lifetime of the project (although it should be noted that this is likely to be over‐ precautionary).
The magnitude of the effect and the level of sensitivity of the receptors will be based on the outcomes of the Chapter 14 Commercial fisheries.
3.3.3 Potential impacts during decommissioning 37.
During decommissioning the potential impacts are anticipated to be similar to those described above for the construction phase although on a smaller scale, for example noise impacts will be lower (as there will be no piling) and if the cables are left in situ, there will be less sea bed disturbance.
3.3.3.1.1 Proposed method for assessment
The methods used for assessing the impacts during decommissioning will be very similar to those used during the construction phase. The operations involved will be slightly different, however it is anticipated that the magnitude of the impacts will generally be less. Each of the impacts considered for the construction phase will be assessed for the decommissioning phase.
3.3.4 Potential cumulative impacts 38.
Many of the potential cumulative impacts of offshore windfarms in the Southern North Sea will be temporary, small scale and localised. Considering the recoverability of fish and shellfish receptors in the area, the cumulative impact of permanent loss of habitat during the operational phase of East Anglia windfarms and other offshore windfarms is not anticipated to be significant.
39.
However, underwater noise could have cumulative impacts spatially (if two or more piling operations are undertaken simultaneously) or temporally (if piling operations are happening consecutively) with the potential for displacement impacts across the southern North Sea, noise ‘barriers’ blocking migration routes or consecutive piling programmes displacing sensitive fish from large areas for sustained periods. Noise modelling will be undertaken for the East Anglia THREE and East Anglia FOUR projects in isolation and cumulatively with other potential projects within the East Anglia Zone for sensitive fish species of relevance to the area. Furthermore, consideration will be given to the potential cumulative impacts from other developments in the southern North Sea.
40.
The cables from East Anglia ONE, East Anglia THREE and East Anglia FOUR will cross the cables from the Greater Gabbard and Galloper offshore windfarms. Depending on the method by which these cable crossings are protected there is potential for cumulative impacts including physical disturbance and temporary habitat loss during the construction phase, in addition to permanent habitat loss and colonisation of artificial structures during the operation phase.
Evidence plan Fish and Shellfish Method Statement
East Anglia THREE and East Anglia FOUR Offshore Windfarms
September 2013 Page 34
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