The Marine Management Organisation is encouraging people and organisations carrying out navigational dredging to prepare for changes affecting the activity from April 2014.
“ As part of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA), if you want to carry out navigational dredging activities in English seas and the tidal areas of rivers from 6 April 2014, you may be required to apply in advance for consent from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) ,” announced marinemanagement.org.uk.
Navigational dredging was made a licensable activity by the government as part of the MCAA, though when the act came into effect in 2011 it allowed a period of transition during which low-risk dredging operations did not require a marine licence.
This period ends on 6 April 2014 when the activity will become regulated by the MMO.
[mappress]
Press Release, November 27, 2013