Chris Bainger

Protecting the Environment - what makes a 'good' scheme

Transcript

1. Chris Bainger Midlands Fisheries Technical Specialist (Hydropower), Environment Agency
3. Developing Environmentally Robust Hydropower Chris Bainger Cenv MIFM Regional Fisheries Technical Specialist (Hydropower) Midlands Hydropower Team Energy Now Expo 14th February 2013
4. Climate change Climate change mitigation is a key priority for Government & the Environment Agency Hydropower has a role to play Rural areas Community schemes Often uses existing infrastructure
5. The role of the EA as a regulator Sustainable management of water resources Manage flood risk Protect and improve the environment Good ecological status Protection and improvement of fisheries Provide guidance to developers Enable renewable hydropower while protecting the environment
6. Environment Agency Position We are working proactively to encourage hydropower through identifying and mapping hydropower opportunities and streamlining our permitting process. The Agency is required to consider the individual & cumulative impacts of hydro schemes on fisheries, ecology and flood risk. A sustainable hydropower scheme builds in environmental protection. Where schemes would not be compliant with environmental or other legislation by, for example, preventing the passage of migratory fish or increasing flood risk, we will not support their development.
7. Where to start? The Environment Agency website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Read and follow the Good Practice Guidelines (please be aware these have recently been updated with new interim guidance) Environmental Site Audit Checklist Enter into Pre Application Consider running in parallel with LPA planning pre application process
8. Search Hydropower http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
11. Environmental Site Audit Checklist This is not just a tick list, please follow the guidance notes.
12. Pre Application is also essential in order to obtain a permit, without the pre app you permit will are likely be turned down, wasting time and money. Essential, please follow the guidelines. All these documents and more are found on the website www.environment-agency.gov.uk Search ‘hydropower regulation’
13. The Big Five Impact areas that may require additional specialist assessment Water Framework Directive Hydro geomorphology Fisheries Impact Fish Passage Flood Risk
14. Water Framework Directive Reasons for Failure
15. Hydro Geomorphology Weir pools are important for spawning and fry development of several riverine fish species, such as barbel, dace, chub, bullhead and as a habitat for plants and invertebrates Whilst flood flows may create the appropriate morphology, moderate flows maintain it in suitable condition.
16. Fisheries Impact Screening Where the applicant wishes to propose screens outside of the default from GPG then risk assessment will be required May incorporate behavioural screens Screen angled to the flow
17. Fish Passage Where there is an existing upstream fish pass, approved or otherwise, it is expected that the effectiveness and efficiency of that pass will be maintained or improved by any hydropower development. Where a fish pass is present it may be considered to be part of the residual flow. Where a fish pass is not included in a scheme the Environment Agency may require sufficient flow and a suitable location be reserved for the installation of a fish pass in the future.
18. Flood Risk Naturally hydropower will be within the river corridor, with potential to increase flood risk. Flood risk assessments will need to be undertaken. The flood risks must be considered for temporary works, ways of working must consider environmental protection.
19. Once a scheme is licensed The EA will continue to be involved through much of the life of a scheme. Commisioning: a need to sign the scheme off as meeting all of the requirements in conditions of licence before power is generated. Screens, Fish passes etc. Compliance: Generation figures will be required annually, inspections to insure fish passes and screens are maintained. Cessation periods and conditions are adhered to. Monitoring: Reports are produced and supplied and monitoring conditions are complied with.
20. Compliance checks
21. Compliance and Fish Pass Commission
25. Small scale development can have a significant impact in small rivers.
26. What happens when schemes do not go through the correct permitting process.
27. Conclusions We need to mitigate climate change We are working with developers to achieve sustainable hydropower Environmental impacts need to be minimised and legislative requirements met We want to work with you to take the hydropower forward Thank You For Listening