Nemo-Link-UK-Marine-Environmental-Statement

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UK Environmental StatementThe Nemo Link20810. Summary of Effects of Other Project ElementsThis section provides an overview of the likely environmental effects of the other elements of the Nemo Link.These other elements comprise:Offshore Cable Installation in French WatersOffshore cable installation in Belgian WatersOnshore UK elements including the construction of an electricity converter station and substationand the installation of underground electricity cables from the landfall to the converter station.Onshore Belgian elements including the construction of an electricity converter station andsubstation and the installation of underground electricity cables from the landfall to the converterstation.10.1. Offshore Cable Installation in French WatersCable installation continues in French waters outside of the boundary of the UK waters. Installationproceeds in the same way with the same type of cables as those discussed in Chapter 4 (Description ofProposed Development) as there is one unified process across the Project. This length of cable installed inFrench waters is approximately 23 km.A summary of the findings of the French environmental assessment is presented in this section categorisedin respect of those topics falling under physical, biological and human environment.The major impacts considered were those during the installation phase. These mainly concern cable layingvessels operating at a restricted speed and limited manoeuvrability. The fact that the cable will be buriedbeneath the surface of the seabed will limit the operational impacts of the interconnector in French Waters.Further information regarding the offshore elements of the project in France can be found in the Non-Technical Summary document within Appendix 13 in French. This document will be available in translationat the following website: www.nemo-link.com.10.1.1. Physical Environment10.1.1.1. Geology and seabed processesIn France the cable route crosses the borders of two of the sandbanks forming part of the area known as‘Bancs des Flandres’ (although the cable route does not pass through the designated area itself). Thesandbanks are composed of fine and gravelly sand, similar to that found in the Belgian and UK sections ofthe cable route. Although the cable route only crosses the borders of the sandbanks, the changes in theseabed processes could influence the movement of sediments around the borders or on the summits of thesandbanks. However, the terrain will quickly return to its natural state once cable laying activities arecompleted. Consequently there will be no long term change to the topography of the seabed.10.1.2. Biological Environment10.1.2.1. Fish ecologyIn France it is recognised that the diversity of fish species is greater towards the south of the North Sea thanin the central areas. The species found along the cable route are a heterogeneous coastal mix and it isdifficult to identify with precision the exact species that could be impacted by the cable.
UK Environmental StatementThe Nemo Link20910.1.2.2. Benthic ecologyThe effect on benthic organisms, one of the main food sources for the fish population, will be temporary, withthe area quickly being recolonised post-cable lay by the surrounding communities. The cable route alsoavoids the most sensitive of the fish feeding and breeding areas as well as the zones frequented byprotected marine mammals.10.1.2.3. OrnithologyThe cable route passes to the north of the protected Natura 2000 zone of the ‘Bancs des Flandres’. This isdesignated an area of importance by la Directive Oiseaux as a bird feeding zone, a passage of migration andan area of hibernation. However the vessels linked to both installation and operation should not have anymore impact on the migration or feeding habits of birds than the vessels routinely using this area.10.1.2.4. Marine mammalsNo protected marine mammal species frequent the sandbanks of this area.10.1.2.5. Conservation designationsWith regard to the Habitats Directive for this element of the Project, the impacts on the flora and fauna will betemporary and localised.10.1.3. Human Environment10.1.3.1. Shipping and NavigationIn France the cable route crosses an important navigational channel used to separate the vessels enteringand leaving the Belgian ports. The impacts on shipping traffic are linked to the presence of cable layingvessels which have restricted capacity for manoeuvre and travel at low speeds crossing the path of vesselsusing the navigational channel. The presence of vessels could therefore create a temporary disruption to thecontrol of shipping traffic in this area, both during the cable laying process with slow moving vessels crossingthe path of navigation and during operation when maintenance vessels will be stationary with a safety zoneof 2km.This impact will be reduced by ensuring that cable joints, which will require the presence of stationaryvessels for connection and maintenance, are not placed in the navigational channel. In addition, shippingroutes are submitted in advance to CROSS Gris-Nez and the Préfecture Maritime de Cherbourg; duringcable laying operations this information can be used to redirect marine traffic.As with the navigational channel, the presence of installation or maintenance vessels may cause atemporary disruption to vessels accessing commercial fishing zones. However, the distribution of fishingzones is vast and local fishing has a tendency to be situated in coastal areas. In addition, the season withthe greatest fishing activity tends to be during the fourth quarter, whereas the most favourable period forcable laying is from April to October. The impact on fishing will therefore depend upon whether the cablelaying activities can be limited to a timescale outside the main fishing season.10.1.3.2. Cables and pipelinesThe Tangerine communications cable route, situated in French territorial waters, lies 250m to the east of theNemo Link cable route. However the recommended secure distance between underwater installations hasbeen respected, therefore the impact is negligible. There are no other cable crossings within Frenchterritorial waters.
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