Paragraph 22 Underwater Sound Management StrategyI1

No driven or part-driven piling activities shall commence or low order UXO clearance can take place until an underwater sound management strategy for those activities, which accords with the outline underwater sound management strategy, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

The underwater sound management strategy submitted under sub-paragraph (1) must include details of the noise mitigation systems and/or noise abatement system that will be utilised to manage sound from driven or part-driven piling activities (or low order UXO clearance unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO).

No driven or part-driven piling activities or low order UXO clearance may be undertaken between 15 February to 31 March (inclusive) of any year, unless the MMO provides written confirmation to the undertaker beforehand that such works can take place in all or in a specified part of the Order limits during this period or part of this period.

In considering whether to provide the confirmation referred to in sub-paragraph (3) above, the MMO shall have regard to any report or reports provided to the MMO by or on behalf of the undertaker relating to such matters as additional baseline information, reduced spatial restrictions, piling management measures, installation techniques or noise propagation modelling.

The underwater sound management strategy must be submitted to the MMO no later than six months prior to the commencement of the relevant activities unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO.

The driven or part-driven piling activities and low order UXO clearance must be carried out in accordance with the approved underwater sound management strategy, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO.