from the Suffolk coast (Figure 1.1). GWF will comprise up to 56 turbines and one offshore substation, with the approximately 45km long export cable corridor making landfall at Sizewell. The installed capacity of the project will be 336MW. Offshore construction of GWF is currently scheduled to commence in June The GWF array site and export cable corridor overlaps with an area known to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO). Using existing survey information GWFL has estimated that approximately 80 unidentified objects could be UXO which require disposal. However it is expected that this number will be reduced to less than half of this as a result of further survey and cable routing amendments. Following surveys undertaken in 2015 and early 2016, the number of potential items of UXO requiring action (removal, relocation or detonation) will be known. To avoid delay at a later stage of the development, GWFL is applying for a Marine Licence to inspect and clear up to 40 items of UXO across the whole project site. In reality it is likely that many of the items identified are not UXO and if they are deemed to be a hazard to the development will only be required to be removed or relocated This document sets out the standard methodology by which each identified UXO will be identified, assessed, relocated and detonated as appropriate, as well as how any further discoveries will be dealt with. The proposed Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan (MMMP) for these activities is provided in Appendix A The process for UXO disposal and removal will take place during two distinct timeframes as set out below: Items of UXO identified for clearance / detonation prior to offshore construction; and Items of previously unknown rogue UXO discovered during the course of construction that will require detonation / removal at short notice. Page 5 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

46 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application The contractors responsible for pre-construction and during construction UXO disposal may be different. There may therefore be minor differences between the detailed method statements during these periods. The methodologies in this document are considered to be sufficiently representative of the methodologies that will be employed both during preconstruction and during construction. They are therefore considered appropriate for the purpose of informing the Marine Licence application and associated MMMP to cover both periods. Page 6 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

47 ± Legend: Galloper Offshore Wind Farm & Export Cable Corridor Client: Project: Galloper Wind Farm Ltd Galloper Wind Farm Marine Licence Support Title: Site Location Figure: 1.1 Drawing No: PB3832-GWF-001 Revision: Date: Drawn: Checked: Size: Scale: 02 01/07/2015 LB RZ A3 1:350, /06/2015 LB RZ A3 1:350,000 Co-ordinate system: WGS84 UTM Zone 31N HaskoningDHV UK Ltd. Charts from MarineFIND.co.uk Crown copyright, All rights reserved. Licence No EK MF0095. Not to be used for navigation. Kilometres HASKONINGDHV UK LTD INDUSTRY, ENERGY & MINING RIGHTWELL HOUSE BRETTON PETERBOROUGH PE3 8DW +44 (0)

48 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application 2. UXO Identification, Assessment, Clearance and Disposal Methodology The procedures set out below follow best practice within the offshore wind industry when disposing of UXO Mobilisation The contractor will mobilise an investigation and disposal spread. This spread is likely to include: GWF Project Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) platform vessel (during construction period) or other vessel for pre-construction works (e.g. DP2 class vessel); Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV); Dive spread for positive identification of UXO if required (e.g. if ROV cannot positively identify the target); Multi beam echo sounder; Side scan sonar; Magnetic gradiometer sensor; and Detonation equipment Target Identification and Assessment GWFL s preference is that initial inspection will take place by ROV with reconnaissance undertaken including video and sonar recording equipment. If the target is at the surface and seawater visibility permits, a positive identification will be attempted. If the target is buried, a magnetometer sweep will be conducted and should the target be within range a small hydraulic jetter may be utilised to excavate the seabed material around the target in order to expose it. If the seabed material does not allow jetting, then air-lifting may be used. Should a positive identification not be possible, then Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experienced divers may be deployed to confirm a UXO target and type Once UXO has been confirmed GWFL will contact HM Coastguard and inform them of the location and type of UXO found. The police will also be informed who will forward the information to the Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JSEOD) unit. The JSEOD unit may undertake the UXO disposal operation or, more likely, inform GWFL that they may proceed with UXO disposal operations. Page 8 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

49 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application 2.4. UXO Removal, Relocation and Disposal Once the intended target has been identified as UXO and GWFL have been informed that they may proceed with disposal, a decision will be made whether to detonate in situ or for the UXO to be moved to an alternative location. If a decision is made to detonate in situ, the site will be secured and a safety exclusion zone of not less than 1km radius imposed. This exclusion zone is designed to ensure that personnel and vessels are protected during the controlled detonation. Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) and Notices to Mariners (NtM) will be posted in advance. Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) using visual and/or acoustic surveillance will ensure that marine mammals are not present within a 1km Mitigation Zone. Guard vessel(s) will also be posted if required The safety exclusion and marine mammal mitigation zones have been set at a conservative distance which will be sufficient to account for the presence of larger items of UXO, should these be discovered Draft Detonation Methodology The UXO pre-construction disposal operations will take place in the export cable route between March and June 2016 and in the array area between July and September UXO disposal operations during construction may take place at any time after the commencement of construction in June In advance of each disposal activity, plans and timings will be shared with the Marine Management Organisation and through NtMs All detonations will take place in daylight (to ensure ease of command and control over the site in general and the exclusion zone in particular and to maximize the efficacy of marine mammal mitigation works). The works will be undertaken in favourable conditions, typically those associated with sea state 3 or below Prior to the planned detonation time a security message will be transmitted on VHF Channel 16 stating vessel name, position of firing and planned time (at least 6 hours before the detonation). The same message will be transmitted again, 30 minutes and 10 minutes prior to the detonation on VHF Ch16. The final 10 seconds leading up to the detonation will also be transmitted on VHF Ch To detonate the devices one of two methods may be utilised: generic donor charge or EOD disrupter. Both methods are set out in the sections below. Page 9 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

50 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application Method A Generic donor charge methodology To generate a controlled detonation a minimum quantity of high explosive donor charge will be used. It is anticipated that 2-3kg of explosive will be required per UXO. The paragraphs below describe the procedures that will be followed Once the exclusion zone has been cleared and secured, an ROV (or diver) support vessel will enter the exclusion zone Divers or a remotely piloted ROV will safely place a high explosive donor charge(s) with the shock tube initiation system and remote means of triggering the detonation. Once the charge has been placed and the exclusion zone has been cleared, a radio-check will be undertaken to ensure that: The cordon is secure; Vessels have not entered the cordon; Low flying aircraft have not been observed; and The MMO is satisfied that no marine mammals are within the 1km exclusion zone Once it has been confirmed the area is clear, the donor charge will be initiated Following detonation an EOD safety soak-period of not less than 20 minutes will be observed. Following this the ROV (or diver) support vessel will return to its original standoff position and deploy the ROV (or divers) to inspect the site (employing cameras and/or sector scanner) in order to verify that the donor charge has worked and the items have been completely detonated, leaving no trace of high-explosives in the vicinity If any high explosive residue is left in place the site will be made safe and, if necessary, another controlled explosion will take place. This is a contingency plan and is not ordinarily expected to be executed. If it was necessary to carry out a second detonation, operations would follow the same procedures as those set out above. Once the area has been declared safe and free from explosives, the cordon will be collapsed and the operation declared complete Each item of UXO will be dealt with in a similar manner. Page 10 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

51 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application Method B EOD disrupter discharge methodology As an alternative to the generic donor charge method, GWFL may employ an EOD Disruptor device, such as a Barracuda. This is a shaped charge which contains approximately 1kg of plastic explosive in its main charge The EOD Disruptor is deployed by an ROV. When the ROV is 1m away from the intended UXO target, a concrete clump is deployed and placed 0.5m from the target. The EOD Disrupter is attached to the concrete clump Once the EOD Disrupter is in position, a shot-line float is released to the surface paying out the shock tube as it ascends. A surface initiation float is then attached at the surface. The ROV is then recovered and the vessel will move approximately 1,000m from the target The sub-sea passive blast monitor is then deployed along with a Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) system if being utilised (see Appendix A). The shot-line float is then recovered and the firing shot line connected to the surface initiation float. On completion the surface ignition float is released and the mother vessel advised that this has been successfully completed The EOD Discharge device main charge will then be detonated causing the UXO to detonate. Relocation Methodology If it is deemed unsafe to detonate the UXO safely in situ, for example due to its proximity to a sensitive asset, the UXO will be moved using an ROV and/or airbags (the latter only if required to help achieve neutral buoyancy) and relocated to the closest site which would enable its safe detonation without causing damage to any assets. The likelihood of an inadvertent UXO detonation will be reduced to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) through careful planning and control. A full precautionary safety cordon of 1000m will be imposed throughout the relocation process Once the secondary location has been reached the same precautionary measures will take place as set out in the previous sections and the UXO detonated by one of the two methods above. The secondary location will be within the GWF Order Limits and decided on a case by case basis in consultation with the Marine Management Organisation. Page 11 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

52 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application 3. European Protected Species Licence Based on the information presented within the GWF Environmental Statement (ES) harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is likely to be the only cetacean species that is regularly encountered within the shallow coastal waters within and immediately adjacent to the GWF site. Under Annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive harbour porpoise are listed as a European Protected Species (EPS). It is stipulated that it is an offence to deliberately or recklessly disturb any dolphin, porpoise or whale (cetacean) It should be noted that if an EPS licence is deemed necessary the licence will be required to cover all cetaceans. Page 12 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

53 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Clearance and Disposal Application 4. Marine Mammal Mitigation Protocol As part of the UXO disposal application, a MMMP (see Appendix A) has been developed and will be agreed with the Regulators in accordance with the 2010 JNCC Guidelines for minimising the risk of injury to marine mammals from using explosives. The purpose of these guidelines is to reduce risk of injury and disturbance from explosive activities to marine mammals including seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises. This is achieved through a mitigation zone in which visual and acoustic detection of any potential marine mammals is undertaken an hour prior to any detonations occurring. Page 13 of 13 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 01

54 Document Author: Jennifer Learmonth Marine Mammal Consultant Adam Pharaoh Project Manager Signature: Document Reviewer: Document Approver: Andy Mee Offshore Site Manager Jamie May OSC Package Manager Colin McAllister Consents Manager Signature: pp Signature: Issue Date: 10 February 2016 Document No. & Rev.: Status Supplied: Submitted to MMO Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation Page 1 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

55 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation Copyright 2015 RWE Innogy UK Limited All pre-existing rights reserved. This document is supplied on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Contractual Agreement relating to this work, under which this document has been supplied, in particular: Liability In preparation of this document RWE Innogy UK Limited has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the content is accurate, up to date and complete for the purpose for which it was contracted. RWE Innogy UK Limited makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of material supplied by the client or their agent. Other than any liability on RWE Innogy UK Limited detailed in the contracts between the parties for this work RWE Innogy UK Limited shall have no liability for any loss, damage, injury, claim, expense, cost or other consequence arising as a result of use or reliance upon any information contained in or omitted from this document. Any persons intending to use this document should satisfy themselves as to its applicability for their intended purpose. The user of this document has the obligation to employ safe working practices for any activities referred to and to adopt specific practices appropriate to local conditions. Page 2 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

56 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation REVISION HISTORY Rev. Description Date 1 Internal draft 08/09/ Submitted to MMO 13/10/ Revised version submitted to MMO 20/01/ Revised version submitted to the MMO v2 20/02/2016 Page 3 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

57 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation Contents 1 Introduction Marine mammals likely to be present Harbour porpoise White-beaked dolphin Harbour seal Grey seal Assessment criteria Lethal and physical effects (unweighted criteria) Auditory injury (unweighted criteria and M-weighted criteria) Impact assessment Review of underwater noise associated with explosives Potential impacts associated with explosives Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan (MMMP) Mitigation methodology Mitigation zone Pre-detonation search Acoustic Deterrent Device Post-detonation search Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Sequencing of the detonations Timing of UXO work Reporting Summary References Table of figures Figure 1 August distribution of harbour seal around the south-east coast of England ( ) Figure 2 A representation of the mitigation zone, this is measured from the location of the explosive source out to a distance of 1km Table of tables Table 1 Conservation status, population size, and management units for cetacean species in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive for the key cetacean species relevant to the GWF... 9 Table 2 Proposed auditory injury (PTS) criteria for functional hearing groups of marine mammals exposed to discrete noise events (single pulse exposures (e.g. single explosion) within 24h period) Page 4 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

58 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation Table 3 Sound Pressure Levels (0-Peak) recorded from the detonation of 45kg explosive charges measured from a seabed mounted hydrophone at varying water depths (84-116m) and ranges from explosion (75-400m) Table 4 Sound Pressure Levels (0-Peak) recorded from the detonation of explosive charges (36-81kg) measured from the vessel at varying water depths (25-40m) and ranges from explosion ( m) Table 5 Estimated ranges of lethal, physical and auditory injury of marine mammals for cutting charge weights from 2.7kg to 200kg Table 6 Average dbht(species) levels at 600m during explosive cutting using charges of 36 to 75kg 18 Table 7 The potential lethal and injury impact ranges for high level underwater sound sources Page 5 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

59 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation 1 Introduction The Galloper Wind Farm (GWF) is a consented offshore wind farm located adjacent to the operational Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm (GGOWF) in the Outer Thames Estuary approximately 27km from the Suffolk coast. GWF will comprise up to 56 turbines and one offshore sub-station, with the approximately 45km long export cable corridor making landfall at Sizewell. The installed capacity of the project will be up to 336MW. Offshore construction of GWF is currently scheduled to commence in June The GWF array site and export cable corridor overlaps with an area known to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO). The initial estimate of unidentified targets in this area is in the order of 80, however it is expected that the number requiring disposal across the whole site will be less than half of this. Following surveys to be undertaken along the export cable corridor and the array site, the number of potential items of UXO requiring action (removal, relocation or detonation) will be known. To avoid delay at a later stage of the development, Galloper Wind Farm Ltd (GWFL) is applying for a Marine Licence to inspect and clear up to 40 items of UXO within the project site. In reality it is likely that many of these may simply be removed or relocated rather than detonated This report presents an assessment of potential impacts of the identification, removal, relocation and disposal of UXO on marine mammals and the proposed Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan (MMMP) to minimise risk of injury to marine mammals from such activities. The approach has been agreed with Natural England and should any alterations or refinements be required, for example as a result of the procurement process for this work, these will be further discussed and agreed with Natural England. Page 6 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

60 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation 2 Marine mammals likely to be present The GWF Environmental Statement 1 (ES) found few marine mammal species at the site, and none in any notable numbers or significant densities. The species most frequently encountered within or near the site was harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Other species infrequently recorded were white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Information is presented below for each of these species in relation to their regional abundance and key seasons for migrating, breeding, calving or pupping The regional study area for marine mammals in relation to GWF is the Outer Thames Estuary and the southern North Sea. However, in order to account for the large ranges of these species a wider area is also considered using reference population information for each species. Reference populations provide a context for impact assessment and are also referred to as Management Units (MUs), they are defined by the available data relating to the movements and/or genetics of individuals within a population. This approach is outlined in the current Inter-Agency Marine Mammal Working Group Advice (IAMMWG, 2015) The European Union (EU) Habitats Directive (92/45/EEC) is a key legislative tool for the protection of marine mammals; Annex IV classifies all cetaceans as European Protected Species (EPS) on the basis of being endangered, vulnerable or rare. Grey and harbour seals are listed in Annex V which makes provision for their removal or exploitation from the wild to be subject to management measures. Annex II also lists Tursiops truncatus bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, grey and harbour seal as species for which EU Member States are required to designated areas essential to their life and reproduction as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) Article 12 requires Member States to take requisite measurements to establish protection for these species within their natural ranges by prohibiting the following: All forms of deliberate capture or killing of specimens of these species in the wild; Deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing, hibernation and migration; and Deterioration or destruction of breeding sites or resting places. 1 Galloper Wind Farm Limited (2011). Galloper Wind Farm Project Environmental Statement, available at (accessed 01 September 2015). Page 7 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

61 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation Consideration should also be given to relevant guidance and reports, including: The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) 2010 draft guidance on assessment of whether a disturbance to a EPS could be considered non-trivial in the context of the objectives of the Habitats Directive; The definitions of Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) of species in Article 1(i) of the Habitats Directive; The JNCC (2013) species reports for the 3 rd UK Habitats Directive Report on the Conservation Status assessment for UK marine mammals; and Legislative provisions of member states which implement the requirements of the Directive. 2.2 Harbour porpoise Harbour porpoise is the most abundant cetacean recorded in UK waters and in the North Sea (Hammond et al., 2013) where it is present most of the year round. Harbour porpoise calving peaks through June and July, but the location of this activity remains unknown. However it is thought that this species makes seasonal inshore movements which are potentially linked to the feeding of calves in shallow waters (JNCC, 2015). Due to these uncertainties not enough information presently exists to determine whether some parts of their range are more important than others for breeding During the summer 2005 SCANS II survey in the southern North Sea, harbour porpoise abundance was estimated to be 140,229 with a European wide population of 375,358 (95% confidence interval (CI)= 256, ,713 (Hammond et al., 2013)). The absolute abundance of harbour porpoise in SCANS II block B (in which GWF is located) was 40,927 (Co-efficient of Variation (CV) = 0.38), and the estimated absolute density was individuals per km 2 (CV = 0.38, Hammond et al., 2013) The reference population for harbour porpoise in this assessment is based on the IAMMMG North Sea MU (IAMMWG, 2015), which includes SCANS II surveys blocks U, T, V, L, Y, H, M and part of blocks B and S. The estimated abundance of animals in this MU is 227,298 (CV = 0.13; 95% CI = 176, ,948; IAMMWG, 2015). However, using this MU represents a conservative approach in terms of a biological assessment, as guidance from Marine Scotland (Northridge, 2012) suggests that considering large stock area for harbour porpoise is appropriate; with open borders existing between the North Sea and Kattegat, North Sea and Norwegian Sea and between western Channel and Celtic Shelf/Irish Sea. Page 8 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

62 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation JNCC (2013) reported harbour porpoise abundance specific to UK waters of 177,567 (CV = 0.15) and a favourable conservation status for the reporting period of the 3 rd UK Habitats Directive assessment (Table 1). 2.3 White-beaked dolphin White-beaked dolphin are present year-round in the North Sea, with most sightings recorded between June and October (Reid et al., 2003). The SCANS II survey provides a population estimate of 10,666 for the North Sea and a wider European population estimate of 16,536 (CV = 0.303; 95% CI = 9,245-29,586; Hammond et al., 2013) There were no sightings of white-beaked dolphin in block B (in which GWF is located) during the SCANS II survey (Hammond et al., 2013) The IAMMWG recommend a single MU for white-beaked dolphin comprising all UK waters, and extending to the seaward boundary used by the European Commission for Habitats Directive reporting (area known as Marine Atlantic, termed MATL). IAMMWG refer to this MU as Celtic and Greater North Seas (CGNS). The abundance of white-beaked dolphin in this MU, and the reference population for this assessment, is 15,895 (CV = 0.29; 95% CI = 9,107-27,743; IAMMWG, 2015) JNCC (2013) reported a favourable conservation status of white-beaked dolphin for the reporting period of the 3 rd UK Habitats Directive assessment (Table 1). Table 1 Conservation status, population size, and management units for cetacean species in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive for the key cetacean species relevant to the GWF Species Harbour porpoise Whitebeaked dolphin UK Conservation Status assessment Favourable Favourable Southern North Sea population SCANS II: 134,434 Unknown North Sea population SCANS II: 231,108 (Northern North Sea, Southern North Sea and Central North Sea combined) SCANS II: 10,562 (CV = 0.29) Sources: Hammond et al. (2013); IAMMWG (2015); JNCC (2013) European population SCANS II: 385,617 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 261, ,153) SCANS II: 22,664 (95% CI = 10,341-49,670) UK Management Unit (MU) (reference population for assessment) North Sea: 227,298 (Coefficient of Variation (CV) = 0.13; 95% CI = 176, ,948) CGNS: 15,985 (CV = 0.29; 95% CI 9,107-27,743) Page 9 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

63 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation 2.4 Harbour seal The harbour (or common) seal is one of the most widespread pinniped species in the Northern Hemisphere with an almost circumpolar distribution. Within Europe approximately 30% of harbour seals are found in the UK, a decline from the approximate 40% in 2002 (SCOS, 2014) In the UK, pupping occurs on land and during June and July and consequently females and pups spend much of these months ashore (SCOS, 2014). This onshore presence extends into August and September when moulting occurs as moulting seals also spend a lot of time on land. Harbour seals are therefore more often on land between June and September than at other times of the year (Hammond et al., 2004) Harbour seals are counted while they are on land during their August moult, giving a minimum estimate of population size. The most recent minimum estimate of the UK harbour seal population is 26,290, based on counts from (SCOS, 2014). Scaling this by the estimated proportion hauled out produced an estimated total population for the UK in 2013 of 36,500 (approximate 95% CI 29,900 49,700; SCOS, 2014) The minimum estimate for harbour seal populations in England is 4,622, approximately 18% of the UK total, based on the most recent counts ( ; SCOS, 2014) Harbour seals are an Annex II feature of The Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC, the closest SAC for harbour seal to the GWF site The IAMMWG recognises 11 MUs for harbour seal, and GWF is located within the southeast England MU. The most recent August counts of harbour seals ( ) for the south-east England MU was 4,504 (SCOS, 2014). Locations of harbour seal distribution in August ( ) around the south-east England coast is indicated in Figure 1 (SCOS, 2014) The combined counts for the south-east England management unit in 2013 (4,504) was very similar to the previous equivalent count (4,568 combination from 2010 and 2012). Although the south-east England population has returned to its pre-2002 epidemic levels, it is still lagging behind the rapid recovery of the harbour seal population in the Wadden Sea where counts have increased from 10,800 in 2003 to 26,788 in 2013, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 9.5% over the last ten years (SCOS, 2014). Page 10 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04

64 Galloper Offshore Wind Farm UXO Disposal: Marine Mammal Impact Assessment and Mitigation The Zoological Society of London surveyed the wider Thames area between Hamford Water (in Essex) and Goodwin Sands (off the Kent coast) and counted 482 harbour seals (Barker et al., 2014), the highest count recorded for this area (SCOS, 2014). Figure 1 August distribution of harbour seal around the south-east coast of England ( ) Source: SCOS (2014) 2.5 Grey seal It is estimated that 38% of the world s grey seal population breed in the UK. The most recent estimate for the UK population is 111,600 (95% CI 92, ,900, SCOS, 2014). Air surveys in 2012 resulted in an estimate for the complete UK grey seal pup population of 56,988 (95% CI 56,317-57,683) of which 5,213 were from English colonies (SCOS, 2014) Grey seals breed in autumn in the UK and peak pupping occurs in eastern England between early November and mid-december (SCOS, 2014). Colonies on the east coast of England are monitored by the National Trust, Lincolnshire Trust for Natural History and Natural England. Numbers of pups born at these colonies continued to increase rapidly, with colonies in the southern North Sea increasing by 10.5% between 2010 and Pup production at Donna Nook and East Anglia increased by 14.4% and those at the Farne Islands by 3.4% over the same period (SCOS, 2014). Page 11 of 33 EcoDoc No.: Rev.: 04