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Coastal and marine environment

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Contents01 Why Atkins? 5

02 Drivers for change 6

03 How we can help 8

Our experience

04 Strategic coastal and marine planning 10

05 Marine environment regulation and compliance 21

06 Future beach management and design 30

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01Why Atkins?

Atkins is one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies.

Our specialists are passionate about using their expertise to provide an integrated approach to the planning and management of coastal and marine environments to ensure their long term sustainability.

We create sustainable beach designs and assess the environmental impact of new coastline developments around the world. Our dedicated team can also provide experienced advice on reducing risk from environmental hazards, the adaptive design of coastal defence structures and landforms to prepare for a changing climate.

We use innovative modelling techniques to study waves, currents and sediment movement for a variety of purposes ranging from tourism beach design, marina engineering to forecasting storm surge inundation.

Our extensive experience enables us to provide holistic solutions for a wide range of projects, seeking to help coastal conservationists, landscape architects, waterfront developers, industrial port planners and public sector clients.

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02Drivers for change

Sea levels are rising twice as fast as predictedMore than 70% of the world’s population live along coastal plains and will be vulnerable to increases in sea levels. Despite the IPCC predicting a worst case scenario of a rise of 59cm by 2100, new evidence shows this estimate may be exceeded faster than predicted.

A changing climate for coastal nations will affect all aspects of modern life from local economies, water resources, flood risk, fisheries and marine habitats. The role that coastal and marine ecosystems (so called ‘Blue Carbon’) play as carbon sinks and the potential impacts if we lost these environments could have on climate change is only just beginning to be understood. Therefore, it is important that the impacts of climate change are recognised and adaptation strategies are employed.

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Less than 1.5% of the world’s oceans are protectedThe eight Millennium Development Goals sets a framework for the development activities of over 190 countries. In response to the loss of global biodiversity, land and marine protection is encouraged through these goals. Despite their importance to the sustainability of fish stocks, livelihoods and their contribution to climate stabilisation; less than 1.5% of the world’s oceans are protected. This is notwithstanding recent high-profile and large scale designations, such as the Chagos Islands and Sala y Gomez marine protected areas (MPAs). At Atkins, we feel protection alone is insufficient - all protected areas must also be managed effectively for conservation and incorporate socio-economic factors to secure sustainable livelihoods.

Adapting to a changing political environment – marine planningMarine spatial planning is an effective way to establish a planning process to balance the conservation of marine resources with the impact of human activities. The process provides a sound understanding of all human activities in marine areas and sets a comprehensive plan to create a more balanced and environmentally and economically sustainable approach to marine resource management, including the development of marine renewable energy.

This integrated approach is currently being implemented in the UK through new legislation, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the move towards marine planning across the EU.

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03How we can help

Strategic coastal and marine planning Our team conduct studies and provide strategic advice on coastal and marine management to inform the planning process. The information we provide helps to clarify objectives, set priorities, direct decision-making and avoid conflicts to ensure the long- term sustainable use and protection of our coastal and marine environments.

Our range of strategic studies and planning support include:

• Coastal strategy studies

• Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)

• Shoreline management plans (SMPs)

• Marine spatial plans – to assist with the implementation of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

• Coastal emergency planning / hazard assessment

• Coastal tourism and resort feasibility studies

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Marine environmental assessment and regulatory complianceOur specialists have extensive experience assisting clients to meet regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary permits for intertidal, shoreline and offshore developments.

We can identify the risks and impacts of human activity on the marine environment and develop measures to mitigate them. Our team are dedicated to achieving the delicate balance between conservation and development and can create a clear picture of what to protect and how best to conserve it, whilst ensuring the overall sustainability of the development.

Our marine environmental assessment services include:

• Coastal / marine EIA or SEA and environmental appraisals - to identify risks and impacts from development proposals

• Marine habitat surveys - to undertake baseline marine surveys to support EIA studies

• Coastal water quality assessments - to assist in (for example) bathing water quality assessments

• Design of coastal habitat re-creation, restoration and translocation of species / habitats

Future beach design and management Beaches aren’t just for sunbathers. They are an asset to many of our clients and we help to maximise the socio-economic benefits that beaches bring through improving existing management practices to creating new safe beaches.

We can help to:

• Design new sustainable sand and shingle beaches

• Conduct beach safety and risk management studies

• Improve flood defence advice and mitigate coastal erosion

• Provide emergency planning services - e.g. business continuity; or complying with the Civil Contingency Act

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04Our experience

Strategic coastal and marine planning

Assessing aquaculture activities across Europe

Client: Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd Atkins created a picture of all aquaculture activities in the European Union in five years time. Our work helped to inform the European Commission on any gaps in environmental legislation and helped them assess the impact of aquaculture if EU waters achieved ‘good ecological status.’

The benefit of this has been to clarify parameters where aquacultural development should take place.

The study showed that various pressure categories can be exerted on the marine environment from different aquacultural production systems (as outlined in the diagram). The Marine Strategy Framework Directive is asking Member States to now take these findings into consideration.

Pressure Categories

Production Systems

Cag

e

Farm

s

Shel

lfish

raf

ts

& lo

nglin

es

Shel

lfish

in

ter-

tidal

Shel

lfish

bo

ttom

cu

lture

Land

bas

ed

tank

s

Land

bas

ed

pond

s

Lago

on

cultu

re

1. Sedimentation

2. Change in bio-geochemistry

3. Infrastructure impacts

4. Visual land and seascape modification

5. Disturbance

6. Predator control

7. Hazardous substance use

8. Pathogen transmission

9. Inter-breeding with wild organisms

10. Introduction of alien species

Level of pressure exerted:

High Moderate Low Negligible /Uncertain

Output from the report for Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd

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Flood risk and shoreline management for the Severn EstuaryClient: Environmental Agency and Severn Estuary Coastal Group Our team has developed a flood risk management strategy for the Severn Estuary, that has informed the client of the extent of flood risk and strategic areas where more active flood management programmes may be required.

The team is also simultaneously conducting a shoreline management plan to provide strategic guidance for coastal defence decision making and sets a policy framework over 20, 50 and 100 years to manage any risks to people and the built and natural environment.

The merging of the two programmes has enabled the joint management of a number of key risks and opportunities identified in both studies and has brought significant time and cost savings to the client.

Output from the report for Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd

“I believe the particular choice of staff for the Shoreline Management Plan has been the main reason for it’s excellent progress and results.”

David Harris, Severn Estuary Coastal Group Chair

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Developing Guyana’s first ever environmental profile

Client: EC Delegation, Guyana Following the worst natural flooding disaster event in Guyana’s history, significant efforts were made to plan and enable environmental strategies and donor funded recovery initiatives to prevent future incidents.

Atkins prepared a Country Environmental Profile (CEP) which is a key mechanism used to formulate a strategic response on national environmental issues. Being the first CEP ever completed for Guyana, it established linkages between the environment and addressing poverty reduction in the country.

Our work has helped to strategically outline future environmental opportunities and challenges for Guyana in the coming years, and subsequently the team was asked to review future EC financial intervention programmes relating to sea defence management in Guyana.

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“The Atkins document was consulted widely with Government, environmental agencies and non-state actors as well as within the donor community. The team produced a comprehensive document which will inform all stakeholders in their future programming activities. The Delegation in Guyana thanks the team for their professional grip and efficient execution of the mission.”

Regional Co-ordinator, European Union Delegation, Guyana

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Outlining the future of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic CommissionClient: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Atkins assisted the IOC (part of UNESCO) in planning future research and programmes to assist all coastal nations around the world. The Atkins team worked closely with UNESCO to produce an online questionnaire and subsequent analysis report to establish a working group on the “Future of the IOC.” This was established to help prioritise attention on where Member States require specific coastal and oceanographic research needs in the coming decade.

“The IOC Working Group formally recognise the work by Atkins as being very useful reference for future discussion”

Bernado Aliaga Technical Secretary IOC

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Supporting integrated coastal zone management for WalesClient: WWF Cymru WWF Cymru anticipates a strong demand from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) for advice on the development of marine plans, particularly via the Wales Coastal Maritime Partnership (WCMP), of which WWF Cymru is a member.

Atkins undertook an extensive review of all current plans, policies and strategies in Wales to determine their relevance to the development of future marine plans in Wales and how such existing plans, policies and strategies could provide a basis for and add value to the marine planning process. The review encompassed national, regional and local plans, with a focus on four ‘activity hotspots’ in the Severn Estuary, Milford Haven, Menai Strait and Dee Estuary. Key lessons and recommendations for the way that marine plans should be developed were provided. WWF Cymru is using the advice to help shape the discussions and advice it provides to WAG on the development of a sustainable marine plan for Wales.

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Bahrain national development planning study Client: Kingdom of Bahrain Following pioneering work towards setting a framework for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Bahrain, Atkins was further commissioned by the Government of Bahrain to develop an integrated coastal and marine plan for the whole Kingdom. This represents the first marine plan of its kind anywhere in the Middle East and incorporates shoreline development and reclamation guidance, environmental protection, marine planning and institutional strengthening and reform.

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‘Across the region Arabian Gulf countries are surging ahead to satisfy an appetite for commercial, residential, tourism and leisure development and a number of factors make coastal areas the preferred location for such activity. This work by Atkins provides Bahrain with a real chance to make the right decisions for our coast.’

Undersecretary at Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, Nayef Omar Al-Kalali

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Producing the first ever UK stocktaking exercise on ICZM Client: Defra Atkins produced the first ever UK national stocktaking exercise on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), which analysed the current framework for managing UK coastal zones and identified issues of common concern such as the scale of integration.

The findings provide the UK Government with a sound, objective basis to develop national strategies for implementing the principles of ICZM. The level of integration and co-ordination in ICZM principles were assessed. The study found how differently organisations interact with each other at the coast. The main aspects of the project were:

• Describing the environmental, social and economic characteristics of the UK’s coastal zone

• Describing the key laws, institutions and stakeholders

• Analysing how these laws, institutions and stakeholders interact and integrate with each other

• Identifying key gaps, overlaps and inconsistencies in these interactions

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Evaluating sustainable marine practices in Negril Marine Park, Jamaica

Client: Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society Our team evaluated the sustainability of current marine management approaches being employed at Negril Marine Park. From the evaluation, our team showed how such practices could be improved to help with the engagement of local business and stakeholders and to drive forward social and tourism development, fisheries and wider local economies in the area.

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Marine planning across national borders

Client: Environment Agency, Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales This project considered the management arrangements required under a proposed new marine planning and marine management regime. The Dee Estuary was used as a case study to help identify the challenges of managing marine activities across a national border (between England and Wales). The Atkins project output was used specifically to assist the clients in responding formally to the UK Government Draft Marine Bill in April 2008.

05Marine environment regulation and compliance

MARINE PLANNING IN A CROSS BORDER SItUAtION -Conceptual approach for achieving marine ecosystem objectives

OBJECtIvE 1Delivering a Marine Ecosystem Approach

OBJECtIvE 2Contributing to a

shared marine vision

OBJECtIvE 1Delivering a marine ecosysetm approach

ACtIONBuild positive working

relationships

ACtIONAcknowledging and

dealing with past marine consenting challenges

ACtIONDevelop key institutional

capacities

ACtIONDevelop a shared vision of a sustainable marine

environment

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West Sands protection scheme

Client: Bunn Leisure Atkins undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a scheme designed to provide protection from coastal erosion and flooding for a privately owned holiday village in Selsey, West Sussex. The EIA included a Habitats Regulations Assessment, Archaeological Assessment, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and Public Safety Risk Assessment.

The results of a numerical modelling study of the scheme helped to determine potential scheme effects on coastal processes and adjacent shorelines. The findings of the assessments were submitted as part of an application for planning permission, marine consents (FEPA/CPA licence), as well as Environment Agency and Crown Estate consent. To date, the FEPA/CPA licence and Environment Agency consent have been awarded. Planning permission and Crown Estate consent are expected shortly, with a letter of support already received from Natural England.

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“The potential impacts on the physical and social environment of a major scheme like Blue City are significant and have to be closely managed. The Atkins team has drawn upon their global and local experience to assist the project team and contribute to the development of strategies that aim to place environmental management at the centre of the design and construction process.”

Blue City Development Project, Oman.

“I consider the Environmental Management Plan, as one of the best I have ever read. Very well thought out.”

Project Director, Blue City Company

Assessing the environmental impact of Blue City Development - Oman

Client: Blue City Company 1 Atkins successfully completed an EIA for Phase 1 of the Blue City development and continued to assist the client by producing a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The Plan covered all environmental management delivery procedures, ranging from GIS management to arranging disaster preparedness “drills” in case of pollution incidents along the Batinah coastline of Oman.

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Mapping habitats to guide sustainable land use in St LuciaClient: Banana Industry trust Our team worked across half of St Lucia’s coastline to produce a series of coastal habitat maps (see example inset). As this data hadn’t existed, it will prove invaluable to guide future land use and planning decisions to ensure development on this popular tourism island is balanced with habitat conservation. Our work involved capture of remote sensing data, aerial and GIS tools to help interpret and visualise marine habitat data for the first time in St Lucia. A series of national training events were held to educate and inform stakeholders on future coastal habitat mapping techniques and how decision making can be improved on the coast through correct use and interpretation of the habitat maps produced.24

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“Was very impressed with the professionalism and the quality of the work provided by the team ... .... very likely to recommend the Atkins team to others in this field.”

Laverne Walker, ICZM Officer and Client.

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Byelaw powers for the coast

Client: Defra Atkins produced the first stakeholder led “best practice” document for Defra on how to manage, implement and enforce coastal byelaws within the UK Local Government planning framework. Close liaison with English Tourist Boards, Crown Estate, Defra Integrated Coastal Management Unit and Coastal SIG was instrumental in successfully delivering the study. The guidance document is now used extensively by English local authorities to help plan water based recreational activities on the coast.

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Offshore renewables

Client: various power companies Atkins’ marine capability has expanded rapidly over the last few years to meet the growing demand for offshore wind farms in the UK. We have a wealth of experience in offshore renewables and have supported a number of round 2 and 3 wind farm developers with a range of services; including environmental and port infrastructure assessment and due diligence, MetOcean analyses, and the review of the offshore supply chain.

Our team has worked closely with Moray Offshore Renewables Limited – a consortium of EDP Renováveis and SeaEnergy - in developing initial pre-FEED concept packages for delivery of phase 1 of a 1.3GW offshore wind farm development in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Our technical experts supported the writing of various work packages to deliver the concept engineering.

We are also involved in offshore pipeline decommissioning studies for the Ninian and Murchison field, for which we analysed the environmental impacts associated with the various decommissioning options.

Other clients include E.ON, Scottish and Southern Energy Renewables, Fluor Energy, Seagreen and RWE npower.

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Guiding the planning process for Barmouth Bay coastal defence schemeClient: Haulfryn Summer Homes Atkins produced a series of environmental and coastal modelling reports (see example inset) to assist towards the development of a formal planning application for a new sea defence scheme. A series of consultation meetings were facilitated to provide strategic long term advice for a private holiday resort to enable them to plan for sea level rise. Advice focused on the physical parameters of a potential EIA / Appropriate Assessment / SEA associated with the Lleyn Peninsula and Sarnauc SAC designation.

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06Future beach management and design

Boosting tourism by helping Aqaba’s beaches achieve blue flag status

Client: Aqaba Strategic Economic Zone Authority, Jordan With the aim to make Aqaba a more desirable destination for tourists, it was found that improving the status of its beaches would bolster its competitiveness. The Atkins team reviewed the current status of beaches, designed and adapted a blue flag programme system for the beaches in Aqaba. The beaches have now been reviewed to help local agencies apply for full blue flag status, which shall help to attract tourism and to improve future beach management on Jordanian beaches.

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FYE01 LythamWindmill

Jetty

Marsh/mud

Vehicles

Tides

No shooting

No unauthorisedvehicles

No tipping/littering

No fireworks

No dog fouling

No bonfiresor barbecues

HAZARDS

PROHIBITIONS

THE BEACH AND FORESHORE ARE MULTI-ACTIVITY AREAS

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHER USERS

!

!

in this area

www.cmyk.uk.com

For enquiries, contact the Beach Patrol Officer

Tel: 01253 658658 www.fylde.gov.uk

DOGS ON LEADSDogs must be on a lead at all times in the following areas:

Footpaths, Promenades, Car Parks, Lytham Green and Fairhaven Lake

Masterplanning the 2nd Asian Beach Games - Oman 2010

Client: Oman - OMRAN Atkins was involved in the development of the masterplan for the 2nd Asian Beach Games which took place in Oman. The development was located on an existing beach and included a new marina protruding through the intertidal zone. We conducted studies and developed numerical waves models (see opposite) to improve understanding of the impact of the new marina structure on the existing beach. Our work developed solutions to mitigate any negative impacts and ensure sustainability of the development.

Safersands for Fylde Borough Council

Client: Fylde Borough Council The pioneering approach of SaferSands (Atkins developed initiative), a beach risk and safety management procedure, was introduced by Atkins to assist in future beach safety management for the Lytham St Annes frontage. Our team designed a recreational policy and zoning plan for St Annes beach and nearshore areas to minimise conflict between beach users and the health and safety risks associated with these activities. We have continued to work with the client and recently risk assessed a windsport centre on the beach towards Lytham St Annes.

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“LYP is pleased to have successfully gained this consultancy project to upgrade the facilities at Trinidad’s premier beach Maracas against international competition. Having Atkins on the consultancy team allows us to bring world standards and new techniques to bear on the project. We hope that this will develop into a leader project for other beach facilities development and upgrade projects in Trinidad and Tobago”.

Project Manager, Lee Young and Partners.

Maracas Beach Facility - Restoration and Re-Design Action Plan (trinidad)Client: Lee Young and Partners, trinidad Atkins delivered a SaferSands approach for Maracas Beach in Trinidad. The needs of local vendors, future job creation, lifeguarding services, management of beach recreational activities, future zoning, car park safety and environmental maintenance (including solid waste management) were all considered to ensure sustainable future beach management.

Concept drawings of our beach structures, boardwalks and access paths were developed for wider stakeholder review and acceptance.

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Bangladesh Natural Disaster Preparedness Programme

Client: EC Delegation, Dhaka Atkins designed an implementation plan for a Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Programme (BDPP). Tasks involved widespread consultation with the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management to identify the needs and constraints in implementing the programme and the design of a project proposal for a comprehensive, cost-effective and sustainable intervention in the field of disaster preparedness.

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“the particular choice of staff for the Shoreline Management Plan has been the main reason for it’s excellent progress and results...” David Harris, Severn Estuary Coastal Group Chair

“very impressed with the professionalism and the quality of the work...” Laverne Walker, ICZM Officer

“I consider the environmental management plan one the best I have ever read...” Project Director, Blue City Company

“Atkins provides Bahrain with a real chance to make the right decisions for our coast...” Undersecretary Bahrain’s Ministry of Works

What our clients say...

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Atkins Woodcote Grove Ashley Road Epsom Surrey KT18 5BW

Tel: +44 (0)1372 726 140Fax: +44 (0)1372 740 055 water@atkinsglobal.com

www.atkinsglobal.com

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