Eco-check for submarine pipelines in the Baltic Sea

1,33

MB

28

stron

3714

ID

WWF Germany, Marine & Coastal Division

2006

rok

Table of contents

Summary 4

1. Introduction . 5

2. The North European Gas Pipeline project (NEGP) in the view of the applicant –

no problem for the environment? 6

2.1 Project objectives 6

2.2 Project description . 6

2.2.1 Pipeline construction review 7

2.2.2 Testing and pre-commissioning . 8

2.3 Preliminary assessment of the potential environmental impact 8

3. Identifi cation of environmentally critical issues of a submarine pipeline project . 10

3.1 Critical issues 10

3.2 Consequences 11

4. Submarine pipelines: formal environmental requirements based on the German case . 12

4.1 Approval in the EEZ 12

4.2 Approval for coastal sea 13

4.3 Supplementary requirements from the point of view of international or Community law . 15

5. What might “best environmental practice” mean for a submarine pipeline project 17

5.1 Route selection process: taking environmental issues into account 17

5.2 Sound data basis and monitoring necessary 17

5.3 Reducing environmental impacts and risks . 18

5.4 Implementation of ecological compensation measures . 19

5.5 Early and extensive stakeholder involvement (public participation) and open access to all

information . 19

5.6 Increasing ecological awareness . 20

5.7 Implementation of an Environmental Management Programme 20

6. Environmental Management Programme 21

6.1 Environmental Management Plan for the planning phase 21

6.2 Environmental Management Plan for the construction phase . 21

6.3 Environmental Management Plan for the operation phase . 22

7. Proposal for a Standard Monitoring Programme “Pipelines and Cables” . 23

7.1 Route selection phase 23

7.2 Basic survey phase 23

7.3 Monitoring phase . 24

7.4 Individual investigations . 24

7.5 Data storage . 24

8. Recommendations 25

9. Literature . 26

Map: The Route of the North European Gas Pipeline (NEGP) 27