Decommissioning phase
  1. The risk of accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar during the decommissioning phase originates from the leaking of operational fluids from within closed systems or storage equipment, while wind turbines and OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms are dismantled.

Magnitude of impact

  1. The volume of lubricants, chemicals or similar required during the operation and maintenance phase of the Proposed Development is the same as that estimated in Table 19.25   Open ▸ , as well as the volume of fluids carried by decommissioning vessels. As such the magnitude of the impact of accidental release is comparable to that during the construction and operation and maintenance phases.
  2. The cumulative effect is predicted to be of regional spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and high reversibility for the lifetime of the Proposed Development. It is predicted that the impact will affect the receptor directly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account designed-in measures for the containment of accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar from within the operational structures of the Proposed Development, and based upon the dispersive ability of the extensive and dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind, tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will for all receptors, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Tier 3

Construction phase
  1. Accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar can result from activities involving any vessel, including survey and cable installation and armouring vessels entering the Proposed Development area, during the construction phase of the project, as outlined in Table 19.24   Open ▸ .

Magnitude of impact

  1. As set out in Table 19.21   Open ▸ , an MPCP and EMP are standard operational procedures for vessels involved in offshore construction, which will include measures to reduce the risk of accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar from cable and cable armour installation vessels to the marine environment. As such, the cumulative effect is predicted to be of regional spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and high reversibility for the lifetime of the Proposed Development. It is predicted that the impact will affect the receptor directly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account designed-in measures for the containment of accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar from within the operational structures of the Proposed Development, and based upon the dispersive ability of the extensive and dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind, tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect for all receptors will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.
Operation and maintenance phase
  1. Accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar can result from activities involving any vessel, including cable repair and maintenance vessels entering the Proposed Development area, during the operation and maintenance phase of the project, as outlined in Table 19.24   Open ▸ .

Magnitude of impact

  1. Vessel traffic to maintain and repair export and inter-array cable is expected to be infrequent, and as such the magnitude of impact presented is low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account designed-in measures for the containment of accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar from within the operational structures of the Proposed Development, and based upon the dispersive ability of the extensive and dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind, tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will for all receptors, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.
Decommissioning phase
  1. There are currently no known Tier 3 projects which will result in a cumulative effect during the decommissioning phase of the Proposed Development.

Operational painting, and cleaning of marine growth

Tier 2

  1. Operational painting, and cleaning of marine growth during the operation and maintenance phase of the cumulative Tier 2 projects has been considered in this assessment.
  2. Cumulative painting, and cleaning of marine growth within the water quality study area will increase during the operation and maintenance phase of Tier 2 projects in the vicinity of the Proposed Development ( Table 19.16   Open ▸ ).
Operation and maintenance phase
  1. Wind turbines and OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms require regular painting and cleaning of marine growth during the operation and maintenance phase to avoid the development of corrosion associated with being situated in the marine environment.

Magnitude of impact

  1. Details of project-specific operational painting and cleaning of marine growth for the Tier 2 projects is not available, but based upon the number of structures in each Tier 2 project, and the expected frequency of visits for the Proposed Development, estimates of the magnitude of maintenance vessel trips are given in Table 19.26   Open ▸ .

 

Table 19.26:
Estimated Visits to Tier 2 Developments for Operational Painting and Cleaning of Marine Growth, through Full Lifespan of Projects

Table 19.26: Estimated Visits to Tier 2 Developments for Operational Painting and Cleaning of Marine Growth, through Full Lifespan of Projects

 

  1. Operational painting and cleaning of marine growth will be timed to coincide with regular maintenance vessel trips, so the figures given in Table 19.26   Open ▸ are not additional trips, but instead represent the frequency of these particular maintenance activities. The cumulative effect is therefore predicted to be of regional spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and high reversibility for the lifetime of the Proposed Development. It is predicted that the impact will affect the receptor directly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account the infrequency with which operational painting is expected to be required, and the ecologically benign means of cleaning naturally occurring accumulations of marine growth and guano, and based upon the dispersive ability of the extensive and dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind, tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and of high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect for all receptors will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Tier 3

Operation and maintenance phase
  1. Tier 3 offshore export cables projects will not require operational painting and cleaning of marine growth, but the Floating Pontoon to serve Neart na Gaoithe maintenance facility is likely to require some degree of painting and cleaning of marine growth.
  2. The Neart na Gaoithe floating pontoon is located within the existing harbour at Eyemouth, East Lothian and measures approximately 70 m in length, with berthing for up to three CVT boats, and at this time the frequency and nature of painting and cleaning operations is unavailable.

Magnitude of impact

  1. The cumulative effect is predicted to be of regional spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and high reversibility for the lifetime of the Proposed Development. It is predicted that the impact will affect the receptor directly. Given the size of the Neart na Gaoithe pontoon and its distance from the Proposed Development array area (approximately 34 km), where operational painting will be undertaken for the Proposed Development, the magnitude is considered to be low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account the infrequency with which operational painting is expected to be required, and the ecologically benign means of cleaning naturally occurring accumulations of marine growth and guano, and based upon the dispersive ability of the extensive and dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind, tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and of high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect for all receptors will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Deterioration of water quality from cable and landfall works

Tier 2

  1. Cumulative installation of cables and landfall works associated with Tier 2 projects Seagreen Project 1A, Inch Cape Offshore Wind farm, Eastern Link 1 and Eastern Link 2, within the water quality study area, has the potential to cumulatively affect water quality in the vicinity of the Proposed Development.
Operation and maintenance phase

Magnitude of impact

  1. As landfall works for the Proposed Development and CEA projects are above MHWS, there are no predicted impacts on water bodies or water quality. In addition, the offshore export cables for the CEA projects are expected to achieve landfall through trenchless technologies (Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm yet undecided), therefore there will be no potential adverse effects on water quality from these works. Details of project-specific cable installation methodologies for Tier 2 projects is not available, however it is assumed that similar methods as the Proposed Development will be used.
  2. It is therefore not expected that water quality will be affected more than that predicted for the Proposed Development alone. The cumulative effect is therefore predicted to be of regional spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and high reversibility for the lifetime of the Proposed Development. It is predicted that the impact will affect the receptor directly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Sensitivity of receptor

  1. The water quality receptors described in paragraphs 69 to 71 have been considered individually and are considered to be of similar sensitivity. Taking into account the dynamic nature of the marine environment (i.e. wind , tidal processes, currents), and professional judgement, the receptor is deemed to be of medium vulnerability, medium recoverability and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium

Significance of effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect for all receptors will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Further mitigation and residual effect

  1. No water quality mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 19.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Tier 3

  1. There are no known Tier 3 projects which will result in cumulative effects on deterioration of water quality from cables and landfall works.

19.12.5.         Proposed Monitoring

  1. As per section 19.11.3.

19.13. Transboundary Effects

  1. A screening of transboundary impacts has been carried out and has identified that potential impacts on water quality receptors will largely be focused within the footprint of the Proposed Development and therefore no potential for transboundary impacts are predicted (see volume 3, appendix 6.6). Potential impacts as a result of INNS, accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar, operational painting and removal of marine growth, and sediments suspended during offshore export cables landfall works are likely to re-settle in close proximity to the Proposed Development.
  2. Therefore, considering both the location of the Proposed Development and an initial assessment of baseline characterisation, and as the predicted impacts to water quality receptors will largely be focused within the footprint of the Proposed Development, there are no likely significant transboundary effects with regard to water quality from the Proposed Development upon the interests of European Economic Area (EEA) States.

19.14. Inter-Related Effects (And Ecosystem Assessment)

  1. For water quality, the following potential impacts have been considered within the inter-related effects assessment:
  • increased risk of introduction and spread of INNS;
  • accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar;
  • operational painting and cleaning of marine growth; and
  • deterioration of bathing water quality from offshore export cables landfall works.
    1. Table 19.27   Open ▸ lists the inter-related effects (project lifetime effects) that are predicted to arise during the construction, operation and maintenance phase, and decommissioning of the Proposed Development and also the inter-related effects (receptor-led effects) that are predicted to arise for water quality receptors.
    2. As noted above, effects on water quality also have the potential to have secondary effects on other receptors and these effects are fully considered in the topic-specific chapters. These receptors and effects are:
  • benthic, subtidal and intertidal ecology:

–           the potential temporary (construction phase), long term (operation and maintenance phase) and permanent (decommissioning (and post-decommissioning) phase) change in community composition from the introduction and spread of INNS resulting in direct effects on benthic, subtidal and intertidal ecology of minor adverse significance (volume 2, chapter 8);

–           the accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar (construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases), resulting in direct effects on benthic, subtidal and intertidal ecology of minor adverse significance;

–           operational painting and cleaning of marine growth (operation and maintenance phase) may have similar impact as accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar, resulting in direct effects on benthic, subtidal and intertidal ecology of minor adverse significance; and

–           effects of the offshore export cables crossing the intertidal area have been scoped out as this will be achieved via trenchless techniques, and has therefore not been taken forward for assessment.

  • fish and shellfish ecology.

–           the accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar (construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases), resulting in direct effects on fish and shellfish ecology of minor adverse significance (volume 2, chapter 9); and

–           operational painting and cleaning of marine growth (operation and maintenance phase) may have similar impact as accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar, resulting in direct effects on fish and shellfish ecology of minor adverse significance.

  • socio-economics and tourism.

–           water sports including diving, windsurfing, sailing and paddleboarding are popular in the area. Within the water study area, North Berwick and Tantallon are popular for kayaking, and Belhaven for surfing. Recreational fishing takes place at Dunbar and North Berwick, which lie within the water quality study area, and from which recreational fishing trips are commonplace; and

–           assessment of the potential effects of the Proposed Development upon socio-economics and tourism (volume 2, chapter 18) concluded a negligible to low adverse significance upon recreational water users.

 

Table 19.27:
Summary of Likely Significant Inter-Related Effects on the Environment from Individual Effects Occurring Across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Proposed Development and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across All Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

Table 19.27:  Summary of Likely Significant Inter-Related Effects on the Environment from Individual Effects Occurring Across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Proposed Development and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across All Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

 

19.15. Summary of Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Likely significant Effects and monitoring

  1. Information on water quality within the water quality study area was collected through desktop review and statutory site surveys (routinely conducted by SEPA) and presented in full in section 19.7.2. The baseline characterisation was used to inform the assessment of the WFD water bodies and bathing water sampling locations within the vicinity of the water quality study area, and full details of this assessment are provided in volume 3, appendix 19. Proposed monitoring programmes for marine pollution prevention and contingency planning and INNS are set out in annexes A and B, respectively, of the EMP (volume 4, appendix 8).
  2. As noted in section 19.9.4 an assessment of the likely significant effects in EIA terms on the relevant features of sites that comprise part of the UK National Site Network or Natura 2000 network (i.e. European Sites) has been made in this chapter (in sections 19.11 and 19.12.4). The assessment of the potential impacts on the qualifying features of the designated site are deferred to the RIAA (SSER, 2022c) for the Proposed Development. The RIAA concluded that no adverse effect on integrity was predicted to occur on any of the sites considered in this chapter and designated for Annex I habitats below MHWS or Annex II species, specifically:
  • Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC; and
  • River Tweed SAC.
    1. Table 19.28   Open ▸ presents a summary of the potential impacts, mitigation measures and the conclusion of likely significant effects in EIA terms in respect to water quality. The impacts assessed include: increased risk of introduction and spread of INNS, accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar, operational painting and cleaning of marine growth, and deterioration of water quality from cable and landfall works. Overall, it is concluded that there will be no likely significant effects arising from the Proposed Development during the construction, operation and maintenance or decommissioning phases.
    2. Table 19.29   Open ▸ presents a summary of the potential cumulative impacts, mitigation measures and the conclusion of likely significant effects on water quality in EIA terms. The cumulative effects assessed include: increased risk of introduction and spread of INNS, accidental release of lubricants, chemicals or similar, operational painting and cleaning of marine growth, and deterioration of water quality from offshore export cables works. Overall, it is concluded that there will be no likely significant cumulative effects from the Proposed Development alongside other projects/plans.
    3. No likely significant transboundary effects have been identified regarding effects of the Proposed Development.
Table 19.28:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 19.28: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring


Table 19.29:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 19.29: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

19.16. References

AECOM (2022) Scotland England Green Link 1/Eastern Link 1 - Marine Scheme Environmental Appraisal Report Volume 2, Chapter 8 - Benthic Ecology

Beveridge, C., Cook, E.J., Brunner, L., MacLeod, A., Black, K. Brown, C. and Manson, F.J. (2011). Initial response to the invasive carpet sea squirt, Didemnum vexillum, in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 413.

CABI (2019). Invasive Species Compendium.

CIEEM (2018). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater, Coastal and Marine version 1.2. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester.

Environment Agency (2017). Clearing the Waters for All. Water Framework Directive assessment: estuarine and coastal waters guidance. Available at: Water Framework Directive assessment: estuarine and coastal waters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Accessed on: 24 June 2022.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) (2004). International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) Available at: International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) (imo.org). Accessed on: 18 May 2022Inch Cape Offshore Limited (2018). Offshore Environmental Statement: Chapter 12 Benthic Ecology. Available at: Inch Cape Offshore Limited Offshore Environmental Statement (pnnl.gov). Accessed on: 09 July 2022.

Mainstream Renewable Power (2019). Neart Na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement: Chapter 14 Benthic Ecology. Available at: Benthic Ecology EIA (marine.gov.scot). Accessed on: 09 July 2022.

Marine Scotland (2020). Non-Native Species | Scotland’s Marine Assessment. Available at: Non-native species | Scotland's Marine Assessment 2020. Accessed on: 04 July 2022.

NatureScot (2021). Marine Non-Native Species. Available at: Marine non-native species | NatureScot. Accessed on: 04 July 2022.

Neves, R. A.F., Naveira, C., Miyahira I. C., Portugal, S. G. M., Krepsky, N. and Santos, L. (2020). Are invasive species always negative to aquatic ecosystem services? The role of dark false mussel for water quality improvement in a multi-impacted urban coastal lagoon. Water Research Vol 184, 116108.

OSPAR (2008). Guidance on Environmental Considerations for Offshore Wind Farm Development.

Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd. (2021). Seagreen 1A Export Cable Corridor Marine Nature Conservation Appraisal (Document ref. LF000012- CST-OF-LIC-DEV-REP-0002). Available at: EIA_Report-Volume_1-Main_Text.pdf (marine.gov.scot). Accessed on: 09 July 2022.

SEPA (2015). The river basin management plan for the Scotland river basin district: 2015–2027. Available at: The river basin management plan for the Scotland river basin district 2015 - 2027 (sepa.org.uk). Accessed on: 04 July 2022.

SEPA (2021). The River Basin Management Plan for Scotland 2021 – 2027. Available at: 211222-final-rbmp3-scotland.pdf (sepa.org.uk). Accessed on: 04 July 2022.

SEPA (2022a). Water Classification Hub. Available at: https://www.sepa.org.uk/data-visualisation/water-classification-hub/. Accessed on: 21 July 2022.

SEPA (2022b). Bathing Waters results for Scotland Available at: https://www2.sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters/locations.aspx. Accessed on: 21 July 2022.

SSER (2021). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Scoping Report. Available at: https://berwickbank-eia.com/offshore-scoping/

SSER (2022a). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Onshore EIA Report.

SSER (2022c). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment.

SSER (2022e). Cambois Connection Scoping Report.

 

[1] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[2] Volumes and masses of chemicals, lubricants or similar are indicative values only and are subject to revision, dependent upon wind turbine design. All compounds will be contained within the wind turbines and unlikely to be discharged into the marine environment as any leak will be contained within the nacelle.

[3] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[4] Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds.

[5] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning