6.1.7 ES Volume 1 Chapter 7 Marine Geology Oceanography and Physical
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East Anglia THREE Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes Environmental Statement Volume 1 Document Reference – 6.1.7 Author – Royal HaskoningDHV East Anglia THREE Limited Date – November 2015 Revision History – Revision A Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 This Page Is Intentionally Blank Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 Table of Contents 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes ................................ 1 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 7.2 Consultation ................................................................................................. 2 7.3 Scope ......................................................................................................... 17 7.3.1 Study Area........................................................................................................... 17 7.3.2 Worst Case .......................................................................................................... 18 7.3.3 Embedded Mitigation Specific to Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes ............................................................................................................ 31 7.4 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................... 32 7.4.1 Legislation, Policy and Guidance ........................................................................ 32 7.4.2 Data Sources ....................................................................................................... 36 7.4.3 Impact Assessment Methodology ...................................................................... 37 7.4.4 Cumulative Impact Assessment .......................................................................... 46 7.4.5 Transboundary Impact Assessment ................................................................... 47 7.5 Existing Environment .................................................................................. 47 7.5.1 Data and Information Sources ............................................................................ 48 7.5.2 Bathymetry and Morphology ............................................................................. 48 7.5.3 Geology ............................................................................................................... 49 7.5.4 Water Levels ....................................................................................................... 49 7.5.5 Currents .............................................................................................................. 50 7.5.6 Wind and Wave Regimes .................................................................................... 50 7.5.7 Sediment Regime ................................................................................................ 51 7.6 Potential Impacts ........................................................................................ 54 7.6.1 Potential Impacts during Construction ............................................................... 58 7.6.2 Potential Impacts during Operation ................................................................... 86 7.6.3 Potential Impacts during Decommissioning ..................................................... 104 Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 7.7 Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................. 105 7.8 Transboundary Impacts ............................................................................ 108 7.9 Inter-relationships .................................................................................... 109 7.10 Summary .................................................................................................. 110 7.11 References ................................................................................................ 112 Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes figures are presented in Volume 2: Figures and listed in the table below. Figure number Title 7.1 Elements that make up the Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes Study Area. 7.2 Detailed bathymetry of the East Anglia THREE site 7.3 Position of the amphidromic point 7.4 Tidal ellipses 7.5 Receptor groups for marine geology, oceanography and physical processes 7.6 Sea bed locations occupied by sand waves with side slopes greater than 10 degrees 7.7 Zone of potential influence on the tidal regime 7.8 Zone of potential influence on the wave regime 7.9 Zone of potential cumulative influence on the tidal regime 7.10 Zone of potential cumulative influence on the wave regime Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes appendices are presented in Volume 3: Appendices and listed in the table below. Appendix number Title 7.1 Physical Processes Evidence Plan 7.2 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes - Environmental Baseline 7.3 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes - Scour Assessments 7.4 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes - Landfall Location Environmental Baseline 7.5 Metocean Data Report Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 7 MARINE GEOLOGY, OCEANOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL PROCESSES 7.1 Introduction 1. This chapter of the Environmental Statement (ES) describes the physical environment of the proposed East Anglia THREE project, covering the East Anglia THREE site and the offshore cable corridor, including its landfall at Bawdsey on the Suffolk coast. 2. The chapter provides a summary description of key aspects relating to the existing marine geology, oceanography and physical processes, recognising that the baseline physical environment is not static, but is subject to considerable natural variability and could, potentially, be sensitive to change. 3. The chapter continues with an assessment of the magnitude and significance of the effects upon the baseline conditions resulting from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed East Anglia THREE project, as well as those effects resulting from cumulative interactions with other existing or planned projects. Also provided are considerations with regard to potential mitigation measures, where appropriate. 4. This chapter was written by Royal HaskoningDHV, on behalf of East Anglia THREE Limited (EATL), and incorporates results from other contributors, including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Deltares, Fugro EMU Ltd., Geotechnical Engineering and Marine Surveys (GEMS) and Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd. (MESL). 5. This chapter also draws on findings of earlier studies undertaken to inform the East Anglia Zonal Environmental Appraisal (ZEA) (GL Noble Denton 2011; ABPmer 2012a) and the ES of the consented East Anglia ONE project (ABPmer 2012b). 6. The assessment process has been informed by the following: Interpretation of field data specifically collected for the proposed East Anglia THREE project; Consideration of the existing evidence base regarding the effects of offshore windfarm developments on the physical environment; Empirical assessments of scour formation around wind turbine foundations; Cross-reference to previous detailed numerical modelling studies undertaken for both the East Anglia ZEA and the ES of the East Anglia ONE project; Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Chapter 7 Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes November 2015 Page 1 Discussion and agreement with key stakeholders; and Application of expert-based judgement. 7. The potential effects upon marine geology, oceanography and physical processes have been assessed conservatively using realistic ‘worst case’ characteristics for the proposed East Anglia THREE project. The worst case has been revisited since the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) to take account of updates to the project design and comments received during the Section 42 consultation in 2014. 8. The assessment of potential effects has been made with specific reference to the relevant National Policy Statements (NPS). These are the principal decision-making documents for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Those relevant to Marine Geology, Oceanography and Physical Processes are: Overarching NPS for Energy (EN-1) (July 2011); and NPS for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) (July 2011). 9. Relevant aspects of EN-1 and EN-3 are presented later in section 7.4.1. This chapter of the ES either directly addresses these issues or provides information which enables these issues to be directly addressed in other, more relevant chapters, most notably: Chapter 8 Marine Water and Sediment Quality; Chapter 10 Benthic Ecology; Chapter 11 Fish and Shellfish Ecology; Chapter 14 Commercial Fisheries; Chapter 15 Shipping and Navigation; and Chapter 17 Offshore Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. 10. All figures referred to in this chapter are provided in Volume 2 of the ES. 11. This chapter should be read