ABSTRACT
British Gas has expended considerable effort over the past decade in developing and using environmental impact assessment (ElA). ElA was used in selection of possible sites as landfalls for gas from the Northern Basin of the North Sea. A proposed terminal at Strathbeg/Crimond was rejected because, although the site had ideal visual, technical and engineering characteristics, it would have been in conflict with an internationally important nature reserve and a Ministry of Defence radio station. The site finally selected nearby, St Fergus, did not present such conflicts. However, special precautions were necessary to limit noise, obtain adequate water supply, deal with site drainage and reinstate coastal sand dune systems. Adverse effects of a large construction labor force on the local community had to be minimised. Proposed extensions to the existing site have also been subject to full EIA.
