Water as a resource - the marine environment - Louise Burton, Natural England

Natural England

The Marine Environment as a resource presented by Louise Burton

Who we are

• Established October 2006 under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006– Countryside Agency– English Nature– Rural Development Service

• Independent statutory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB)

• Statutory advisors – 12 nm English Territorial Waters

Purpose

“‘Ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for

the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to

sustainable development.”

• Nature conservation and biodiversity• Landscape and Seascape• Access and recreation

Natural England – a Statutory Nature Conservation Body

• Nature conservation and biodiversity

• Landscape and Seascape

• Access and recreation

Marine Function

• Provide advice as statutory consultees to underpin sustainable use– Spatial plans– Marine licenses and consents

• Designate, monitor, research and advise on MPAs

• Support government in implementing Marine Strategy Framework Directive

• Regulation and enforcement of SSSIs.

Marine protected areas

• Natura 2000 or European Marine Sites– Special Areas of Conservation– Special Protection Areas– Habitats and Bird Directive

• Marine Conservation Zones– Marine and Coastal Access Act– FOCI and BSH

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest– Wildlife and countryside Act

• Also wider environment (BAP, OSPAR)

Marine Operations we advise on

• Energy: offshore renewables, O&G, pipelines & cables

• Extractive: aggregates, fisheries

• Marine Transport: ports, marinas, jetties/slipways

• Other marine works - cables

• Pollution incl. emergency response

Environmental Considerations

• Ecology (birds, mammals, benthos, fish, coastal processes)

• Landscape (visual, cultural, historic) & recreation

• Protected sites (biodiversity, geological, landscape)

• Protected species

• Baseline information, impacts, mitigation & monitoring

The situation: what is new?

Bigger scaleBigger uncertainty

Bigger risk

Development

Planning ActLocalism Act New Players

New Processes

Planning ActLocalism Act New Players

New Processes

Consenting

New MPAsCumulative risks

Designations

DirectivesEnergy Supply

Growth

Drivers

Focus on the Big Issues

• Habitats Regulation Assessments

• Cumulative Impacts Assessments

• Rochdale Envelopes

• Uncertainty

Seascape and Visual Impacts

Our Advice

• Solution orientated• Partnership working• Proportionate protection

Key Messages

• Do it upfront

• Work together

• Be open honest and collaborative.

Serpula vermicularis reef, Loch Creran, Argyll © SNH

Red-throated diver © Ben Dean

Parting thought

• All still learning

• Big issues will remain

– ‘We’ve all become much better at looking at the sustainable deployment of renewable as an issue of common interest; one which deserves a thoughtful, collaborative approach, not a challenging, adversarial one.’

– It is hoped that this approach will be the case for all sectors and stakeholders going forwards’

[email protected]