Paragraph 26 Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
The undertaker must, in discharging condition 22(1)(c), submit details (which accord with the in principle monitoring plan) for written approval by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body of proposed pre-construction surveys, including methodologies (including appropriate buffers, where relevant) and timings, and a proposed format and content for a pre-construction baseline report; and
the survey proposals must specify each survey’s objectives and explain how it will assist in either informing a useful and valid comparison with the post-construction position or will enable the validation or otherwise of key predictions in the environmental statement; and
the baseline report proposals must ensure that the outcome of the agreed surveys together with existing data and reports are drawn together to present a valid statement of the pre-construction position, with any limitations, and must make clear what post-construction comparison is intended and the justification for this being required.
The pre-construction surveys referred to in sub-paragraph (1) must, unless otherwise agreed with the MMO in writing, have due regard to, but not be limited to, the need to undertake—
an appropriate survey or surveys to determine the location, extent and composition of any benthic habitats of conservation, ecological and/or economic importance constituting Annex 1 reef habitats in the parts of the Order limits in which it is proposed to carry out construction works;
a swath-bathymetry survey to IHO Order 1a standard that meets the requirements MGN654 and its annexes, and side scan sonar, of the area(s) within the Order limits in which it is proposed to carry out construction works;
any marine mammal monitoring required by the monitoring plan submitted in accordance with condition 22(1)(c); and
any ornithological monitoring required by the monitoring plan submitted in accordance with condition 22(1)(c).
The undertaker must carry out the surveys agreed under sub-paragraph (1) and provide the baseline report to the MMO in the agreed format in accordance with the agreed timetable, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.