The environmental monitoring of the Nord Stream 2 offshore and onshore construction in Russia shows that impacts have been in line with or less than predicted, confirming the conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment report. The 2020 monitoring, the last cycle during the construction stage, demonstrates localised and short-term impacts in line with project documentation: No impacts occurred at the offshore section, and ichthyofauna was not affected. There were no changes found in marine biota living conditions, water quality, bottom sediments, or benthic and planktonic community structures, as compared to the 2019 monitoring prior to the construction and 2015-2016 survey data. Impact on the Kurgalsky Nature Reserve habitats was in line with the EIA: no negative impacts on the soil or hazardous exogenous processes were detected. No impact was detected on the hydrological regime of the Kader Swamp habitat in the Specially Protected Area. The impact on vegetation was as predicted in the project assessment, with a marginal effect on the growing conditions of species contained within a few metres from the construction corridor. Transplanted protected plants were assessed as stable, both in terms of individual specimens and populations. Perennial grasses have covered the reinstated areas and are showing steady growth. There has been no impact on animals in the Kurgalsky reserve. Ungulate migration near the construction corridor has been restored. No significant impacts have been identified on bird nesting, including rare species. No changes were found in fauna composition or bird behaviour (both nesting and migratory) in the Gulf of Finland. Nord Stream 2’s comprehensive environmental monitoring programme for the construction of the pipeline in Russia is based on the environmental impact assessment and approved by the Main Department of State Expertise as a prerequisite to receiving a construction permit in Russia. The monitoring of the construction corridor on Kurgalsky Peninsula and in the Gulf of Finland in Russia focuses on geological, physical-chemical (e.g., water and air quality) and biological (e.g., birds and marine mammals) environmental parameters. Environmental monitoring in Russia has been conducted since the beginning of construction in 2018. The extensive observation programme was developed by JSC FREСOM, one of Russia’s most experienced environment consultancies. Several specialised institutions, laboratories and independent consultants were involved in the monitoring work, including: the State Hydrological Institute; the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography; the Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry; the Mendeleev All-Russian Institute for Metrology; the Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute; experts of the St Petersburg Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and others. Environmental monitoring reports are regularly submitted to relevant authorities and verified through on-site inspections by their representatives. Additional monitoring activities were carried out through specialist studies to enhance scientific knowledge of the Kurgalsky Peninsula and the Gulf of Finland habitats.
The environmental monitoring of the Nord Stream 2 offshore and onshore construction in Russia shows that impacts have been in line with or less than predicted, confirming the conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment report. The 2020 monitoring, the last cycle during the construction stage, demonstrates localised and short-term impacts in line with project documentation: No impacts occurred at the offshore section, and ichthyofauna was not affected. There were no changes found in marine biota living conditions, water quality, bottom sediments, or benthic and planktonic community structures, as compared to the 2019 monitoring prior to the construction and 2015-2016 survey data. Impact on the Kurgalsky Nature Reserve habitats was in line with the EIA: no negative impacts on the soil or hazardous exogenous processes were detected. No impact was detected on the hydrological regime of the Kader Swamp habitat in the Specially Protected Area. The impact on vegetation was as predicted in the project assessment, with a marginal effect on the growing conditions of species contained within a few metres from the construction corridor. Transplanted protected plants were assessed as stable, both in terms of individual specimens and populations. Perennial grasses have covered the reinstated areas and are showing steady growth. There has been no impact on animals in the Kurgalsky reserve. Ungulate migration near the construction corridor has been restored. No significant impacts have been identified on bird nesting, including rare species. No changes were found in fauna composition or bird behaviour (both nesting and migratory) in the Gulf of Finland. Nord Stream 2’s comprehensive environmental monitoring programme for the construction of the pipeline in Russia is based on the environmental impact assessment and approved by the Main Department of State Expertise as a prerequisite to receiving a construction permit in Russia. The monitoring of the construction corridor on Kurgalsky Peninsula and in the Gulf of Finland in Russia focuses on geological, physical-chemical (e.g., water and air quality) and biological (e.g., birds and marine mammals) environmental parameters. Environmental monitoring in Russia has been conducted since the beginning of construction in 2018. The extensive observation programme was developed by JSC FREСOM, one of Russia’s most experienced environment consultancies. Several specialised institutions, laboratories and independent consultants were involved in the monitoring work, including: the State Hydrological Institute; the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography; the Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry; the Mendeleev All-Russian Institute for Metrology; the Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute; experts of the St Petersburg Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and others. Environmental monitoring reports are regularly submitted to relevant authorities and verified through on-site inspections by their representatives. Additional monitoring activities were carried out through specialist studies to enhance scientific knowledge of the Kurgalsky Peninsula and the Gulf of Finland habitats.
