Case studies of EIA in practice - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 293

• address the uncertainties of large-scale impacts, particularly cumulative effects, at a
strategic level (DTI 2003a).
The environmental report was subject to a short period of public consultation (28 days).
The government argued that the report and the comments received would be “a
significant input to government decision-making on the nature of the second licensing
round” (DTI 2003a).
9.8.4 SEA methods
It must be accepted that, in an SEA, the level of detail that can be analysed and presented,
in respect of both baseline data and quantification of impacts, is less than in a project-
level EIA. This was true of this particular SEA, which “focuses more on assessing
constraints, sensitivities and risks instead of detailed analysis of the characteristics of
specific impacts” (DTI 2003a). The methods used in the SEA included a GlS-based
spatial analysis (constraint mapping exercise), followed by a risk-based analysis of the
likely impacts of the selected development scenarios (including the cumulative
implications). Each of these methods is described briefly below, with selected examples
included to illustrate the approach used.
Spatial analysis
The spatial analysis made use of electronic overlay mapping of a variety of technical,
socio-economic and environmental features to identify areas of the sea with high or low
constraints within each of the three strategic areas. Examples of the main features
mapped are listed below:
Technical constraints to wind farm development:
• Existing and planned licensed areas for aggregate extraction, waste disposal and
military operations;
• Oil and gas structures (pipelines) and safety zones;
• Cultural heritage sites (wrecks and other sea bed obstructions);
• Cables;
• Existing shipping/navigation lanes;
• Proposed wind farm sites from the first round of licensing.
Socio-economic constraints:
• Shipping;
• Fishing effort;
• Shell-fishery areas.
Environmental constraints:
• Marine habitats of conservation interest (designated and potentially designated);
• Seascape sensitivity;
• Fish spawning areas;
• Fish nursery areas.