2013, Xodus Ltd., Buchan Deep, Phase 1 Intertidal Survey series https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=015_de06ec48-590d-421f-b6a9-41634be9ff46 To support the development of the Hywind Scotland Pilot Park Project (‘the Project’), Statoil Wind Limited (SWL) is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Part of the EIA will involve the assessment of potential impacts on intertidal ecology, related to the proposed onshore cable route options at Peterhead. To inform the EIA and to evaluate the potential for impacts on intertidal ecology, SWL has appointed Xodus Group to undertake a marine intertidal Phase 1 biotope mapping survey. The aim of the survey was to characterise and map baseline ecological conditions within the survey area. At the time of the survey three potential locations for bringing the export cable ashore (cable landfall) were under consideration within the intertidal survey area: one located across the mouth of the River Ugie in the north; one at the sandy bay at The Ive in the middle of the survey area; and another to the south of the survey area adjacent to the harbour sea defences. Prior to the survey a desk-based assessment was undertaken to identify habitats and species including protected habitats and species likely to be present in the survey area. The intertidal survey identified 16 main biotopes and four subsidiary biotopes including biotopes dominated by lichens, fucoids, barnacles, kelp, calcareous red algae in rock pools and ephemeral green algae. The distribution of biotopes across the site relates to a range of physical factors including substrate type, degree of exposure to wave action, height on the shore and modifiers such as salinity and sand scour. The spatial extent of the intertidal zone and topography varied throughout the survey area, creating a mosaic of biotopes. Biotopes were broadly similar across the site, although local conditions e.g. sand and freshwater influence, and geology, resulted in differences in the zonation patterns on the shore and therefore the presence and extent of biotopes. Rockpool biotopes were present throughout the site and were also present in discrete mappable areas in places. Rockpools are considered specialised biotopes of particular nature conservation interest because they are often species-rich and therefore increase the biodiversity of the shore. The north-east Scotland Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has a Principle Target of ‘no loss, or reduction in quality, of existing estuarine and intertidal habitat’. For these reasons it is recommended that the species-rich rockpool areas are avoided and that mitigation measures are implemented to minimise intertidal impacts. Best working practice guidance, including that provided in the CIRIA coastal and marine environmental site guide (CIRCA, 2003) and the SEPA Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG) (SEPA, 2013), should be followed to minimise disturbance to intertidal habitats. 20131029