Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

B10.4.14B10.4.15B10.4.16A further badger survey (bait marking) will be undertaken prior to thecommencement of construction work to confirm which of the main setts identifiedin the Environmental Statement are still in use. It may be possible for certain worksto be undertaken to the track and surrounding areas, without the need to closeexisting setts.Where permanent closures are necessary, a DEFRA development licence will beapplied for, by CRCL, prior to construction to close those setts located within theScheme boundary and, if necessary, to temporarily close any additional settslocated within 30 m of the Scheme boundary. If a licence is granted all conditionswithin the licence must be adhered to.Mitigation for the permanent closure of all main setts within the Scheme include thecreation of artificial setts within 200 m of the original sett location and withinsuitable habitat. Appropriate sites have been identified for these. The process ofclosure and supervision of new sett construction will be undertaken by suitablyqualified and licensed badger specialists and will include the following:i. Undertake a bait marking survey of the sett to be closed.ii. Produce a sett relocation method statement in consultation with DEFRA.iii. Submit a licence application for badger sett closure.iv. Construct an artificial sett 3 to 4 months prior to sett closure and monitor activity.v. Closure of old sett under licence once signs of use have ceased and old sett isdisused.vi. Monitor the success of the relocation and report to DEFRA.All sett closures will be timed to avoid the badger breeding season, which runsfrom 30th November to 30th JuneB10.4.17B10.4.18B10.4.19Provision will be made to allow badgers access through some construction areas atnight when work is not taking place to permit normal movements as far as possible,where there is no risk to badgers.During the construction period, trenches or holes in the ground in excess of onemetre in depth which are within 200m of any badger sett, will be covered or securedand a means of escape provided for any animal that does fall in (a suitable escapecan be provided by wooden planks placed at a 45 degree angle).Where open trenches cross established badger pathways a series of parallel plankswill be provided at the main crossing points.ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTB-44CHILTERN RAILWAYS