NW2702 Ecological Screening Support

Description

The Northumbrian Water Conservation and Land Management Team currently undertake ecological screening of over six hundred projects each year. These projects range from minor connections, treatment work and pipeline refurbishments, through to mains renewal and major site upgrades. As part of this screening work, we carry out designated site checks, protected species surveys, hedgerow surveys, regional data checks and ecological walkover surveys. Based on initial findings we may then need to prepare method statements or obtain Natural England license's affecting designated sites or protected species. This workload is not split evenly throughout the year and consequently we experience periods of intense activity which can put a strain on the team as they try to assess projects in a timely manner. We are therefore seeking a schedule of agreed rates that would allow NWL to call upon qualified external support at busy times. Lot 1: General Habitat survey, preliminary ecological appraisal, UKHab Survey Ecological habitat surveys: including site visits to conduct general habitat surveys, preliminary ecological appraisals. Using UKHabs or Phase 1 methodology (depending on the purpose of the survey), the identification of priority habitats; important hedgerows; protected species; invasive species and recommendations for any further detailed surveys. Lot 2: Habitat Regulation Assessments in accordance with CIEEM guidelines Habitat Regulation Assessments: in accordance with CIEEM guidelines. Lot 3: Natural England licence application: where impacts have been identified affecting designated sites or protected species. Natural England licence application: where impacts have been identified affecting designated sites or protected species. Lot 4: Ecological impact assessments: for inclusion with planning documents. Ecological impact assessments: for inclusion with planning documents. Lot 5: Biodiversity net gain work including river morphological assessments Biodiversity net gain work including river morphological assessments: including baseline assessments, recommendations for potential habitat enhancement and creation. Production of documents for including with planning applications. Lot 6: Specialist surveys: using appropriately qualified staff. Specialist surveys: using appropriately qualified staff. Surveys could include bats; badgers; reptiles; water voles; birds and amphibians, breeding birds, invertebrates, invasive species, arb assessments; plus ecological clerk of works. Staff should meet CIEEM key competency requirements for species surveys.