North East File Collection - NEFC

5th July 2026

Dear Marine Management Organisation,

I am writing to make a formal request for information held by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) regarding the ongoing redetermination of the marine licence to dispose of material dredged from the River Tees Estuary and Hartlepool Harbour at sea (the Licence) , as agreed in the consent order approved by Mrs Justice Lang on 2 March 2026.

Please provide copies of all information, records, and communications held by the MMO created or received within the last 4 months (spanning from 1 February 2026 to the date of this request), specifically covering the following areas:

1. Correspondence: All emails, letters, and written communications in any form (including attachments, internal memos, and notes) exchanged between the MMO, PD Ports (the Statutory Harbour Authority, including their agents/consultants), and/or the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) regarding the Licence redetermination process or sediment characterization requirements for the River Tees.

2. Draft Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs): Any draft or final sediment sampling plans, grid layouts, station maps, or instructions issued by or submitted to the MMO or Cefas regarding required sediment testing frequencies, locations, and depth criteria for the River Tees dredge areas.

3. Meeting Minutes and Notes: Agendas, official minutes, action logs, and handwritten or typed notes taken during any virtual or in-person meetings or telephone calls between the MMO, PD Ports, and/or Cefas concerning the Licence redetermination.

4. Internal Briefings: Any internal notes, briefings, technical assessments, analysis, or directives concerning the spatial sampling criteria required to achieve OSPAR compliance for the Licence redetermination.

Framework for Disclosure

As this request explicitly concerns administrative measures, plans, and activities affecting or likely to affect the state of elements of the environment (specifically marine sediments and estuarine waters), it falls strictly within the definition of “environmental information” under Regulations 2(1)(b) and 2(1)© of the EIR.

As you are no doubt aware, under the EIR framework: • Public authorities must apply a robust presumption in favour of disclosure (Regulation 12(2)). • Information relating to emissions into the environment cannot be withheld using exceptions contained in regulations 12(5)(d)-(g), which includes confidentiality exceptions (regulation 12(9)). “Emissions” is to be given its natural meaning and will include: • the by-product of an activity or process; • that is added (or potentially added) to and affects the elements of the environment; • over which any control is relinquished.

Sediment from dredging and disposal activities clearly falls within this definition.

If any element of this request is deemed to fall under an exception, please separate that material and release all other segregable, non-exempt parts of the records. If any portion is withheld, please specify the exception relied upon, how it applies and how the public interest favours withholding the information (if applicable).

I look forward to receiving your response within the statutory 20-working-day limit.

1st September 2026