The Environmental impact of potential oil/gas exploration

Summary

The requester asked for details on the environmental impact assessment for oil and gas exploration off the Isle of Man's north-east coast. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded by providing an attached 'Environmental Sensitivity Assessment' from Crogga Limited and links to public marine environmental reports.

Key Facts

• The applicant for the exploration plans was Crogga Limited.
• An 'Environmental Sensitivity Assessment' was produced and attached to the response.
• The Manx Marine Environmental Assessment (MMEA) provides baseline evidence for sustainable use of territorial waters.
• Future seismic surveys require approval from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
• The request was received on 6th May 2019 and closed on 24th May 2019.

Data Disclosed

• 814365
• 2019-05-06
• 2019-05-24
• 24th May 2019
• 6th May 2019
• IM4 3AS
• 01624 685854
• 01624 685851

Original Request

Dear DEFA Could you please send any details of the environmental impact assessment that was produced for the plans to explore for oil and gas off the north-east coast of the island? More specifically, could you send details of or comment on the effects of extracting and using any oil/gas would have on the island's environment, such as marine life and the climate change / air quality? Thanks

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 814365 24th May 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 6th May 2019 and which states:

"Dear DEFA Could you please send any details of the environmental impact assessment that was produced for the plans to explore for oil and gas off the north-east coast of the island? More specifically, could you send details of or comment on the effects of extracting and using any oil/gas would have on the island's environment, such as marine life and the climate change / air quality? Thanks" Response As part of the application the project you mention the applicants, Crogga Limited, included an “Environmental Sensitivity Assessment” which is attached to the same email here as Appendix 1. Further Information Some further information on the marine environment and the exploration application process is already publically available. i) Manx Marine Environmental Assessment The Department has worked closely across Government to produce the Manx Marine Environmental Assessment (MMEA), a holistic approach towards the management and sustainable development of Manx territorial waters. The MMEA brings together technical information for the Manx territorial waters and will provide the initial baseline evidence to guide and support future decisions for the sustainable use of the Manx marine environment. The full MMEA Report and Non-technical summary are publically available to download as PDF documents here: https://www.gov.im/about- thegovernment/departments/infrastructure/harboursinformation/territorial-seas/manx- marine-environmental-assessment/. ii) Seismic Surveys Each stage of any future hydrocarbon exploration will be subject to appropriate environmental impact assessments and require further consent and approvals. Any seismic surveys are subject to approval by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and will require consultation with other stakeholders. Details of the consenting process are available online: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/environment-food- andagriculture/fisheries-directorate/seismic-surveys-in-manx-waters/.

Please quote the reference number 814365 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator