Habitats Regulations Assessment
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Habitats Regulations Assessment for the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans: Screening Report and Appropriate Assessment Information Report MMO1188: Habitats Regulations Assessment for the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans: Screening Report and Appropriate Assessment Information Report October 2020 Report prepared by: AECOM Project funded by: Marine Management Organisation © Marine Management Organisation 2020 You may use and re-use the information featured on this report (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ to view the licence or write to: Information Policy Team The National Archives Kew London TW9 4DU Email: [email protected] Information about this publication and further copies are available from: Marine Management Organisation Lancaster House Hampshire Court Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YH Tel: 0300 123 1032 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gov.uk/mmo Disclaimer This report contributes to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) evidence base which is a resource developed through a large range of research activity and methods carried out by both MMO and external experts. The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of MMO nor are they intended to indicate how MMO will act on a given set of facts or signify any preference for one research activity or method over another. MMO is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained nor is it responsible for any use of the content. If referencing this document, please cite it as: MMO (2020) Habitats Regulations Assessment for the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans: Screening Report and Appropriate Assessment Information Report. A report produced for the Marine Management Organisation, pp 232. MMO Project No: 1188. Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 7 Change log.................................................................................................................... 16 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 22 1.1. Background to the Habitats Regulations Assessment ................................... 22 1.2. Legislation ......................................................................................................... 22 1.3. The north east, north west, south east and south west inshore and offshore marine plan areas ............................................................................................. 23 2. Methodology ......................................................................................................... 25 2.1. Scoping the European sites for inclusion ........................................................ 26 Migratory (diadromous) fish and freshwater pearl mussel ................................... 27 Long distance foraging birds.................................................................................. 28 Migratory birds ........................................................................................................ 31 Marine mammals .................................................................................................... 33 Approach to terrestrial sites and freshwater sites ................................................ 34 Accounting for hydrodynamics .............................................................................. 34 2.2. Changes made to the European site list since Pre-Screening ...................... 35 2.3. Determining of Likely Significant Effects ......................................................... 36 Policy screening ..................................................................................................... 36 Ecological screening .............................................................................................. 38 2.4. Appropriate Assessment Information Report (AAIR)...................................... 38 3. Screening Results ................................................................................................ 40 3.1. Policy screening results ................................................................................... 40 4. Ecological screening ........................................................................................... 96 4.1. Summary results............................................................................................... 96 4.2. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 96 5. Appropriate Assessment Information Report ................................................. 98 5.1. European sites designated for avian interest features (Special Protection Areas) .............................................................................................................. 157 Physical damage to habitat (impact pathways 1-4)............................................ 160 Physical Damage to Species (direct damage to species from collision risk; impact pathway 6) ................................................................................................ 164 Physical Damage (direct damage to species from marine litter impact pathway 7) ........................................................................................................................... 172 Non-Physical Disturbance (barrier to species movement; impact pathway 8) . 174 Non-Physical Disturbance to Species (visual/noise disturbance; impact pathways 9 and 10) .............................................................................................. 176 Toxic Contamination (spillage and contamination causing a reduction in water quality; impact pathways 11 to 13) ...................................................................... 183 Non-toxic Contamination (increased turbidity; impact pathways 11 to 13) .......... 186 5.2. European sites designated for habitats ......................................................... 188 Toxic Contamination (reduction in water quality and air quality; impact pathways 11 to 13) ................................................................................................................ 197 4 Biological Disturbance (direct and indirect introduction of non-native species, translocation of native species, and introduction/transfer of parasites/pathogens; impact pathways 15 to 19) ................................................................................... 205 5.3. European sites designated for fish and invertebrates .................................. 207 Designated sites with fish and aquatic invertebrate interest features ............... 207 Sensitivities to plan activities ............................................................................... 208 Physical Damage to Habitat (change to habitat; impact pathways 1 - 4) ......... 209 Physical Damage to Species (direct damage to species from collision risk; impact pathway 6) ................................................................................................ 212 Physical Damage to Species (direct damage to species from marine litter; impact pathway 7) ................................................................................................ 214 Non-Physical Disturbance to Species (barrier to species movement; impact pathway and visual/noise disturbance; impact pathways 9 and 10) ................. 216 Toxic Contamination (spillage and contamination causing a reduction in water quality; impact pathways 11 to 13) ...................................................................... 220 Non-Toxic Contamination (elevated turbidity; impact pathway 14) ................... 221 Biological Disturbance (direct and indirect introduction of non-native species, translocation of native species, and introduction/transfer of parasites/pathogens; impact pathways 15 to 19) ................................................................................... 222 5.4. European sites designated for marine mammals and otters........................ 224 Sensitivities to plan activities ............................................................................... 225 Physical Damage to Habitat and Species and non-Toxic Contamination (change to habitat; impact pathways 1 – 5 and elevated turbidity; impact pathway 14). 225 Physical Damage to Species (direct damage to species from collision risk; impact pathway 6)....................................................................................................... 230 Physical Damage to Species (direct damage to species from marine litter; impact pathway 7) ................................................................................................ 234 Physical and Non-Physical Disturbance to Species (barrier to species movement; impact pathway 8 and visual/noise disturbance, potentially relating to mortality; impact pathways 9 and 10) ............................................................. 236 5.5. Effects in combination with other plans and projects ................................... 243 Effects in combination with other Marine Plans.................................................. 244 Effects in combination with terrestrial plans on the coast .................................. 245 Effects in combination with other plans in the marine environment