Orwell Hardstanding

[Sailing steve]

To either dredge or dispose of spoil below the H W mark requires a licence from the Marine Manageent Organisation a Quango of about 20 years age hvedoff from CEEFAS to do the regulatory stuff leaving the former CEEFAS to do the science I believe their only office in our art of te UK is the former MAFF lab in Lowestoft. The similar lab in Burnham was shut down about the time that these changes were made.

Shutting down a lab that does the science on dredging or spoil dumping so the science can't be done?

Now there's a surprise...

 

[Malish]

Interesting
Thanks.
Just wondering if there is mention in the licence of permitted spoil. I.e. Just mud or including chalk which I believe is common in the river.

there is a little bit of Chalk close to Ipswich but that would be considered 'bedrock' and unlikely to be disturbed unless new excavations were underway. The spoil is much more likely to be recent muds.

 

[PeterWright]

The licence is likely to specify that the spoil composition must match the samples submitted and may well require submission and analysis of further samples during the works. Capital dredging ( I.e. removing material which has lain undisturbed for decades or more) will normally require more analysis than maintenance dredging, which is removing silt that has settled out in recent years.

Incidentally, such licences are required for any works below High Water, even lifting out a pontoon. maintaining it and replacing it in the same position, secured in the same way.

Peter

 

[PeterWright]

Shutting down a lab that does the science on dredging or spoil dumping so the science can't be done?

Now there's a surprise...

Other labs. e.g.at Lowestoft and Weymouth survive to do the science. It was the Burnham lab that we have to thank for banning the use of TBT in antifouling for leisure vessels.

I see the main objective of the change as cost reduction and passing costs tother users. The MMO attempt to make themselves cost neutral to the taxpayer by charging applicants for any costs incurred in issuing licences. Why statutory ports should be spared these costs, or even the need to be licensed for these works is something I have never understood.

Peter.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

there is a little bit of Chalk close to Ipswich but that would be considered 'bedrock' and unlikely to be disturbed unless new excavations were underway. The spoil is much more likely to be recent muds.

Perhaps only plough/suction is allowed.
Diggers mounted on flotation might disturb the bedrock