BIRD ISLAND STATION REDEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT BAS Environment Office October 2017 (revision 2) British Antarctic Survey High Cross, Madingley Road Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Cover Photo: View of Freshwater Bay and Bird Island Research Station by Adam Bradley Contents NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 7 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 11 Background to Development ..................................................................................................................... 11 Proposed Development ............................................................................................................................. 11 Statutory Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 12 Purpose and Scope of Document .............................................................................................................. 13 2. APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................. 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Consultation .............................................................................................................................................. 15 3. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT .................................................................... 16 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.1. Jetty ..................................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.2. Beck House .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.3. Fuel store capacity .............................................................................................................. 18 Location ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 Description of the Project .......................................................................................................................... 21 Timescale, Duration & Intensity of Activities ............................................................................................ 21 3.5.1. Overall Construction Programme ........................................................................................ 22 Construction Details .................................................................................................................................. 23 3.6.1. Design details of Beck House .............................................................................................. 23 3.6.1.1. Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method ................... 23 (BREEAM) ....................................................................................................................................... 23 3.6.1.2. Preferred Design Option .......................................................................................... 24 3.6.1.3. Alternative Designs Considered ............................................................................... 28 3.6.2. Construction methodologies ............................................................................................... 29 3.6.2.1. Terrestrial Activities ................................................................................................. 30 3.6.2.2. Marine Activities ...................................................................................................... 35 3.6.3. Construction materials ........................................................................................................ 36 3.6.4. Equipment and Vehicles ...................................................................................................... 37 Description of Support Activities for Construction & Operation ............................................................... 39 Bird Island Environmental Impact Assessment Page 3 of 189 3.7.1. Transportation for import and export of materials, equipment and personnel ................. 39 3.7.2. Storage Requirements ......................................................................................................... 40 3.7.3. Energy requirements ........................................................................................................... 40 3.7.4. Fuel Handling and Spill response......................................................................................... 40 3.7.4.1. BAM Emergency Oil Spill Plan .................................................................................. 42 3.7.5. Waste Management (refer to SWMP)................................................................................. 43 3.7.6. Construction Personnel ....................................................................................................... 44 3.7.6.1. Training .................................................................................................................... 45 Future Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 46 3.8.1.1. Plans for decommissioning ...................................................................................... 46 3.8.1.2. Predicted Lifespan of Project ................................................................................... 46 Biosecurity Measures ................................................................................................................................ 47 4. DESCRIPTION OF SITE .......................................................................................................... 48 Location ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 History of site ............................................................................................................................................ 50 4.2.1. Past Developments.............................................................................................................. 50 Current Use of Site .................................................................................................................................... 51 4.3.1. Science ................................................................................................................................ 51 4.3.2. Recreation ........................................................................................................................... 52 4.3.3. Energy Production and Use ................................................................................................. 52 4.3.5. Station utilities .................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.5.1. Water ....................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.5.2. Fuel ........................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.5.4. Compressed gases .................................................................................................... 54 4.3.6. Waste Management ............................................................................................................ 54 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 55 Protected Areas ......................................................................................................................................... 57 5.1.1. Terrestrial Protected Areas ................................................................................................. 57 5.1.2. Marine Protected Areas ...................................................................................................... 57 Ecology ...................................................................................................................................................... 58 5.2.1. Terrestrial Flora ................................................................................................................... 58 5.2.2. Terrestrial Fauna ................................................................................................................. 60 5.2.3. Avifauna .............................................................................................................................. 61 5.2.4. Marine shallow water benthic communities ....................................................................... 63 5.2.5. Marine Mammals ...............................................................................................................