Large marine infrastructure projects and the EU Habitats Directive: lessons learned
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 7 November 2013
Europe may no longer be an ‘exotic’ location but complying with the European Union’s (EU) Habitats Directive can be challenging. There are valuable lessons to be learned from developers with regard to planning and implementing large infrastructure projects involving dredging in the EU’s marine environment, based on the experience with projects that have been delayed, cancelled or have incurred considerable extra costs as a result of Habitats Directive issues. Speakers of this session will inspire you and will make suggestions for ways in which these issues could have been tackled differently.
The interactive discussion that will follow should ensure some workable views and conclusions from which future projects can benefit. It is sure to be an essential session for anyone working on major projects in EU waters.
Presentations followed by panel discussion:
- The EU Habitats Directive and uncertainties - case study of the Scheldt estuary deepening, Stefaan Ides, Research Engineer, Port of Antwerp, Belgium
- Habitats Directive and infrastructure developments, Francois Kremer, Policy Coordinator Habitats Directive, European Commission - DG Environment, Belgium
- Maintenance dredging in the Ems and Natura 2000, Erik Mink, Senior Advisor, EuDA, Belgium
- Balancing the provision of infrastructure enhancements against their environmental cost, Lindsay Jane Seiderer, Managing Director, Marine Ecological Surveys Limited, United Kingdom
- Enhancing fish habitats in ports, Guus Kruitwagen, Ecologist, Witteveen+Bos Consulting Engineers, the Netherlands
Last update: 6 November 2013