PIANC releases new dredging guidelines

Maritime heritage is a valuable, fragile, finite and non-renewable resources, says PIANC, and the physical impacts from dredging and port construction can results in permanent adverse effects. Yet, statutory protection for underwater heritage is varied and the need to consider these physical impacts is often poorly understood, the PIANC adds.

WG-report 124: Dredging and Port Construction: Interactions with Features of Archaeological or Heritage Interest sets out, using case studies, an approach to preventing or reducing commercial risk and significant effects with regard to maritime heritage, which includes submerged prehistory, coastal occupation, maritime evidence and aviation evidence.

This guidance document is informed by the outcomes of the workshop, including case studies presented by leading experts in the field, so as to highlight lessons learned with regard to five vital steps in the assessment of potential impacts on features of archaeological and heritage interest: context, scoping, assessing, mitigating, measures: implementing measures, for example to protect the features of interest.

The document is relevant to any group or individual involved in planning dredging and port construction projects including regulatory and planning authorities, archaeological and heritage curators, developers, port authorities and harbour commissioners, contractors, archaeological consultants/contractors and all other stakeholders.

By Rachael Doyle