Otter and Water Vole Survey Report
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Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.1 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.6 DOCUMENT 6.9.7 Otter and Water Vole Survey Report The Yorkshire and Humber CCS (Cross Country Pipeline) Development Consent Order Under Regulation 5(2)(a) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 Application Reference: EN070001 June 2014 The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.i Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHEME 1 1.2 SUMMARY OF SCOPING: DEFINING THE STUDY AND SURVEY AREAS 1 1.4 SURVEY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 2 2 Legislation and Policy 4 2.1 OTTER LEGISLATION 4 2.2 WATER VOLE LEGISLATION 4 2.3 NATIONAL POLICY 5 2.4 LOCAL POLICY 5 3 Methodology 7 3.1 DESK STUDY 7 3.2 FIELD SURVEY 8 3.3 EVALUATION METHODOLOGY 10 3.4 SURVEY LIMITATIONS 13 3.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE 14 4 Results 15 4.1 DESK STUDY 15 4.2 FIELD SURVEY 18 5 Evaluation 25 5.1 OTTER 25 5.2 WATER VOLE 26 References 27 Figures and Appendices 28 Appendix A: Data Request Records 29 Appendix B: Otter Survey Records 41 Appendix C: Water Vole Survey Records 43 The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.ii Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 Appendix D: Survey Photographs 47 The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.1 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 1 Introduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHEME 1.1.1 AECOM was commissioned by National Grid Carbon (NGC) in February 2012 to undertake European otter (Lutra lutra) and water vole (Arvicola amphibious) surveys to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Yorkshire and Humber Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Cross Country Pipeline (Onshore Scheme). This was to determine the presence or likely absence of otter and water vole on watercourses (i.e. rivers, streams, field drains) which may be affected by the Onshore Scheme. 1.1.2 The Onshore Scheme (as shown on Figure 1) description, definitions of terminology and development are presented in Chapters 2: Onshore Scheme Development and Alternatives (Document. 6.2) and Chapter 3: Onshore Scheme Description of the Environmental Statement (Document. 6.3). 1.2 SUMMARY OF SCOPING: DEFINING THE STUDY AND SURVEY AREAS 1.2.1 The scoping for the Scheme was undertaken in 2012 which defined the Desk Study Area and Survey Area for the otter and water vole surveys. The areas were defined as follows: Study Area 1.2.2 The ecological desk study was undertaken based upon the Preferred Route Corridor (PRC) plus a 1 km buffer from the PRC boundary to establish the presence of protected species records, including otter and water vole. This area has been termed as the ‘Study Area’ (refer to Methodology Section 3.1). Survey Area 1.2.3 The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey undertaken within the PRC identified watercourses with potential to support otter and/or water vole, thus assisting in defining the locations for further specialised surveys. 1.2.4 Following a scoping exercise, otter and water vole surveys were undertaken in 2012 based on a more focused survey corridor; this narrower corridor was informed by the results of the evolving environmental and engineering The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.2 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 led investigations. During 2013, detailed surveys for otter and water vole were completed within the formal Scoping Corridor for the Scheme, taking into account any changes in the evolving Scheme. Therefore for the purpose of this report, the Survey Area is defined by the 2012 survey corridor, and the 2013 Scoping Corridor. 1.2.5 As the Scheme has developed, the Scoping Corridor has become further refined resulting in the current Application Boundary (this includes the Pipeline Envelope and Other Onshore Scheme Elements (see Chapters 2: Onshore Scheme Development and Alternatives (Document 6.2) and Chapter 3: Scheme Description of the Environmental Statement (Document 6.3)). All of the watercourses that are located entirely or partially within the Application Boundary have been assessed and/or surveyed for otter and water vole. The results of the assessments and surveys described within this report are those relevant to the Onshore Scheme. 1.2.6 For the purpose of consultation and presenting results, the Onshore Scheme has been divided into four Scheme Sections as follows (Figure 1): • Camblesforth Multi-junction to Tollingham Block Valve (including the White Rose CCS connection; abbreviated to Camblesforth Multi- junction to Tollingham Block Valve in the remainder of this report); • Tollingham Block Valve to Dalton Block Valve; • Dalton Block Valve to Skerne Block Valve; and • Skerne Block Valve to Barmston Pumping Station (including Barmston Pumping Station to Mean Low Water Spring [MLWS], abbreviated to Skerne Block Valve to Barmston Pumping Station in the remainder of this report). 1.3 SITE DESCRIPTION 1.3.1 Habitats present within the PRC that were identified during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey include woodland and grassland, and the area is characterised by large arable fields and a network of ditches, canals and rivers. A number of main rivers are also present: River Ouse, River Derwent, River Foulness, and River Hull. These features provide an abundance of suitable habitat that could support both otter and water vole. 1.3.2 The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey has confirmed the presence of suitable habitat across the Scheme to support otter and water vole. 1.4 SURVEY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.4.1 The aim and objectives of the survey work and the subsequent report presented herein were to: The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.3 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 Aim • Determine the status (presence/likely absence) of otter and water vole on watercourses located within the Survey Area (which includes all land that will be affected by the Onshore Scheme works). Objectives • Undertake an otter and water vole survey on watercourses that will potentially be affected by the works; • Produce a factual baseline report outlining the methodology and results of the survey; and • Use this information to evaluate and determine the value of the Survey Area for each of these species and inform the completion of the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.4 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 2 Legislation and Policy 2.1 OTTER LEGISLATION 2.1.1 Otter and their resting places receive protection under both British and European legislation. Under European legislation the otter is protected under EC Directive (92/43/EEC), being listed under Annexes IIa and IVa. This is implemented in Britain under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 (as amended). Under this legislation it is an offence to damage or destroy an otter’s place of shelter, whether intentionally or accidentally and to deliberately disturb an otter. The otter is listed under Annexe II of the Bern Convention and is also protected under Schedule 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) it is a criminal offence to ‘intentionally’ kill, injure, or take an otter without a licence. It is also illegal to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to a place used by an otter for shelter or protection. 2.1.2 Due to the otter’s protection, it is necessary to identify if they are utilising watercourses affected by the Scheme prior to any works commencing and to assess the likely effects of the works on otter. If otter is identified and will be affected by the proposed works, appropriate mitigation would be required and it may be necessary to apply to Natural England for a European Protected Species (EPS) development licence. 2.2 WATER VOLE LEGISLATION 2.2.1 Water vole receives full protection under Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) due to a catastrophic decline (90%) in its population over the last 30 years. As such it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or take (capture) a water vole; possess or control live or dead water vole, or any part of a water vole or anything derived from a water vole; intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy, or obstruct access to any structure or place which a water vole uses for shelter or protection; intentionally or recklessly disturb a water vole while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection. 2.2.2 In addition it is also illegal to sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in one’s possession or transport for the purpose of sale, any live or dead water voles, or any part of a water vole or anything derived from a water vole; The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.5 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.7 publish any advertisement, or cause any advertisement to be published, which is likely to be understood as conveying that a person buys or sells, or intends to buy or sell, any of the above things. 2.2.3 Due to the water vole’s protection, it is necessary to identify if they are utilising watercourses affected by the Scheme prior to any works commencing and to assess the likely effects of the works on water vole.