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Screening for Appropriate Assessment

Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan

Limerick City and County Council

16965-6004-C Screening for Appropriate Assessment December 2017

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ISSUE FORM

Project number 16965

Document number 6004

Document revision A

Document title Screening for Appropriate Assessment: Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan

Document status Final

Document prepared by Caoimhin O’Neill – MWP (13/12/2017)

Document checked by Gerald Hayes – MWP (14/12/2017)

16965-6004-A Screening for Appropriate Assessment December 2017

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Table of contents

1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ............................................................................................ 1

1.1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment .............................................................................. 1

2 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Purpose of Assessment ..................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Legislative context ............................................................................................................ 2

2.3 Stages of Appropriate Assessment..................................................................................... 2

3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 2

3.1 Appropriate Assesment Guidance ..................................................................................... 2

3.2 Desk Study ........................................................................................................................ 2

3.3 Screening for Appropriate Assessment .............................................................................. 3

4 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT ............................................................. 4

4.1 Management of Natura 2000 sites ..................................................................................... 4

4.2 Description of Plan/Project ............................................................................................... 4

4.2.1 Brief Project Description ....................................................................................................................... 4

4.2.2 Purpose of the Project .......................................................................................................................... 5

4.2.3 Site Location .......................................................................................................................................... 5

4.2.4 Description of the Site ........................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.5 Characteristics of the Project ................................................................................................................ 8

4.2.6 Identification of Other Projects or Plans or Activities ......................................................................... 10

4.3 Identification of Natura 2000 Sites .................................................................................. 10

4.3.1 Zone of Impact Influence .................................................................................................................... 10

4.3.2 Identification of Natura 2000 .............................................................................................................. 11

4.3.3 Characteristics of Natura 2000 Sites ................................................................................................... 11

4.3.4 Conservation Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 12

4.4 Identification of Potential Impacts ................................................................................... 13

4.5 Assessment of Significance of Potential Impacts .............................................................. 13

4.5.1 Habitat Loss and Alteration ................................................................................................................. 13

4.5.2 Water Quality ...................................................................................................................................... 14

4.5.3 Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species ..................................................................................... 17

4.5.4 Habitat or Species Fragmentation....................................................................................................... 18

4.5.5 Cumulative/In-combination Impacts .................................................................................................. 19

4.6 Conclusion of Screening Stage ......................................................................................... 19

5 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 20


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TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Designated conservation sites within 15km radius of proposal site ...................................... 11

Table 2: Designated site with qualifying features of conservation interest ......................................... 11

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Site location map ..................................................................................................................... 5

Figure 2. Proposed works........................................................................................................................ 7

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Stages of Appropriate Assessment


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1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

1.1 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

Project Title Abbeyfeale Town Centre Traffic Management Plan

Project Proponent Limerick City and County Council

Project Location Abbeyfeale, County Limerick

Conclusion It has been objectively concluded during the screening process, that the

proposed works associated with the Abbeyfeale Town Centre Traffic

Management Plan, either alone or in-combination with other

plans/projects, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, will not have

significant effects on the below European Sites.

Lower River Shannon SAC (002165)

Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and

Mount Eagle SPA (004161)

Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (002351)


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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT

This Screening for Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken to determine the potential for

significant impacts of the works associated with the proposed Traffic Management Plan/Scheme, at

Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, on nearby sites with European conservation designations (i.e. Natura 2000

Sites).

This Screening for Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken by Malachy Walsh and Partners

ecologists.

2.2 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) seeks to conserve natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora by

the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) seeks

to protect birds of special importance by the designation of Special Protected Areas (SPAs). It is the

responsibility of each member state to designate SPAs and SACs, both of which will form part of

Natura 2000, a network of protected sites throughout the European Community. The Habitats

Directive has been transposed into Irish law and the relevant Regulations are the European

Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. The requirement for Appropriate

Assessment of the implications of plans and projects on the Natura 2000 network of sites comes

from the Habitats Directive (Article 6(3)). Under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (amended)

(Section 177U) a Local Authority is required to carry out a Screening for Appropriate Assessment of a

proposed development prior to issuing consent. The information presented in this Screening for

Appropriate Assessment will be used by the competent authority (in this case Limerick City and

County Council (LCCC)) to complete their screening exercise.

2.3 STAGES OF APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

The Appropriate Assessment process is a four-stage process with issues and tests at each stage. An

important aspect of the process is that the outcome at each successive stage determines whether a

further stage in the process is required. The stages are set out in Appendix 1.

3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

3.1 APPROPRIATE ASSESMENT GUIDANCE

This Screening for Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the European

Commission Methodological Guidance on the provision of Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the ‘Habitats’

Directive 92/43/EEC (EC, 2001) and the European Commission Guidance ‘Managing Natura 2000

sites’ (EC, 2000) and guidance prepared by the NPWS (DoEHLG, 2009).

3.2 DESK STUDY

In order to complete the Screening for Appropriate Assessment certain information on the existing

environment is required. A desk study was carried out to collate available information on the site’s

natural environment. This comprised a review of the following publications, data and datasets:

OSI Aerial photography and 1:50000 mapping, and other mapping sources (online)


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National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (online)

National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) (online)

BirdWatch Ireland

Teagasc soil area maps (NBDC website)

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) area maps (online)

Water Framework Directive) (online), Shannon International River Basin District River Basin

Management Plan 2009-2015

Other publications are referenced in the document

3.3 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

As set out in the NPWS guidance, the task of establishing whether a plan or project is likely to have

an effect on a Natura 2000 site(s) is based on a preliminary impact assessment using available

information and data, including that outlined above, and other available environmental information,

supplemented as necessary by local site information and ecological surveys. This is followed by a

determination of whether there is a risk that the effects identified could be significant. The

precautionary principle approach is required.

Once the potential impacts that may arise from the proposal are identified the significance of these

is assessed through the use of key indicators:

Habitat loss

Habitat alteration

Water quality and resource.

Disturbance and/or displacement of species

Habitat or species fragmentation


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4 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

Screening for Appropriate Assessment determines the need for a full Appropriate Assessment and

consists of a number of steps, each of which is addressed in the following sections of this report:

4.1 Establish whether the project is necessary for the management of a Natura 2000 site

4.2 Description of the Project (Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan)

4.3 Identification of Natura 2000 sites potentially affected

4.4 Identification and description of individual and cumulative impacts of the project

4.5 Assessment of the significance of the impacts on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites

4.6 Conclusion of screening stage

4.1 MANAGEMENT OF NATURA 2000 SITES

The proposal is not connected with, or necessary to the conservation management of a Natura 2000

site.

4.2 DESCRIPTION OF PLAN/PROJECT

4.2.1 Brief Project Description

The proposed development consists of a Traffic Management Plan for Abbeyfeale. It includes the

following works:

Modified traffic lane widths along the N21 within Abbeyfeale town centre with revised

parking layout;

New traffic signals junction controls and associated layouts will be installed at the Main

Street/Church Street and Main Street/Colbert Terrace junctions with controlled pedestrian

crossings on all arms of the proposed traffic signal junctions;

Realignment of the junction at Main Street/St. Ita’s Road;

Upgrade of mini roundabout junction at Colbert Terrace/Tesco access;

Development of a pedestrian link between Main Street and Grove Cresent public car park

requiring the modification of an existing building on Main Street;

New coach parking set downs on Main Street;

Provision of road widening at junction of Colbert Terrace and New Street, which involves

demolition of one property;

Provision of a one way traffic lane between the Grove Cresent public car park and Cedarville

housing estate with a short section of two way traffic lane at the east end to facilitate local

access. Provision of vehicular entrances into lands to north and south along the section of

two way traffic lane; and

Provision of coach parking to rear of Main Street and modifications to Grove Crescent public

car park.


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4.2.2 Purpose of the Project

Address Traffic Management in Abbeyfeale Town.

4.2.3 Site Location

The work locations associated with the Traffic Management, are all situated within the ‘Urban’ area

Abbeyfeale, County Limerick (See Figure 1 below for site location).

Figure 1. Site location map


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4.2.4 Description of the Site

The existing land-use is mainly for pedestrian and vehicular access to/from parking areas to various

other areas within the town and beyond. There are a small number of buildings that would be

demolished/modified under the current proposal. There is a portion of a field that would be covered

by a new short stretch of road (ca. 80m) and a land drain within this field that would require new

alignment. Corine (2012) land cover at the site of the proposed Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan

is classified as ‘Continuous urban fabric’.

The proposed project lies adjacent to the River Feale protected within the Lower River Shannon SAC.

4.2.4.1 Catchment Area

The locations of the proposed works are situated within the River Feale Catchment Area (Feale, Trib

of Feale IE_SH_23_121). The overall Status of the water body is ‘Good’1. The EPA monitoring station

(Station ID: RS23F010320), towards the northern end of the town has a most recent Q value of

‘Good’2.

Figure 2 below illustrates the works associated with the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan.

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http://watermaps.wfdireland.ie/NsShare_Web/ReportViewer.aspx?reportName=rwb_all&layer=subbasin&eu

_cd=IE_SH_23_121 2 https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/


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Figure 2. Proposed works


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4.2.5 Characteristics of the Project

The proposal is described below.

Size, scale, area, land-take

— No land-take required within any Natura 2000 site. — All works situated within the ‘Urban’ area Abbeyfeale. — Works include upgrade/widening of road. — Works include upgrade/installation of car parks.

Details of physical changes that will take place during the various stages of implementing the proposal

The majority of works will be carried out in existing urban area. — The major elements of work includes;

Widening of existing N21 Road.

Upgrading and installation of new car park areas.

Demolition of existing building

Modification of existing building.

Installation of new traffic signals.

Existing road/roundabout realignment

Laying of pavement

Laying of kerbing.

Description of resource requirements for the construction/operation and decommissioning of the proposal (water resources, construction material, human presence etc)

— Construction materials

Concrete

Bituminous materials

Surface dressing

Road studs,

Road markings.

Hardcore

Drainage — Equipment

Excavators

Dumpers

Road Paver,

Road Rollers,

Tack coat sprayer,

Water bowsers,

Rigid lorries (possibly articulated lorries),

Double contained fuel bowsers

Line marking truck

Dump truck

Work vans. — Workforce

Approximately 10 personnel.

Description of timescale for the various activities that will take place as a result of implementation (including likely start and finish date)

The project start and finish dates are subject to grant of planning permission and finance. However the proposed project should be constructed within approximately 3 months.

Description of wastes arising and other residues (including quantities) and their disposal

Construction waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility. Inert material to be reused within the site where possible.

Services waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility.

Fuels and oils waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility.

Identification of wastes arising and other residues (including quantities) that may be of particular

The main potential impact the proposal poses are poor water quality impacts to River Feale. A Preliminary Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has


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concern in the context of the Natura 2000 network

been prepared for the traffic management plan, and will be updated prior to any construction activities. The management plan includes, but is not limited to the following Water quality controls; — Sediment and Erosion Control — Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan — Management of Concrete/ Bituminous Materials — Fuel and Oils Management The CEMP will ensure; — Construction waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility. — Services waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility. — Fuels and oils waste to be taken off site to a suitably licensed facility.

Description of any additional services required to implement the project or plan, their location and means of construction

— None, as containment and disposal of oils and wastewater will be carried out in a safe manner by an approved contractor (Construction and Environmental Management Plan prepared which includes Waste Management Plan in).


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4.2.6 Identification of Other Projects or Plans or Activities

The proposal was considered in combination with other plans and projects in the area that could

result in cumulative impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Other plans considered include:

Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 (as Extended).

Abbeyfeale Local Area Plan 2014-2020

Shannon International River Basin District River Basin Management Plan 2009-2015

No significant cumulative impacts are predicted with the plans listed above, as each plan has a range

of environmental and natural heritage policy safeguards in place. These safeguards to protect the

natural environment and Natura 2000 Sites will also apply to the proposal described in this report.

There are numerous planning applications (pending and granted) within the Abbeyfeale Town

boundary. Most plans involve existing dwelling house renovations, changes of use of buildings and

building facade amendments. There are no major infrastructural or commercial developments

proposed that would have significant in-combination environmental effects with the proposed traffic

management plan.

Extending away from Abbeyfeale Town agriculture is the dominant landuse, with some blocks of

forestry.

The greatest relative pollution pressure on the area is likely to be as a result of the on-site WWTS

associated with the Urban area of Abbeyfeale. However, the River Feale supports a good ecological

status, indicating that they are meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive3.

4.3 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURA 2000 SITES

4.3.1 Zone of Impact Influence

The screening stage of AA involves compiling a ‘long list’ of European sites within a zone of potential

impact influence for later analysis which may or may ultimately not be significantly impacted upon

by the proposal. All Natura 2000 sites within 15km of the proposal location will be characterised in

the context of the rationale for designation and qualifying features, in accordance with NPWS

guidance. In line with the precautionary principle, this report considers any Natura 2000 sites that lie

outside 15km that may be significantly impacted as a result of the proposed works. Following this,

the potential impacts associated with the proposal will be identified before an assessment is made

of the likely significance of these impacts.

As described above, the test for the screening for Appropriate Assessment is to assess, in view of

best scientific knowledge, if the development, individually or in combination with other plan/project

is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site. If there are any significant, potentially

significant, or uncertain effects, it will be necessary to proceed to Appropriate Assessment and

submit a Natura Impact Statement.

3 http://watermaps.wfdireland.ie


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4.3.2 Identification of Natura 2000

Table 1 below lists designated cSACs and SPA within 15km or the zone of influence of the proposal

site including their proximity.

Table 1: Designated conservation sites within 15km radius of proposal site

No. Designated Site Site

Code

Proximity of site to nearest point of designated

site

1 Lower River Shannon SAC 002165

Approximately 500m to the east of the proposed works

2 Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA

004161 Approximately 2.6km to the north

3 Moanveanlagh Bog SAC 002351 Approximately 9.8km to the northeast

4.3.3 Characteristics of Natura 2000 Sites

The following tables list the features of interest for the cSACs and SPA sites that lie within 15km of

the proposed project. Information pertaining to designated sites is from site synopses, conservation

objectives and other information available on www.npws.ie.

Table 2: Designated site with qualifying features of conservation interest

Designated Site Qualifying features of conservation interest


Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time [1110]

Estuaries [1130]

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140]

Coastal lagoons [1150]

Large shallow inlets and bays [1160]

Reefs [1170]

Perennial vegetation of stony banks [1220]

Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts [1230]

Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand [1310]

Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330]

Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410]

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion

fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation [3260]

Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils

(Molinion caeruleae) [6410]

Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-

Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) [91E0]

Margaritifera margaritifera (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) [1029]

Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey) [1095]

Lampetra planeri (Brook Lamprey) [1096]

Lampetra fluviatilis (River Lamprey) [1099]

Salmo salar (Salmon) [1106]

Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) [1349]

Lutra lutra (Otter) [1355]

Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161)

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) [A082]


Active raised bogs [7110]

Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120]

Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion [7150]


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4.3.4 Conservation Objectives

According to the Habitat’s Directive, the conservation status of a natural habitat will be taken as

‘favourable’ within its biogeographic range when:

its natural range and areas it covers within that range are stable or increasing, and

the specific structure and functions which are necessary for its long-term maintenance exist

and are likely to continue to exist for the foreseeable future, and

the conservation status of its typical species is favourable as defined below.

According to the Habitat’s Directive, the conservation status of a species means the sum of the

influences acting on the species concerned that may affect the long-term distribution and

abundance of its populations. The conservation status will be taken as ’favourable’ within its

biogeographic range when:

population dynamics data on the species concerned indicate that it is maintaining itself on a

long-term basis as a viable component of its natural habitats, and

the natural range of the species is neither being reduced nor is likely to be reduced for the

foreseeable future, and

there is, and will probably continue to be, a sufficiently large habitat to maintain its

populations on a long-term basis.

The specific conservation objectives for each site are available on www.npws.ie. These have been

accessed for the sites listed in the tables above on the 13th December 2017. Generic conservation

objectives were available for the following sites:

Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161)

Site specific and more detailed conservation objectives were available for the following sites:



Management plans were not available for any sites.

All conservation objectives together with other designated site information are available on

http://www.npws.ie/protectedsites/.

http://www.npws.ie/


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4.4 IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Potential likely ecological impacts arising from the project are identified in this section.

Description of elements of the project likely to give rise to potential ecological impacts sites.

Use of heavy machinery/construction in close proximity to an SAC

If pollution pathways connecting the proposal site to a designated site were to exist, then chemical, fuels, sediment laden water and other pollutants produced and used during both the construction and operational phase could have an adverse impact on water quality.

Describe any likely direct, indirect or secondary ecological impacts of the project (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) by virtue of:

Size and scale;

Land-take;

Distance from Natura 2000 Site or key features of the Site;

Resource requirements;

Emissions;

Excavation requirements;

Transportation requirements;

Duration of construction, operation etc.; and

Other.

No Habitat loss within any Natura 2000 site.

Resources be brought to site as required, reducing the requirement of stockpiles etc.

Any significant excavations/demolition works that are required will be carried in the urban area of Abbeyfeale Town.

Proximity to Lower River Shannon SAC (River Feale), increases the potential level of risk of significant indirect impacts due to emissions from the proposal: The sources of these emissions are:

Use of concrete/fuels and oils in close proximity to an aquatic area creates potential for pollution

Noise and disturbance during construction phase.

Sedimentation of down slope watercourses.

The construction works are temporary in duration, and will be completed in approximately 6-8 months.

A CEMP will be in place during the construction phase, in order to ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with Best Practice, with the minimum impact on the surrounding environment.

4.5 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

This section considers the list of sites identified in Section 4.3.2 above together with the potential

ecological impacts identified in the previous section and determines whether the viewing platform

project is likely to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site.

The likelihood of significant effects to a Natura 2000 site from the project was determined based on

a number of indicators including:

Habitat loss

Habitat alteration

Water quality and resource

Disturbance and/or displacement of species

Habitat or species fragmentation

The likelihood of significant cumulative/in-combination effects is assessed in Section 4.5.5 below.

4.5.1 Habitat Loss and Alteration

The proposed works associated with the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan will not result in any

direct loss of habitat within any Natura 2000. Therefore the proposal described in this report will not

result in direct habitat loss within any Natura 2000 Site.


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The potential for indirect habitat loss, or alteration impacts, by means of adverse water quality

impacts, is considered in the following section.

4.5.2 Water Quality

4.5.2.1 Lower River Shannon SAC (002165)

From observing EPA mapping for the locations of the proposed works, the works associated with the

Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan will not require any river/stream crossings. There is some

possibility that during the construction phase, accidental fuel oil spills/concrete spills could enter the

River Feale, via existing drainage at Abbeyfeale Town. There is some potential that the excavations

at the site could potentially result in the sedimentation of the River Feale.

The works described in Section 4.2 above will be carried out in stages. This significantly reduces the

potential risk of any pollution event occurring at any one time. In addition, the various sections of

the proposed traffic management works are located on relatively flat ground, which further reduces

the potential of pollution of the River Feale.

There is a possibility that a concrete/fuel oil spillage during the construction phase entering the River

Feale, via the existing drainage regime at the site. However, the client recognises and seeks to

minimise any potential impacts of the proposal on the environment. A Preliminary Construction and

Environmental Management Plan has been developed for the proposal, and will be finalised prior to

the commencement of any construction activities, and will be reviewed on a regular basis.

The CEMP prepared for the proposal includes, but is not limited to the following environmental

controls;

Noise, Vibration, Dust and Air Control

Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan

Sediment and Erosion Control

Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Management

Fuel and Oils Management

Management of Concrete/ Bituminous Materials

Emergency Response Plan

The Environmental Management Plans included in the CEMP for the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management

Plan includes the management of concrete, management of fuel and oil, sediment control, and

waste management. These will prevent any potential significant water quality impacts as a result of

pollution, within the River Feale during the construction phase of the project. During concrete pours,

the concrete will be poured in a sealed shuttered area. While preparation works for the for the

laying of pavement/sidewalks will require excavations/planings, the excavated materials will be

loaded directly into awaiting lorries and immediately transported for re-use, stored in appropriate

manner, or transported to an appropriate facility. The management of fuel and oil during the

construction phase will reduce the potential for the pollution of the River Feale, with the emergency

response plan developed for the site, further reducing the potential for significant water quality

impacts in the River Feale, as a result of fuel/oil spills/concrete spills. No works will be carried out in

prolonged heavy rain, thereby avoiding the potential for runoff. Sediment controls will installed

where required, diverting any dirty for treatment, prior to outfall. Because the surrounding land area


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is for the most part relatively flat, the drains occurring will have a low flow rate, which reduces the

potential for runoff, and attenuates the rate at which sediments could be transported. Upon

completion laying of pavement, a road sweep will be carried out to pick up any chippings.

The operational phase of the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan will be similar to that as what

already exists. The latest EPA water quality results, just down-slope of the proposal, indicate that the

water quality of the River Feale at this location has a ‘Good Status’ (see Section 4.2.4.1 above).

Therefore, due to the design of the programme of works described in section 4.2 above, the timing

of the works, the specific water quality controls included in the CEMP developed for the project,

preventing significant pollution impacts to the River Feale, and the topography at the locations of

the works, no adverse water quality impacts are expected, that could create significant impacts to

the conservation objectives of the Lower River Shannon SAC (002165).

Habitat alteration

The Conservation Objectives of Lower River Shannon SAC (002165) lists a number of habitats

included as Qualifying Interests for this SAC site. Many of these habitats are coastal, and are situated

approximately 28km downstream of the Abbeyfeale site. The distance increases considerably, in

watercourse kilometres. Due the considerable distance between the proposed works, the significant

dilution factor that occurs, it is not reasonably foreseeable that the proposed Traffic Management

works at Abbeyfeale Town, will result in significant alteration impacts of these coastal and

saline/marine habitat types.

The Conservation Objectives of Lower River Shannon SAC (002165) lists the following fresh water

habitat, as a Qualifying Feature of Interest;

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-

Batrachion vegetation [3260]

Floating river vegetation characterised by species of water-crowfoot (Ranunculus spp.), pondweeds

(Potamogeton spp.) and the moss Fontinalius antipyretica are present throughout the major river

systems within the SAC site4. Due to the fact that the no significant water quality impacts are

expected, as a result of the proposal, therefore the proposal described in this report will not result in

significant impacts on this habitat type.

The Conservation Objectives of Lower River Shannon SAC (002165) lists the following woodland

habitat as a Qualifying Feature of Interest;

Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae,

Salicion albae) [91E0]

The mapping in the Conservations objectives for this SAC site, illustrate that this habitat type is

found on the banks of the Shannon and on islands in the vicinity of the University of Limerick. Due to

the fact that no significant water quality impacts are expected as a result of the proposed works, in

4 https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY002165.pdf


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addition to the fact that the documented locations of this habitat type are located upstream of the

proposed works, no significant impacts are expected on this habitat type protected within the Lower

River Shannon SAC (002165).

4.5.2.2 Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (002351)

This Natura 2000 site is situated upslope of the proposed works at Abbeyfeale. There the proposed

works will not result in significant water quality impacts within the Moanveanlagh Bog SAC.

The Conservation Objectives of the Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (002351) list the following habitat types

as Qualifying Features of Interest;




As the proposed works are situated a considerable distance from this Natura 2000 site, and upslope

of the works associated with the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, it is not reasonably

foreseeable that significant alteration of the habitats protected within the Moanveanlagh Bog SAC

will ensue.

4.5.2.3 Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161)

The Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA is situated upslope

of the proposed Traffic Management works at Abbeyfeale. Therefore the proposal described in this

report will not result in significant water quality impacts within the Stack's to Mullaghareirk

Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161).

4.5.2.4 Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (002351)

The Conservation Objectives of the Moanveanlagh Bog SAC (002351) list the following habitat types

as Qualifying Features of Interest;




As the proposed works are situated a considerable distance from this Natura 2000 site, and upslope of the works associated with the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, it is not reasonably foreseeable that significant alteration of the habitats protected within the Moanveanlagh Bog SAC will ensue.


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4.5.3 Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species

4.5.3.1 Lower River Shannon SAC (002165)

The Conservation Objectives for the Lower River Shannon SAC site lists the following aquatic/semi

aquatic species as Qualifying Features of Interest;

Lutra lutra (Otter) [1355]

Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) [1349]

Salmo salar (Salmon) [1106]

Margaritifera margaritifera (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) [1029]

Lampetra planeri (Brook Lamprey) [1096]

Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey) [1095]

Lampetra fluviatilis (River Lamprey) [1099]

There is a resident population of Bottle-nosed Dolphin in the Shannon Estuary5. This species is a

marine species, found on coastal waters. Due to the considerable distance separating the

watercourses that drain Abbeyfeale Town, and where the River Feale enters the sea, it is not

reasonably foreseeable that the proposed works described in this report, will result in significant

impacts on this species.

Species that use the areas immediately adjacent to the proposed works, otters for example will be

subject to certain levels of disturbance during the construction phase of the project. The main

disturbance will be as a result of the increase in noise due to presence of machinery and humans. It

is likely that otter use the River Feale to the north of the proposed works. Any

disturbance/displacement impacts are expected to be slight and temporary in nature. In addition

given the location of the proposed works within the context of the receiving environment, a certain

level of disturbance is already experienced, caused by the occurrence of vehicular traffic,

pedestrians etc., along the N21 Road/local roads in the Abbeyfeale urban area.

Freshwater pearl mussel, a species listed on Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive, occurs

abundantly in parts of the Cloon River. The mapping provided in the Conservation Objectives for this

SAC site, indicates that the documented suitable habitat, distribution, and catchment areas for

freshwater pearl mussel, within this SAC site, occurs along the Cloon River. The Cloon River drains to

the Northern side of the River Shannon in County Clare. There are no documented records for

freshwater pearl mussel within OSI 10km grid square R12, which incorporates the proposed works at

Abbeyfeale6.

Sea Lamprey, brook lamprey, and river lamprey, and salmon have all been observed spawning in the

lower Shannon or its tributaries. The Fergus is important in its lower reaches for spring salmon. The

main channel of the River Feale is a ‘Salmonid Water’, designated pursuant to the European

Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988, (S.I. No. 293 of 1988).

Species loss could potentially occur within nearby designated sites as a consequence of uncontrolled

pollutant/sediment run-off from construction activities. Accidental spillages of fuels/oils/concrete,

5 https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY002165.pdf

6 http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/#/Map


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or pavement materials washing downstream during the construction phase, potentially displacing

species, such as freshwater pearl mussel, salmon, lamprey species, and otter.

Bearing in mind the conclusion of the preceding sub section (water quality section 4.5.2), with

regard to adverse water quality impacts, it is concluded that no significant indirect

disturbance/displacement impacts, as a result of poor water quality impacts on the aquatic/semi

aquatic species protected within the Lower River Shannon SAC are reasonably foreseeable, as a

result of the proposed works included in the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan.

The latest EPA water quality values just down-slope of the proposal indicates that the water quality

of the River Feale at this location has a ‘Good Status’ (see Section 4.2.4.1 above). During the

operational phase of the proposal, the emissions will be similar to those existing. Therefore, the

operational phase of the proposal will not result in significant disturbance/displacement impacts (as

a result of poor water quality), within the Lower River Shannon River SAC.

4.5.3.2 Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161)

The Conservation Objectives for the Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and

Mount Eagle SPA lists the following species as its Qualifying Feature of Interest;

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) [A082]

The existing land-use is mainly for pedestrian and vehicular access to/from parking areas to various

other areas within the town and beyond. The proposed development will involve

construction/upgrading of car parking areas, roadways, pathways and associated kerbs. As the

proposal is set in an existing urban area, and considering the size and scale of the proposal, it is

concluded, that the works associated with the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, will result in

significant disturbance/displacement impacts on hen harrier protected within the Stack's to

Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA (004161).

4.5.4 Habitat or Species Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation has been defined as ‘reduction and isolation of patches of natural

environment’ (Hall et al., 1997 cited in Franklin et al., 2002) usually due to an external disturbance

that alters the habitat and ‘create[s] isolated or tenuously connected patches of the original habitat’

(Wiens, 1989 cited in Franklin et al., 2002). This results in spatial separation of habitat units which

had previously been in a state of greater continuity.

Negative effects of habitat fragmentation on species or populations can include increased isolation

of populations or species which can detrimentally impact on the resilience or robustness of the

populations reducing overall species diversity and altering species abundance.

Due to the conclusions of the preceding sub sections (Section 4.5.1, no significant habitat loss),

(Section 4.5.2 no significant water quality impacts), and (Section 4.5.3, no significant

disturbance/displacement impacts), it can be objectively concluded that the works associated with

the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, will not result in significant habitat or species

fragmentation within nearby Natura 2000 sites.


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4.5.5 Cumulative/In-combination Impacts

In the context of a precautionary approach, there is potential for cumulative effects to water quality,

albeit temporary, during the project construction phase along with urban waste water emissions,

and ongoing agricultural activities in the catchment area. However, considering the scale of the

project, and the environmental management of the site during the construction phase; to prevent

water quality impacts within the River Feale, these are not considered to be significant. Therefore

works associated with the proposed Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, will not result in

significant cumulative impacts, in combination with other activities in the catchment area.

4.6 CONCLUSION OF SCREENING STAGE

In conclusion, to determine the potential impacts, if any, of the proposed works that are required to

complete the Abbeyfeale Traffic Management Plan, on nearby Natura 2000 sites, a screening

process for Appropriate Assessment was undertaken. The proposed development is within 15km of

three Natura 2000 sites.

It has been objectively concluded during the screening process that the three Natura sites within

15km of the proposal, are not likely to be significantly impacted by the proposed Abbeyfeale Traffic

Management Plan, either alone or when considered with other projects or plans, and these include:

Lower River Shannon SAC 002165

Moanveanlagh Bog SAC 002351

Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA 004161


20

5 REFERENCES

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) (2009). Appropriate

Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities. Department of

Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

EC (2000). Managing Natura 2000 Sites: The provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive

92/43/EEC. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

EC (2001). Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites:

Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive

92/43/EEC. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

Franklin, Alan B., Noon, Barry R. & Luke George T., (2002). What is Habitat Fragmentation?, Studies

in Avian Biology No. 25: 20-29.

NPWS, (2013). The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Conservation Status in

Ireland of Habitats and Species listed in the European Council Directive on the Conservation of

Habitats, Flora and Fauna 92/43/EEC, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government.

NRA (2009). Guidelines for Assessment of Ecological Impacts of National Road Schemes. National

Roads Authority.


Appendix

Appendix 1

Stages of Appropriate Assessment


Appendix

Stage 1 - Screening

This is the first stage of the Appropriate Assessment process and that undertaken to determine the

likelihood of significant impacts as a result of a proposed project or plan. It determines need for a

full Appropriate Assessment.

If it can be concluded that no significant impacts to Natura 2000 sites are likely then the assessment

can stop here. If not, it must proceed to Stage 2 for further more detailed assessment.

Stage 2 - Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

The second stage of the Appropriate Assessment process assesses the impact of the proposal (either

alone or in combination with other projects or plans) on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site with

respect to the conservation objectives of the site and its ecological structure and function. This is a

much more detailed assessment that Stage 1. A Natura Impact Statement containing a professional

scientific examination of the proposal is required and includes any mitigation measure to avoid,

reduce or offset negative impacts.

If the outcome of Stage 2 is negative i.e. adverse impacts to the sites cannot be scientifically ruled

out, despite mitigation, the plan or project should proceed to Stage 3 or be abandoned.

Stage 3 - Assessment of alternative solutions

A detailed assessment must be undertaken to determine whether alternative ways of achieving the

objective of the project/plan exists.

Where no alternatives exist the project/plan must proceed to Stage 4.

Stage 4 - Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain

The final stage is the main derogation process examining whether there are imperative reasons of

overriding public interest (IROPI) for allowing a plan or project to adversely affect a Natura 2000 site

where no less damaging solution exists.

Documents

Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Limerick · Lower River Shannon SAC (002165) ... Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) area maps ... Screening for Appropriate Assessment determines