Definitions of Activities
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Berthing/Mooring (anchoring)
this includes vessels berthing alongside terminals, using structures such as pontoons or mooring buoys and deployment of anchors, together with the installation and presence of the required infrastructure. Questions to consider include issues such as: what additional/changes to berthing or mooring requirements will there be; will additional structures be required; what structures be made of and how they will be installed; and will vessels disturb the seabed e.g. with anchors or at low water.
Bulk Handling
relates to the bulk movement of material on and off vessels, to any landward transport and the associated infrastructure. Questions to consider include issues such as: is bulk handling currently undertaken on the site; will the plan or project lead to an increase or the introduction of bulk handling; is there an indication of the degree of change or the likely cargo; and what ancillary facilities would be required to enable the bulk handling.
Construction (backfill, coastal defence etc)
covers a wide variety of construction activities in the subtidal and intertidal, excluding the potentially noisy activity of piling. Includes activities such as backfilling, construction/maintenance of coastal defence, construction of harbour walls and breakwaters, dry docks etc. Questions to consider include issues such as: the method of construction; loss of and/or change in habitat; additional/change in discharges; and alteration to hydrodynamic/sedimentology etc.
Construction (piling)
the installation of piles by various methods, including percussive, vibro etc. The main issues around piling are generally related to noise and vibration.
Construction (storage, infrastructure, support buildings)
covers a wide range of construction activities on shore, for storage, new/replacement infrastructure, etc. Questions to consider include issues such as: habitat change/loss; noise and disturbance during construction and operation,;associated discharges; and construction methods.
Container Handling
relates to the movement of containers on and off vessels, to any landward transport and the associated infrastructure. Questions to consider include issues such as: are containers currently handled on the site; will the plan or project lead to an increase or the introduction of container handling; is there an indication of the degree of change or the likely cargo; and what ancillary facilities would be required to enable the container handling.
Discharges and site runoff
site discharges or runoff may already exist, with modifications or additions potentially required as part of the proposals. These may include permits to allow/control rain water runoff, sewage discharges, temporary discharges e.g. during dewatering of fill, discharges from works etc. Questions to consider include issues such as: will there be a change in the existing site runoff, either during construction (i.e. temporarily) or in the longer term (during operation); what will these discharges/runoffs consist of; and what permits are the discharge/runoff subject to.
Dredging (capital)
in UK law a capital dredge refers to a dredge in an area that has either not been dredged previously or has been undredged for the previous 10 years. Capital dredging also includes dredging of currently dredged areas where water depths are to be deepened further than that obtained in the last 10 years. Questions to consider include issues such as: will a capital dredge be required as part of the plan or project; over what area and how much material will be removed;does the dredge include intertidal and/or subtidal areas;what type of sediment will need to be removed and what contaminants are present.
Dredging (maintenance)
in UK law a maintenance dredge refers to a dredge in an area that has been dredged previously at least once during the last 10 years. Questions to consider include issues such as: will a capital dredge be required as part of the plan or project; over what area and how much material will be removed; does the dredge include intertidal and/or subtidal areas; what type of sediment will need to be removed and what contaminants are present.
Dredge Disposal
relates to the disposal of material subsequent to dredging (both capital and maintenance). Disposal can be at a licenced disposal site, or used as infill material, for recharge, beneficial use etc. Questions to consider include issues such as: the sediment type; levels of contaminants; quantity to be deposited; potential dispersion at the deposit site; smothering of the deposit site; increased suspended sediment; dewatering requirements etc.
Habitat creation
may be a requirement under the Habitats and Birds Directive as compensation, but may also be a ‘side effect’ of the type of plan or project, such as new hard substrate habitat from a new seawall. Questions to consider include issues such as: change and/or loss of existing habitat; the cause of the habitat creation and issues associated with the method of construction; potential for changes hydrodynamic/sedimentology etc.
Recharge
recharge relates to the placement of sediment on areas to supplement the existing bed level. Questions to consider include issues such as: the change in habitat; site runoff from the recharge; alteration to hydrodynamic/sedimentology etc.
Reclamation
reclamation refers to the alteration of land from subtidal and/or intertidal to land above high water. Questions to consider include issues such as: the area of land to be reclaimed; the proportion of subtidal/intertidal; hydrodynamic/sedimentology effects; alteration of one habitat to another; method of construction; and discharges associated with construction and operation.
Structure Maintenance
refers to the maintenance of structures on land and in the subtidal/intertidal. Maintenance can range from minor activities such as painting to complete overhaul. I Questions to consider include issues such as: disturbance; discharge or accidental spillage/leakage of chemicals; and removal of biofouling.
Vessel Discharge (ballast)
refers to the carriage of water to act as ballast to ships, taken on at one port and discharged at another. Questions to consider include issues such as: will the increase in vessels mean an increase in ballast water discharges; are the additional ports of origin known; and are any methods proposed/required to address the issue.
Vessel Discharge (bilge, sewage, exhaust, spillage)
refers broadly to the discharge of chemicals, either to air or water, whether such discharges are deliberate or accidental. Questions to consider include issues such as: what discharges are likely from the vessels, eg exhaust fumes, spillages or leakages; what are these discharges likely to consist of; approximate quantities; and where are they most likely to occur (e.g. at port or out at sea).
Vessel Maintenance
relates to both the general and specific maintenance of vessels, including dry docks, hauled out vessels etc. May include installation and operation of specific infrastructure, additional discharges including of antifoulants etc. Questions to consider include issues such as: does vessel maintenance currently occur at the site; will the plan or project lead to a change in the current level of activity; what type of vessel will be worked on and for what purpose; and what facilities and ancillary development will be required.
Vessel Passage
the action of vessels as they move from one area to another, which has associated effects such as ship wash, disturbance etc. Questions to consider include issues such as will the plan or project lead to an increase in vessel movements, either temporarily (i.e. during construction) or in the longer term (due to increased capacity).
