New challenges in applying environmental directives
Roger Morris of Bright Angel Coastal Consultants* talks of some of the new challenges for the application of environmental directives which must be overcome in order to enable a high level environmental performance Since its introduction in 1992, the EC Habitats Directive has challenged everyone from port managers to environmental regulators.
The need to prove that there would not be a harmful effect on wildlife led to the introductions of the precautionary principle. This principle has been responsible for terms such as ‘appropriate assessment’ which has been the cause of much uncertainty for ports.
In northern Europe many environmental issues are reasonably well understood and in many cases solutions have been found. Other terms that have become better understood include ‘sediment management’ and ‘sediment budgets’. There is a much greater knowledge of the geomorphological implications of port development, especially channel deepening and its knock-on effects on wildlife assets. ‘Managed realignment’, however, is another term that has become established in the lexicon of port management and has been used on many occasions to compensate for habitat loss.
Returning sediment to the marine system by over-spilling or various forms of direct placement has been used to mitigate impacts on sediment budgets. These techniques are now starting to encounter new challenges, however. Not all estuaries have a high sediment load and where sediment loads are lower there can be concerns about the impact of re-introducing sediment at the ‘wrong’ time of year. The main issues concern impacts on migratory salmonids (Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout) and on Biological Oxygen Demand. These issues are only just starting to emerge but are likely to become increasingly prominent as the objectives of the Water Framework and Habitats Directives are explored and challenged.
Achieving higher levels of environmental performance is an ongoing process and there will be new challenges to resolve. Doubtless solutions will be found in many instances, but impasse cannot be ruled out in some special circumstances.
* Bright Angel Coastal Consultants specialise in port development and coastal management issues that affect the natural environment. Roger Morris, who established the consultancy, has previous experience working for Natural England and its predecessor English Nature. He can be contacted on: brightangel.coastal@googlemail.com
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