Ecological Survey
Environmental assessment for Rochester Wharf
Heidelberg Materials Marine
Ecological Survey
Rochester (Frindsbury) Wharf, Kent, owned and operated by Heidelberg Materials Marine (formerly Hanson Aggregates), is an important site for the landing of marine sand and gravel in the Medway Estuary. Sediment had accumulated within the berth fronting the marine aggregate processing plant restricting the safe access of vessels to the site.
ABPmer was commissioned by Heidelberg to undertake the required assessments in support of a marine licence application to dredge the berth. This included an environmental appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Water Framework Directive Assessment and Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Assessment.
To inform the assessment a subtidal benthic grab survey was undertaken directly within and nearby to the proposed dredging works. The main objective of the survey was to assess the baseline invertebrate assemblage and sediment contaminant conditions at the site. In addition, data from the survey would be used to better understand the potential presence of the protected tentacled lagoon worm Alkmaria romijni in the dredging area and provide additional distribution records for the Medway Estuary MCZ (if confirmed present). The scope of the survey was agreed in advance with regulators as part of the licence application process.
A marine licence was awarded for the works.
ABPmer's ecologists support impact assessments, site management decisions and conservation policy development through bespoke, robust and proportionate habitat, bird, fish and marine mammal surveys. Learn more about our ecological survey capability.
