Falmouth Harbor Commissioners (FHC) recently issued comprehensive information about the environmental impacts of the harbor’s dredging project to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
As part of the pre-application process, MMO will now review the updated Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) that will determine whether the application for the dredging license will be renewed.
This submission is the culmination of nearly five years of work which included an innovative trial dredge. Based on the findings of the trial FHC is now asking the MMO to reconsider its previous decision of 2011.
Commenting on the milestone, Captain Mark Sansom, Chief Executive and Harbor Master, Falmouth Harbor Commissioners , said: “t he Commissioners and their partners have persevered with this huge undertaking as we firmly believe that the dredging of the channel is absolutely fundamental to ensuring the future prosperity of the port. ”
“ We have thoroughly updated the information taking into account the concerns raised by the MMO and its statutory advisers. We also needed to consider the proposed designation of the area as a Special Protection Area for Birds together with the latest conservation advice for the Special Area of Conservation. ”
“ This has taken considerable time and investment of resources but we are confident that having reviewed the results of the trial, and having taken independent advice, we have supplied the MMO with everything it needs to make its decision ,” added Sansom.
The HRA information document was prepared by leading environmental consultant Royal HaskoningDHV.
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