Consultation on an amendment to the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007

Sustainable Marine Resources and Climate Impacts Team,
Defra Marine Programme,
Area 2E, Nobel House,
17 Smith Square,
London SW1P 3JR
Telephone: 08459 33 55 77

27 November 2008

Dear Consultee,

Consultation on an amendment to the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007

You are invited to comment on proposals to amend  the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007, which apply to various activities occurring in the marine environment. Defra is undertaking this consultation exercise on behalf of the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government to  ensure that the Regulations are amended effectively.

The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 transpose the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (85/337/EEC) for marine works. They impose an obligation for environmental impact assessments to be undertaken for certain marine works. Such assessments include considering public representations made on the works.  

We  need to amend  these Regulations to close a regulatory gap which has emerged with respect to dredging of marine minerals in harbours. Applications for marine minerals dredging cannot currently be processed under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 because   the definition of “harbour works” does not sufficiently cover the dredging of marine minerals in harbours.

We  are also asking for your views on:

  • our plan to implement the Habitats Directive more specifically in relation to “marine works”, to ensure that this Directive is adequately transposed in respect of such works; and
  • whether the Port of London Authority should be considered an appropriate authority for marine works within their jurisdiction for the purpose of the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007, given its specific circumstances and powers under the Port of London Act.

Please send us your views by Thursday 19 February 2009 to:

Sustainable Marine Resources and Climate Impacts Team,
Defra Marine Programme,
Area 2E, Nobel House,
17 Smith Square, London
SW1P 3JR
or email: marine.resources@defra.gsi.gov.uk

This consultation consists of a Consultation Paper  and a separately published draft Impact Assessment which set out the potential costs and benefits to Government and businesses if the proposals in the Consultation Paper are implemented.

You can read and download extra copies of the following consultation documents at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-works/

  • Consultation document
  • Consultation letter
  • List of consultees
  • Draft Impact assessment

In line with Defra’s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain may also be published in a summary of responses.

If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your email system will not be treated as such a request. You should be aware that there are circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or email requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, email: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

This consultation has been prepared in line with the Government code of practice which is available from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform at http://berr.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/.

Comments or complaints about the consultation process should be addressed to:

Marjorie Addo
Defra’s Consultation Co-ordinator
Area 7C
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London, SW1P 3JR
Email: consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

 

Huw Irranca-Davies
Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs

Page published: 27 November 2008