Environmental impacts at Rame Head
Environmental impacts resulting from disposal of dredged
material at the Rame Head disposal site, S.W. England
A long-awaited report into the disposal of dredged material at
the Rame Head disposal site, within Whitsand Bay near Plymouth, is
published today (26 May 2005). The Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned its marine scientists at the
Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
to investigate the disposal site, following local concern about
licensed disposal practice.
The report considers the environmental impacts of the disposal
of dredged material at the site and concludes that this procedure
is environmentally acceptable, subject to licence conditions and
oversight of activities.
Evidence from monitoring surveys indicates that physical,
chemical and biological impacts are localised within, and close to,
the boundaries of the disposal site. There is no evidence of
long-term accumulation of dredged material either within the
disposal site or in the adjacent marine environment.
Telephone interviews with Cefas scientists can be arranged via
the Cefas Press Office. Contact Anne
McClarnon on 01502 524370.
Meeting 22 July 2005
Cefas scientists took part in a review meeting with the main
local interests to discuss the findings of their report. This
meeting took place on 22 July 2005 at the Marine Biological
Association in Plymouth. A summary of the meeting is available as a
PDF document.
Responses to the report
In addition, Cefas scientists have provided written responses to
the notes by Bruce Selkirk and Professor Pingree:
Presentations at Millbrook Village Hall (1 March
2006)
A public meeting to discuss the disposal activities in Whitsand
Bay was held in Millbrook Village Hall on 1 March 2006. The
following presentations were given: