Study Area
The Study area for the Baseline Document extends from Coldharbour Point and the Inner Thames Marshes SSSI at Rainham to the eastern limits of Canvey Island, as shown below. Other maintenance dredging activities located upstream of the Dartford Crossing have been discounted as having no potential to impact on the designated sites, being in excess of 5 km from the nearest boundary. Furthermore, maintenance dredging activity within the Medway River, under the administration of the Medway Ports Authority has been excluded, despite recognition that impact may arise. This does not prevent such dredging taking place, but places the responsibility of meeting the criteria of the EC Habitats Directive on a case by case basis, or as part of the maintenance dredging baseline prepared to address the Medway specifically.
