North East File Collection - NEFC

6th April 2026

Dear Harwich Haven Authority,

I am writing to request information regarding the procedures and protocols the Statutory Harbour Authority employs to ensure environmental compliance during the physical operation of dredging, as distinct from the disposal of dredged arisings.

While I understand that the Authority operates under statutory powers that may exempt certain dredging activities from requiring a Marine Licence for extraction under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, it remains my understanding that such activities must still align with broader environmental obligations, including the Habitats Regulations and the Water Framework Directive.

To better understand how the SHA manages these responsibilities, I kindly request copies of, or access to, the following documents and correspondence from the last three years (or the last time when such assessments were carried out), under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004:

1. Maintenance Dredging Strategy (MDS): Any current strategy document or “Baseline Document” used to assess the environmental impact of recurring dredging.
2. Environmental Assessments: Copies of any Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) or Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments specifically related to the operation of dredging (agitation, suction, or grab) rather than the disposal.
3. Consultation Records: Correspondence with Natural England or the Environment Agency regarding the potential impact of dredging operations on protected sites (e.g., SSSIs, SPAs, or SACs) within or adjacent to the harbour limits.
4. Contaminant Resuspension Analysis: Any technical studies or correspondence with the Environment Agency regarding the risk of sediments exceeding Effects Range Medium (ERM) levels (e.g., PAHs) becoming bioavailable during dredging, regardless of their suitability for sea disposal.
5. Monitoring Reports: Any water quality monitoring data (turbidity/nephelometry/chemical) or post-dredge bathymetric surveys used to verify that dredging activity has not negatively impacted local benthic ecology or suspended sediment levels beyond agreed parameters.
6. Operational Management Plans: Internal standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided to contractors or staff that outline environmental mitigation measures (e.g., timing restrictions to protect fish migration or bird overwintering).

I would appreciate a response within the statutory 20-working-day timeframe. If any of these documents are already available in the public domain, please feel free to provide the relevant links.

Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter.

30th April 2026

RE: Environmental Information Regulations 2004 Request – Response

Thank you for your request for information dated Sunday 6 April 2026, which Harwich Haven Authority has considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs).

Having reviewed your request and carried out appropriate searches, please find our response below against each point raised (text in bold below is the information requested).

1. Maintenance Dredging Strategy (MDS): Any current strategy document or “Baseline Document” used to assess the environmental impact of recurring dredging.
   • Please find enclosed the current Maintenance Dredging Protocol (MDP) Baseline Document.
   • I draw your attention to Section 4 of this document, which outlines our Environmental Monitoring and Baseline Conditions, in accordance with your request.
2. Environmental Assessments: Copies of any Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) or Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments specifically related to the operation of dredging (agitation, suction, or grab) rather than the disposal.
   • Please find enclosed the Harwich Environmental Assessment relating to agitation dredging.
   • Sections 5 – 9 may be of particular relevance to your request.
3. Consultation Records: Correspondence with Natural England or the Environment Agency regarding the potential impact of dredging operations on protected sites (e.g., SSSIs, SPAs, or SACs) within or adjacent to the harbour limits.
   • Please find enclosed the relevant email correspondence from Natural England confirming acceptance of the MDP baseline document.
   • Information has been redacted from this document where it is not relevant to the request and on the basis of regulations 12(3) and 12(4)(d) of the EIRs.
4. Contaminant Resuspension Analysis: Any technical studies or correspondence with the Environment Agency regarding the risk of sediments exceeding Effects Range Medium (ERM) levels (e.g., PAHs) becoming bioavailable during dredging, regardless of their suitability for sea disposal
   • We can confirm that Harwich Haven Authority does not hold information falling within the scope of this part of your request.
5. Monitoring Reports: Any water quality monitoring data (turbidity/nephelometry/chemical) or post-dredge bathymetric surveys used to verify that dredging activity has not negatively impacted local benthic ecology or suspended sediment levels beyond agreed parameters.
   • We can confirm that Harwich Haven Authority does not hold information falling within the scope of this part of your request.
6. Operational Management Plans: Internal standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided to contractors or staff that outline environmental mitigation measures (e.g., timing restrictions to protect fish migration or bird overwintering).
   • We can confirm that Harwich Haven Authority does not hold information falling within the scope of this part of your request.

Where we have stated that information is not held, this response is provided in accordance with Regulation 12(4)(a) of the EIRs.

Some of the information contained within the documents provided has been withheld as it engages regulation 12(3) of the EIRs, as it relates to personal data. The names, signatures, and contact details of private individuals is considered by Harwich Haven Authority to be personal information and has therefore been redacted.

Where documents have been disclosed, Harwich Haven Authority has provided the information it holds within the scope of your request as at the date of your request.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact us.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request for information by Harwich Haven Authority, you may request an internal review by emailing communications@hha.co.uk or writing to us at Harbour House, the Quay, Harwich, Essex CO12 3HH within 40 working days of this response.

If, following an internal review by Harwich Haven Authority, you remain dissatisfied with the response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) online at https:%%//%%ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/ or calling the helpline on 0303 123 1113.