Environmental Updates

Ecology surveys | We have been busy undertaking further ecological surveys over the last few months.

Badger surveys, together with bat roost and tree assessments were completed in January. Badger surveys were focused on the European Badger Meles meles and the bat roost surveys cover all native species in the UK (there are 18!).

We still have some further surveys to complete over the year, including further bat surveys, riparian mammal habitats and invertebrates.

As part of the invertebrate surveys scheduled in June and September, we are aiming to trial a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) for Sea Aster mining bees developed by biodiversity specialists within the Environmental Agency.

Additional Environmental Considerations | The Humber is an area of ecological value, with designations of international importance. The designated habitats and species within are significant considerations for the project. To capture the baseline condition and identify potential impacts of the scheme, we are undertaking the following:

• Baseline noise assessment to establish the existing noise environment and identify potential affects during construction and operation to both human and ecological receptors.
• Ecological surveys (in addition to those identified above) including water vole, otter, breeding birds and invasive non-native species.
• Assessments of the historic environment and heritage in the study area.
• A review of land quality to identify information relating to historical site uses, ground conditions and risk of contamination.