CONCLUSIONS
Since 1974 the Oil Terminal at Sullom Voe has been the centre of
perhaps the most intensive monitoring programme of any industrial
installation in Britain. SOTEAG's work now averages approximately
£150,000 per annum, and both the council and the oil industry need
to be independently assured that their money has been well spent
over the years and, equally important, need to continue to believe
that this expenditure will provide value for money into the future.
Consequently, the monitoring strategy and programme elements were
examined by outside experts in 1982 and specifically for ornithology
in 1983. SOTEAG itself annually reviews the monitoring work and,
as the knowledge of Shetland's ecology has grown, so it has been
possible to concentrate on specific areas to give optimum value
for money, whilst maintaining the highest standards of scientific
and professional integrity.
SOTEAG has deliberately not put detailed results of the monitoring
activities in this brief document. All the scientific reports produced
by the monitoring contractors are available in the Lerwick Public
Library, and seven other public libraries, including the National
Library of Scotland, the British Lending Library at Boston Spa,
Yorkshire, and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, where they are cited
in Marine Pollution Research titles; Estuaries and Coastal Waters
of the British Isles; and the international databases on Oceanographic
and Marine Resources and Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts.
The structure of SOTEAG is an important element in its success.
The Monitoring Committee specialists are able to commission and
manage the scientific programmes. Their interpretations and conclusions
are considered subsequently by SOTEAG, with its mixture of specialist
and representational members and observers. It is SOTEAG's task
to evaluate the conclusions and to make balanced recommendations
to the SVA and hence to the industry and the council.
In the last twenty years, reports to SVA have shown no unacceptable
or significant changes in the environment of Sullom Voe, except
for the localised effects on dogwhelk populations in the vicinity
of the oil terminal due to contamination by tributyltin-based paints
used on tankers. Criteria for acceptability are difficult to lay
down but SOTEAG's measurements have shown that the early fears expressed
about the effects of the terminal in the Sullom Voe area have not
materialised. It remains a clean environment and continues to support
thriving natural populations. Nevertheless, there is no room for
complacency, and surveillance of the effects of terminal operations
must continue; and SOTEAG must adhere to standards that maintain
its long-established level of rigour and independence. The nature
of the operation may still change, and damaging accidents could
occur, therefore it is essential that SOTEAG continues its work
through to eventual decommissioning.
Much has happened since the pioneering days of 1974. The monitoring
work has been developed and refined, and some important contributions
have been made to applied science. A great deal has been learned
of the environment of Shetland although much still remains to be
done. The format and the philosophy of the Environmental Advisory
Group has, however, stood the test of time and proved that large
scale industry need not cause unacceptable changes in the environment.
SOTEAG's knowledge and experience has been sought as a model for
other industrial developments and as such, it has reached a much
wider community than the local interests which, in a far-sighted
manner, engendered its composition and terms of reference in the
mid-1970s.
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