MarineSpace Ltd., together with its partners, has entered into an agreement with the Peel Ports Group to update the environmental baseline documents for the Mersey and Medway estuaries in accordance with the Maintenance Dredging Protocol.
The updated baseline documents will also include information to support Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and Marine Conservation Zone Risk Assessments (MCZ RAs) (where required) to support Marine Licence applications for on-going maintenance dredge campaigns.
In addition to updating the environmental baseline documents, the MarineSpace project team consisting of HR Wallingford and Bright Angel Coastal Consultants Ltd., will also look at the potential for beneficial use of dredged materials in the Mersey and Medway.
The team will be led by Ian Reach, who will concentrate upon review of MPAs and nature conservation responsibilities, and will develop the MPA assessments.
Dr Mike Dearnaley, John Baugh and John Kirkpatrick from HR Wallingford will provide specialist and technical support regarding maintenance dredging operations and sedimentary processes in the Mersey and Medway estuaries. Roger Morris from Bright Angel Coastal Consultants will provide additional expert advice and revision of baseline documents.