50
T.N. Burt . I.C. Cruickshank· M.A. Littlewood
• Conservation
• Noise
• Dust
• Navigation
• Water resources
• Recreation
• Landscape and archaeology
The Environmental Assessment would include:
• Description of the barrage development
• Identification and evaluation of the main environmental effects
• Description of the affected environmental features and habitats as listed above
• Measures to avoid, reduce or remedy effects
In addition, assumptions and predictions used in environmental assessments should
be periodically reviewed for the purpose of taking immediate remedial action.
5.5.2
Environment Agency and Licences, Consents and Approvals
The Environment Agency has statutory duties as the primary environmental agency operating in England and Wales. In relation to barrage developments, the legislative framework within which the Environment Agency operates is primarily that of the
UK Water Resources Act 1991 and of equal importance the Environment Act 1995. In
relation to barrage construction, a licence/consent/approval will normally be required
for:
• Impoundment of water
• Works on the bed or banks of a river or any other construction that is likely to impede flow
• Changes to navigation
• Interruption to the free migration of fish
• Water abstractions
• Trade effluent
The loss of free access for migratory fish is of concern to the Environment Agency.
They consider that successful application of fish passes in tidal estuarine environments
is as yet unproven. The Environment Agency has therefore taken a "precautionary principle" until there is further proof that such fish passes work. In this respect they have
worked to the principle that they will not endorse the scheme until the promoter has
"proven" that the fish pass will work. This is carried out through their regulatory consents and approvals process. Unfortunately for the promoter it is difficult to prove this
until after construction. Therefore promoters have taken on the liability of proving the
design in its final situation. This necessitates both pre- and post-construction comprehensive monitoring. Promoters should be fully aware of this liability during the planning stage. However, as precedents are set this liability will become easier to assess.
T.N. Burt . I.C. Cruickshank· M.A. Littlewood
• Conservation
• Noise
• Dust
• Navigation
• Water resources
• Recreation
• Landscape and archaeology
The Environmental Assessment would include:
• Description of the barrage development
• Identification and evaluation of the main environmental effects
• Description of the affected environmental features and habitats as listed above
• Measures to avoid, reduce or remedy effects
In addition, assumptions and predictions used in environmental assessments should
be periodically reviewed for the purpose of taking immediate remedial action.
5.5.2
Environment Agency and Licences, Consents and Approvals
The Environment Agency has statutory duties as the primary environmental agency operating in England and Wales. In relation to barrage developments, the legislative framework within which the Environment Agency operates is primarily that of the
UK Water Resources Act 1991 and of equal importance the Environment Act 1995. In
relation to barrage construction, a licence/consent/approval will normally be required
for:
• Impoundment of water
• Works on the bed or banks of a river or any other construction that is likely to impede flow
• Changes to navigation
• Interruption to the free migration of fish
• Water abstractions
• Trade effluent
The loss of free access for migratory fish is of concern to the Environment Agency.
They consider that successful application of fish passes in tidal estuarine environments
is as yet unproven. The Environment Agency has therefore taken a "precautionary principle" until there is further proof that such fish passes work. In this respect they have
worked to the principle that they will not endorse the scheme until the promoter has
"proven" that the fish pass will work. This is carried out through their regulatory consents and approvals process. Unfortunately for the promoter it is difficult to prove this
until after construction. Therefore promoters have taken on the liability of proving the
design in its final situation. This necessitates both pre- and post-construction comprehensive monitoring. Promoters should be fully aware of this liability during the planning stage. However, as precedents are set this liability will become easier to assess.