10 
Part A - Framework conditions 
10 Assessment period 
The following assessment periods apply to all projects, unless the technical instructions 
(Part B) for the individual features of conservation interest make different demands. 
10.1 Baseline study 
A baseline study over two successive, complete seasonal cycles has to be performed without 
any interruption to determine the status quo as a basis for construction and operation phase 
monitoring as well as for compilation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). One sea 
sonal cycle comprises twelve calendar months including the month in which the survey begins. 
After completion of the baseline study, an EIA must be submitted to the planning approval/ 
approval authority. If an EIA has already been compiled on the basis of one seasonal cycle, it 
must be extended by inclusion of the results of the second seasonal cycle. 
The baseline study must be updated by inclusion of a third survey year, if the time between 
end of baseline study and construction start exceeds two years. If more than five years pass 
between end of baseline study and construction start, a new, complete two-year baseline 
study must be carried out. It is possible to apply after six months for a reduction of the moni 
toring programme to one year (together with the submission of a detailed preliminary report), 
if the results of the investigations show that no significant changes in the conditions regarding 
location have occurred. 
10.2 Construction phase 
The construction phase covers the period from the start of construction work until completion 
of the construction project. Construction-phase monitoring has to be performed throughout 
this period in line with requirements. 
If essential components are put into operation prior to completion of the construction project, 
operation monitoring in the project section concerned may be started in co-ordination with 
the planning approval/approval authority. However, it must be ensured that such continued 
construction activities do not have a significant impact on the results of operation monitoring. 
The precise time for stopping the construction monitoring will be determined by the planning 
approval/approval authority in each individual case. 
10.3 Operation phase 
The StUK defines the operation phase as the phase following the completion of construction 
work, as soon as the wind turbines have been put into operation; this is idenpendent of the BSH 
operation release according to Standard Design of Offshore Wind Turbines. After the wind farm 
has become operational, operation-phase monitoring has to be performed for a period of three 
to five years, depending on specific conditions regarding the site/project and the features of 
conservation interest, in order to verify the assumptions made in the approval (EIA). The precise 
time for beginning the operation-phase monitoring will be determined by the planning approval/ 
approval authority and can vary between the respective featrues of conservation interests. After 
completion of the final year of regular operation-phase monitoring, the planning approval/ 
approval authority shall determine in each individual case whether investigations beyond this 
period are required for the final assessment of impact assumptions.