NATURA 2000 SCREENING

10.1 Introduction

The Natura 2000 network comprises:

 Habitats Directive Sites (Sites of Community Importance and Special Areas of Conservation) designated by Member States for the conservation of habitat types and animal and plant species listed in the Habitats Directive

 Bird Directive Sites (Special Protection Areas) for the conservation of bird species listed in the Birds Directive as well as migratory birds

This section constitutes the Natura 2000 screening in accordance with the EC habits Directive and Order 408/2007, § 7.

10.2 Designated species and habitats

The designated Natura 2000 sites are shown in Figure 10-1.

Figure 10-1 Natura 2000 sites in the North Sea.

Natura 2000 sites in the central North Sea are detailed in Table 10-1.

Table 10-1 Natura 2000 sites in the central North Sea.

Natura 2000 Site code

Name Designated marine species and habitattypes

UK0030352 Dogger Bank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1364 Halichoerus grypus

 1365 Phoca vitulina NL2008002 Klaverbank  1170 Reefs

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1364 Halichoerus grypus

 1365 Phoca vitulina

NL2008001 Doggersbank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1364 Halichoerus grypus

 1365 Phoca vitulina

DE1003301 Doggerbank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1365 Phoca vitulina

 Fulmarus glacialis, Larus fuscus, Morus bassanus, Rissa tridactyla, Uria aalge

DE1209301 Sylter Außenriff  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

 1170 Reefs

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1364 Halichoerus grypus

 1365 Phoca vitulina

 1103 Alosa fallax

 Gavia arctica, Gavia stellata, Lampetra fluviatilis, Larus canus, Larus fuscus, Larus marinus, Larus minutus, Morus bassanus, Rissa tridactyla, Sterna hirundo, Sterna paradisaea, Sterna sandvicensis, Uria aalge

DK00VA347 Sydlige Nordsø  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

 1364 Halichoerus grypus

 1365 Phoca vitulina

 Gavia stellata, Gavia arctica, Larus minutus, Sula bassana,

Somateria mollissima, Melanitta nigra, Stercorarius skua, Uria alge, Alca torda, Alle alle

DK00VA257 Jyske Rev  1170 Reefs

 1351 Phocoena phocoena

10.3 Potential impacts

The screening is carried out to identify all those elements of the project or plan, alone or in combination with other projects or plans, that may have significant impacts on the Natura 2000 site.

No activities associated with the GORM project are planned to occur within the designated Natura 2000 sites.

Planned activities at the GORM project have been assessed in section 6. Potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites include noise and discharges.

10.3.1 Underwater noise

A number of activities at the GORM project may generate underwater noise, including seismic surveys, drilling, and presence of production platforms and vessels. There is no geographical overlap between the GORM project and Natura 2000 sites. However, underwater noise from seismic and ramming of conductors may spread into nearby Natura 2000 sites, and is further assessed in this screening.

10.3.2 Discharges

The main discharges are related to production and drilling, though other minor negative discharges may also occur (e.g. from vessels).

 Discharges of water based mud and cuttings during planned drilling activities is expected to occur from a drilling rig (at Rolf or Dagmar). The distance to which impacts on pelagic environment may occur has previously been modelled for a typical well, and is up to 7 km from the point of discharge (section 6). The area where impacts may occur will depend on the currents, and will likely follow the prevailing northward currents. The distance t which impacts on sediment quality has also been modelled, and is assssed to be within a few hundred meters for the drilling rig (section 6.2.4). The distance from the point of discharge to the nearest Natura 2000 site it less than 1 km (Rolf) or 5 km (Dagmar). Discharges during drilling at Rolf and Dagmar may thus impact to water quality in the Natura 2000 site, if southern currents dominate. However, the impact is assessed to be local and short term (associated with up to 7 wells), and without significant environmental effects on habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.

 Discharges from production are expected to continue until 2042, and will occur at Gorm. The distance to which impacts on the pelagic environment may occur has been modelled, and is up to 6.6 km from the point of discharge (section 6). The distance from the point of discharge (Gorm) to the nearest Natura 2000 site is 12 km, and no impacts on the environment is expected within the Natura 2000 site. It is therefore assessed that production activities will not have significant environmental effects on the conservation objectives of the habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.

10.4 Screening

Several species are designated for the Natura 2000, sites including the German site Doggerbank.

No potential impacts are foreseen for birds, fish or habitat types. The screening concerns only marine mammals.

10.4.1 Habitat species - marine mammals

Marine mammals (harbour porpoise, harbour seal, grey seal) are designated for several Natura 2000 sites, including the German site Doggerbank. Marine mammals may be impacted in the form of impaired hearing (PTS or TTS) or a behavioural response due to underwater noise (as reviewed in section 6.2.8). The two main sources of underwater noise are drilling and seismic.

Noise levels during ramming of conductors have previously been monitored (section 6.2.8), and this shows that the noise levels have a risk of causing hearing damage to marine mammals in an area close to the drilling rig (few hundred meters) and that behavioural effects are most likely to be found within a few kilometres from the rig. Avoidance of the area is not expected (section 6.2.8).

Noise levels produced by airguns in connection with seismic activities can be harmful to marine mammals. The exact location of the seismic survey in relation to the Natura 2000 site is not known. If the survey is bordering to the German Natura 2000 site Doggerbank, there is a risk of impact (hearing or behavioural impact) to individuals within the site if the survey is close to the site and animals are present. The risk is related to individuals, and it is assessed that the marine mammal populations in the North Sea will not be affected. It is therefore assessed that planned activities will not have significant environmental effects on the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites.

10.5 Conclusion

It is assessed that planned activities at the GORM project will not have significant environmental impacts on the conservation objectives of the habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.