Energy from waste to be included in UK Emissions Trading Scheme: What you need to know
by Pete Watkins
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Aquatic environments, such as waterways and farm dams, commonly occur within operational works sites. In such cases, development approvals may permit the infilling (or partial infilling) of farm dams, the construction of waterway barriers on waterways and / or the realignment of waterways. These development activities may require temporary or permanent dewatering of aquatic habitat. Additionally, maintenance works of water infrastructure, such as weirs and dams, may require dewatering of a temporary workspace, such as within spillway pools.
Proposed dewatering of aquatic habitat for these purposes firstly requires relevant regulatory approvals, which in turn generally requires the preparation and implementation of an Aquatic Fauna Management Plan (AFMP) (or similar Fish Salvage Management Plans or Dam Dewatering Plans). Maintenance of water treatment ponds (e.g. de-sludging) may also require aquatic fauna management, even if dewatering is not required.
Preparation and implementation of AFMPs require specialist fish biologist input, and an understanding of the likely fish and turtle species that will require salvage. In some cases, a pre-salvage survey is undertaken to support preparation of the AFMP and provide an understanding of the species present and the biomass requiring salvage and relocation.
Our fish biologists and aquatic ecologists are highly experienced in preparing and implementing AFMPs.
Should you have a requirement for aquatic fauna salvage to support dewatering for your development project, please get in touch
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