2011 No. 405
Environmental Protection
Licensing (marine)
Marine Pollution

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2011

Made
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force
The Secretary of State, being a Minister designated1 for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 19722 in relation to the environment, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by that section.

Citation and commencement1.

These Regulations—

(a)

may be cited as the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2011; and

(b)

come into force on 6th April 2011.

Amendment of section 75 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 20092.

(1)

Section 75 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 20093 (exemptions for certain dredging etc activities) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)—

(a)

the words from “the conditions” to the end become paragraph (a); and

(b)

after that paragraph insert—

“, and

(b)

where the activity involves the disposal or recovery of waste materials, the additional conditions in subsection (2A) are met”.

(3)

After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

The additional conditions are—

(a)

that the activity involves the relocation of sediments inside surface waters,

(b)

that the activity is for the purpose of—

(i)

managing waters or waterways,

(ii)

preventing floods,

(iii)

mitigating the effects of floods or droughts, or

(iv)

land reclamation, and

(c)

that it is proved to the satisfaction of the appropriate licensing authority for the area in which the activity is to be undertaken that the sediments are not hazardous waste.”.

(4)

After subsection (4) insert—

“(5)

Any expression used in subsection (1)(b) or (2A) and also in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 November 2008 on waste4 has the same meaning as in that Directive.”.
Richard Benyon
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend section 75 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23) by adding further conditions to the exemption from marine licensing for dredging or spoil disposal activities carried out by, or on behalf of, harbour authorities.

The further conditions are consistent with the limits of the exclusion from Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste (OJ No L 312, 22.11.2008, p 3) under Article 2(3). They apply to activities involving the relocation of sediments inside surface waters, where this is done for specified purposes and where it can be proved to the appropriate licensing authority that the sediments are not hazardous waste.

An impact assessment which shows the anticipated cost of compliance to businesses may be obtained from the Marine Licensing team, Area 2C, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR and is available alongside the Explanatory Memorandum and the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.