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4 APPROACH TO IMPACT ASSESSMENT 4.1 The EIA Process
4.1.1 The Approach to Assessment 55.
The assessment approach will use the conceptual ‘source-pathway-receptor’ model. The model identifies likely environmental impacts resulting from the proposed construction, operation and decommissioning of the windfarm and its supporting transmission infrastructure. This process provides an easy to follow assessment route between impact sources and potentially sensitive receptors ensuring a transparent impact assessment. The parameters of this model are defined as follows:
• Source – the origin of a potential impact (noting that one source may have several pathways and receptors) i.e. an activity such as cable installation and a resultant effect e.g. re-suspension of sediments.
• Pathway – the means by which the effect of the activity could impact a receptor e.g. for the example above, re-suspended sediment could settle and smother the seabed.
• Receptor – the element of the receiving environment that is impacted e.g. for the above example, bird prey species living on or in the seabed.
4.1.2 Defining and Assessing Impacts 56.
The guidance issued by IEEM for the assessment of impacts on marine and coastal receptors (IEEM, 2010) will be used as the basis for the steps in the assessment process and the definitions that are used in that process.
57.
The value of ornithological receptors will be evaluated according to the following scale:
• International • National • Regional • Local (within the zone of influence of the project only)
58.
The sensitivity of ornithological receptors will be defined for each species and related to sensitivities to specific impact types using guidance published that