On 9 October 2019, the The Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) issued the advice on the scope and level of detail for the environmental assessment (EIA) for gas production in block N05-A.
The NCEA recommends among others that in the EIA alternatives and measures that minimise the impact on marine mammals and migratory birds should be investigated, such as a alternative that restricts activities during important feeding and migratory periods.
The NCEA also requests to investigate measures that could prevent or reduce negative environmental impacts. The advice of the NCEA can be read on the Commission’s website and is also available on the download page (Dutch only).
What happens next?
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEAC) is expected to send their advice on scope and level of detail to ONE-Dyas before the end of 2019. In this document, MEAC will take this advice, other legal advice as well as the submitted views into account. All this will be used as input for the EIA. Royal HaskoningDHH will draw up this EIA for gas production from N05-A.