Notice to Agents, Berths and Ship Operators

Berth owners and operators need to be aware of changes which have been introduced to the PLA’s procedures covering applications for and the granting of dredging licences along with the introduction of an environmental assessment which will be part of the information used to determine such applications.

The PLA has introduced a Maintenance Dredging Framework for the tidal Thames in partnership with members of the Dredging Liaison Group (a Thames Estuary Partnership group).  The framework, which formalises the PLA’s commitment to environmental self-regulation, provides for the co-ordinated assessment and management of dredging operations on the Thames and includes the consideration of any likely impacts on designated conservation sites.

In accordance with the framework and to comply with the requirements of the ‘Habitats Directive’, the PLA has produced a Baseline Document for Maintenance Dredging, which represents a summary of existing environmental management practice in relation to dredging in or near to the important conservation sites on the Thames.  The document will require regular updating as further information becomes available, and if circumstances and requirements change.

When an application for a dredging licence is made, the PLA will require the applicant to submit sufficient information to enable the completion by the PLA of a detailed environmental assessment. Such information is likely to include the following:

• The method of dredging, a recent survey marking the area to be dredged, the nature and quantity of material to be dredged, the depth to be dredged, the intended start-date and completion-date for the works, and details of disposal (where applicable);
• Results of contamination testing carried out within the last two years (you should contact the PLA’s River Engineering & Environment team in advance for advice on the number of samples required, sampling locations and the parameters to be tested for);
• The hydrodynamic characteristics of the river in the vicinity of the proposed works;
• Any expected effects on nearby sites designated for nature conservation interest or sensitive for other environmental reasons and on nearby berths.

In addition, the assessment will require consideration of possible water quality, fisheries, archaeology, recreation, local community and navigation issues. Applicants may be requested to provide information on some or all of these characteristics.

If the completion of the assessment identifies potentially significant environmental impacts, the PLA may require further, more detailed investigations to be undertaken. In such circumstances, applicants must not assume that a dredging licence will be issued prior to the completion of the necessary reports, which may take time to complete. Berth owners and operators are therefore urged to give careful consideration to the need to obtain any relevant environmental information well in advance of submitting an application.

All applications will be circulated to members of the Dredging Liaison Group (including the Environment Agency, Natural England, English Heritage and fisheries representatives) for review and comment. 

Once berth owners and operators have been through this procedure and an assessment has been completed for a particular dredging location, much of the information collected is likely to hold good for subsequent dredging licence applications at the same site.

To obtain a dredging licence application pack, please contact the PLA Licensing Officer.  For guidance on dredging applications please visit the PLA website at the following address:
http://www.pla.co.uk/display_fixedpage.cfm/id/2027/site/environment

For further information please contact the PLA Environmental Scientist (Nicola Clay tel 01474 562241) or Environmental Assessor (Katherine Harris tel 01474 562385).

Notice to Agents, Berths and Ship Operators No.2 of 2002 is hereby cancelled.