Request
Dear Environment Agency,
Please provide the following in relation to assessment by the EA of events on the Teesworks site and the subsequent unusual crustacean mortality, autumn 2021.
- A statement by the EA on 5 November 2021 asserts that 'seismic activity' has been eliminated as a probable cause of the mortality. Please confirm whether 'seismic activity' refers exclusively to naturally-occurring volcanic activity, or includes also tremor arising from the blow-down of structures on the Teesworks site.
- Please provide documents showing EIR relating to the risks of blow down of structures on the Teesworks site
- Please provide documents showing EA analysis of ground conditions following blowing down of structures immediately prior to the initial die-off events, therefore in September 2021 (specifically the blow down of the Dorman Long Tower and nearby structures on 19 September 2021).
Respense
RE: Request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)/ Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR)
Thank you for your request dated 10 June 2023 for information regarding crustacean mortality along the North East coast in autumn 2021.
We respond to requests for information that we hold under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).
We have responded to your questions in turn below. Please refer to the open government licence (link below)
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/… which explains the permitted use of this information.
1. A statement by the EA on 5 November 2021 asserts that 'seismic activity' has been eliminated as a probable cause of the mortality. Please confirm whether 'seismic activity' refers exclusively to naturally-occurring volcanic activity, or includes also tremor arising from the blow-down of structures on the Teesworks site.
Seismic activity in relation to the crustacean incident was considered in relation to MMO licenced activities, primarily offshore activity, therefore, you should approach the MMO for further details in respect of this.
As a public body under FOI/EIR, we must provide reasons for this refusal. You can find details in the appendix below.
2. Please provide documents showing EIR relating to the risks of blow down of structures on the Teesworks site.
The blow down of structures on a construction/demolition site is not an activity regulated by the EA. As such we have no EIR documents relating to the activity.
As a public body under FOI/EIR, we must provide reasons for this refusal. You can find details in the appendix below.
3. Please provide documents showing EA analysis of ground conditions following blowing down of structures immediately prior to the initial die-off events, therefore in September 2021 (specifically the blow down of the Dorman Long Tower and nearby structures on 19 September 2021).
The EA does not have an analysis of ground conditions following the blow down of any structures on the Teesworks site. This is not an activity regulated by the EA.
As a public body under FOI/EIR, we must provide reasons for this refusal. You can find details in the appendix below.