Glossary
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DCLG
See Department for Communities and Local Government
Defra
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This is a government department whose aim is sustainable development.
Demersal
Creatures found living on or near the bottom of the sea.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Department for Communities and Local Government. This took over responsibility for planning issues from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in May 2006.
Department of the Environment (DoE)
Department of the Environment. This was the government department responsible for all aspects of the physical environment in England, Scotland and Wales. This has now been superseded by DEFRA.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Department of Trade and Industry. The Government office working to created the best environment for business success in the UK.
Devensian
Last geological stage of the Pleistocene epoch, covering 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, representing the last main advance of glaciers.
Direct impacts
Effects caused by a given action and occurring at the same time and place as the action (e.g. direct removal of benthos).
DoE
See Department of the Environment
Draft Special Areas of Conservation (dSAC)
Draft Special Areas of Conservation. Conservation areas formally advised to the UK Government as suitable for selection as SACs, but not yet approved by Government.
Draghead
The end of the suction pipe which is trailed along the surface of the seabed, through which sand and gravel is extracted and transported to the dredging vessel.
Drainage basin (catchment area, watershed)
A land area where precipitation runs off into streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It is a land feature that can be identified by tracing a line along the highest elevations between two areas on a map, often a ridge. Large drainage basins, like the area that drains into the River Severn contain thousands of smaller drainage basins.
Dredging Conditions
Conditions imposed on a favourable Government View during the licensing process to ensure the minimal impact of the dredging activity on the environment. Dredging Conditions are imposed on a site-by-site basis and give details of any monitoring requirements and/or operational restrictions attached to specific licences.
Drift
Surface material such as sand and gravels which often cover the bedrock underneath. They are usually unconsolidated or loose materials.
dSAC
See Draft Special Areas of Conservation
DTI
See Department of Trade and Industry
DTLR
Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.