LONDON, March 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Environment Agency has made Perenco UK Ltd pay out £6.1m to put right the damage done to the Dorset environment by a major oil spill.
The package includes £620,000 to impacted parties alongside £400,000 towards wildlife and access projects run by local bodies.
In agreeing to the sanction,which isknown as an enforcement undertakingandcan be used as an alternative to a prosecution,Perencohas also put in place robust measures to ensure that a pollution incident does not happen again.
Perencomade the offerafteran Environment Agency investigation into the incident.A revised offer made by Perenco was eventually accepted by the agency.
The pollution incident occurred in March 2023 when Perenco discovered oil leaking from a pipe carrying a mix of oil and water atOwerBay in Poole Harbour.
A breach of the pipe was caused as part of the pipe corroded much faster than checksindicatedor was expected.
A significant amount of oil leaked into thePooleharbourarea, which includes sensitivehabitats and speciessuch asseagrass and saltmarsh.
The £6.1mincludes £2.6m on theinitialincident response, £2.4m for clean-up and £115k for ecological surveys.
The company paid £620k direct toimpactedparties,includingcommercial seafood beds who were forced to close during theinitialpollution assessment.
The Environment Agency acceptedPerenco's offerdue to the significant costs the company had already spent making right the environmental damage caused,and the measures taken to prevent a reoccurrence of the incident.
Environment Agency officer,Tom Fowler, said:
This commitmentallows Perenco to put things right in a way that directlybenefitsthe environment and local communities.
We are pleased that the money will go towards worthwhile wildlife initiatives and the local harbour.
BrianBleese, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:
Poole Harbour is one of the UK's most important places for wildlife and people.
Dorset Wildlife Trust will use thisfunding to deliver a suite of high-impact conservation projects that improve water quality, restore wetlands, and support nature's recovery across Poole Harbour and its wider catchment.
Bob Irwin, Vice Chair of Trustees at TheFriendsofDolphin, said:
Thismoneyallows us to continue to take individuals with any disability (including those using wheelchairs) for free trips on our unique specialised boat to enjoy the sights and sounds of Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world.
Sandy Becker, founder of Wild Bird Rescue Dorset, said:
As a small, volunteer run rescue,we are incredibly grateful for this support.This funding will make a genuine difference to the welfare of the birds in our care by helping us improve facilities, create safer recovery spaces, and strengthen our ongoing fundraising through our charity shop for the future.
Captain Brian Murphy, Pool Harbour Commissioners' Chief Executive, said:
Poole Harbour is a highly designated, protected site of international and national importance. Poole Harbour Commissioners promote safe and sustainable use of the harbour.
The funding, being directed towards conservation, improved access to the harbour and environmental initiatives, will deliver lasting benefits for Poole Harbour and the communities that use it for both business and leisure.
Background
The moneypledgedwill go towardsthese projects:
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The friends of Dolphin, as a contributiontowards a new passenger vesselthatprovides access to the harbour those with disabilities.
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Birds of Poole Harbour, as a contribution towards the re-introduction of the red billed chough, protection againstPuffin predation, and subsidised boat hire for 2025.
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Dorset Wildlife Trust: towards an enclosed beaver trial, the Dorset Peat Project,Brownsea Island Lagoon RestorationandLyscombeNature Reserve Wetland Restoration.
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Wild Bird Rescue Dorset: towards charity shop shelving & displays,new shedsforshelter and environmental enrichment, upgradedquarantine facilities to reduce biodiversity risk to recovering birds, and to replace and improve older enclosures.
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Poole Harbour Commissioners-towards thePoole Harbour Aquatic Management Plananda decarbonisation project.
What is an enforcement undertaking (EU)?
An EU is available to the Environment Agency as an alternative sanction to prosecution or monetary penalty for dealing with certain environmental offences.
It is alegally-bindingvoluntary agreement proposed by a business (or an individual) when the EA has reasonable grounds to suspect that an environmental offence has occurred.
EUs for environmental offences were introduced under the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010 and the Environmental Civil Sanctions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2010.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
