Part A - Framework conditions 
13 
12.2.2 Avifauna/marine mammals 
• Aerial surveys: 
A separate reference area is not necessary. 
• Ship based surveys: 
The size of the reference area corresponds to that of the assessment area. If a survey of a 
separate reference area is not possible, the assessment area must comprise at least 
400 km 2 . 
13 Reporting 
The results of the baseline study and monitoring have to be submitted to the planning ap 
proval/approval authority in the form of comprehensible expert reports. The complete raw 
data and investigation documents in their original form shall be stored in a suitable way by the 
applicant or holder of the planning approval/permit and shall be made available in whole or in 
part to the planning approval/approval authority upon request. Different storage arrangements 
for the raw data may be agreed with the planning approval/approval authority. The data for 
mats to be used have to be agreed with the planning approval/approval authority. 
The raw data from underwater noise measurements has to be archived exclusively by the 
planning approval/approval authority. The exchange of raw data is prohibited. The data has to 
be kept solely in processed form for the purpose of further use. For detailed data handling 
procedures, please contact BSFI. 
13.1 Baseline study 
The baseline study raw data has to be submitted to the planning approval/approval authority 
the latest two months prior to submission of the expert report. 
If the planning area is located in a national park (or in the vicinity of expected impacts), in a 
marine protected area or in an area that has been classified as ecologically valuable by con 
servation experts, an FFH study must be submitted in addition to the EIA in order to obtain 
approval (Art. 34, BNatSchG - German Federal Nature Conservation Act). Moreover, a species 
protection law report (§§ 44 ff. BNatSchG) and, as far as there is indication of an existing hab 
itat in the project area, a biotope protection law report (§§ 30 ff. BNatSchG) must be submit 
ted. 
A report documenting any actual changes as well as changes in the impact prediction must 
be submitted four months after completion of the annual cycle in each case.