Mitigations Measures 1. Potential Mitigation Measures

-Operation

Rare Insignificant

Low

No specific measures are identified to mitigate the loss of native habitat on site.

Planting of vegetation (local species including flowering plants, shrubs and trees) to provide ‘green’ areas within plant fence line will provide habitat for species including insects and birds on site. Such areas would also be visually appealing.

-Decommissioning

Rare Insignificant

Low

Site returned, in so far as is possible, to an original state.

Management strategies implemented to protect remaining native vegetation communities by controlling the occurrence and spread of weeds and minimising the impact of soil erosion/sedimentation.

-5.6.3.2. Selected Mitigation Measures Loss of Habitat

Construction

The impact of loss / disturbance will be realised during the construction phase. As such:

1. Clearing of vegetation will be confined to that necessary for the establishment of the plant. Areas for clearance will be established with the EPC Site Environmental Manager before works.

2. Management strategies will be implemented to protect any remaining native vegetation communities by controlling the occurrence and spread of weeds and minimising the impact of soil erosion/sedimentation. This will include general good housekeeping on site and assessment during the daily site inspection by the EPC Site Environmental Manager.

These measures will not fully mitigate the loss of the present habitats as this impact is unavoidable due to the footprint of the plant facilities. These measures will, however, reduce the impact from loss of habitat as far as possible.

Operation

No specific measures have been identified to mitigate the loss of native habitat on site.

However:

1. Planting vegetation composed of local species, preferably coastal, within the available space will provide ‘green’ areas. Such landscaping within the plant fence line will provide some habitat/shelter for species including insects and birds on site, and though not directly mitigating for the impact, will provide areas of some limited value. Such areas would also be visually appealing, particularly if instated in administration or office areas. Basic landscaped areas also cost relatively little to instate and maintain.

It should be noted that the impact of habitat loss will be realised during the construction phase and that the operational phase will not further increase this impact. In addition, landscaping mitigation will only provide alternate habitat and limited compensation and will not provide any habitat recreation.

Responsibility for landscaping during the operational phase will be with the Al Ghaith Plant Environmental Manager. This activity will be a continual activity, likely falling within the plant maintenance schedule.

Decommissioning

A decommissioning strategy has not yet been developed for this project. Potential mitigation measures as identified within Section Error: Reference source not found will be

implementation methods and responsibilities detailed within the Decommissioning Environmental Management Plan

For the purpose of this assessment, it is assumed the decommissioning mitigation measures will mirror those as applied during the construction phase.

5.6.3.3. Mitigation Measures to Address Cumulative Impacts No cumulative impact was identified, therefore no mitigation is suggested.

5.6.3.4. Residual Impacts Loss of Habitat

With the implementation of the mitigation as selected in Section 5.9.3.2, the impact will remain low as loss of habitat is unavoidable. Scores as identified in Section 5.9.2 remain applicable.

Disturbance to Flora and Fauna

No potential mitigation measures have been identified for any project phase due to the fact the site contains a low density and abundance of species and is of low conservation interest. As such, the scores as attributed in Section 5.9.2 remain, and the overall impact on flora and fauna is still considered to be low.

5.6.4. Monitoring Program

5.6.4.1. Monitoring Program for Compliance with Selected Mitigation Measures

Monitoring for compliance with selected mitigation measures during the construction phase shall be undertaken by the EPC Site Environmental Manager during daily inspections and shall be recorded within the Field HSE Report and the weekly Environmental Inspection Checklist. No potential mitigation measures have been identified for any other project phase due to the fact the site contains a low density and abundance of species and is of low conservation interest. As such, the scores as attributed in Section 5.9.2 remain, and the overall impact on flora and fauna is still considered to be low.

5.6.4.2. Monitoring Program for Cumulative Impacts

No cumulative impacts were identified for any project phase; therefore no monitoring of cumulative impacts is suggested.

5.6.4.3. Monitoring Program for Residual Impacts

The effects of the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of this project on terrestrial ecology are unlikely extend past the site boundaries. As the site has been established as of low biological diversity and abundance, it is thought that the monitoring of residual impacts throughout the lifecycle of the project is excessive and economically unnecessary. The pre-construction survey will include ecological records of the site and

act as the standard if site restoration activities commence during decommissioning. A post-decommissioning survey will be undertaken to establish the success of the site reclamation if applicable.

5.7. Noise

5.7.1. Description of Environment

The Project site is located within a larger industrial zone and the background noise environment is dominated by the associated activities, including road traffic, marine vessels and fork-lift trucks.