Environmental impact
As is the case for every development, be it on land or at sea, there are inevitably impacts on the natural and social environments. Hanson, in line with current government policy, minimises its impact on the environment through effective mitigation of significant impacts, and the continued monitoring of the environment within which it operates.
In common with many other industries operating in the marine environment, and indeed society as a whole, the marine aggregates industry has responded to the need for increased awareness of the environment and the need for responsible stewardship of its operations over the last decade. This commitment to the sustainable and responsible use of the marine environment is enshrined in Hanson's environmental policy, and as such forms the cornerstone of its operations in marine dredging. Our commitment to the environment is reflected in the licensing process through which new licence applications made by Hanson Aggregates Marine now pass. Detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA) of every potential licence area, completed by independent environmental consultants, now forms the key step in developing new areas of the seabed. The process of EIA involves identifying all aspects of the natural and social environment around the proposed development, and assessing the potential effects of the proposed dredging operations on those environments.