Marine minerals extraction
Regulations covering the dredging of seabeds were drawn up on March 28, 2007, and came into operation on May 1st, 2007.
The goal of the regulations is to set up statutory regulations covering marine minerals dredging within English and Northern Irish waters, and some outer marine areas around Scotland, Wales.
They also aimed and to implement the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats directives to marine minerals dredging in these waters.
The Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging, England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 list the Department of Environment (DOE) in Northern Ireland as the regulator of marine dredging in Northern Ireland waters.
In Northenr Ireland we are respomsible for their Implementation.We work closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), the different fisheries bodies, and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), who provide fisheries science advice to DARD, and environmental advice to us on offshore matters.
Applying for permission to dredgeAll new dredging applications must be accompanied by a dredging application fee payable to us.
Operators may apply to us for a decision as to whether a dredging operation will have a significant effect on either the environment, or on a European site of nature conservationand require dredging permission. We can also indicate whether the proposed dredging isexempt from the regulations - this is a process known as 'screening'.
All dredging applications having a a significcant effect on the environment must be accompanied by an Environmental Statement.
Operators may apply to us for an opinion on the content of an environmental statement to accompany a dredging application - a process known as 'scoping' – and / or for pre-application advice for which a fee is payable.
All dredging applications having a significant effect on a European site of nature conservation importance must have sufficient environmental information to enable us to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications for that site
All dredging permissions will be subject to a comprehensive schedule of legally enforceable conditions to ensure
- The dredging is carried out as proposed
- To specify the duration and area the permission covers
- The tonnages that may be dredged
- To neutralise any negative effects of dredging
- To monitor the effects of the dredging
- To secure payment of fees payable to us.
Application for Permission to Dredge for Marine Minerals (.PDF 45KB)
Marine Minerals Extraction: Instructions For the Payment Of Fees (.PDF 23Kb)
Marine Mineral Guidance Note 1 Northern Ireland (.PDF 126Kb)
Marine Mineral Guidance Note 2 Northern Ireland (.PDF 267Kb)