Nord Stream 2: impacts of Finland construction in line or smaller than assessed

The Environmental Monitoring Report 2019 prepared by environmental consultant Sitowise covers results and the assessment of observed impacts of construction activities in the Finnish EEZ during period 2018 - 2019. The activities in 2018 included munition clearance, mattress installation, rock placement and pipelay, of which the two first were completed in 2018. Pipelay continued and was completed in 2019, whereas rock placement continued until May 2020.

The monitored targets in Finnish waters included underwater noise, water quality, currents and cultural heritage.

The monitoring results of construction in the Finnish EEZ until 2019 show that:

• Project impacts on seabed have been assessed to be similar to or smaller than initially predicted in the EIA report and in the permit application.
• Impacts on water quality were minor and smaller than predicted.
• Only very limited impacts on marine biota, biodiversity and protected areas have been observed, in line with predictions.
• For the cannon barge nearby pipeline no impacts have been observed. The absence of impacts on monitored targets will be ensured with a survey after all construction works have been completed.
• Negligible impacts on ship traffic were observed.
• The project has not prevented the achievement of the targets of the European Union Marine strategy and Water framework directives (as implemented in the national legislation).

The purpose of environmental monitoring is to verify the actual impacts of construction activities. It also confirms fulfilment of the national permit requirements and commitments made, and monitors the recovery of the environment after construction. The monitoring reports are prepared by independent environmental consultants and regularly submitted to the relevant authorities.

By the end of 2020, Nord Stream 2 will have invested over €100 million in environmental surveys, assessments, analyses, monitoring and conservation activities.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/10062020/nord-stream-2-impacts-of-finland-construction-in-line-or-smaller-than-assessed/