Date - envir.ee · Russian national EIA reports. This report includesonly the potential impacts on the following Estonian Natura 2000 areas: Struuga, Uhtju and Vaindloo. Natura 2000

Document number 2015-0166 Client Ramboll Finland/Nord Stream 2 Consultant Skepast&Puhkim OÜ

Laki 34, 12915 Tallinn

Phone: +372 664 5808; e-mail: [email protected]

Date 13.06.2017

Nord Stream 2 Struuga, Uhtju and Vaindloo Natura sites. Natura screening

mailto:[email protected]

Nord Stream 2

Struuga, Uhtju and Vaindloo Natura sites. Natura screening

2 / 18

Version 4

Printed on: 13.06.2017

Made by: Raimo Pajula, Kristiina Nauts

Checked by: Kristiina Nauts, Veronika Verš

Approved by: Jørn Bo Larsen

SKEPAST&PUHKIM OÜ Laki 34 12915 Tallinn Phone +372 664 5808 e-mail [email protected] www.skpk.ee

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.skpk.ee/

Nord Stream 2


3 / 18

Content 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 4 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ..................................................................... 5 3. DATA AND METHODS ..................................................................................... 9 4. NATURA ASSESSMENT SCREENING ............................................................... 11

4.1. Description of potentially impacted Natura 2000 sites ........................................... 11

4.2. Impact assessment of Natura 2000 areas ........................................................... 13 4.3. Conclusions ................................................................................................... 16 5. REFERENCES ............................................................................................... 18

Appendices 1. Map of Natura 2000 sites and Russian protected areas in the Gulf of Finland

(Ramboll, 2016)

Nord Stream 2


4 / 18

1. Introduction

This report is Natura 2000 assessment screening carried out in accordance to the Estonian Natura 2000 assessment guidance “Guidelines for Natura assessment in Estonia based on the Habitats Directive article 6 paragraph 3” published on the website of Estonian Environmental Board.1 This guidance is based on the EU relevant guidance “Methodological guidance on the provisions of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC”.

The aim of this report is to assess the possible transboundary impacts on Estonia from construction activities of Nord Stream Project 2 (NSP2) inside Russian waters – Narva Bay landfall option until the NSP2 route enters Finnish EEZ. The length of the route in the Russian sector is approximately 114 km.

The landfall place of Narva Bay option is situated approximately 7.5 km from Estonian border. This distance is enough to exclude any significant impacts due to the onshore activities on the onshore located Estonian Natura 2000 areas.

The maximum possible impact distances based on the underwater noise modelling is approximately 23 km for permanent hearing impacts and 60 km for temporary hearing impacts. The possible impact area on water quality based on the sediment spill report in Russia is located mainly in Narva Bay and along the coastline. Possible impacts on seal population is assessed in the Finnish and Russian national EIA reports. This report includes only the potential impacts on the following Estonian Natura 2000 areas: Struuga, Uhtju and Vaindloo. Natura 2000 areas which are located onshore are not included to the report because project activities have no impact on them and on the aim of their protection.

1 www.keskkonnaamet.ee/public/Natura_juhis_1.pdf

http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/public/Natura_juhis_1.pdf

Nord Stream 2


5 / 18

2. Description of the project

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline system (NSP2) comprises2 of two subsea 48-inch steel pipelines and includes onshore facilities. The pipelines will extend some 1,220 km through the Baltic Sea from the southern Russian coast (Narva Bay) in the Gulf of Finland to the German coast in the Lubmin area (Figure 2-1). The NSP2 pipelines are independent from the existing Nord Stream Pipeline system (NSP) and run in parallel for a substantial distance. The total capacity of the pipelines is 55 billion m3 per year. The pipelines have a minimum operational design lifetime of 50 years.

The pipeline route crosses the territorial waters (TW) of Russia, Denmark and Germany and runs within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

The figure below provides an overview of the proposed routing of NSP2.

Figure 2-1. Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines – reference route

Routing in Russia

Russian landfall

The preferred landfall in Russia is located at Narva Bay on Russian’s southern coast of the Gulf of Finland and comprises an onshore pipeline section and pig trap area (PTA). The PTA is located 3.8 km inland on fallow agricultural land. The 3.8 km long dry section crosses the Kurgalsky Nature Reserve. The nearshore area of the Narva Bay option is characterised by a gentle seabed profile.

2 The description of the Project is based on Chapter 6 of the Nord Stream 2 Espoo report (Ramboll, 2016)

Nord Stream 2


6 / 18

Russian offshore sector

The Russian offshore section extends from the landfall at Narva Bay into the deeper waters of the Gulf of Finland and passes between the Malyi Tyuters and Bolshoi Tyuters Islands. The route runs approximately from south-east to north-west.

The route is characterised by generally low regional gradient for the first approximately 40 km from the shoreline, with locally extensive and high relief rock/glacial till outcrops in the remaining section. The length of the route in the Russian sector is approximately 114 km.

Immediately after NSP2 leaves the Russian sector and enters the Finnish sector, it crosses the existing NSP. Then the route turns west and runs through the Gulf of Finland in an approximately north-east to south-west direction remaining to the north of NSP.

Technical description

The design of NSP2 largely benefits from previous experience from the design and construction of the existing Nord Stream pipelines.

The development of the technical design is an ongoing process in which input from investigations of the route corridors, basic engineering, stakeholder consultation, environmental and social impact assessments and regulatory review are continuously used to optimise the design. Therefore, minor changes to the description below may be made during the detailed design period. The design development, however, will not change the project significantly, i.e. result in new environmental impacts or impacts that are worse than those set out in this document.

Pipeline construction

The construction methods and construction philosophy will generally be similar to those of NSP. Project pipeline scenarios were defined and have been analysed for typical offshore pipe-laying vessels. All of the route options have a water depth of less than 200 m, and the pipelines can be safely laid in these water depths.

Pipe-laying offshore

Pipeline installation will be carried out by lay vessels adopting the conventional S-lay technique. This method is named after the profile of the pipe, which forms an elongated “S” as it moves across the bow or stern of the lay vessel and onto the sea floor (Figure 2-2). Twelve-meter-long pipes will be welded together on board the vessel and the welded sections will be lowered into the sea as new segments are added.

Nord Stream 2


7 / 18

Figure 2-2. The S-lay pipe-laying vessel and survey support vessels

Pipe-laying will be carried out by both anchored (for the shallow water section KP 0 – KP 13) and dynamically positioned (DP) (KP 13 – KP 114) lay vessels.

In the event when an anchored lay vessel is used for pipe-laying, the anchors will interact with the seabed and may cause localised seabed disturbance. The lay vessel is kept in position by up to 12 anchors, each weighing up to 25 tonnes. Independent anchor-handling tugs will maneuver the anchors, which are directly connected to, and controlled by, a series of cables and winches. The tugs will place the anchors on the seabed at predetermined positions around the lay vessel to move the lay vessel forward and ensure tension can be maintained on the pipeline during laying.

Seabed intervention works

Despite the extensive route optimisation carried out, the need for seabed preparation and modification cannot be avoided completely.

The anticipated seabed intervention works are summarised in Table 1. It should be noted that volumes may change during the final detailed design phase and following pipeline installation, when the actual extent of post-lay intervention works will be finalised.

Table 1. Summary of intervention works in Russia

Rock placement

Stress freespan correction (m3) 116,860

In-service buckling mitigation (m3) 555,254

On-bottom stability (m3) 0

Pipeline crossings (m3) 0

Hyperbaric tie-in (m3) 0

Total (m3) 711,304

Dredging – pre-lay excavation

Nord Stream 2


8 / 18

Total length (km) 3.3

Total volume (m3) 475,000

Munitions clearance

During the two World Wars, many thousands of mines were laid in the Baltic Sea. While many have been cleared in the intervening years, Nord Stream 2 undertakes munitions surveys to identify remaining mines or munitions on the seabed. Where possible, Nord Stream 2 will avoid known munitions through localised re-routing or relocate the munitions. Only where this is not possible on safety or responsibility grounds, will detonation in situ be undertaken with appropriate mitigation in place.

Rock placement

In some areas along the route, crushed rock will be strategically placed on the seabed to support and stabilise the pipelines where needed e.g. where there is a free span which needs support or to provide a solid foundation for a pipeline or cable crossing. The rock material will be placed by a fall-pipe, which improves accuracy. Rock placement activities will be carried out prior to and after pipe-lay.

Dredging

In the nearshore approach to the Russian landfall, from the shore out to a water depth of approximately 12 m (a distance of approximately 3.3 km), the pipelines will be buried entirely in the seabed to ensure that waves and sand movements will not affect their stability. This involves the excavation of a trench prior to pipe-lay, using dredgers of various types. The excavated materials will be removed, stored temporarily and used for backfilling where possible.

Dredge volumes vary between the open cut base case and micro-tunnel shore crossing option. A cofferdam is required for the open cut method, and dredge volumes are approximately 205,000 m3. Conversely, for the micro-tunnel option, as a dredged channel is required for the pipe-laying vessel, some 475,000 m3 of soil is required to be dredged. A conservative approach has been adopted regarding sediment plume modelling for the assessment of environmental impacts in the Espoo report and dredge volumes are based on the micro-tunnel option rather than the open cut base case scenario as this represents the “worst case” with respect to dredging duration, maximum sediment concentrations and, therefore, potential impacts.

Pipe-laying onshore - Landfall Russia

A number of construction activities will be carried out in the landfall areas in order to bring the offshore pipeline ashore.

NSP2 will start at a pipeline control facility, or PTA, in Russia. From the PTA, NSP2 will run to the edge of the Baltic Sea in an underground configuration, and thereafter will continue underground further into the Baltic Sea. After several kilometers in the sea, the pipelines will emerge from the seabed and continue lying unburied, on top of the seabed, to the Finland border.

The two pipelines will be spaced approximately 20 m apart in the onshore area, and approximately 100 m apart in the offshore area. On the inland side of the pig trap area (PTA), NSP2 will be connected to an upstream pipeline system.

Construction work onshore will be confined to a narrow strip of land approximately 85 m wide with the option of narrower working corridors where feasible for safe construction. The topsoil layer will be removed by excavators and stored on site for subsequent reinstatement after completion of the pipeline construction activities. After completion of the pipeline installation, the trench will be backfilled and compacted with the previously stored soil, up to the original ground level. The top layer of soil removed at the start of the construction activities will then be reinstated. Grass will be planted to finally reinstate the pipeline working corridor.

Nord Stream 2


9 / 18

3. Data and methods

Possible impacts of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project (NSP2) on the Natura sites (SAC EE0070128: Struuga, SAC EE0060220: Uhtju, SPA EE0060270: Vaindloo) were assessed based on existing data (Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1. The location of Natura 2000 sites in relation to the NSP2 pipeline

The following data was used as the primary source of information in the assessment:

• Natura data forms (2009) of SAC EE0070128: Struuga (2009), SAC EE0060220: Uhtju and SPA EE0060270: Vaindloo

• Narva jõe ülemjooksu hoiuala, Struuga maastikukaitseala ja Narva jõe alamjooksu hoiuala kaitsekorralduskava 2015-2024 (Management plan for 2015-2024 of Narva jõe ülemjooksu limited conservation area, Struuga landscape reserve and Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area)

• Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS) (data about distribution and status of protected species and habitats)

• Nord Stream 2. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Baseline report. 30.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PFI-REP-805-DCE010EN)

Nord Stream 2


10 / 18

• Nord Stream 2. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Expert Assessment. 30.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PFI-REP-805-DCE020EN)

• Nord Stream 2. Ramboll. Underwater noise modelling, Russia. 21.11.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-OFR-REP-805-0706UNEN-01)

• Nord Stream 2. Ramboll. Modelling of sediment spill in Russia. 16.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PRU-REP-805-070500EN)

In addition, data of Natura habitat type inventories and monitoring data of species and habitats were used.

The screening report is compiled based on the Natura assessment guidance “Guidelines for Natura assessment in Estonia based on the Habitats Directive article 6 paragraph 3” published on the website of Estonian Environmental Board.3 The guidance “Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites - Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC” were also followed.

3 www.keskkonnaamet.ee/public/Natura_juhis_1.pdf


Nord Stream 2


11 / 18

4. Natura assessment screening

4.1. Description of potentially impacted Natura 2000 sites

Inside the potential impact zone of, three Natura 2000 sites are located: SAC EE0070128 – Struuga, SAC EE0060220 – Uhtju, SPA EE0060270 – Vaindloo (Table 2). Other Natura sites in the region are located onshore and are unreachable for the impacts.

Table 2. Natura 2000 sites (Source: EELIS4, November 2016)

Name and code

Size, ha

Distance from NSP2 route, km

Aim of protection National protection regime

Protection management plan/Species action plan

SAC EE0070128: Struuga

1724.2 7.5 Habitat types listed in Annex I:

3260 – Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation;

6450 - Northern boreal alluvial meadows

Species listed in Annex II:

Otter (Lutra lutra), Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), Graphoderus bilineatus, Green snaketail (Ophiogomphus cecilia), Salmon (Salmo salar), European river lamprey (Lametra fluviatilis), European weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), European bullhead (Cottus gobio), Spined loach (Cobitis taenia), Asp (Aspius aspius)

Struuga landscape reserve; Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area; Narva jõe ülemjooksu limited conservation area

Management plan 2015-2024 of Narva jõe ülemjooksu limited conservation area, Struuga landscape reserve and Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area

SAC EE0060220: Uhtju

2443.3 25 Habitat types listed in Annex I:

1170 – Reefs;

1620 – Boreal Baltic islets and small islands

Species listed in Annex II:

Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), Ringed seal (Phoca hispida bottnica)

Uhtju Nature Reserve

No management plan composed for the area

Action plan for Grey seals (2014)

Action plan for Ringed seals (2015)

SPA EE0060270:

Vaindloo

76.3 18 Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), Lesser black-backed gull (Larus

Vaindloo limited conservation area

No management plan composed for the area

4 EELIS – Eesti Looduse Infosüsteem

Nord Stream 2


12 / 18

fuscus), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Struuga – SAC EE0070128

Struuga Natura 2000 site is located in North-East Estonia along the Russian border and compose of two separate parts: larger southern part (1471 ha) that include river and meadow habitats is located on upper course of the Narva River – more than 40 km upstream from the river mouth and outside of any possible NSP2 impacts. The smaller northern part (257 ha) includes totally river habitat and is located on lower course of Narva River. The smaller part is bordered with Narva Bay and located in the potential impacts zone of NSP2. The distance between these two separate parts is 33 km.

The northern and closer (to the activity) part of the Struuga Natura 2000 site enfolds ca 16 km long river section from Narva town to the river mouth (Narva Bay). Impacts of NSP2 are possible only to northern part, therefore, only impacts on this part will be assessed.

The habitat types of Annex I to the Habitats Directive (northern part)

The whole river section (from Narva town to the river mouth) of northern part belongs to the Habitats Directive Annex I habitat type “Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation” (3260). Area of the habitat is 257 ha. No other habitat types are presented on this part of Struuga Natura 2000 site.

The species of Annex II to the Habitats Directive (northern part)

In the whole river section six fish species are presented: European weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), European bullhead (Cottus gobio), Spined loach (Cobitis taenia), Asp (Aspius aspius), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis). The protected species of beetle Graphoderus bilineatus is also represented in the river section – found 1.3 km upstream from the river mouth.

Status of Conservation

The northern part of Struuga Natura area is protected nationally as “Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area” (in translation: Narva River lower course limited conservation area) with the area of 253.3 ha. The conservation area has active management plan: “Management plan 2015-2024 of Narva jõe ülemjooksu limited conservation area, Struuga landscape reserve and Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area”

Uhtju – SAC EE0060220

Uhtju Natura 2000 site is located in eastern part of Gulf of Finland, ca 12 km north from coast of Estonia. The Natura site include two small islands (Uhtju Island and Sala Island) and the surrounding sea. The area of the Natura site is 2443.3 ha, but land area is only 12.8 ha.

The habitat types of Annex I to the Habitats Directive

Both islands belong to the habitat type “Boreal Baltic islets and small islands” (1620) with total area of 12.8 ha. Shallow sea area with reefs (141.5 ha) around the Uhtju Island is mapped as habitat type “reefs” (1170).

The species of Annex II to the Habitats Directive (northern part)

The aim of the Uhtju Natura area is protection of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and ringed seal (Phoca hispida bottnica) habitats. Population of the grey seal is 11 to 50 individuals and regarding the ringed seal it is 1-6 individuals, according to the Natura data form.

Uhtju Island is important haul-out site for grey seal and resting site for ringed seal. For grey seals Uhtju is the largest haul-out site in Estonian waters in the Gulf of Finland. In case of insufficient ice

Nord Stream 2


13 / 18

condition in the breeding season the island is also an important breeding site. Ringed seal population in the Gulf of Finland is located mostly in Finnish and Russian waters and Uhtju is the only resting place in Estonian side.


The Uhtju Natura area is nationally protected as Uhtju Nature Reserve. No management plan has been established for the site.

Vaindloo – SPA EE0060270

Vaindloo Natura 2000 site is located in the middle part of the Gulf of Finland ca 25 km north from the Estonian coast. The Natura site contains small Vaindloo Island (7.1 ha) and the surrounding sea. The area of the Natura site is 76.3 ha.

Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC

The aim of Vaindloo Natura area is the protection of following nesting bird species and their habitats: Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea). According to the Natura data form is the population of Ruddy turnstone is 13-14 pairs, for short-eared owl 1 pair, Black guillemot 6-7 pairs, Lesser black-backed gull 7-20 pairs, Common tern 140-150 pairs and Arctic tern 140-150 pairs in the site.


The Vaindloo Natura bird area is nationally protected as Vaindloo limited conservation area. No management plan has been established for the site.

4.2. Impact assessment of Natura 2000 areas

Possible impact sources are construction activities including munitions clearance and seabed intervention works (dredging and rock placement).

Impact assessment of Struuga – SAC EE0070128

Struuga Natura site is bordered by the sea (Narva Bay) and can be affected through the sea environment. The distance between the Natura site and NSP2 route is approximately 7.5 km. There aren’t any possible direct impacts on the physical structure and functioning of the Natura site (Narva River low course). The impacts can reach to the site only through the water quality change and underwater noise.

The modelling of sediment spill and contaminants (dioxin, PAH and Zink) indicate that during the dredging works the concentrations can exceed PNEC (predicted no-effect concentrations) values in Narva Bay on the border of the Natura site. Sea water cannot enter to the river and Natura site against the flow from Narva River. Therefore, the impacts will not reach upstream the river. Consequently, the impacts on the river habitat and protected fish species (European weatherfish, European bullhead, Spined loach, Asp, Atlantic salmon, European river lamprey) through the water quality are excluded.

Underwater noise caused by the construction activities and vessels traffic in the river mouth (7.5 km from the NSP2 route) will be low enough to avoid any disturbances to the protected fish species.

Noise modelling indicated that explosions of munitions clearance can cause short term noise that will be hearable and can be slightly disturbing for fishes in the river mouth. Zone of fish injury can reach 1.5 km from the explosion sites, so the injury of fishes can be excluded in the Natura site. Disturbing impacts of the underwater noise is in this distance relatively low, short term and fully

Nord Stream 2


14 / 18

reversible. The noise level depends on the locations of munitions (distance from the site) and the strength of certain explosions. There are several sites for munitions clearance in Narva Bay located in the NSP2 route at distance of 18-30 km from the Natura site. The noise will not result any injuries to fishes or will not disturb their normal life cycle. Therefore, the impact on the Natura site target fish species will be short term (temporal), fully reversible, and negligible in intensity. Consequently, the impact of noise will be insignificant on the fishes. The noise will have no impacts on the protected insect species Graphoderus bilineatus.

In conclusion, the planned NSP2 will have no adverse impacts on the Natura site target fish species (European weatherfish, European bullhead, Spined loach, Asp) and insect species Graphoderus bilineatus. The planned NSP2 will have no adverse impacts on the Natural habitat type “Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation” (3260).

Impact assessment of Uhtju – SAC EE0060220

Uhtju Natura site is located at the distance of 25 km from the NSP2 route. Consequently, the direct physical impacts on the site will be eliminated. Therefore, there will be no possible direct impacts on the physical structure and functioning of the Natura site (small islands and the surrounding sea) and protected habitat types (islets and small islands, reefs).

The modelling of sediment spill5 indicated that impacts through the water quality (sediment suspension) will not reach the Natura site in any cases. During munition clearance Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH) could potentially reach close to the Natura site (but not into the site) during winter conditions, but according to the information from the developer the work will be not proceeded in winter conditions. The sediment suspension caused by dredging and rock placement will reach mostly only few kilometers from pipeline and will not impact marine habitat (reefs) and conditions for ringed seals in the Uhtju Natura site. None of project activities will have impact the reef habitat or small islands habitat. So, the planned NSP2 will have no adverse impacts on the Natural habitat types types “Boreal Baltic islets and small islands” (1620) and “reefs” (1170).

The NSP2 route will cross the sea area that is habitat for seals especially for ringed seal eastern population. So, changes in water quality can impact the same seal populations which are using the Natura site for haul-out and resting area. In addition, seal populations can be impacted by pipe-laying activities (vessels traffic and noise) and the noise derived from munitions clearance. These impacts on the seal populations who are living in the Gulf of Finland can’t regard as impacts on the Natura site. Those impacts are assessed in the chapter of impacts on marine mammals in Espoo report.

Various construction works like dredging, pipe laying, rock placement and vessels traffic produce noise and visual disturbances to the marine mammals. These acoustic and visual distributions to seals can reach only few kilometers from the NSP2 route and will not reach to the vicinity of the Uhtju Natura site. There will be no impacts on the Natura site and seals during pre-commissioning, commissioning, and operation phase’s activities.

Based on the marine mammal’s study in the Baltic Sea6 the explosions caused by munition clearance will produce the loudest and most wide spreading underwater noise among all project activities. Munition clearance will result in short term but very intensive underwater noise that can potentially result in death, injury or disturbances for both seal species. The explosions of munition clearance can cause permanent and irreversible impacts on the hearing in the zone with maximum (in case of the strongest explosions) radius of 23 km. In case of average explosions, the radius of the zone is 3-5 km. Serious injury or death is possible in the central part of the zone close to the

5 Modelling of sediment spill in Russia. Ramboll. 16.12.2016 6 Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Expert Assessment. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. 30.12.2016

Nord Stream 2


15 / 18

explosions and on the margin of the zone the noise can affect hearing. Nord Stream 2 will implement mitigation measures, such as acoustic deterrent devises (or seal scarers) prior to munitions detonation to drive seals and harbour porpoises away from the detonation zone. Additionally, marine mammal observers will be stationed on munitions clearance vessels to check for the presence of marine mammals and detonation will be delayed if they are observed in the area. Mitigation measures can therefore substantially reduce the risk that marine mammals are very close when an explosion occurs, and hence also the risk that they suffer significant blast injury or death due to exposure to the shock wave from the explosion.

Temporary and reversible impacts on seals can reach 15-60 km (with average explosions up to 26 km). The temporary and reversible impacts do not cause any physical injury or permanent changes of hearing, but can frighten and harm the animals and cause temporary changes in their behaviour. The threshold of noise level for permanent and irreversible impacts is 179 dB and for temporary and reversible impacts is 164 dB.

The distance to the Natura site is enough to avoid permanent and irreversible impacts on grey seal and ringed seal. The noise modelling indicated that onset of temporary and reversible impacts through the disturbance and impacts on the behaviour of animals can reach the Uhtju Natura site – the Natura site located on the outer limit of the temporary and reversible impacts for the both seal species7. Consequently, the impacts to the both seal species will be temporary, with relatively low intensity and will be fully reversible and rather negligible. If the seals situated out of water on island (haul-out period) or on ice, then munitions clearance impact will be negligible on these animals.

The presence and significance of munition clearance disturbances for seals will depend on the number of munitions in the closer section of the NSP2 route and on the strength of individual explosions. Some uncertainty remains about actual noise level of the individual explosions, because condition of munitions is different and the certain strength of the explosions is not fully predictable.

It is important to take into account that the underwater noise modelling8 considered possible maximum explosions. Therefore, the actual explosions will be in most cases smaller and consequently the actual impact of underwater noise on the seals will probably be smaller and can be negligible in case of most explosions. Regarding the maximum possible level of the explosions noise, the planned NSP2 will impact the Natura site target species (grey seal and ringed seal) with low intensity. In case of the average explosions, the impact will be rather negligible. The impact will be in any case with low intensity, short term (temporal) and fully reversible. In conclusion, the planned NSP2 will not have adverse impacts on the protected target species grey seal and ringed seal.

Impact assessment of Vaindloo – SPA EE0060270

Vaindloo Natura bird site is located at the distance of 18 km from the NSP2 route. The distance is sufficient to eliminate the direct physical or significant indirect impacts on the Natura site. So, there will be no possible direct or indirect impacts on the physical structure and functioning of the Natura site (small island and the surrounding sea).

The modelling of sediment spill indicated that the sediment suspension caused by the dredging will reach only few kilometers from the pipeline. Therefore, the impacts through the water quality (sediment suspension) will not reach the Natura site and protected bird species habitats in any cases. All the target species of Vaindloo bird site (Ruddy turnstone, Short-eared owl, Black guillemot, Lesser black-backed gull, Common tern, Arctic tern) are nesting birds who are related

7 Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Expert Assessment. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. 30.12.2016

8 Underwater noise modelling, Russia. Ramboll. 21.11.2016

Nord Stream 2


16 / 18

with Vaindloo Island and the surrounding sea and are not related importantly with the open sea areas near the NSP2 route.

Construction works like dredging, pipe-laying, rock placement and vessels traffic produce noise and visual disturbances to birds. These acoustic and visual disturbances will appear only in the vicinity of construction works and can reach only some kilometers from the NSP2 route. Therefore, the disturbances will not reach the vicinity of the Vaindloo Natura site.

Explosions caused by the munition clearance will produce loudest and widest spreading noise among of all project activities. The noise will spread mostly underwater and will not result significant disturbances to birds. In this distance, the impact of explosion noise on the birds will be negligible. If there will be any sensible reactions to the birds, these will be short term and with low intensity and are rather negligible. Consequently, the impact on the Vaindloo Natura bird site will be negligible. The planned NSP2 will have no adverse impacts on the protected bird species (Ruddy turnstone, Short-eared owl, Black guillemot, Lesser black-backed gull, Common tern, Arctic tern).

Cumulative impacts with other projects

There are no other currently planned or on-going infrastructure projects in the Estonian shore or offshore that could have a significant impact on Struuga, Uhtju or Vaindloo Natura 2000 sites and can therefore result in cumulative impacts with the planned NSP2.

4.3. Conclusions

Struuga Natura site (SAC EE0070128) is the closest (7.5 km) Natura site to the NSP2 route, but the project impacts will not reach upstream the river and therefore will not reach the Natura site. The planned NSP2 will not impact physically the Struuga Natura site and will have no adverse impacts on the Natural habitat type “Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation” (3260). The NSP2 will have no adverse impacts on the Natura site target fish species (European weatherfish, European bullhead, Spined loach, Asp) and insect species Graphoderus bilineatus.

According to the “Guidelines for Natura assessment in Estonia based on the Habitats Directive article 6 paragraph 3,” and „Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites,” there are not likely to be significant impacts in the Natura 2000 site and therefore stage 2 (appropriate assessment) is not required.

Uhtju Natura site (SAC EE0060220) is the farthest (25 km) assessed site from the NSP2 route. Direct impacts of the planned NSP2 on the site and Natura habitats types “Boreal Baltic islets and small islands” (1620) and “reefs” (1170) are negligible. Explosions from munitions clearance can cause the noise that can lead to the risk of onset of temporary hearing loss for species related to the Natura site. The impact will be in any case with low intensity, short term (temporal) and fully reversible. In conclusion, the planned NSP2 will not have adverse impacts on the protected target species grey seal and ringed seal.


Vaindloo Natura bird site (SPA EE0060270) is located at the distance of 18 km from the NSP2 route and is outside the range of direct physical impacts and impacts through the water quality. The noise from the munitions clearance explosions is negligible for the protected bird species at that distance. Therefore, the planned NSP2 will not have adverse impacts on the protected bird species (Ruddy turnstone, Short-eared owl, Black guillemot, Lesser black-backed gull, Common tern, Arctic tern).

Nord Stream 2


17 / 18


Nord Stream 2


18 / 18

5. References

• Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS) (data about distribution and status of protected species and habitats)

• Input Data for EIA 2. Russia – Route Rev. 07 (version 16-11-2016)

• Management plan for Narva jõe ülemjooksu limited conservation area, Struuga landscape reserve and Narva jõe alamjooksu limited conservation area of 2015-2024

• Natura data forms (2009) of SAC EE0070128: Struuga (2009), SAC EE0060220: Uhtju and SPA EE0060270: Vaindloo http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=EE0060220 http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/#

• Guidelines for Natura assessment in Estonia based on the Habitats Directive article 6 paragraph 3. Website of Estonian Environmental Board: www.keskkonnaamet.ee/public/Natura_juhis_1.pdf

• Nord Stream 2. Espoo report (document number W-PE-EIA-POF-REP-805-040100EN-06)

• Nord Stream 2. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Baseline report. 30.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PFI-REP-805-DCE010EN)

• Nord Stream 2. DCE/Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University. Marine mammals in the Baltic Sea in relation to the Nord Stream 2 Project – Expert Assessment. 30.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PFI-REP-805-DCE020EN)

• Nord Stream 2. Sandkallan, Natura assessment screening (document number W-PE-EIA-PFI-REP-805-030200EN-05)

• Nord Stream 2. Ramboll. Underwater noise modelling, Russia. 21.11.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-OFR-REP-805-0706UNEN-01)

• Nord Stream 2. Ramboll. Modelling of sediment spill in Russia. 16.12.2016 (document number W-PE-EIA-PRU-REP-805-070500EN)

http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=EE0060220


Ingermalandskyi

FI0408001

FI0100078

EE0010173

FI0100005

SE0340097

FI0100105 FI0100026FI0100107

FI0100077

FI0100106

FI0100017

FI0400002

EE0060220

FI0400001

EE0070128

FI0100089

EE0010171EE0010154

EE0060270

EE0040002

FI0200090

EE0070110

RUSSIA

ESTONIA

FINLAND

ÅLAND islandsÅLAND

EESTI

SUOMI

ROSSIYA

Saaremaa

Note:- Only sites assessed in the Espoo report are labelledReferences:- Pogrebov, V., Sagitov, R., 2006, "Nature conservation atlas of theRussian part of the Gulf of Finland", Tuscarora, Russia, 60 pp.- European Environment Agency, 2014, "Natura 2000 data -the European network of protected sites",http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/natura-6,Date accessed: 2016-1-19- SYKE, Finnish Environmental Institute, 2016,

0 40 80kilometre

³

Edition:Date:Prepared:Controlled:

062016-12-21MSTBMAJH

PA-02-Espoo

Natura 2000 sites andRussian protected areas in the Gulf of Finland

Part of Espoo Documentation: W-PE-EIA-POF-DWG-805-040100EN-05

Protected areas in the Russian part of the Baltic Region:

Legend:NSP2 RouteTerritorial water borderEEZ borderMidline between Denmark and Poland

Natura 2000 sites:Special Protection Area (SPA)Special Area of Conservation/Special Conservation Interests (SAC/SCI)

Proposed extended Natura 2000 site in Finland:Special Protection Areas (SPA)and Special Area of Conservation/Special Conservation Interests (SAC/SCI)

Protected site in RussiaProposed protected site in Russia

Documents

Date - envir.ee · Russian national EIA reports. This report includesonly the potential impacts on the following Estonian Natura 2000 areas: Struuga, Uhtju and Vaindloo. Natura 2000