Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Works - Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme
Natura Impact Statement
July 2016
Office of Public Works Main Street Headford Co Galway Ireland
JBA Project Manager Tom Sampson 24 Grove Island Corbally Limerick Ireland Revision History
Revision Ref / Date Issued Amendments Issued to
Nathy Gilligan, OPW V1.0 / Feb 2016 Draft report Tony Brew, OPW Final Report. Crayfish Nathy Gilligan, OPW V2.0 / March 2016 mitigation. Tony Brew, OPW Final Report. Updated crayfish Nathy Gilligan, OPW V2.1 / April 2016 mitigation. Tony Brew, OPW Final Report. Updated crayfish Nathy Gilligan, OPW V2.2 / April 2016 mitigation and table 6.1 Tony Brew, OPW Final Report. Updates to Nathy Gilligan, OPW V2.3 / July 2016 Himalayan Balsam mitigation, Tony Brew, OPW survey details and dates Contract This report describes work commissioned by the Office of Public Works, by a letter dated 05/06/2015. The Office of Public Works’ representative for the contract was Tony Brew. Niamh Sweeney, Anne Murray, Catalina Hererra, and Tom Sampson of JBA Consulting carried out this work. Prepared by ...... Niamh Sweeney MSc. Ecologist
Reviewed by ...... Anne Murray BSc. MCIEEM Senior Ecologist Purpose This document has been prepared as a Final Report for the OPW. JBA Consulting accepts no responsibility or liability for any use that is made of this document other than by the Client for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared. JBA Consulting has no liability regarding the use of this report except to the OPW. Copyright © JBA Consulting Engineers and Scientists Ltd 2016 Carbon Footprint A printed copy of the main text in this document will result in a carbon footprint of if 100% post- consumer recycled paper is used and if primary-source paper is used. These figures assume the report is printed in black and white on A4 paper and in duplex. JBA is aiming to reduce its per capita carbon emissions.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 i
Contents 1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Legislative Context ...... 1 1.3 Appropriate Assessment Process ...... 1 1.4 Methodology ...... 3 2 Arterial Drainage Maintenance ...... 4 2.1 Background ...... 4 2.2 Drainage Maintenance Activities ...... 4 2.3 The Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 10 2.4 Drainage Maintenance Works Proposed for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 10 3 Screening Assessment Results ...... 12 3.1 Introduction ...... 12 3.2 Screening Assessment Conclusions ...... 13 4 Natura 2000 sites within the Zone of Influence of Drainage Maintenance Activities ...... 15 4.1 Introduction ...... 15 4.2 River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) ...... 15 4.3 Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) ...... 16 4.4 Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) ...... 18 4.5 Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) ...... 20 4.6 Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) ...... 21 4.7 White Lough, Ben Loughs and Lough Doo SAC (001810) ...... 24 4.8 Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957) ...... 25 4.9 Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120) ...... 26 4.10 Lough Lene SAC (002121) ...... 28 4.11 River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) ...... 29 4.12 Description of the receiving environment - Ecological Walkover Survey Results . 31 5 Appropriate Assessment ...... 43 5.1 Introduction ...... 43 5.2 Identification of Potential Sources of Impact ...... 43 5.3 Impact Assessment ...... 48 6 Avoidance and Mitigation Measures ...... 80 6.1 Introduction ...... 80 7 Conclusions ...... 82 Appendices...... I A OPW Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service: Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures ...... I B Maps of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... II C Drainage Maintenance Activities Proposed for Boyne 2016-2020 ...... III D Watercourses Screened into Appropriate Assessment (JBA, 2014) ...... IV E Additional Locations of Kingfisher nest sites and Invasive Species...... V
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3
List of Figures Figure 1-1: The Appropriate Assessment Process (from: Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities, DEHLG, 2009) ...... 2 Figure 2-1: Examples of Plane Bed to Low Gradient Channels on the River Boyne downstream of Navan (left) and upstream of Trim (Right) ...... 5 Figure 2-2: Examples of Medium to High Gradient Channels near Crossakeel ...... 6 Figure 2-3: Map of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 10 Figure 4-1. Invasive Species: Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed...... 38 Figure 4-1. Invasive Species: Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed ...... 39 Figure 4-3. Otter activity, physical resting places, and sightings...... 40 Figure 4-4. Kingfisher activity, physical resting places, and sightings...... 41 Figure 4-2. Invasive Species: Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed ...... 41
List of Tables Table 2-1: OPW Drainage Maintenance Subcategories ...... 4 Table 2-2: OPW Drainage Maintenance Types ...... 4 Table 2-3: Channels subject to tree cutting ...... 11 Table 3-1: Screening Assessment Conclusion (JBA, 2014) ...... 13 Table 4-1: Qualifying Interests of River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) ...... 15 Table 4-2: Qualifying Interests of Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) ...... 16 Table 4-3: Conservation Objectives for the Waterbird Special Conservation Interests of Boyne Estuary SPA...... 17 Table 4-4: Conservation Objectives for Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006)...... 18 Table 4-5: Conservation Objectives of Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) (From: NPWS, 2015f) ...... 22 Table 4-6: Attributes for the Qualifying Interests of White Lough, Ben Loughs and Lough Doo SAC (001810) ...... 24 Table 4-7: Qualifying Interests of Boyne Coast And Estuary SAC (001957) ...... 26 Table 4-8: Qualifying Interests of Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120) ...... 27 Table 4-3: Qualifying Interests of Lough Lene SAC (002121)...... 28 Table 4-4: Qualifying Interests of River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) ...... 30 Table 4-5: Potential Annex I Habitats Identified within the Surveyed Areas of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 33 Table 5-1: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via surface water pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) ...... 43 Table 5-2: Potential Sources of Impact via Surface Water Pathways ...... 44 Table 5-3: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via land and air pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) ...... 45 Table 5-4: Potential Sources of Impact via Land and Air Pathways ...... 46 Table 5-5: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 1
Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via groundwater pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) ...... 47 Table 5-6: Potential Sources of Impact via Groundwater Pathways ...... 48 Table 5-7: Impact Assessment - River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) ...... 50 Table 5-8: Impact Assessment - Boyne Estuary SPA (004080)...... 53 Table 5-9: Impact Assessment - Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) ...... 56 Table 5-10: Impact Assessment - Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) ...... 58 Table 5-11: Impact Assessment - Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) ...... 60 Table 5-12: Impact Assessment - White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC (001810) ...... 63 Table 5-13: Impact Assessment - Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957)...... 67 Table 5-14: Impact Assessment - Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120)...... 69 Table 5-15: Impact Assessment - Lough Lene (002121) ...... 72 Table 5-16: Impact Assessment - River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) ...... 74 Table 6-1: Additional Mitigation Measures ...... 80 Table 7-1: Integrity of Site Checklist (from DEHLG, 2009) ...... 82
Abbreviations AA ...... Appropriate Assessment DEHLG ...... Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government EC ...... European Communities EDM ...... Environmental Drainage Maintenance EREP ...... Environmental River Enhancement Programme IFI ...... Inland Fisheries Ireland IROPI ...... Imperative Reason of Overriding Public Interest MAC ...... Maintenance Access Corridor NIS ...... Natura Impact Statement NPWS ...... National Parks and Wildlife Service OPW ...... Office of Public Works SAC ...... Special Area of Conservation SOP ...... Standard Operating Procedure SPA ...... Special Protection Area
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 2
1 Introduction
1.1 Background JBA Consulting has been commissioned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to provide environmental consultancy services in relation to statutory arterial drainage maintenance activities that will take place over the five-year period 2016-2020. This Natura Impact Statement (NIS) provides the results of the assessment conducted for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora). A screening assessment (JBA, 2014) has previously been conducted in line with guidance produced for the OPW in 2014 (Ryan Hanley, 2014a, b and c) for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme. This screening assessment determined that significant adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites are likely within the zone of influence of the proposed arterial drainage maintenance activities.
1.2 Legislative Context The Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) aims to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of habitats and species of community interest across Europe. The requirements of Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive have been transposed into Irish legislation by means of the Habitats Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 / 2011) Under the Directive a network of sites of nature conservation importance have been identified by each Member State as containing specified habitats or species requiring to be maintained or returned to favourable conservation status. In Ireland the network consists of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and also candidate sites, which form the Natura 2000 network. Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive requires that, in relation to European designated sites (i.e. SACs and SPAs that form the Natura 2000 network), "any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives". A competent authority (e.g. Local Authority) can only agree to a plan or project after having determined that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned. Under article 6(4) of the Directive, if adverse impacts are likely, and in the absence of alternative options, a plan or project must nevertheless proceed for imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI), including social or economic reasons, a Member State is required to take all compensatory measures necessary to ensure the overall integrity of the Natura 2000 site. The European Commission have to be informed of any compensatory measures adopted, unless a priority habitat type or species is present and in which case an opinion from the European Commission is required beforehand (unless for human health or public safety reasons, or of benefit to the environment).
1.3 Appropriate Assessment Process Guidance on the Appropriate Assessment (AA) process was produced by the European Commission in 2002, which was subsequently developed into guidance specifically for Ireland by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) (2009). These guidance documents identify a staged approach to conducting an AA, as shown Figure 1-1.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 1
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
Screening for AA AA Alternative Solutions IROPI
Figure 1-1: The Appropriate Assessment Process (from: Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities, DEHLG, 2009)
1.3.1 Stage 1 - Screening for AA The initial, screening stage of the Appropriate Assessment is to determine: a. whether the proposed plan or project is directly connected with or necessary for the management of the European designated site for nature conservation b. if it is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the European designated site, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects For those sites where potential adverse impacts are identified, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, further assessment is necessary to determine if the proposals will have an adverse impact on the integrity of a European designated site, in view of the sites conservation objectives (i.e. the process proceeds to Stage 2).
1.3.2 Stage 2 - AA This stage requires a more in-depth evaluation of the plan or project, and the potential direct and indirect impacts of them on the integrity and interest features of the European designated site(s), alone and in-combination with other plans and projects, taking into account the site's structure, function and conservation objectives. Where required, mitigation or avoidance measures will be suggested. The competent authority can only agree to the plan or project after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site(s) concerned. If this cannot be determined, and where mitigation cannot be achieved, then alternative solutions will need to be considered (i.e. the process proceeds to Stage 3).
1.3.3 Stage 3 - Alternative Solutions Where adverse impacts on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites are identified, and mitigation cannot be satisfactorily implemented, alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the plan or project that avoid adverse impacts need to be considered. If none can be found, the process proceeds to Stage 4.
1.3.4 Stage 4 - IROPI Where adverse impacts of a plan or project on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites are identified and no alternative solutions exist, the plan will only be allowed to progress if imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) can be demonstrated. In this case compensatory measures will be required.
The process only proceeds through each of the four stages for certain plans or projects. For example, for a plan or project, not connected with management of a site, but where no likely significant impacts are identified, the process stops at stage 1. Throughout the process, the precautionary principle must be applied, so that any uncertainties do not result in adverse impacts on a site.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 2
1.4 Methodology This NIS has been prepared with regard to the following documents: DoEHLG (2009 rev 2010) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland Guidance for Planning Authorities. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. European Communities (EC) (2000) Managing Natura 2000 Sites: the provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EEC, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission. EC (2002) 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, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission. EC (2007) Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the 'Habitats Directive' 92/43/EEC – Clarification of the concepts of: alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence, opinion of the commission. European Commission. EC (2007) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. Version EUR 27. European Commission. Fossitt, J., (2000). A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (2008).The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. NPWS (2014).The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Habitats Assessment Volume 2. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. NPWS (2014).The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessment Volume 3. Habitats Assessment Volume 2. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
1.4.1 Ecological Walkover Surveys To further inform the Appropriate Assessment process, the OPW selected a number of channels within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme for assessment through the undertaking of an ecological walkover survey. The selected channels are those located in, or within 100m of, a Natura 2000 site. Section 4.12 of this report summarises the methodology and findings of these surveys. All data has been inputted into a GIS system and provided to OPW to enhance understanding of the baseline environment and inform future works.
1.4.2 Consultation The findings of this assessment will be subject to consultation with the NPWS. This report has been produced on currently available information, with the most up-to-date versions used. Where new, or updated, information becomes available the OPW will consider and review the findings of this assessment, if necessary.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 3
2 Arterial Drainage Maintenance
2.1 Background Between 1945 and 1995, under the Arterial Drainage Act (1945), the OPW completed 34 Arterial Drainage Schemes on river catchments, along with five estuarine embankment schemes (over 11,500km of channel and 730km of embankments). The OPW is statutorily obligated to maintain arterial drainage channels under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act, and since their completion, maintenance of these Arterial Drainage Schemes has been ongoing, with the majority of channels maintained every five years. However, larger channels tend to be only maintained every ten years, on average.
2.2 Drainage Maintenance Activities Arterial Drainage Maintenance includes a range of operations such as silt and vegetation management, mowing and structure maintenance, as detailed in Table 2-1, and listed as channel, embankment or structure maintenance in Table 2-2 below. It is required to retain the arterial drainage scheme design capacity. Table 2-1: OPW Drainage Maintenance Subcategories Drainage Maintenance Subcategories
A Silt and vegetation management B Aquatic vegetation cutting C Bank protection D Bush cutting/Branch trimming E Tree cutting F Mulching G Mowing H Gate installation I Sluice maintenance J Bridge maintenance K Other
Table 2-2: OPW Drainage Maintenance Types Category Maintenance Type Code
Silt and vegetation management A Aquatic vegetation cutting B Bank protection C Channel Maintenance Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Tree cutting E Other K Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Tree cutting E Embankment Mulching F Maintenance Mowing G Gate installation H Sluice maintenance I Bridge maintenance J Structural Maintenance Bank protection C Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Tree cutting E
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 4
The following sections, taken from Ryan Hanley (2014c) and OPW (2014), provide further details on the types and nature of arterial drainage maintenance operations undertaken by the OPW.
2.2.1 Channel Maintenance Activities The majority of drainage maintenance activities are focused on channel maintenance. While the frequency of maintenance on an individual channel may vary, with some channels requiring maintenance annually and others only requiring maintenance every twenty years, the average channel requires maintenance every four to six years. In this regard, approximately 2,000km of channels are maintained annually and nearly all of the 11,500km of channels across Irelands Arterial Drainage Schemes will have been maintained at least once over a period of five years. Channel maintenance is organised on a regional basis, with OPW Arterial Drainage Maintenance Regional Offices in Limerick, Headford, Co. Galway and Trim, Co. Meath. Scheme Design Standards Arterial Drainage Schemes constructed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 were designed to provide an outfall for drainage of agricultural lands, and generally provided protection for a 3-year flood event. Where the creation of an outfall dictated the design bed levels, greater protection than the 3-year flood event was achieved as a consequence. In the case of modern flood relief schemes, flood protection for a 100-year flood event would be the design objective. The original Scheme designs including the outfall datum for each of the Arterial Drainage Schemes are available in the relevant OPW Arterial Drainage Maintenance Regional Office. This includes the mapped Scheme design, and the associated long sections and cross sections. These designs are used to inform channel maintenance. Types of Channel Requiring Maintenance In the years following the construction of a drainage scheme there is a tendency for the channel capacity to be progressively reduced due mainly to the transportation and deposition of bed materials, the accumulation of silt and the growth of in-channel vegetation. The resultant channel maintenance consists of repetitive works of a cyclical nature, to restore the Schemes design levels i.e. outfall datum in order to maintain the channel's designed capacity to convey water. Channels are prioritised for maintenance based on the rate of deterioration and the risk arising. The selection takes account of requests from the general public and potential flooding risk to roads, properties, urban areas and sewage works (OPW, 2011a). Plane Bed to Low Gradient Channels Some 60 – 70% of maintained channels are of gentle longitudinal gradient and subject to relatively rapid deposition of silt, especially those that are subject to prolific growth of in-channel vegetation. The majority of maintenance works are therefore located on smaller lower-lying channels, with 90% of works in channels with a base width of <3m (OPW, 2011a). In such channels silt and in- channel vegetation may cause the low flow level to rise by 50-300mm above the Scheme design level. In such circumstances maintenance is focused on restoring both low-flow and flood-flow water levels to original Scheme design.
Figure 2-1: Examples of Plane Bed to Low Gradient Channels on the River Boyne downstream of Navan (left) and upstream of Trim (Right)
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 5
Medium to High Gradient Channels A smaller proportion of channels are steep and fast flowing and are subject to flash floods, bank erosion and rapid movement of bed gravel. The steeper sections of channel normally require relatively little and infrequent maintenance works (OPW, 2011a) as opposed to channels of low gradient which are subject to rapid accumulation of silt and proliferation of vegetation. These channels will have a greater requirement for bank protection works.
Figure 2-2: Examples of Medium to High Gradient Channels near Crossakeel Periods and Cycles of Maintenance The average channel requires silt and vegetation management every four to six years. However, channels with prolific weed growth may require maintenance annually, particularly where downstream bridges are at risk of being blocked due to a flow of decaying vegetation in autumn. Conversely, some channels may only require in-stream maintenance every twenty years due to the self-cleaning characteristics e.g. high gradient channels. Where the period between previous channel maintenance works has been exceptionally long, dense scrub and woody vegetation can establish along the channel and within the maintenance access corridor. In such circumstances, drainage maintenance works will include the removal of scrub/transitional woodland (code WS1 in the Fossitt Classification, 2000) that has developed along the banksides via bush cutting/branch trimming, tree cutting or mulching. This is undertaken between the 1st September and 28th February to avoid the residential bird nesting season (from the 1st March to 31st August as per the Wildlife Act (1976). In contrast, in-stream works for silt and vegetation management are carried out outside of the salmonid spawning season (May to September) and the times that early life stages of salmonid fish will be present as per Section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act (1959) on channels with salmonid spawning habitat. Any works required during this period are carried out in consultation with IFI. As a result there may be a two stage approach to the works, with silt and in-stream vegetation management carried out during the open season (i.e. summer months), while woody vegetation removal is carried out in the winter months. Other restrictions on works may also apply in relation to the presence/absence of other protected species such as White-clawed Crayfish and Sea, River and Brook Lamprey which will influence the timing of works.
2.2.2 Embankment Maintenance Activities A total of 5 No. Estuarine Embankment Schemes were constructed under the 1945 Act. In Addition a number of the Arterial Drainage Schemes have embanked sections. Embankments are present within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme. Scheme Design Standards As above for the Arterial Drainage Schemes, Estuarine Embankment Schemes constructed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 were designed to provide an outfall for drainage of agricultural lands, and generally provided protection for a 3-year flood event. Where the creation of an outfall dictated the design bed levels, greater protection than the 3-year flood event was achieved as a consequence. In the case of modern flood relief schemes, flood protection for a 100-year flood event would be the design objective.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 6
The original Scheme designs are available in the relevant OPW Arterial Drainage Maintenance Regional Office. This includes the mapped Scheme design, and the associated long sections and cross sections. Types of Embankments Requiring Maintenance All embankments and associated sluice structures (see section 2.2.3) are inspected annually for signs of disrepair. Regular inspections are carried out on sections of embankments, which are known from experience to be at risk, together with additional inspections after a storm surge at sea or a high tidal/flood event. Maintenance of embankments includes removal of vegetation to allow for inspection of the embankment, and in some cases the replacement of existing fencing with gates to allow for future access during maintenance.
2.2.3 Structural Maintenance Activities Structural Design Standards During the construction of the Arterial Drainage Schemes under the 1945 Act, some 18,500 No. accommodation bridges were identified and modified, or replaced as required. These bridges provide farmers owning land on both sides of a channels with farm vehicular and/or foot access from one side to the other. The type of bridge provided depended on the width, depth and required flow capacity of the channel, and ranged from concrete piped culverts to relatively large structures formed on concrete or masonry abutments spanned by structural steel beams, or lattice girders together with concrete or timber decking. During the Estuarine Embankment Schemes under the 1945 Act, existing sluice structures were identified and modified, or replaced as required. Additional sluice structures were constructed as required bringing the total number to approximately 750. The function of these sluice structures is to allow water from the floodplain behind the embankments to discharge to the main river or estuary. Types of Structures Requiring Maintenance In general, as channel maintenance proceeds, the bridges are examined by the supervisory industrial staff and if required, repairs/replacements are scheduled. The type of bridge structures, which are most likely to have fallen into a critical state of disrepair, are those with timber decking supported on steel beams, and those in which abutment foundations are being undercut. There is a standard type of design for the replacement of these structures, which consists essentially of mass concrete abutments with reinforced cast in-situ decking. This type of structure is simple to construct and under normal circumstances, it will last for many years with little or no maintenance. On many occasions, it is not necessary to totally replace a bridge, and repairs such as underpinning the foundation or replacement of wing-walls, parapets or sections of the deck may be all that is required to extend the useful life of the structure. All embankments and associated structures are inspected annually for disrepair. Due to the time elapsed since scheme completion, some of these sluice structures have reached their design life and have started to fail. In this instance, full replacement is required. Typically, this involves the installation of pre-cast headwalls and back walls, and the replacement of existing corrugated galvanised steel pipes with PVC plastic pipes. Sluice doors are the most frequent part of the sluice structure that are required to be repaired or replaced. Repairs to a sluice door consist of replacing the arms/hinges on the existing cast iron door. On occasion, the existing cast iron door would be replaced with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) door. Blockages often occur at the doors of the sluices due to silt build up. These blockages are removed using along reach excavator working from the bank of the channel.
2.2.4 Plant and Machinery The types of machinery typically utilised during maintenance works would include 3600 hydraulic excavators (from 15-20 tonne excavators), mini-diggers, tractors and trailers, tipper lorries, hydraulic shears, hydraulic secateurs, chainsaws, mulchers and mowers; the machinery used is dependent on the maintenance activity being conducted.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 7
The removal of dense in-stream silt and vegetation requires the use of a hydraulic excavator with a 1.5m wide (approximate) bucket (capacity approximate 500ltrs). For standard excavators, works progress at a rate of 700m to 900m per week. In relation to long-reach excavators, works progress at a slower rate of between 200m and 350m per week. Rates may change due to channel width or ground conditions.
2.2.5 Maintenance Access Corridors (MAC) and Working Zone Maintenance sites are generally accessed via the public road and through farmland. A maintenance access corridor is utilised along one side of a channel for maintenance purposes. These established routes are used to track the hydraulic excavators for maintenance and for the disposal of spoil (see section 2.2.7). The same route is generally followed every maintenance cycle. This approach avoids disturbance of habitats on the opposite bank during works. Where grasslands are present within the maintenance access corridor, the impact is predominantly temporary as the grasslands are trampled by machinery and can recolonise following completion of the maintenance activities. Within woodland and scrub habitats a linear path more typical of disturbed vegetation i.e. scrub/transitional woodland (WS1) will be evident along the maintenance access corridor due to regular machine access. In this regard, the disturbance regime associated with the tracking of plant machinery along the maintenance access corridors on the channel bank arrests succession to mature woodland such that scrub/transitional woodland (WS1) dominates. Where mature trees are present these are generally avoided by plant machinery. Structures are generally accessed through farmland from the public road above. Plant machinery will utilise the same maintenance access corridor used for channel maintenance to gain access to the structure. Where individual trees, woodland and scrub habitats are present at the location of the structure, these may be removed to facilitate bridge inspection and works. Where mature trees are present these are generally avoided by plant machinery. The location of drainage maintenance works is generally accessed via public roads and through farmland, with the siting of mobile short-term staff welfare facilities, plant storage and car parking agreed with local landowners. There is no requirement for temporary site lighting. There is a requirement for water supply and disposal of wastewater from the welfare facilities (see section 2.2.7 in relation to waste disposal).
2.2.6 Site Compounds (Welfare Facilities), Access Routes and Haul Roads Haul roads are generally not required to facilitate drainage maintenance activities. Where access is required in soft ground conditions, plant equipment will be brought in on tracks or temporary matting will be laid to provide a corridor for machinery access. Where matting is utilised it will be completely removed post completion of works to allow vegetation to recolonise. All plant and machinery is confined to one defined access route to minimise disturbance. All plant and machinery are regularly maintained and serviced to minimise release of hydrocarbons. All hydraulic excavators and other plant machinery use long life engine oil and biodegradable hydraulic oil. Fuelling and lubrication are conducted a minimum of 50m away from all channels. Spill kits are present in all plant used in maintenance activities. Integrated submersible pumps are also deployed in the event of structural maintenance and the requirement for dewatering of excavations.
2.2.7 Waste Output/Disposal The material removed from a channel during silt and vegetation management is normally spread thinly along the bank or on top of existing spoil heaps where present within the access corridor. All dead wood material is left on site to decompose or is removed off site and utilised as firewood under local landowner agreements. Where mulchers or mowers are deployed, the arisings are left on site to decompose or the mulched material is buried. Construction and demolition waste from structures includes broken concrete and stone. Steel railings are returned to the depot for recycling. Used engine oil and hydraulic oil is disposed of by a licensed waste handler. Toilet facilities are maintained by a licensed waste handler. Any waste generated on site is returned to the depot for segregation and disposal by a licensed waste handler.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 8
2.2.8 Working Hours All maintenance activities are undertaken during daylight hours. Standard working hours are 8.00am to 4.30pm, with lunch and tea breaks, Monday to Friday. There is no requirement for temporary site lighting to facilitate works. Machines are powered down when not in use.
2.2.9 Environmental Training Environmental training of all staff involved in drainage maintenance is an ongoing process. Technical and Operational Staff have completed formal training in Environmental Drainage Maintenance (EDM) in 2004. This training course was revised and expanded under the OPW’s Environmental River Enhancement Programme (EREP) and was delivered to all staff in 2010. The training programme delivered included presentations in river corridor ecology, the Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance Notes (Ten Steps to Environmentally Friendly Maintenance), maintenance strategies involving both ‘enhanced maintenance’ and ‘capital enhancement’, and OPW’s Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (see section 2.2.11 for more details). Both sets of training were developed and delivered by IFI. The formal approach to EDM Training is complimented with on-site training. Regular site visits from IFI and OPW’s Environment Section provide further guidance and advice to operational staff. Auditing of operational staff on the implementation of the Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance Notes (Ten Steps to Environmentally Friendly Maintenance) is also carried out by both IFI and OPW’s Environment Section. In addition, other environmental training takes place as deemed beneficial, e.g. in 2008, the majority of the technical and operational staff were trained in Otter Awareness. This course, provided by the Department of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, included presentations on Otter ecology, and on-site identification of Otter signs and suitable habitat.
2.2.10 Environmental Audits A portion of operational crews are audited annually by the OPW Environment Section and IFI for the implementation of the Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance Notes (Ten Steps to Environmentally Friendly Maintenance) and the OPW’s Environmental Management Protocol and SOPs. Auditing is carried out separately by both IFI and OPW Environment Section on a rotational basis to ensure all operational crews are audited at least once every three years. All audit results are forwarded to the relevant Engineer for that Scheme within two working weeks. In the event of an audit showing elements of unreasonable non-compliance with procedures, the relevant Engineer will be notified within one working day. Audit results are also forwarded to OPW Systems Manager for inclusion in monthly regional benchmarking reports.
2.2.11 Environmental Management Protocol and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) The OPW’s Environmental Management Protocols set out how regional management staff manage a range of environmental aspects, including programming of works to accommodate certain environmental windows or restrictions on timing of works, and recording of data. A total of 7 No. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are applied during operational works. These SOPs set out actions designed to eliminate, or substantially reduce likely impacts to identified species and their associated habitats. These include: Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance Notes (10 Steps to Environmentally Friendly Maintenance) Lamprey SOP Crayfish SOP Otter SOP Mussel SOP Invasive Species SOP Zebra Mussel SOP Appendix A contains the OPWs Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (OPW, 2011b). This document can also be downloaded from http://www.opw.ie/en/media/OPW%20Environmental%20Management%20Protocols%20&%20S OPs%20April%202011.pdf.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 9
2.3 The Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme The Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme is located predominantly in County Meath. It includes 2175.1km of watercourse and 0.76km of embankment. Appendix B contains detailed maps of the watercourses in the scheme in relation to the Natura 2000 sites within the area. Figure 2-3 shows all channels within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme and the channels which have been surveyed. Maintenance is not planned for all channels. Figure 2-3: Map of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme
2.4 Drainage Maintenance Works Proposed for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme Within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme the exact location and type of required maintenance activity varies over time. The screening assessment (JBA, 2014) was conducted on the assumption that all channels will be maintained during the 5-year period 2015-2019. This NIS is based on the maintenance activity classifications used by the OPW, listed below. During the period 2016 to 2020 the maintenance activities proposed for the watercourses in the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme, are: Channel Maintenance; A - Silt and vegetation management C - Bank protection D - Bush cutting/branch trimming E - Tree cutting Embankment Maintenance; G - Mowing
No instream works are proposed to be carried out downstream of Navan on channel C1 in the period 2016-2020. Mowing (activity G) is the only embankment maintenance activity proposed in the period 2016- 2020 and will be carried out on all embankments in the Boyne scheme. 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 10
Bank protection (activity C) is proposed for one 30m on channel C1/21/9, south of Athboy, Co. Meath. As specific details of the bank protection works are not currently available for this assessment, they are not included. Aquatic vegetation cutting (activity B) is not currently proposed for watercourses in the Boyne scheme in the period 2016-2020. It is proposed that silt and vegetation management and bush cutting/branch trimming are undertaken on the majority of watercourses, with tree cutting only proposed for the following channels: Table 2-3: Channels subject to tree cutting
C1 (Trim to B26) C1/30 C1/36/38 C1/64 C1/8/29 C1/12 C1/30/1 C1/37 C1/64/1 C1/8/3 C1/15 C1/32 C1/37/10 C1/64/1/11 C1/8/30 C1/16 C1/32/28 C1/37/35 C1/8 C1/8/31 C1/21 C1/32/34 C1/37/4 C1/8/20 C1/21/9 C1/36 C1/37/7/3 C1/8/25 C1/23 C1/36/10 C1/37/7/3/1 C1/8/26 C1/27 C1/36/19 C1/46 C1/8/27 C1/29 C1/36/26 C1/49/7 C1/8/28
The spreadsheets in Appendix C provide the channel number and the corresponding maintenance type code of the drainage maintenance activities proposed, as provided by the OPW, for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme for the period 2016 to 2020.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 11
3 Screening Assessment Results
3.1 Introduction An Appropriate Assessment screening assessment, addressing Stage 1 of the process, has already been completed for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme (JBA Consulting, 2014). This identified that likely significant effects on Natura 2000 may occur as a result of the proposed maintenance activities and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is necessary. The Stage 1 Screening Assessment was conducted in line with guidance produced for the OPW in 2014 (Ryan Hanley, 2014a, b and c). This methodology is based on source > pathway > receptor chain principles and involves assessing likely significant effects on Natura 2000 sites within the zone of influence of the proposed drainage maintenance in relation to three pathways: 1. Surface water 2. Land & air 3. Groundwater The screening assessment involved assessing the impacts of drainage maintenance operations within the arterial drainage scheme, and its zone of influence, in relation to each of the three pathways individually. Conclusions were then drawn to identify which channels and embankments within a scheme could impact upon Natura 2000 sites.
3.1.1 Surface Water Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) maintenance activities on a number of watercourses (see Appendix D) were identified as potentially resulting in significant adverse impacts on Natura 2000 sites via surface water pathways. Specifically, the Natura 2000 sites that may be adversely impacted upon are: River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) White Lough, Ben Loughs And Lough Doo SAC (001810) Boyne Coast And Estuary SAC (001957) Lough Bane And Lough Glass SAC (002120) River Boyne And River Blackwater SAC (002299)
3.1.2 Land and Air Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) maintenance activities on a number of watercourses (see Appendix D) were identified as potentially resulting in significant adverse impacts on Natura 2000 sites via land and air pathways. Specifically, the Natura 2000 sites that may be adversely impacted upon are: River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) White Lough, Ben Loughs And Lough Doo SAC (001810) Boyne Coast And Estuary SAC (001957) Lough Bane And Lough Glass SAC (002120) Lough Lene SAC (002121) River Boyne And River Blackwater SAC (002299)
3.1.3 Groundwater Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) maintenance activities on a number of watercourses (see Appendix D) were identified as potentially resulting in significant adverse impacts on Natura 2000 sites via groundwater pathways. Specifically, the Natura 2000 sites that may be adversely impacted upon are: 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 12
River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) White Lough, Ben Loughs And Lough Doo SAC (001810) Boyne Coast And Estuary SAC (001957) Lough Lene SAC (002121) River Boyne And River Blackwater SAC (002299)
3.2 Screening Assessment Conclusions The Screening Assessment (JBA, 2014) identified that the sites detailed in Table 3-1 were likely to be significantly affected by drainage maintenance operations undertaken within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme. These screening conclusions are based on the assumption that all drainage maintenance activities are to be undertaken on all watercourses, embankments and structures during the life of the plan (2016-2020). Table 3-1: Screening Assessment Conclusion (JBA, 2014)
Pathway of Impact Site Surface Land Ground Comment Water and Air water The Kingfisher population within this River Boyne and SPA may be affected by drainage River Blackwater maintenance activities via all pathways SPA (004232) due to disturbance within the SPA and potential impact on supporting habitats. The special conservation interests within the SPA have the potential to be impacted upon by drainage Boyne Estuary maintenance activities through SPA (004080) disturbance within the SPA, and impacts on supporting habitats via all three pathways The active raised bogs, degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration and depressions on peat substrates of Mount Hevey Bog the Rhynchosporion all have potential to SAC (002342) be affected within the SAC as a result of land and air pathways and groundwater pathways from drainage maintenance activities. The active raised bogs and degraded raised bogs still capable of natural Killyconny Bog regeneration have potential to be (Cloghbally) SAC affected within the SAC as a result of (000006) land and air, and Groundwater pathways from drainage maintenance activities. The active raised bogs, degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration and depressions on peat substrates of Raheenmore Bog the Rhynchosporion all have potential to SAC (000582) be affected within the SAC as a result of land and air pathways and groundwater pathways from drainage maintenance activities.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 13
The hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. and White Lough, Ben White-clawed Crayfish populations have Loughs And the potential to be affected within the Lough Doo SAC SAC as a result of surface water, land (001810) and air and groundwater pathways associated with drainage maintenance works. This site is designated for range of qualifying interests, which will be impacted upon via different pathways Boyne Coast And depending on whether it is surface water Estuary SAC or groundwater dependent. The majority (001957) of Annex I habitats within the site will be impacted upon by land and air pathways associated with drainage maintenance works. The hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. and Lough Bane And White-clawed Crayfish populations have Lough Glass SAC potential to be affected within the SAC (002120) as a result of surface water and land and air pathways associated with drainage maintenance works. The hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. have potential to be affected within the SAC as a result of land and air, and groundwater pathways associated with Lough Lene SAC drainage maintenance works. As White- (002121) clawed Crayfish are no longer present within this site they will not be adversely impacted upon; however, should populations be re-introduced during the life of this assessment, this conclusion will need to be re-assessed. All qualifying interests within this site may be impacted upon via surface water and land and air pathways. Drainage River Boyne And maintenance will only impact upon River Blackwater alkaline fens and alluvial forest habitats SAC (002299) by groundwater pathways as these are the only groundwater dependent habitats within the site. Note: Red = likely significant effect Green = no likely significant effect
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 14
4 Natura 2000 sites within the Zone of Influence of Drainage Maintenance Activities
4.1 Introduction This chapter provides baseline information on the Natura 2000 sites within the Zone of Influence of the drainage maintenance activities (i.e. that screened into the assessment as detailed in Table 3-1). A short description of the site is provided, along with details of the qualifying interest/special conservation interests, conservation objectives, the attributes used to define favourable conservation status and site vulnerabilities. However, site specific conservation objectives have not yet been developed for the qualifying interest/special conservation interests of River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA, Mount Hevey Bog SAC, Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC, White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC, Lough Band and Lough Glass SAC, Lough lene SAC, and the River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. Consequently, where possible attributes have been taken from similar or nearby sites where the same qualifying interest interests are present, and these are assumed to be appropriate for these four sites. Appendix B contains maps of all channels and embankments within the Boyne Arterial Drainage scheme, those which are identified for walkover habitat survey and Natura 2000 sites.
4.2 River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) The River Boyne and the River Blackwater SPA is a long and linear site made up of the River Boyne and several of its tributaries. Most of the site is located in County Meath, however, it also extends over County Cavan, Louth, and Westmeath. The site includes the river channel and marginal vegetation. The site is an SAC under the E.U Birds Directive of special conservation interest for the following species: Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, a species that is listed on Annex I of the E.U Birds Directive. The site lays on Carboniferous limestone but Silurian quarzite also occurs in the vicinity of Kells and Carboniferous shale and sandstone close to Trim. A survey conducted in 2010 recorded 19 pairs of King Fishers in the River Boyne and Blackwater SPA. Other species that occur in the site include: Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos , Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea , Common Moorehen Gallinula chloropus, Snipe Gallinago gallinago, and Sand Martin Riparia riparia (NPWS, 2015).
4.2.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-1: Qualifying Interests of River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232)
Code Qualifying Interests A229 King Fisher Alcedo atthis
4.2.2 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) is to maintain and restore the favourable conservation of the bird species listed as Special Conservation Interest for this SPA (Refer to Table 4-1). The River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004332) and River Nore SPA (004233) are the only two Natura 2000 sites that have Kingfisher listed as a feature of interest. Neither SPA have conservation objectives set for this species. Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: Its natural range, and area 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.Table 4-1 The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 15
The natural range of 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.
4.3 Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) The Boyne Estuary SPA is a relatively large coastal area, located below the town of Drogheda. It is made up of majority of the Boyne River Estuary. It is a large catchment with a width of 500m for most of the river, except a few stretches over 1 km. There are intertidal flats that occur along the sides of the channelled river. The sediments range from fine muds in sheltered areas to sandy muds or sands towards the river mouth. One or more species of Eelgrass Zostera spp occur in the estuary. Salt marshes fringe the intertidal area, dominated by Sea purslane Halimione portulacoides, but also contain Common Saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia maritima, Sea Plantain Plantago maritima, Lax-flowered Sea- Lavander Limonium humile , Glasswort Salicornia spp and Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica. The Boyne Estuary is the second most important estuary for wintering birds on the Louth-Meath coastline. It has ten species with populations of natural importance, these include: Shelduck (218), Oystercatcher (1,099), Golden Plover (6,070), Grey Plover (98), Lapwing (4,657), Knot (1,771), Sanderling (69), Black-tailed Godwit (471), Redshank (583), and Turnstone (175) (all the numbers are average peaks from 1995-2000). The site also support 7% of the population of Knot and 4% of the Golden Plover. The estuary also supports species such as the Bar-tailed Godwit, Cormorant, Brent Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Dunlin, Curlew, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, and Mute Swan; it provides an area for feeding and high-tide roosts areas for these birds. Large number of gulls are attracted to the Boyne Estuary in the winter time, including Black- headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull. There have been many human disturbances caused to the estuary such as river dredging to accommodate cargo ships and factories operating upstream, which has resulted in disturbance and pollution. There are currently no significant shooting pressures, since the site is now recognised as a Wildfowl Sanctuary and regulatory measure have been implemented. The site is of considerable ornithological importance for wintering fowl, of particular significance Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit are listed in Annex I of the E.U Birds Directive. Little Tern, which last bred successfully in 1996, is also listed in Annex I of the E.U Birds Directive. It is important to note that the Boyne Estuary overlaps with Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC and River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. The conservations objectives should be used in conjunction with those for the overlapping SACs, as appropriate.
4.3.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-2: Qualifying Interests of Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Code Qualifying Interests A048 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Waterbird populations Oystercatcher Haematopus A130 Waterbird populations ostralegus A140 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Waterbird populations A141 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Waterbird populations A142 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Waterbird populations A156 Knot Calidris canutus Waterbird populations A162 Redshank Tringa totanus Waterbird populations A169 Turnstone Arenaria interpres Waterbird populations A195 Little Tern Sterna albifrons Breeding Waterbird populations and their A999 Wetland and Waterbirds habitat
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 16
4.3.2 Conservation Objective
The objectives for the species and habitats of interest in this SPA have been summarised in Table 4-3 below: Table 4-3: Conservation Objectives for the Waterbird Special Conservation Interests of Boyne Estuary SPA12. Objective 1: To maintain the favourable conservation condition of the waterbird Special Conservation Interest species listed for Boyne Estuary SPA, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Parameter Attribute Measure Target Notes Population Population trend Percentage change as The long term population trend Waterbird population trends per population trend should be stable or increasing are presented in Part Four of assessment using the Conservation Objectives waterbird count data Supporting Documents collected through the (NPWS, 2012) . Irish Wetland Bird Survey and other surveys. Range Distribution Range, timing or There should be no significant Waterbird distribution from intensity of use of areas decrease in the range, timing the 2011/12 waterbird survey used by waterbirds, as or intensity of use of areas by programme is reviewed in determined by regular the waterbird species of Part Five the Conservation low tide and other Special Conservation Interest Objectives Supporting waterbird surveys. other than that occurring from Documents (NPWS, 2012. natural patterns of variation. Objective 2: To maintain the favourable conservation condition of the wetland habitat at Boyne Estuary SPA as a resource for the regularly-occurring migratory waterbirds that utilise it. This is defined by the following attributes and targets: Parameter Attribute Measure Target Notes Area Wetland habitat Area (ha) The permanent area occupied The wetland habitat area was by the wetland habitat should estimated as 594 ha using be stable and not significantly OSI data and relevant less than the area of 594 ha, orthophotographs. other than that occurring from natural patterns of variation.
For designated breeding bird populations of Little Tern the following conservation objective detail is provided in the Conservation Objectives:
To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Little Tern in Boyne Estuary SPA, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attribute Measure Target Notes Measure based on standard tern survey methods (see Walsh et al., 1995). Mitchell et al. (2004) Breeding provides summary population information for population Louth. abundance Number No significant decline The Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) also apparently provides background data (JNCC, 2013). In 2010, occupied nests 43 breeding pairs were recorded at this colony (AONs) (Reilly, 2010).
Measure based on standard tern survey methods Productive rate: (See Walsh et al., 1995). For 2010, an estimated Fledge young per Mean number No significant decline productivity rate of 2.2 fledged birds per breeding breeding pair pair was reported (Reilly, 2010).
Little tern nest in well-camouflaged shallow scapes Number; Distribution: on sand and shingle beaches, spits or inshore location; area No significant decline Breeding Colonies islets (Mitchell et al,.2004). For a description of the (hectares) area used by colony, see Reilley (2010).
Key prey items: Mainly small, often juvenile, fish; Prey biomass invertebrates, especially crustaceans and insects. Kg No significant decline available Key habitats: Very shallow water, advancing or receding tidelines, brackish lagoons and saltmarsh
1 NPWS Conservation Objectives Supporting Document VERSION 1 2012 2 NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Boyne Estuary SPA 004080. Version 1. 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 17
To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Little Tern in Boyne Estuary SPA, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: creeks, sand-banks close to the coast. Foraging range: Max 11km, mean max 6.94km, mean 4.14km (BirdLife International Seabird Database (BirdlifeInternational, 2013)) Seabird species can make extensive use of the Number; marine waters adjacent to their breeding colonies. Barriers to location; No significant increase Foraging range: Max 11km, mean max connectivity shape; area 6.94km,mean 4.14km (BirdLife International (hectares) Seabird Database (Birdlife International, 2013))
Human activities should Little tern nest in well-camouflaged shallow occur at levels that do not Disturbance at the scrapes on sand and shingle beaches, spits or Level of impact adversely affect the breeding site inshore islets breeding little tern (Mitchell et al., 2004) population
4.4 Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) Killyconny Bog is a raised bog located approximately half wat between Virginia and Kells on the Cavan/Meath border and some 8 km from each. It is underlain by Lower Palaeozoic shales and consists of two small basins which have coalesced over a low drumlin ridge. There are a few raised bogs in the north-east region and Killyconny Bog seems to be one of the best developed. Though some marginal drainage and cutting has taken place, the central part of the bog is relatively intact. The site is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) selected for the following habitats and/or species listed on Annex I/II of the E.U Habitats Directive (*=priority; numbers in brackets are Natura 2000 codes, refer to Error! Reference source not found.). [7110] Raised Bog (Active)* [7120] Degraded Raised Bog Active raised bog are areas of high bog that are wet and actively peat-forming, where the percentage cover of bog mosses (Sphagnum spp) is high, and where some or all of the following features occur: hummocks, pools, wet flats, Sphagnum lawns, flushes, and soaks. Degraded raised bog corresponds to those area of high bog whose hydrology has been adversely impacted by peat cutting, drainage and other land use activities, but which are capable of regeneration. The bog is very wet and there are many areas of pool and hummock formation. The pools support the bog moss Sphagnun cuspidatum, and a good growth of algae in summer. Wet areas about the pools support other Sphagnun mosses such as S.magellanicum, while S.papillosum, S.fuscum, S.capillifolium, and Hypnum cupressiforme are important components of hummocks. A range of vascular plants typical of raised bogs are also present cottongrasses, heathers, Bog Asphodel and White Beak-sedge. Also occurring on the site is Bog-rosemary which is found almost exclusively on raised bogs. Since the surface of the bog is homogenous some higher areas with dense tussocks of Hare's tail cotton grass are found, these provide Hares with shelter. Bird species found on the bog include Meadow Pipit and Curlew, and sometimes Kestrel and Long-eared Owl, which hunt over it for prey items such as beetles, Pygmy Shrew, and Common Frog.
4.4.1 Conservation Objective Table 4-4: Conservation Objectives for Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006). Active raised bogs (7110) To restore the favourable conservation condition of Active raised bogs in Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attribute Measure Target Notes Restore area of active Active Raised Bog (ARB) habitat was raised bog to 13.2ha, mapped at 3.9ha. For further Habitat area Hectares subject to natural information see conservation processes objectives in NPWS (2015h). Restore the distribution ARB habitat at Killyconny comprises and variability of active central and subcentral ecotopes. Habitat distribution Occurrence raised bog across the Both lobes of the bog contain ARB SAC. with central ecotope recorded on 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 18
only the southern lobe. DRB occurs on both parts of the bog, which will require restoration measures. There is also potential for ARB restoration on cutover areas of the bog. No decline in extent of high bog necessary to The area of high bog within High bog area Hectares support the development Killyconny Bog in 2011 was 82.7ha and maintenance of (NPWS, 2015h) active raised bog. For ARB, mean water level needs to be near or above the surface of the Restore appropriate bog lawns for most of the year. Hydrological regime: Centimetres water levels throughout Seasonal fluctuations should not water levels the site exceed 20cm, and should only be 10cm below the surface, except for very short periods of time ARB depends on mean water levels being near or above the surface of bog lawns for most of the year. Long Restore, where possible, and gentle slopes are the most Hydrological regime: flow Flow direction; appropriate high bog favourable to achieve these patterns slope topography, flow conditions. Changes to flow directions and slopes. directions due to subsidence of bogs can radically change water regimes and cause drying out of high quality ARB areas and soak systems. Studies undertaken have shown that deep drainage marginal drains associated with arterial drainage works and turf cutting along the Restore adequate entire bog margin have caused Transitional areas transitional areas to significant alteration of hydrology between high bog and Hectares; support/protect active across the bog. On the west-north- adjacent mineral soils distribution raised bog and the western side and small areas on the (including cutover areas) services it provides southern edge, mineral springs feeding the lagg zone still survive. Eco-hydrological assessments have evaluated the potential for ARB restoration on cutover areas. At least 50% of ARB habitat should Restore 6.6ha of central Vegetation quality: central be central ecotope/active ecotope/active ecotope, active flush, Hectares flush/soaks/bog woodland. Target flush/soaks/bog soaks, bog woodland area of active raised bog for the SAC woodland as appropriate has been set at 13.2ha Restore adequate cover Vegetation quality: Good quality microtopography of high quality microtopographical Hectares (hummocks and hollows) is well microtopographical features developed on Killyconny Bog features Sphagnum cover varies naturally across Ireland with relatively high Maintain and restore cover in the east to lower cover in the Vegetation quality: bog adequate cover of bog west. Hummock forming species moss (Sphagnum) Percentage cover moss (Sphagnum) such as Sphagnum austinii are species species to ensure peat- particularly good peat formers. forming capacity Sphagnum cover and distribution also varies naturally across a site Typical flora species include Restore, where widespread species, as well as those Typical ARB species: flora Occurrence appropriate, typical with more restricted distributions but active raised bog flora typical of the habitat's subtypes or geographical range Typical fauna species include Restore, where widespread species, as well as those Typical ARB species: Occurrence appropriate, typical with more restricted distributions but fauna active raised bog fauna typical of the habitat's subtypes or geographical range No features of particular local distinctiveness have been noted from Maintain features of local Elements of local the site. Bird species of conservation Occurrence distinctiveness, subject distinctiveness concern including curlew (Numenius to natural processes arquata) have been recorded in the past Negative physical Negative physical indicators include: Negative physical Percentage cover features absent or bare peat, algae dominated pools indicators insignificant and hollows, marginal cracks, tear 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 19
patterns, subsidence features such as dry mineral mounds /ridges emerging or expanding, and evidence of burning Native negative indicator species that suggest drying out include abundant bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), deergrass (Trichophorum germanicum) and harestail cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) forming tussocks; abundant magellanic bog-moss Vegetation composition: Native negative indicator (Sphagnum magellanicum) in pools native negative indicator Percentage cover species at insignificant previously dominated by Sphagnum species levels species typical of very wet conditions (e.g. feathery bog-moss (S. cuspidatum)). Indicators of frequent burning eventsinclude abundant Cladonia floerkeana and high cover of carnation sedge (Carex panicea) (particularly in true midlands raised bogs). Non-native species are not a major Non-native invasive issue on Killyconny Bog. Although a Vegetation composition: species at insignificant few individual pine trees are present, nonnative invasive Percentage cover levels and not more than they do not appear to have spread in species 1% cover recent years (Fernandez et al., 2014). Air quality surrounding Change in air quality can result from bog close to natural fertiliser drift; adjacent quarry Air quality: nitrogen reference conditions. activities; or other atmospheric kg N/ha/year deposition The total N deposition inputs. For further information see should not exceed 5kg conservation objectives in NPWS N/ha/yr (2015h). Water chemistry within raised bogs is influenced by atmospheric inputs Water quality on the high (rainwater). Water chemistry in areas Hydrochemical bog and in transitional surrounding the high bog varies due Water quality measures areas close to natural to influences of different water types reference conditions (bog water, regional groundwater, and run-off from surrounding mineral lands)
The long-term aim for Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration (7120) is that its peat-forming capability is re-established; therefore, the conservation objective for this habitat is inherently linked to that of Active raised bogs (7110) and a separate conservation objective has not been set in Killyconny Bog SAC (NPWS, 2015h).
4.5 Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) Mount Hevey Bog SAC is approximately 4km north-east of Kinnegad, in the townlands of Cloncrave, White Island, Aghamore, Kilwarden, and Kilnagalliagh. The Meath-Westmeath County boundary runs through the centre of the bog and the site is made up of high bog and cutover bog. The SAC is selected for the following habitats and/or species listed on Annex I/II of the E.U Habitat Directive (*=priority; numbers in brackets are Natura 2000 codes). [7110] Raised Bog (Active)* [7120] Degraded Raised Bog [7150] Rhynchosporion Vegetation Active raised bog is made up of high bogs that are wet and actively peat forming, where the percentage cover of bog mosses (Sphagnum spp) is high and where the following features occur: hummocks, pools, wet flats, sphagnum lawns, flushes and soaks. Degraded raised bog relates to those areas of high bog whose hydrology has been adversely affected by peat cutting, drainage, and other land use activities, but which are capable of regeneration.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 20
The Rhyncosporion habitat happen in wet depression, pool edges and erosion channels, where the vegetation includes White Beak-sedge (Rhynchospora alba) and/or Brown Beak-sedge (R.fusca), and at least some of the following associated species, Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), sundews (Drosera spp), Deergrass (Scirpus cespitosus) and Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea). The Mount Hevey Bog SAC is separated into four sub-sections: the larger eastern section supports a wet quacking area with hummock/hallows and pool complex, which also occur in the south-west lobe and the north-west lobe of the SAC. There is an abandoned cutover bog, especially around the western section. The southern margins are made up of predominantly wet and actively regenerating areas. The high bog vegetation consists of Heather, Bog Asphodel, White Beak-sedge, and midland indicator species Bog-rosemary and the bog moss. The wet quacking area in the eastern section of the bog has pools that support the bog moss with White Beak-sedge, cottongrasses and Heather at the edges. The hummock/hollow complex supports a range of hummock-forming bog mosses, including Sphgnum imbricatum and S.papillosum. Other plants found in the hummock/hollow complexes are Bog-rosemary, cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix), Bog Asphodel and Deergrass. The lake is wet and quaking and the vegetation is dominated by Purple Moor-grass (Molina caerulea), Bog-myrtle (Myrica gale) and Downy Birch (Betula pubescens). Damaging activities associated with land uses in the SAC include drainage throughout the site and burning of high bog. These activities have resulted in a loss of habitat and damage to hydrological status of the site, and pose a threat to its viability.
4.5.1 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitats (s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected (Refer to 4-4 above). Conservation objectives and their associated attributes have been set for Active Raised Bog (7110) and Degraded Raised Bog (7120), but no conservation objectives are available from other Natura 2000 sites for qualifying interest 7150. Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: Its natural range, and area 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.
The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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.
4.6 Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) The SAC selected for the following habitats and/or species listed on Annex I/II of the E.U Habitat Directive (*=priority; numbers in brackets are Natura 2000 codes). [7110] Raised Bog (Active)* [7120] Degraded Raised Bog [7150] Rhynchosporion Vegetation The raised bog developed in a small basin in the catchment of two major river systems i.e the Brosna and the Boyne. It is situated about 5km from the Daingean in Co.Offlay. The peat is very deep, up to 15m in places. The bog has a well-developed hummock and hollow system.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 21
Raheenmore Bog contains a relatively large wet central core of active raised bog. The hummocks are often colonised by the bog mosses (S.imbricatum and S.fuscum). Pool are present and it is in pool edges and wet lawns that Rhynchosporion habitat is best developed. These are typically dominated by bog moss S.cuspidatum. The associated vascular plant flora is species-poor with Bogbean, White Beak-sedge, Bog Asohodel, Common Cottongrass, and Great Sundew being the main species. Degraded raised bog dominates the marginal areas of the uncut high big where drainage effects are most pronounced. The vegetation of these areas are made up of predominately plant species typical of intact raised bog, though the vegetation tends to be less species rich than intact areas and the cover of Sphagnum is usually below 25%. The typical dominant species in degraded areas include heather (Calluna vulgaris), Bog Asphodel, Cottongrasses (Eriophorum spp.), Deergrass, Cross-leaved Heath (Erica Tetralix) and Carnation Sedge. The high bog is surrounded by cutover bog. Some sections of old cutover have narrow strips of Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) woodland developing. Much of the rest of the cutover is narrow wet grassland, rich rushes (Juncus spp) and Purple Moor-grass (Molina caerulea). Common Valerian (Valeriana offcianalis), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) can also be found in fields at the bog margins. The Raheenmore Bog is within the breeding territory of a pair of Merlin, a scarce species in Ireland and one that is listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. Other typical bogland birds which are present and breed in the site are Reel Grouse and Snipe. Red Grouse has declines in Ireland in recent years and are now listed in a Red-listed species. The structure of the bog has been damaged primarily due to drainage. This has resulted from peat- cutting along the margins of the bog, which has led to the lowering of the water table within the adjoining, intact high bog area. However, there is great potential for recovery since National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) own much of the site and an extensive programme of drain blocking has been implemented. Although parts of the bog has suffered from burning in the past, most of the SAC is unaffected.
4.6.1 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species of importance for the SAC, the table below (Table 4-5) displays the habitats and species. Conservation Objectives have only been set for Active raised bogs (7110) and Degraded Raised Bogs (7120). No conservation objectives are available from other Natura 2000 sites for qualifying interest Rhynchosporion Vegetation (7150).
Table 4-5: Conservation Objectives of Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582) (From: NPWS, 2015f) Active raised bogs (7110) To restore the favourable conservation condition of Active raised bogs in Raheenmore Bog SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attribute Measure Target Notes Restore area of active Active Raised Bog (ARB) habitat was raised bog to 70.0ha, mapped at 52.3ha. For further Habitat area Hectares subject to natural information see conservation processes objectives in NPWS (2015f). ARB currently occurs in the central Restore the distribution part of Raheenmore bog. DRB and variability of active occurs surrounding this active area raised bog across the Habitat distribution Occurrence of the bog, which will require SAC. See map 3 for restoration measures. There is also distribution in 2011 potential for ARB restoration on (NPWS, 2015f) cutover areas of the bog. No decline in extent of high bog necessary to The area of high bog within support the development High bog area Hectares Raheenmore Bog SAC in 2012 and maintenance of (latest figure available) was 130.5ha active raised bog. See map 2 (NPWS, 2015f). Restore appropriate water levels Hydrological Hydrological regime: throughout the site For ARB, mean regime: water Centimetres water levels water level needs to be near or levels above the surface of the bog lawns
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 22
for most of the year. Seasonal fluctuations should not exceed 20cm, and should only be 10cm below the surface, except for very short periods of time ARB depends on mean water levels being near or above the surface of Restore, where possible, bog lawns for most of the year. Long appropriate high bog and gentle slopes are the most Hydrological regime: flow Flow direction; topography, flow favourable to achieve these patterns slope directions and slopes. conditions. Changes to flow See map 4 for current directions due to subsidence of bogs situation (NPWS, 2015f) can radically change water regimes and cause drying out of high quality ARB areas and soak systems Studies undertaken have shown that deep drainage marginal drains associated with arterial drainage works and turf cutting along the Restore adequate entire bog margin have caused Transitional areas transitional areas to significant alteration of hydrology between high bog and Hectares; support/protect active across the bog. On the west-north- adjacent mineral soils distribution raised bog and the western side and small areas on the (including cutover areas) services it provides southern edge, mineral springs feeding the lagg zone still survive. Eco-hydrological assessments have evaluated the potential for ARB restoration on cutover areas. At least 50% of ARB habitat should Restore 35.0ha of Vegetation quality: central be central ecotope/active central ecotope/active ecotope, active flush, Hectares flush/soaks/bog woodland. Target flush/soaks/bog soaks, bog woodland area of active raised bog for the site woodland as appropriate has been set at 70.0ha Restore adequate cover Vegetation quality: Hummock and hollow of high quality microtopographical Hectares microtopography is well developed in microtopographical features the central part of Raheenmore Bog features Sphagnum cover varies naturally across Ireland with relatively high Restore adequate cover cover in the east to lower cover in the Vegetation quality: bog of bog moss west. Hummock forming species moss (Sphagnum) Percentage cover (Sphagnum) species to such as Sphagnum austinii are species ensure peatforming particularly good peat formers. capacity Sphagnum cover and distribution also varies naturally across a site Typical flora species include Restore, where widespread species, as well as those Typical ARB species: flora Occurrence appropriate, typical with more restricted distributions but active raised bog flora typical of the habitat's subtypes or geographical range Typical fauna species include Restore, where widespread species, as well as those Typical ARB species: Occurrence appropriate, typical with more restricted distributions but fauna active raised bog fauna typical of the habitat's subtypes or geographical range Raheenmore Bog is a good example of a small intact basin bog with deep Maintain features of local Elements of local peat (excess of 15m). Small relict Occurrence distinctiveness, subject distinctiveness areas of poor fen or lagg vegetation to natural processes have been identified on the margins of the bog Negative physical indicators include: bare peat, algae dominated pools Negative physical and hollows, marginal cracks, tear Negative physical Percentage cover features absent or patterns, subsidence features such indicators insignificant as dry mineral mounds /ridges emerging or expanding, and evidence of burning Disturbance indicators include Vegetation composition: Native negative indicator species indicative of conditions native negative indicator Percentage cover species at insignificant drying out. For further information species levels see conservation objectives in NPWS (2015f). Vegetation composition: Non-native invasive Most common non-native invasive nonnative invasive Percentage cover species at insignificant species include lodgepole pine species levels and not more than (Pinus contorta), rhododendron 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 23
1% cover (Rhododendron ponticum), and pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea). There are no records of nonnative invasive species occurring on this bog Air quality surrounding Change in air quality can result from bog close to natural fertiliser drift; adjacent quarry Air quality: nitrogen reference conditions. activities; or other atmospheric kg N/ha/year deposition The total N deposition inputs. For further information see should not exceed 5kg conservation objectives in NPWS N/ha/yr (2015f). Water chemistry within raised bogs is influenced by atmospheric inputs (rainwater). However, within soak systems, water chemistry is Water quality on the high influenced by other inputs such as Hydrochemical bog and in transitional focused flow or interaction with Water quality measures areas close to natural underlying substrates. Water reference conditions chemistry in areas surrounding the high bog varies due to influences of different water types (bog water, regional groundwater, and run-off from surrounding mineral lands)
The long-term aim for Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration (7120) is that its peat-forming capability is re-established; therefore, the conservation objective for this habitat is inherently linked to that of Active raised bogs (7110) and a separate conservation objective has not been set in Raheenmore Bog SAC (NPWS, 2015f).
4.7 White Lough, Ben Loughs and Lough Doo SAC (001810) The SAC selected for the following habitats and/or species listed on Annex I/II of the E.U Habitat Directive (*=priority; numbers in brackets are Natura 2000 codes). [1092] White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes [3140] Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. This SAC is made up of four hard water lakes in a small, poorly drained valley, 4km east of Castleport, Co.Westmeath. There is a contrast of features between Lough Doo and the other loughs. Although they are in close proximity and are connected by a ditch, Lough Doo has a very limited aquatic and marginal flora while all the rest are colonised by a wide, dense fringe of Great Fen-sedge (Cladium mariscus) swamp. The bottom of Lough Doo is covered by a large mat of stonewort species (Chara spp), with a few sparse stands of Common Reed (Phragmites australis). The calcium rich environment has deposited marl on the lake bed and over the stoneworts themselves. The presence of stoneworts in such abundance is significant as many of these species are threatened by loss of habitat or by pollution. Areas of wet woodland dominated by willows (Salix spp) fringe some of the lakes, and elsewhere wet grassland and freshwater marsh occur. The presence of heath is an indicator of acidification and peat formation.
4.7.1 Conservation Objectives Table 4-6 details the attributes of the qualifying interests for the SAC. Although there are currently only generic conservation objectives for this SAC, the attributes assist in examining potential impacts on the qualifying features. Table 4-6: Attributes for the Qualifying Interests of White Lough, Ben Loughs and Lough Doo SAC (001810) Qualifying Code Attributes Interests
Hard oligo-mesotrophic - Habitat area 3140 waters with benthic - Habitat distribution vegetation of Chara spp. - Typical species 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 24
Qualifying Code Attributes Interests
- Vegetation composition: characteristic zonation - Vegetation distribution: maximum depth - Hydrological regime: water level fluctuations - Lake substratum quality - Water quality: transparency - Water quality: nutrients - Water quality: phytoplankton biomass - Water quality: phytoplankton composition - Water quality: attached algal biomass - Water quality: macrophyte status - Acidification status - Water colour - Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) - Turbidity - Fringing habitat: area
From: Slyne Head Peninsula SAC 002074 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2015c) - Distribution - Population structure: recruitment White-clawed - Negative indicator species Crayfish - Disease 1092 - Water quality (Austropotamobius - Habitat quality: heterogeneity pallipes) From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012)
The Conservation Objective for White Lough, Ben Loughs and Lough Doo SAC (001810) is: to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected, listed on the table above (Table 4-7) Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: its natural range, and area 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. The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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.
4.8 Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957) This SAC is a coastal site which includes most of the tidal section of the River Boyne, intertidal sand and mudflats, saltmarshes, marginal grassland, and the stretch of coast from Bettystown to Termonfeckin that includes the Mornington and Baltray sand dune systems. The Boyne River channel, which is navigable and dredged is defined by training walls. Intertidal flats occur on the side of the channelled river. The sediments vary from fine muds in the sheltered areas to sandy muds or sands towards the river mouth. The intertidal flats are mostly composed of sand. One or more species of eelgrass (Zostera spp) occur in the estuary. Part of the intertidal areas are fringes by saltmarshes, most of which are of the Atlantic type, and are dominated by Sea-purslane (Halimione portulacoides). Other species present include Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Lax-flowered Sea-lavander (Limonium humile) and glasssworts (Salicornia spp). Common Cord grass (Spartina anglica) occurs frequently on the flats and saltmarshes. Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus) occurs at the upper end of the salt-marsh, representing the Mediterranean saltmarsh type.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 25
The Boyne is the second most important estuary for wintering birds on the LouthMeath coastline. It is known that this site supports nationally numbers of Shelduck ( 176 individuals), Golden Plover (5,338), Lapwing (4,755), Knot (1,559), Black-Tailed Godwit (414), Redshank (539), Turnstone (104), Oystercatcher (922), Grey Plover (112), and Sanderling (93). Other species of regional or local importance include Brent Goose (142), Wigeon (485), Teal (185), Mallard (160), Dunlin (627), Curlew (352) and Ringed Plover (100). An area of shingle at Baltray Dunes is also an important breeding site for Little Tern. Part of the estuary is a Wildfowl Sanctuary and has been designated a Special Protection Area under the E.U. Bird Directive. The site has been modified by humans, through dredging to accommodate cargo ships, which has caused disturbances to the bird, fish, and invertebrate communities in the estuary.
4.8.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-7: Qualifying Interests of Boyne Coast And Estuary SAC (001957)
Code Qualifying Interests 1130 Estuaries 1140 Tidal Mudflats and Sandflats 1310 Salicornia Mud 1330 Atlantic Salt Meadows 1410 Mediterranean Salt Meadows 2110 Embryonic Shifting Dunes 2120 Marram Dunes (White Dunes) 2130 Fixed Dunes (Grey Dunes)
4.8.2 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957) is the maintenance of habitats and species within Natura 2000 sites at favourable conservation condition will contribute to the overall maintenance of favourable conservation status of those habitats and species at a national level (refer to Table 4- for species of qualifying interest in SAC). Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: its natural range, and area 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. The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved when: population dynamics data on the species concerned indicate that it is maintaining itself on a longterm 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.
4.9 Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120) The site is located on the Meath/Westmeath border, about 10km south of Oldcastle. It is made up of three lakes situated in a shallow valley. Lough Bane is by far the largest of the group, with the much smaller Lough Glass occurring immediately to east and Lough Glass North to the north- west. The lakes occur at the headwaters of the River Deel, with the main outflow located at the south-east of Lough Bane. The outflow in not excessive and it is partly grown with vegetation. The connection between Lough Glass and Lough Bane has now been severed and the flow from Lough Glass is diverted to the southwest, Lough Bane is a good example of a hard water marl lake with well-developed stonewort (Chara spp) communities. Sampling of aquatic flora has shown the presence of at least four species of 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 26
Charophyte. The shoreline of the lakes has a fringe of wetland vegetation, mostly Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Common Club Rush (Scripus lacustris), but also some Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) and Bottle Sedge (Scirpus lacustris). The swamp vegetation is particularly well developed, as well as, fen vegetation being present. Species include meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Devils'-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis), Meadow Thistle (Cirsium dissectum), Marsh Bedstaw (Galium palustre) and Grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia palustris). Mixed woodland occurs along parts of the south and north shores. Species present include Beech (Fagus sylvatica), oak (Quercus sp.), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Scotspine (Pinus sylvestris), and European Larch (Larix decidua). In some areas, Hazel becomes dominant, along with shrubby species such as Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Dry grassland (mostly unimproved) is found in a few areas, species include: Primrose (Primila vulgaris), Fairly Flax (Linum catharticum), Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and the grasses Briza media and Cynosurus cristatus. Lough Bane has Brown Trout and it is an important angling lake. There was an important population of White-clawed Cray-fish in the lake, but it has disappeared since the 1980s. They lakes and surrounding wetlands also support a variety of avifauna, including Little Grebe, Cormorant, Lapwing, Curlew, and Snipe.
4.9.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-8: Qualifying Interests of Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120) Qualifying Code Attributes Interests
- Habitat area - Habitat distribution - Typical species - Vegetation composition: characteristic zonation - Vegetation distribution: maximum depth - Hydrological regime: water level fluctuations - Lake substratum quality - Water quality: transparency - Water quality: nutrients Hard oligo-mesotrophic - Water quality: phytoplankton biomass 3140 waters with benthic - Water quality: phytoplankton composition vegetation of Chara spp. - Water quality: attached algal biomass - Water quality: macrophyte status - Acidification status - Water colour - Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) - Turbidity - Fringing habitat: area
From: Slyne Head Peninsula SAC 002074 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2015c) - Distribution - Population structure: recruitment White-clawed - Negative indicator species Crayfish - Disease 1092 - Water quality (Austropotamobius - Habitat quality: heterogeneity pallipes) From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012)
4.9.2 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected (See Table 4-8 above). Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: its natural range, and area 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
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 27
the conservation status of its typical species is favourable The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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.
4.10 Lough Lene SAC (002121) The lake is situated 4km north-east if Castlepollard in Co.Westmeath. It is a deep (20m maximum depth), clear, hard-water lake with marl deposition (especially noticeable on margins). Lough Lene support a range of pondweed (potamogeton perfoliatus and P.Lucens), Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis), and a variety of stonewort such as C.pedunculate and C.curta which are marl or hard water lake indicators. There is a stony edge along most of the lake which sustains species such as spike rush, Jointed Rush, Shoreweed, Redshank, Marsh Pennywort, and sedges are found. A narrow fringe of emergent plant species dominated by Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Common Club-rush (Scirpus lacustris ) occurs along some area of the lakeshore. Patches of wet woodland colonise former area of cut-away bog and other low-lying areas close to the lake and are dominated by willows (Salix spp), birch (Betula sp) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa), with patches of Common Reed also occurring. These areas of support a rich ground flora. Freshwater marsh/ fen vegetation, with species such as Purple Moor-grass (Molinea caerulea), Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata), Black Bog-Rush (Schoenus nigricans) and Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) occur in some areas by the lake. One of the area is appropriate for a rare population of Round-leaved wintergreen. Lough Lene has a notable population of White-Clayed Crayfish, a species that is listed on Annex II of the E.U Habitats Directive, but this species disappeared from the site in 1987. Bird species the site include Mute Swan, Teal, Pochard, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Water Rail, Mallard, Golden Eye, Cormorant and Wigeon. Areas nearby are also used by Snipe, Lapwing, and Curlew. The Lake edge is accessible to grazing cattle and the surrounding fields have been heavily improved. If the lake becomes artificially enriched with nutrients, the stoneworts may begin to be displaced by primary producers by phytoplankton or vascular plants. Unpolluted hard-water lakes are becoming very rare.
4.10.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-3: Qualifying Interests of Lough Lene SAC (002121) Qualifying Code Attributes Interests
- Habitat area - Habitat distribution - Typical species - Vegetation composition: characteristic zonation - Vegetation distribution: maximum depth - Hydrological regime: water level fluctuations - Lake substratum quality - Water quality: transparency Hard oligo-mesotrophic - Water quality: nutrients 3140 waters with benthic - Water quality: phytoplankton biomass vegetation of Chara spp. - Water quality: phytoplankton composition - Water quality: attached algal biomass - Water quality: macrophyte status - Acidification status - Water colour - Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) - Turbidity - Fringing habitat: area
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 28
From: Slyne Head Peninsula SAC 002074 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2015c) - Distribution - Population structure: recruitment White-clawed - Negative indicator species Crayfish - Disease 1092 - Water quality (Austropotamobius - Habitat quality: heterogeneity pallipes) From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012)
4.10.2 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective for Lough Lene SAC (002121) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected (See Table 4-3 above) Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: its natural range, and area 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.
The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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.
4.11 River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) The River Boyne area comprises of freshwater element of the River Boyne as far as the Boyne Aqueduct, the Blackwater as far as Lough Ramor and the Boyne tributaries including the Deel, Stoneyford, and Tremblestown Rivers. These riverine stretches drain considerable area of Meath and Westmeath, and smaller areas of Cavan and Louth. The geology below is Carboniferous Limestone for the most part. The main areas of alkaline fen in this site are concentrated in the vicinity of Lough Shesk, Freehan Lough, and Newtown Lough. The hummocky nature of the local terrain produces frequent springs and seepages which are rich in lime. A series of base-rich marshes have developed in the poorly- drained hollows, generally linked with these three lakes. Open water is usually fringed by Common Reed, Common Club Rush, Common Reed, and Great Fen-sedge. There is also aquatic/terrestrial floating vegetation mostly composed of Bogbean and Marsh Cinquefoil. Species tolerant to low nutrient status e.g bog mosses gradually become established. Diversity is high in the fen with a range of flora species which include Narrow-leaved Marsh orchid, Fen Bedstraw, Cowbane, Frogbit, and Bur-reed. The presence of stoneworts is characteristic of calcareous wetlands. The rare plant Round-leaved Wintergreen occurs around Newton Lough. This species is listed in the Red Data Book and its only appearance in Co.Meath is on this site. Wet Woodland is present along the River Boyne. The Boyne River Island are a small chain of three Island located west of Drogheda, they were formed as a result of alluvial sediment in this part of the river. The Islands are covered by dense thickets of wet, willow woodland (Salix spp) woodland. A small area of Alder (Anus glutinosa) woodland is found on the soft ground at the edge of the canal. Other stretches of the river are dominated by willow scrub and pockets of wet woodland dominated by Alder have become established. Freshwater Marshland has become dominant along the river edge with the following plant species occurring in the area: Yellow Iris, Creeping bent, Canary Reed-grass, Marsh Bedstraw, among other species. The secondary habitat associated with the marsh is wet grassland and species 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 29
such as Tall Fescue, Silverweed, Creeping Buttercup, Meadowsweet, and Meadow Veltching. Along much of the Boyne and along tributary stretches there are areas of mature deciduous woodland. Other habitats present along the Boyne and Black Water SAC include low land dry grassland, improved grassland, reed swamp, weedy waste ground, scrub, hedge, drainage ditch and canal. The river Boyne and its tributaries are one of Ireland's best game fisheries, since it offers a wide range of angling, from fishing for spring salmon, grilse, seatrout, and brown trout fishing. Atlantic Salmon uses the tributaries and headwaters as spawning grounds The Blackwater is a medium sized limestone river which is still recovering from the effects of the arterial drainage scheme of the 1970s. Salmon stock has not recovered to pre-drainage numbers. The site is important for the population of two species listed on Annex II of the E.U Habitats Directive: the River Lamprey and the Otter. The SAC support other fauna listed in the Irish Red Data Book include: Pine Marten, Badger, Common Frog and Irish Hare. Whooper Swans winter regularly at several locations along the Boyne and Blackwater Rivers, the birds use a range of feeding sites, however, the roosting sites are not well known. The population is substantial, probably in the low hundreds. Intensive agriculture is the main land-use along the SAC, where most of the fields are large and improved. Silage harvesting is common, where spreading slurry and fertiliser pose a serious threat to the water quality of the river and lake. Sheep grazing is also carried out in some areas. Fishing is in important tourist attraction on the Boyne and Blackwater, where there area various angler associations. Some areas of the river have been sectioned off to promote the salmonid enhancement program. Parts of the river that were dredged had severe implications for the salmonid habitat, therefore dredging is only allowed where the gradient is low.
4.11.1 Qualifying Interests Table 4-4: Qualifying Interests of River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) Qualifying Code Attributes Interests
- Habitat area - Habitat distribution - Ecosystem function: soil nutrients - Community diversity - Vegetation composition: number of positive indicator species (brown mosses) - Vegetation composition: number of positive indicator species (vascular plants) - Vegetation composition: cover of positive indicator species - Vegetation composition: negative indicator species 7230 Alkaline fens - Vegetation composition: nonnative species - Vegetation composition: native trees and scrub - Vegetation composition: soft rush and common reed - Vegetation structure: height - Physical structure: disturbed bare ground - Physical structure: drainage - Physical structure: tufa formations - Indicators of local distinctiveness
From: Connemara Bog Complex SAC 002034 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2015g) - Habitat area - Habitat distribution - Woodland size - Woodland structure: cover and height - Woodland structure: community diversity and extent *Alluvial forests with - Woodland structure: natural regeneration Alnus glutinosa and - Hydrological regime: flooding depth/height of water table Fraxinus excelsior - Woodland structure: dead wood 91E0 (Alno‐Padion, Alnion - Woodland structure: veteran trees incanae, Salicion - Woodland structure: indicators of local disctinctiveness albae) - Vegetation composition: native tree cover - Vegetation composition: typical species - Vegetation composition: negative indicator species
From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012) 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 30
-Distribution -Population structure of juveniles River -Juvenile density in fine sediment -Extent and distribution of spawning habitat 1099 Lamprey Lampetra -Availability of juvenile habitat fluviatilis From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012) -Distribution: extent of anadromy -Adult spawning fish -Salmon fry abundance Atlantic -Out‐migrating smolt abundance 1106 -Number and distribution of redds Salmon Salmo salar -Water quality
From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012) - Distribution - Extent of terrestrial habitat - Extent of marine habitat - Extent of freshwater (river) habitat - Extent of freshwater (lake) habitat 1355 Otter Lutra lutra - Couching sites and holts - Fish biomass available - Barriers to connectivity
From: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170 Conservation Objectives (NPWS, 2012)
4.11.2 Conservation Objective The Conservation Objective SPA for River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected (See Table 4-4 above). Favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved when: its natural range, and area 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.
The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved 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.
4.12 Description of the receiving environment - Ecological Walkover Survey Results
4.12.1 Introduction To further inform the Appropriate Assessment process, the OPW selected a number of channels within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme for assessment through the undertaking of an ecological walkover survey. The selected channels are those located in, or within 100m of, a Natura 2000 site. This section summarises the methodology and findings of these surveys. All data collected on site has been inputted into a GIS system and provided to OPW to enhance understanding of the baseline environment and inform future works.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 31
4.12.2 Methodology Ecological Survey methods were in general accordance with those outlined in the following documents; Heritage Council (2010). Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping. [Pre- Publication Version]. Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology (Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), 1990, revised 2003). Ecological Surveying Techniques for Protected Flora and Fauna during the Planning of National Road Schemes (NRA, 2009). The ecological surveys were undertaken during the months of August and September 2015 by JBA ecologists Anne Murray and Niamh Sweeney and ecological sub-contractors Trituris Environmental Services and INIS Environmental Consultants. The ecological walkover survey consisted of: Mapping and recording of habitats along the channels/embankments in accordance with the Fossitt Guidelines (2010). As part of the habitat mapping, the location and extent of all Annex I habitats was also noted and mapped. Any other habitat features that contributed to habitat diversity, including any spoil heaps, small wetland areas or linear features with high species-richness, but that were not sufficient to warrant a separate classification as part of the habitat mapping exercise, were identified and noted. The location of any areas of floating river vegetation were recorded, with notes made on abundance and species composition. Recording the presence of any non-native invasive species. Recording the presence and location of all Annexed species, species protected under the Wildlife Acts and Flora Protection Order, and any other notable floral or faunal species. Specifically, this included: Recording of evidence of Otters (e.g. spraints, holts, couches, feeding remains, footprints) Recording of evidence of Badger activity (e.g. setts, latrines, footprints, runs, feeding signs or hairs) All bird activity observed during the survey was recorded, including species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI). The locations of Kingfisher nests, Sand Martin nesting cliffs, or eroded sections of vertical bank providing suitable nest sites was also noted and mapped. Habitats where rare or protected animal or plant species are present, or where the habitats are suitable to support these species were also recorded.
The results of all of the above surveys have been compiled into a GIS geodatabase, which includes three layers: Habitats classified according to the Fossitt Guidelines. Areas of Annex I habitats and other notable habitat areas not sufficient to warrant classification under the Fossitt system. The location of any species information (i.e. evidence of protected species, stands of non- native invasive species). A geo-referenced photographic record has also been compiled during the ecological survey, which consists of: Habitats present along the surveyed watercourses and embankments (where habitat type is continuous along a channel, a minimum of one photograph for each kilometre stretch of channel corridor was taken). Notable areas, such as ecologically valuable habitats and other ecological sensitivities. Bridges encountered during the survey work.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 32
4.12.3 Survey Limitations Much of the Boyne system contains tree-lined watercourses which restricted access and visibility to some sections of certain watercourses. Furthermore, in the downstream sections along the Boyne estuary, the channel is exceptionally wide which resulted in surveys from one bank not being able to adequately assess both banks, consequently, where necessary both banks were assessed, if possible.
4.12.4 Results Habitats A sample of the habitat data collected during the field survey work is provided in Annex I Habitat Mapping As part of the habitat mapping process, those habitats considered to represent habitat types listed on Annex I of the Habitats Directive were also noted. Information on those habitat areas that have been identified as representing Annex I habitats is detailed within the provided GIS shapefiles, however, a summary of the Annex I habitats found and their location is detailed below. Table 4-5: Potential Annex I Habitats Identified within the Surveyed Areas of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme
Description (From: Equivalent Annex I Habitat Location Found in NPWS, 2014 and JNCC, Fossitt Type the Boyne Scheme 2014) Habitats Channel C1, C1/36, C1/37
Watercourse of plain to East of Slane Area, montane levels with the Donore. Ranunculion fluitantis and
Callitricho-Batrachion Prominent along vegetaion. woodlands and
grasslands. Rivers with floating
vegetation often dominated They were found in by water crawfoot. long stretches along
the channel. Patch of Ranunculus
penicillatus, Potamogeton Fast flowing stream perfoliatus, Potamogeton of a very good crispus & Potamogeton salmonid and other directly upstream of crayfish value, weir FW1- PondWeed and suffering from Eroding/upland Water Starwort nutrient enrichment, Dense growth of of floating rivers (3260) abundant vegetation,Pondweed, Sparganium Waterstarwort, water emersum with very parsnip. small amounts
instream. The unstable rocky channel
of eroding/upland rivers Lowland depositing usually support little watercourse with vegetation cover. Typical Yellow Water Lilly, species include Fontanalis watercrowfoots antipyretica, (Ranunculus penicillatus, Ranunculus R.aquatilis). Alternate penicillatus, water-milfoil ( Myriophyllum Potamogeton alterniflorum) and the perfoliatus, aquatic form of Bulbous Potamogeton crispus Rush (Juncus Bulbosus). & Potamogeton other directly upstream of weir Alluvial Forests Alluvial forest with Alnus WN4- Wet Channels: with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus pedunculate C1, C1/14, C1/37/22, glutosa and excelsior (Alno-Padion, oak-ash C1/37, C1/8 Fraxinus Alnion incanae, Salicion woodland
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 33
excelsior (91E0) albae). Woodland stretch WN5-Riparian along channel and Alder Woodland on Woodland within flood plain. Floodplain. An area susceptible Wet-peduculate oak-ash to flooding, which woodland (WN4) is had adapted to this. associated in areas that are flooded or waterlogged in In close proximity to winter but dry out in the Delvin Town. summer time. It commonly occurs in alluvial areas that They tend to be experience periodical smaller (area) in flooding. Predominately relation to other dominated by Pedunculate woodland areas. Oak (Quercus robur) and/or Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), There is oak, willow, other components include hazel, hawthorn, and hazel (Corylus avellana), ivy. hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), holly (Ilex aquifolium), and willow (Salix spp). Meadowsweet (Filipendula excelsior), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Enchanter's nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Ivy (Hedera helix) , Bramble (Rubus oppositifolium), Remote Sedge, Golden- saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium) and Ramsons (Allium ursinum).
WN5- Riparian woodland Wet woodlands of river margins (gallery woodland) and low islands that are frequently flooded or where water level fluctuates as a result of tidal movement.
The most dominant species are willows, Alder, Nettle, Creeping Buttercup, Wood Dock, Meadowsweet, Wild Angelica, Hemlock Water- dropwort and Hedge Bindweed. Hard water springs depositing lime
A light layer of tufa was formed on the ground leaf litter (in the woods).
Petryfying This spring may be Channel: C1/8 FP1- springs with associated with shallow Calcareous tufa formations peaty or skeletal mineral These were most springs (cratoneurion) soils. common north west
(7220) of Navan. There may be some precipitation of marl, or tufa formation.
They are typically dominated by mosses and by Cratoneuron spp in 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 34
particular Bryum pseudotriquetrum is also common. Another component of vegetation includes grasses, sedges, common butterwort, and marsh horsetail. This category includes watercourses or sections where fine sediments are deposited on the river bed. These rivers vary in size but are usually larger and deeper. These rivers have eroded banks and meander along floodplains. Most have been modified to some extent to control water flow, facilitate navigation, and Channel: C1/37 prevent flooding and Rivers with erosion. It occurred south of muddy banks Raharney. with Vegetation may include FW2- Chenopodion floating and submerged depositing / Species found in the rubri p.p. and aquatics with fringing lowland Rivers area include: Bidention p.p grasses or tall herbs in the Phragmites and Bur- vegetation shallow water or Reed. (3270). overgrowing on the banks. Floating aquatic vegetation include: water lily (Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba), pondweeds (Potamogeton spp), water-starworts (Callitriche spp), Unbranched Bur Reed( Sparganium emersum), and Yellow Iris (Iris pseudocorus).
Lowland hay-meadow or Dry meadows are rarely Channel: C1/64/25, fertilised or grazed. Best C1/44/11/1, represented on grassy C1/44/11, roadside verges, on the XC1/44/11, C1/37, margins of tilled fields, on C1/32, C1/8 railway embankments, among other areas. They Species rich are composed of tall, grassland around. coarse, and tussocky Wild Angelica, May grasses such as Cock's foot weed, meadow Low-land hay (Dactylis glomerata), sweep,Dock,Nettle meadows ( Yorkshire Fog (holcus Alopecurus GS2-Dry lanatus), Smooth Meadow knapweed, dockleaf, pratensis, Meadows and Grass (Poa prantensis), cats-ew, mayweed, Sanguisorba Grassy verges Meadow Foxtail dandeloin officinallis) (Alopecurus pratensis). The (6510) broadleaved herb various grasses, components is clover, plantain, characterised by range of buttercup species that either grow tall such as Cow Parsley cateaw, various (Anthriscus sylvestris), thistles, yarrow, Hogweed (Herbacleum pignut, vetch, sphondylium), Goat's beard knapweed, (Tragopogon prantensis), mayweed, red clover, Nettle (Uritica dioica) and ox-eye daisy. Common Knapweed 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 35
(centaurea nigra), Bush Clover, plantain, Vetch (Vicia sepium) and vetch, knapweed, Meadow Vetchling grasses, (Lathyrus pratensis). Grassy Verges may also support other smaller broadleaved herbs such as Pignut (Conopodium majus), Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla Reptans) and clovers (trifolium spp). Molina Meadows on chalk and clay (Eu- Molinion)
Purple Moor Grass Meadows.
This type of grassland can be found on flat or sloping ground in both upland and Molina lowland areas. It generally Meadows on occurs on wet or calcareous, GS4-Wet waterlogged mineral or peaty or clayey- Grassland organic soils that are Silt-laden-soils poorly-drained, or in some (Molinion cases, subjected to caeruleae)(6410) seasonal or periodic flooding.
The wet grassland is mainly composed of clay-rich gleys and loams or organic soils that are wet but not waterlogged.
Floating River Vegetation The Annex I habitat of watercourses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation [3260] under the Habitats Directive is very broad, especially when the presence of aquatic mosses is considered; using this broad definition the 'Floating River Vegetation' habitat type will be found in most watercourses in Ireland (OPW, 2007). They are typically watercourses characterised by the abundance of water-crowfoots Ranunculus spp., subgenus Batrachium (i.e. Ranunculus fluitans, R. penicillatus ssp. penicillatus, R. penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans, and R. peltatus and its hybrids), which form floating mats. However, there is no satisfactory definition of this habitat type and its sub-types and its distribution in Ireland. It can occur over a wide range of physical conditions from acid, oligotrophic, flashy upland streams dominated by bryophytes to more eutrophic, slow flowing streams dominated by Ranunculus and water-starwort Callitriche species. The Ranunculus species can be associated with a wide assemblage of other aquatic plants, such as Water-cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, Water starworts Callitriche spp., water-parsnips Sium latifolium and Berula erecta, water-milfoils Myriophyllum spp. and Water Forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides. In some rivers, the cover of these species may exceed that of Ranunculus species (OPW, 2007). Other associated species with this habitat type can include Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris, pondweed species Potamogeton spp. and the moss Fontinalis antipyretica. Opposite-leaved Pondweed Groelandia densa may also be present, with Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus potentially present as part of the bank flora (OPW, 2007). Floating river vegetation was recorded in a small number of short stretches of watercourses during the ecological surveys along channels Channel C1, C1/36, C1/37 of the Boyne system. This included a few sections on the downstream and very upstream parts of the River Boyne, north of Navan, Trim, upstream of Athoy, Kells, and Raharney. The areas where this habitat type was recorded are detailed in the GIS database, along with the species present and an assessment of their abundance.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 36
Lengths of watercourse that, whilst not directly matching the description of Floating River Vegetation above, are considered to represent good quality riverine habitat are also detailed in the GIS database. Although these lengths do not contain the characteristic species of the Annex I habitat of 'Floating River Vegetation', the floristic composition is diverse. Non-native Invasive Species A number of non-native invasive species were recorded during the survey (Figure 4-1), including: Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera - several records reported upstream of Drogheda. Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica - several records of stands recorded within the surveyed area, in particular along the River Boyne downstream of Kells and Navan, and also downstream of Athboy. Additional data on the location of Invasive species was supplied by NPWS and is detailed in Appenidx E. This include Japanese Knotweed locations in the vicinity of Navan town, Kilcarn Bridge and Athlumney, and Himalayan Balsam in the areas surrounding Blackcastle (Navan) and Oldbridge (Slane), and Giant Hogweed at Glenmore House. Correspondence from the Development Actions Unit to the OPW, dated June 14th 2016, detailed the location of Himalayan Balsam at Kilcarn Bridge, Navan. Himalayan Balsam is reported to have spread within an area downstream of the Bridge that was previously cleared by the OPW.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 37
Figure 4-1. Invasive Species: Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 38
Natura 2000 features of interest A number of species that are Natura 2000 qualifying features of interest, specific to the Natura 2000 sites relevant for this assessment, were recorded during the survey including; Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Otter Lutra lutra Salmonids
Figure 4-2: Otter spraint on rocks on upstream of Kells (left) and the otter footprints near Rathmore (right). Otter activity signs recorded during the ecologically walkover surveys typically consisted of otter spraints, slides, footprints and feeding remains (Figure 4-2). Otter feeding remains were noted in the form of crayfish remains on the riverbank. Otter holts were recorded at numerous locations throughout the catchment (Figure 4-3) with otter sightings recorded upstream of Trim and Raharney. There was a sighting of a mother and two cubs just upstream of Batterstown. Several banks where Kingfisher nesting activity was present were also recorded throughout the surveyed area (Figure 4-4). There were various sightings of Kingfishers either perched on a tree, or flying along the river upstream of Trim. The distinct kingfisher call was also heard by surveyors upstream of Navan. A Kingfisher nest site is also located at Curley Hole, Oldbridge, Slane (NPWS, 2016 pers comm) and is detailed in Appendix E. Excellent salmonid habitat was recorded upstream of Trim towards Navan, upstream of Navan towards Kells and along the main C1 channel of the River Boyne upstream of Drogheda.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 39
Figure 4-3. Otter activity, physical resting places, and sightings.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 40
Figure 4-4. Kingfisher activity, physical resting places, and sightings. 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 41
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 42
5 Appropriate Assessment
5.1 Introduction The following chapter assesses the proposed drainage maintenance activities on those channels screened into the assessment (see section 0) in relation to the Natura 2000 sites detailed in Section 0.
5.2 Identification of Potential Sources of Impact This section further examines the source > pathway > receptor chains that could potentially result in adverse impacts arising on the screened in Natura 2000 sites in the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme; primarily informed by Ryan Hanley (2014c). Table 5-1 details which of the possible pathways of impact (i.e. surface water, land and air, or groundwater) have been identified as potentially affecting the screened in Natura 2000 sites. The table in Appendix D details which of the channels within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme are those which could potentially impact upon the identified Natura 2000 sites and are consequently screened into the assessment; all other channels, embankments and structures within the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme have been screened out of the assessment.
5.2.1 Potential Sources of Impact via Surface Water Pathways Six Natura 2000 sites were identified as potentially being impacted upon via surface water pathways; River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA, Boyne Estuary SPA, White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC, Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC, Lough Bann and Lough Glass SAC, and River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. However, in the screening report Ryan Hanley (2014) identifies that not all qualifying interests/ special conservation interests will be at risk from surface water pathways, as identified in the Table 5-1 below. Table 5-1: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via surface water pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Natura 2000 Site (Site Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Surface Water Pathways River Boyne and River Kingfisher Alcedo atthis [A229] Blackwater SPA (004232) Turnstone Arenaria interpres [A169] Sanderling Calidris alba [A144] Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [A048] Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140] Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142]
Estuaries [1130] Boyne coast and Estuary SAC Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] (001957) Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand [1310] Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. [3140] White Lough, Ben Lough and White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes [1092] Lough Doo SAC (001810)
Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. [3140] Lough Bane and Lough Glass White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes [1092] SAC (002120)
Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp Lough Lene SAC (002121) [3140]
River Boyne and River River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis [1099] Blackwater SAC (002299) Salmon Salmo salar [1106] 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 43
Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Natura 2000 Site (Site Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Surface Water Pathways Otter Lutra lutra [1355] Alkaline fens [7230] Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno‐Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) [91E0]
The following sources of impact are identified as potentially impacting upon the above Natura 2000 sites through surface water pathways: Release of suspended solids - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting, and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can impact on surface water dependent habitats indirectly through increased turbidity, which can reduce photosynthesis levels. This can then impact upon aquatic species such as lamprey, Salmon or crayfish. It can also indirectly impact upon species, such as Otter, by impacting upon food sources or hunting ability, for example through reduced water clarity and photosynthesis. Reduced water clarity and reduced photosynthesis can also affect aquatic invertebrate diversity (i.e. the food source of the fish and crayfish). Release or changes in nutrient levels/ pollutants - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming, and also through spillages or leaks of contaminative material. It can impact on surface water dependent habitats indirectly through causing eutrophication and reducing water quality. It can also impact indirectly on species, such as crayfish, lamprey and Salmon, for example through reduced water clarity from eutrophication causing algal growth, or reduced water quality. This could then impact on Otter by impacting upon food sources (i.e. fish/crayfish as prey) or hunting ability from lower water clarity. Changes in water levels/channel morphology - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can occur from maintenance activities that deepen and wide the channel back to the original design level. This can impact on surface water dependent habitats indirectly through increased capacity and flow in the channel leading to hydrological impacts. It can also impact Salmon, crayfish and Otter populations through causing a loss of suitable habitat and impacting upon food chains. Table 5-2: Potential Sources of Impact via Surface Water Pathways
Potential Sources of Impact Vulnerable Natura 2000 Site Applicable OPW Channels
River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232)
Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Release of suspended solids White Lough, Bens Lough and Release or changes in nutrient Lough Doo SAC (001957) See Appendix D for those levels/ pollutants Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC channels screened into the (001957) assessment in relation to Changes in water Lough Bane and Lough Glass specific SACs and SPAs levels/channel morphology SAC (002120)
Lough Lene (002121)
River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299)
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 44
5.2.2 Potential Sources of Impact via Land and Air Pathways Nine Natura 2000 sites were identified as potentially being impacted upon via land and air pathways; River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA, Boyne Estuary SPA, Mount Hevey Bog SAC, Killyconny Bog SAC, Raheenmore Bog SAC, White Lough Ben's Lough and Lough Doo SAC, Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC, Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC, and River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. However, in the screening report Ryan Hanley (2014) identifies that not all qualifying interests/ special conservation interests will be at risk from land and air pathways, as identified in the Table 5-3 below. Table 5-3: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via land and air pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Natura 2000 Site (Site Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Land and Air Pathways River Boyne and River Kingfisher Alcedo atthis [A229] Blackwater SPA (004232) Turnstone Arenaria interpres [A169] Sanderling Calidris alba [A144] Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [A048] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140] Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142] Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus [A130] Little Tern Sterna albifrons [A195] Wetlands & Waterbirds [A999]
Active raised bogs [7110] Mount Hevey Bog SAC Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] (002342) Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion [7150]
Active raised bogs [7110] Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] SAC (000006)
Active raised bogs [7110] Raheenmore Bog SACC Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] (000582) Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion [7150]
Estuaries [1130] Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand [1310] Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330] Boyne coast and Estuary SAC Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410] (001957) Embryonic shifting dunes [2110] Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) [2120] Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes) [2130]
White Lough, Ben Lough and White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes [1092] Lough Doo SAC (001810) Lough Bane and Lough Glass White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes [1092] SAC (002120) River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis [1099] Salmon Salmo salar [1106] Otter Lutra lutra [1355] River Boyne and River Alkaline fens [7230] Blackwater SAC (002299) Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno‐Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) [91E0]
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 45
The following sources of impact are identified as potentially impacting upon the above Natura 2000 sites through land and air pathways: Physical disturbance of habitats (and loss of wood vegetation cover) - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can impact on habitats (terrestrial, surface water dependent and groundwater dependent) directly, although temporarily, as a result of machines tracking along the bankside and as a result of the deposition of spoil on the bankside. This can result in a loss of habitat from in- stream/bankside areas and maintenance access corridors, direct mortalities or the displacement of sensitive species. It can also impact on waterbirds of special conservation interest through machines tracking along the bankside, reducing vegetation as a food source. Noise and visual disturbance - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can occur as a result of noise emissions and visual disturbance from machinery and the presence of machine drivers and other OPW staff. It can result in the flight and displacement of sensitive species from suitable habitat locations. It is not considered relevant in relation to designated habitat types, although it is relevant for the species which these habitats support.
Table 5-4: Potential Sources of Impact via Land and Air Pathways
Potential Sources of Impact Vulnerable Natura 2000 Site Applicable OPW Channels
Physical disturbance of River Boyne and River Blackwater habitats (and loss of wood SPA (004232) vegetation cover) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) River Boyne and River Blackwater Noise and visual disturbance SAC (002299)
See Appendix D for those Physical disturbance of channels screened into the habitats (and loss of wood assessment in relation to vegetation cover) Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) specific SACs and SPAs Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (No species qualifying interests (000006) screened in, so no potential for Raheenmore Bog SACC (000582) impacts by noise and visual Boyne coast and Estuary SAC disturbance. Where White (001957) clawed crayfish are present as White Lough, Ben Lough and the only qualifying interest, this Lough Doo SAC (001810) species would not be impacted Lough Bane and Lough Glass by noise and visual SAC (002120) disturbance through land and air pathways)
5.2.3 Potential Sources of Impact via Groundwater Pathways Nine Natura 2000 sites were identified as potentially being impacted upon via surface water pathways; River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA, Boyne Estuary SPA, Mount Hevey Bog SAC, Killyconny Bog SAC, Raheenmore Bog SAC, White Lough Ben's Lough and Lough Doo SAC, Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC, Lough Lene SAC, and River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. However, in the screening report Ryan Hanley (2014) identifies that not all qualifying interests/ 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 46
special conservation interests will be at risk from groundwater pathways, as identified in the Table 5-5 below. Table 5-5: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via groundwater pathways (From: Ryan Hanley, 2014) Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Natura 2000 Site (Site Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Groundwater Pathways Watercourses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis River Boyne and River and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation [3260] Blackwater SPA (004232)
Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Active raised bogs [7110] Mount Hevey Bog SAC Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] (002342)
Active raised bogs [7110] Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] SAC (000006)
Active raised bogs [7110] Raheenmore Bog SACC Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration [7120] (000582)
Boyne coast and Estuary SAC Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330] (001957) Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410]
Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp White Lough, Ben Lough and [3140] Lough Doo SAC (001810)
Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp Lough Lene SAC (002121) [3140]
Alkaline fens [7230] Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno‐Padion, River Boyne and River Alnion incanae, Salicion Blackwater SAC (002299) albae) [91E0]
The following sources of impact are identified as potentially impacting upon the above Natura 2000 sites through groundwater pathways: Release or changes in nutrient levels/ pollutants - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can impact on groundwater dependent habitats indirectly through causing eutrophication (from mobile inorganics N03 and low mobility inorganics P04), or through pollution incidents from spillages or leaks (e.g. of fuel) during maintenance activities, which could then impact on groundwater quality through aquifer recharge. It can also impact indirectly on species, such as crayfish, lamprey or Salmon, for example through reduced water clarity from eutrophication causing algal growth, or reduced water quality. Waterbirds of special conservation interest along with Otter populations, could be impacted indirectly by affecting food chains through increased algal growth and decreased invertebrate and algal diversity (i.e. the food source of the waterbirds and Otter). Changes in water levels/ channel morphology - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation, aquatic vegetation cutting and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can also occur from maintenance activities that deepen and widen the channels back to their original level. This can impact on groundwater dependent habitats indirectly through: Increased capacity and flow in the channel leading to a reduction in water levels and hydrogeological impacts. Changing the groundwater catchment and groundwater flow paths. Direct aquifer recharge from a stream bed in karst/fissured aquifer. 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 47
Lowering of channel water levels due to increased channel conveyance, which can increase the hydraulic gradient between the bankside groundwater table. This can potentially increase discharge from the channel and change the absolute value and pattern of variation in groundwater levels and potentially the location of groundwater divides. The distance from the channel at which an impact occurs is dependent on the subsoil and bedrock aquifer characteristics. It can also impact on species, such as Otter, fish, lamprey and waterbirds of special conservation interest by causing a loss of suitable habitat and impacting upon food chains through this loss/decline in quality of habitat.
Table 5-6: Potential Sources of Impact via Groundwater Pathways
Potential Sources of Impact Vulnerable Natura 2000 Site Applicable OPW Channels
River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC Release or changes in nutrient (000006) See Appendix D for those levels/ pollutants Raheenmore Bog SACC (000582) channels screened into the
Boyne coast and Estuary SAC assessment in relation to Changes in water levels/ (001957) specific SACs and SPAs channel morphology White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC (001810) Lough Lene (002121) River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299)
5.3 Impact Assessment Table 5-7 assesses the screened in Natura 2000 site in more detail and examines where potentially adverse impacts may arise from the sources of impact identified above. Where potentially significant adverse impacts are identified, avoidance and mitigation measures are proposed to offset these impacts.
5.3.1 In-combination Effects Appropriate Assessment requires consideration of the impacts on Natura 2000 sites of drainage maintenance activities in the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme, in-combination with other plans or projects. Potential sources of in-combination effects identified as part of this assessment include: Undertaking of general agricultural operations by farmers and landowners in areas adjacent to scheme watercourses and embankments which could potentially give rise to impacts of a similar nature to those arising from Arterial Drainage Maintenance operations. This could potentially result in additional periods of disturbance (physical, noise and visual). However, given that agricultural operations, similarly to drainage maintenance operations, are periodic and not continuous and have been ongoing for many decades, resulting in a background level of habituation, the in-combination effects of drainage maintenance and agricultural operations is not likely to be significant. OPW arterial drainage maintenance operations have been ongoing since the construction of the schemes following the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act, potentially resulting in adverse cumulative effects. However, as the maintenance operations are undertaken to restore the design level only, the hydrological and hydrogeological impact should be no greater than originally occurred upon the schemes construction; no further deepening or widening will occur. On a regional scale, neighbouring Arterial Drainage Schemes could be considered to have an adverse impact on Natura 2000 sites, particularly where large sites fall across two, or more scheme areas. However, this is not considered to be a significant issue for the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme, as while the Glyde, Dee, Inny, Brosna, Broad Meadow and 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 48
Tolka Arterial Drainage Schemes neighbour the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme they are generally located within separate hydrological catchments and groundwater bodies and therefore the potential for adverse in-combination effects is minimal. EREP Schemes are planned for two locations within the Boyne catchment; Channel C1 from Derrinydaly bridge downstream to Newhaggard and along the Boyne Channel at Navan from Kilcarn bridge to Donaghmore These schemes will introduce gravels to the channel to create salmon spawning ground, install boulders to deflect flows and to create rubble mats. The aim of these two schemes are to enhance the spawning, nursery and adult habitat within the channel for Salmonids. Therefore, it is not anticipated that the arterial maintenance works on the Boyne and Blackwater Rivers, in-combination with these enhancement schemes, shall have a significant negative impact.
There are no other known plans/ projects on-going or proposed (at the time of this study) which may give rise to any form of cumulative impact on the Natura 2000 sites.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 49
Table 5-7: Impact Assessment - River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests
The Kingfisher population of the Boyne and Blackwater SPA is dependent on the river channels and marginal Release of vegetation and riparian habitats surrounding the river Follow protocols and suspended solids channels. Drainage maintenance activities could impact on SOPs in OPW (2011b) these habitats through the release of nutrients, suspended
Release or solids and pollution incidents which could potentially result No Please see Table 6-1 for changes in in reduced water quality, eutrophication and increased additional mitigation nutrient levels/ turbidity which could impact upon Kingfisher populations measures. pollutants and potentially the food supply (i.e. macroinvertebrates and fish) of the Kingfisher, possibly affecting the distribution of species within the SPA and long-term population trends. River Boyne and Kingfisher Alcedo atthis River Surface [A229] Blackwater water
SPA Kingfisher are dependent on specific aquatic and riparian (004232) habitats, which require maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes. Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation management and aquatic vegetation cutting, and bush cutting/branch trimming can Follow protocols and result in the deepening and widening of channels which SOPs in OPW (2011b) could impact on surface water flows and water table levels. Changes in water This could have adverse impacts on the species through levels/channel Please see Table 6.1 for No impacting upon the aquatic and riparian habitat that morphology additional mitigation supports them, and a number of attributes, including measures. population structure and range.
However, significant changes to the hydrological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 50
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests to define conservation status.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) No
No in-channel or bankside vegetation removal to be conducted within 30m of Kingfisher burrows. Please see Figure 4.4 and Appendix E for Kingfisher are dependent on aquatic and riparian habitats Kingfisher activity along the river corridor. Kingfishers nest in burrows in recorded in the vertical banks beside rivers that lack vegetation. catchment and Physical Physical disturbance arising from drainage maintenance documented by disturbance of activities through the direct removal of vegetation within the Cummins et al. (2010). habitats (and loss maintenance access corridor could impact on range area of wood Land and and foraging/perching habitat. Physical disturbance of Disturbance of vegetation cover) Air banks can also adversely impact on the species within the Kingfisher burrows shall
SPA. be avoided March to No Noise and visual September inclusive. disturbance Kingfishers will be sensitive to noise disturbance from machinery and workforces conducting drainage If burrows in vertical maintenance operations. banks are discovered during the works, works must stop immediately and the burrows be inspected by a suitably qualified ecologist.
Maintenance activities shall adhere to the recommendations outlined in the OPW's
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 51
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests No. 12 EcIA on Kingfisher (Crowe, 2010), in particular leaving sections of channel and bankside vegetation (trees, scrub etc.) untouched if capacity is not affected, and removing branches to flood level using a secateurs (instead of an excavator).
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - The Kingfisher population within the SPA may be affected specifically points 2.1, Release or by drainage maintenance activities that may impact the 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 of changes in adjacent river channels. The works could potentially result Environmental Drainage nutrient levels/ in the release of nutrients and suspended solids, and also Maintenance Guidance pollutants Ground potential pollution incidents, which could potentially result in SOP. No water eutrophication and overall decreased water quality of the Changes in water rivers through aquifer recharge. Please see Table 6.1 for levels/ channel additional mitigation morphology measures.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 52
Table 5-8: Impact Assessment - Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests The wetlands and waterbird populations and some of the Follow protocols and designated species of this SPA are dependent on a SOPs in OPW (2011b) - number of habitats with connectivity to surface waters specifically points 2.1, Release of within the site, including estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 of suspended solids saltmeadows. Drainage maintenance activities could impact Environmental Drainage on these habitats through the release of nutrients, Maintenance Guidance Release or suspended solids and pollution incidents which could No Turnstone Arenaria SOP. changes in potentially result in reduced water quality, eutrophication interpres [A169] nutrient levels/ and increased turbidity which could impact upon the Sanderling Calidris alba Please see Table 6.1 for pollutants wetland habitats and potentially the food supply (i.e. [A144] additional mitigation macroinvertebrates and fish) of the waterbirds, possibly Knot Calidris canutus measures. affecting the distribution of species within the estuary and [A143] long-term population trends. Black-tailed Godwit River The birds for which this SPA is designated are dependent Limosa limosa [A156] Boyne and on a number of habitats with connectivity to surface waters Shelduck Tadorna River Surface within the site, including estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and tadorna [A048] Blackwater water saltmeadows. Redshank Tringa totanus Follow protocols and SPA Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation [A162] SOPs in OPW (2011b) - (004232) management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in Golden Plover Pluvialis specifically point 2.1 and the deepening and widening of channels which could apricaria [A140] 2.2 of Environmental impact on surface water flows and water table levels. This Grey Plover Pluvialis Changes in water Drainage Maintenance could then have adverse impacts on the habitat area of the squatarola [A141] levels/channel Guidance SOP wetlands and the population trend and distribution of the No Lapwing Vanellus morphology waterbirds they support. vanellus [A142] Please see Table 6.1 for
additional mitigation However, the only maintenance activity proposed on the measures. channels within the SPA boundary are mowing of
embankments (activity G). No instream drainage works will
be carried out in the period 2016-2020 and therefore, changes in water levels/channel morphology are not considered likely to have an adverse impact on these wetland habitats, and consequently the waterbird
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 53
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests populations they support.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 1.1 The bird species for which the SPA is designated were and 1.2 of identified by Ryan Hanley (2014) as being vulnerable to Environmental Drainage Turnstone Arenaria drainage maintenance activities via land and air pathways. Maintenance Guidance interpres [A169] The habitats that support these species are likely to be SOP. Sanderling Calidris alba vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from drainage [A144] maintenance activities, such as vegetation removal within No maintenance work Knot Calidris canutus Physical the maintenance access corridor and modification of will be conducted within [A143] disturbance of roosting/ feedings sites. 100m of the SPA Black-tailed Godwit habitats (and loss boundary (i.e. the No Limosa limosa [A156] of wood However, given that maintenance activities are conducted distance identified in Shelduck Tadorna vegetation cover) periodically along the estuary channel and that the bank of Ryan Hanley, 2014a as tadorna [A048] operation remains consistent, there will be a working the buffer zone required Redshank Tringa totanus corridor along the channels which has been subject to for the SPA species) [A162] Land and periodic physical disturbance. The only activity planned for between November and Golden Plover Pluvialis Air the areas bounding this SPA are mowing (activity G) and March. apricaria [A140] consequently impacts of physical disturbance of habitats Grey Plover Pluvialis are will be minimal. Please see Table 6.1 for squatarola [A141] additional mitigation Lapwing Vanellus measures. vanellus [A142]
Oystercatcher The bird species for which the SPA is designated were Follow protocols and Haematopus ostralegus identified by Ryan Hanley (2014) as being vulnerable to SOPs in OPW (2011b) - [A130] drainage maintenance activities via land and air pathways. specifically points 1.1 Wetland & Waterbirds These species will be sensitive to disturbance from and 1.2 of [A999] Noise and visual machinery and workforces conducting drainage Environmental Drainage No disturbance maintenance operations during the over-wintering period Maintenance Guidance (November - March). This disturbance could cause SOP. displacement of populations which can require significant energy expenditure for the birds, which, if undertaken No maintenance work during the cold winter months when birds are already will be conducted within
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 54
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests stressed by recent migrations and difficulties in finding food, 100m of the SPA could have an adverse impact on population trend and boundary (i.e. the distribution. distance identified in Ryan Hanley, 2014a as the buffer zone required for the SPA species) between November and March.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Physcial Habitat Disturbance/ No works are planned for the shingle beaches at Avoidance of beach Little Tern Sterna Noise and visual Mornington where terns breed. However, if any during the breeding albifrons [A195] No disturbance maintenance is required along the beaches or season April -
during breeding embankments then this area will be avoided. Septemeber season Follow protocols and Wetland and Waterbirds SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Drainage maintenance activities could impact on these [A999] specifically points 2.1, habitats through the release of nutrients and pollutants Knot Calidris canutus 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 of Release or which could potentially result in reduced water quality, [A143] Environmental Drainage changes in eutrophication and increased turbidity, through aquifer Black-tailed Godwit Maintenance Guidance No nutrient levels/ recharge, which could impact upon the habitats and Limosa limosa [A156] SOP. pollutants consequently the food supply (i.e. macroinvertebrates) of Shelduck Tadorna Please see Table 6.1 for Ground these waterbirds, potentially affecting the distribution of tadorna [A048] additional mitigation water species within the estuary and long-term population trends. Redshank Tringa totanus measures. [A162] Grey Plover Pluvialis Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Follow protocols and squatarola [A141] management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Changes in water Lapwing Vanellus the deepening and widening of channels which could specifically point 2.1 and levels/ channel No vanellus [A142] impact on groundwater levels. This could then have 2.2 of Environmental morphology Oystercatcher adverse impacts on the habitat area of the wetlands and Drainage Maintenance Haematopus ostralegus the population trend and distribution of the waterbirds they Guidance SOP.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 55
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Mitigation Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Measures Impact Interests [A130] support. Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation Changes in water levels/channel morphology are not measures. expected to occur within the area of the SPA as embankment mowing (activity G) is the only planned maintenance activity and is unlikely to have an adverse impact on these wetland habitats, and consequently the waterbird populations they support, via groundwater pathways.
Table 5-9: Impact Assessment - Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and OPW SOPs of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance (2011b)
Active raised bogs [7110] Raised bogs and associated Rhynchosporion habitat are Maintenance works Degraded raised bogs likely to be vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from Physical shall be avoided on the Mount still capable of natural drainage maintenance activities through the direct removal disturbance of following channels that Hevey Bog regeneration [7120] Land and of vegetation within the maintenance access corridor. This habitats (and loss border the Mount Hevey No SAC Depressions on peat Air could impact on a range of attributes including habitat area of wood Bog SAC (see Map no. (002342) substrates of the and vegetation quality and composition. Drainage vegetation cover) 37); Rhynchosporion [7150] maintenance works have the potential to cause physical C1/37/7, C1/37/2/2, disturbance to the SAC. C1/37/7/2/3, C1/37/7/3, C1/37/7/3/1, C1/44/8, C1/44/8/1, C1/44/10, C1/44/11, C1/44/11/1 and XC1/44/11.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 56
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance The raised bog, for which this SAC is designated, is SOP. dependent on hydrological regime elements such as water levels and flow patterns. Maintenance works Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water shall be avoided on the quality in these habitats through the release of nutrients following channels that Release or and/ or pollution incidents which could potentially result in border the Mount Hevey changes in reduced water quality, increased turbidity and Bog SAC (see Map no. No Active raised bogs [7110] nutrient levels/ eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This 37); Degraded raised bogs pollutants Ground could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats C1/37/7, C1/37/2/2, still capable of natural water through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This C1/37/7/2/3, C1/37/7/3, regeneration [7120] could impact on vegetation quality and composition and C1/37/7/3/1, C1/44/8,
prevent achievement of the targets associated with these C1/44/8/1, C1/44/10, attributes. C1/44/11, C1/44/11/1 and XC1/44/11.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes is a key Follow protocols and Changes in water attribute of the Mount Hevey raised bog habitat. For SOPs in OPW (2011b) - levels/ channel example, seasonal fluctuations should not exceed 20cm, specifically points 2.1 No morphology and should only be 10cm below the surface, except for very and 2.2 of short periods of time. Also, changes to flow directions due Environmental Drainage
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 57
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests to subsidence of bogs can radically change water regimes Maintenance Guidance and cause drying out of high quality raised bog areas and SOP. soak systems (NPWS, 2015b). Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Please see Table 6.1 for management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in additional mitigation the deepening and widening of channels which could measures. impact on groundwater levels. This could have adverse impacts on these habitats and their attributes.
However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only and the channels listed in the above mitigation measures (Map 37) will be avoided. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
Table 5-10: Impact Assessment - Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and OPW SOPs of Environmental Drainage Raised bog habitats are likely to be vulnerable to physical Maintenance Guidance Killyconny Active raised bogs [7110] Physical disturbance arising from drainage maintenance activities (2011b) Bog Degraded raised bogs disturbance of through the direct removal of vegetation within the Land and (Cloghbally still capable of natural habitats (and loss maintenance access corridor. This could impact on a range No Air Maintenance works ) SAC regeneration [7120] of wood of attributes including habitat area and vegetation quality shall be limited on the (000006) vegetation cover) and composition. Drainage maintenance works have the following channels that potential to cause physical disturbance to the SAC. border the Killyconny Bog SAC; C1/8/18 - maintain up to
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 58
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests B418, and C1/8/23/2.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of The raised bog, for which this SAC is designated, is Environmental Drainage dependent on hydrological regime elements such as water Maintenance Guidance levels and flow patterns. SOP. Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water quality in these habitats through the release of nutrients Release or and/ or pollution incidents which could potentially result in Maintenance works changes in reduced water quality, increased turbidity and shall be limited on the No nutrient levels/ eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This following channels that Active raised bogs [7110] pollutants could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats border the Killyconny Degraded raised bogs Ground through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This Bog SAC; still capable of natural water could impact on vegetation quality and composition and C1/8/18 - maintain up to regeneration [7120] prevent achievement of the targets associated with these B418, and C1/8/23/2.
attributes. Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes is a key Follow protocols and attribute of the Killyconny Bog SAC raised bog habitat. For SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Changes in water example, seasonal fluctuations should not exceed 20cm, specifically points 2.1 levels/ channel and should only be 10cm below the surface, except for very and 2.2 of No morphology short periods of time. Also, changes to flow directions due Environmental Drainage to subsidence of bogs can radically change water regimes Maintenance Guidance and cause drying out of high quality raised bog areas and SOP.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 59
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests soak systems (NPWS, 2015b). Maintenance works Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation shall be limited on the management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in following channels that the deepening and widening of channels which could border the Killyconny impact on groundwater levels. This could have adverse Bog SAC; impacts on these habitats and their attributes. C1/8/18 - maintain up to B418, and C1/8/23/2. However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the Please see Table 6.1 for design standard only. The design of the proposed works additional mitigation includs the avoidance of works on channel C1/8/23/2 and measures. restricted maintenance on channel C1/8/18 due to the proximity of Killyconny Bog. Therefore, the drainage maintenance activities are unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
Table 5-11: Impact Assessment - Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and Active raised bogs [7110] OPW SOPs of Degraded raised bogs Raised bogs and associated Rhynchosporion habitat are Environmental Drainage still capable of natural likely to be vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from Maintenance Guidance Physical regeneration [7120] drainage maintenance activities through the direct removal (2011b) Raheenmor disturbance of Depressions on peat Land and of vegetation within the maintenance access corridor. This e Bog SAC habitats (and loss No substrates of the Air could impact on a range of attributes including habitat area Maintenance works (000582) of wood Rhynchosporion [7150] and vegetation quality and composition. Drainage shall be limited on the vegetation cover) maintenance works have the potential to cause physical following channels due disturbance to the SAC. to the proximity of Raheenmore Bog SAC; C1/64/22/2 - maintain to
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 60
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests confluence of C1/64/22/2/2, and C1/64/25 - maintain up to 1350m, weir located d/s of bog.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance The raised bog, for which this SAC is designated, is SOP. dependent on hydrological regime elements such as water
levels and flow patterns. Maintenance works Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water shall be limited on the Active raised bogs [7110] quality in these habitats through the release of nutrients Release or following channels due Degraded raised bogs and/ or pollution incidents which could potentially result in changes in Ground to the proximity of still capable of natural reduced water quality, increased turbidity and No nutrient levels/ water Raheenmore Bog SAC; regeneration [7120] eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This pollutants C1/64/22/2 - maintain to could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats confluence of through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This C1/64/22/2/2, and could impact on vegetation quality and composition and C1/64/25 - maintain up prevent achievement of the targets associated with these to 1350m, weir located attributes. d/s of bog.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 61
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and Maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes is a key SOPs in OPW (2011b) - attribute of the Raheenmore Bog SAC raised bog habitat. specifically points 2.1 For example, seasonal fluctuations should not exceed and 2.2 of 20cm, and should only be 10cm below the surface, except Environmental Drainage for very short periods of time. Also, changes to flow Maintenance Guidance directions due to subsidence of bogs can radically change SOP. water regimes and cause drying out of high quality raised bog areas and soak systems (NPWS, 2015b). Maintenance works Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation shall be limited on the management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in following channels due Changes in water the deepening and widening of channels which could to the proximity of levels/ channel No impact on groundwater levels. This could have adverse Raheenmore Bog SAC; morphology impacts on these habitats and their attributes. C1/64/22/2 - maintain to confluence of However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime C1/64/22/2/2, and are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the C1/64/25 - maintain up design standard only. The design of the proposed works to 1350m, weir located includes the restriction of works on channel C1/64/22/2 and d/s of bog. C1//64/25 due to the proximity of Raheenmore Bog SAC. Therefore, the drainage maintenance activities are unlikely Please see Table 6.1 for to impact significantly on attributes used to define additional mitigation conservation status. measures.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 62
Table 5-12: Impact Assessment - White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC (001810)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests The designated habitat and species of this SAC are potentially vulnerable to adverse impacts via surface water Follow protocols and pathways are dependent on specific water quality and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - nutrient requirements. The favourable conservation specifically points 2.1, Release of condition of White-clawed Crayfish is directly measured by 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of suspended solids water quality attributes. Environmental Drainage
Maintenance Guidance Release or No Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water Crayfish SOP. changes in quality in the Boyne catchment, and consequently impact nutrient levels/ on the species they support, through the release of Please see Table 6.1 for pollutants suspended sediments, nutrients and/ or pollution incidents additional mitigation Hard oligo‐mesotrophic which could potentially result in reduced water quality, measures. White waters with benthic increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then Lough, Ben vegetation of Chara spp. result in algal blooms. Lough and [3140] Surface The species and habitat for which this SAC is designated Lough Doo White-clawed Crayfish water require the maintenance of appropriate hydrological SAC Austropotamobius regimes. For example, Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with Follow protocols and (001810) pallipes [1092] benthic vegetation of Chara spp. are sensitive to water level SOPs in OPW (2011b) -
fluctuations. specifically point 2.1 and 2.2 of Environmental Changes in water Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Drainage Maintenance levels/channel management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in Guidance SOP. No morphology the deepening and widening of channels which could impact on surface water flows and water table levels. Please see Table 6.1 for However, significant changes to the hydrological regime are additional mitigation unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design measures. standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 63
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance SOP and White-clawed Crayfish SOP to The oligo-mesotrophic waters that are designated within minimise the impacts of this SAC are likely to be vulnerable to physical disturbance physical disturbance. arising from drainage maintenance activities through the
direct removal of vegetation within the maintenance access No in-channel working corridor. This could impact on a range of attributes including will be conducted in habitat area and vegetation structure and composition. channels with a Physical disturbance of habitats can also adversely impact Physical rocky/cobble/gravelly White-clawed Crayfish on the species within the SAC, for example White-clawed disturbance of substrate between May Austropotamobius Land and Crayfish require high habitat heterogeneity. Larger crayfish habitats (and loss and mid-July when No pallipes [1092] Air must have stones to hide under, or an earthen bank in of wood White-clawed Crayfish which to burrow. Hatchlings shelter in vegetation, gravel vegetation cover) are more likely to be and among fine tree‐roots. Smaller crayfish are typically berried (i.e. carrying found among weed and debris in shallow water. Larger eggs). juveniles in particular may also be found among cobbles
and detritus such as leaf litter. These conditions must be Works shall be carried available on the whole length of occupied habitat (NPWS, out as per the Crayfish 2012). SOP (OPW, 2001b),
which details operatives shall inspect instream material removed from the channel for crayfish 3 times daily. Discussions with OPW regarding the SOPs procedures indicate that consultations with
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 64
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests NPWS will be undertaken and mitigation measures will then be drawn up for Crayfish.
Stringent biosecurity measures will be implemented throughout the works as Crayfish plague was reported in Co. Cavan in 2015. All machinery and equipment shall be cleaned, disinfected and dried (at least 24 hrs) before being moved between catchments.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
The designated habitat 'Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with Follow protocols and benthic vegetation of Chara spp.' is dependent on attributes SOPs in OPW (2011b) - of water quality such as transparency, nutrients, specifically points 2.1, phytoplankton and algal biomass and water colour (NPWS, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of Hard oligo‐mesotrophic Release or 2015c). Environmental Drainage waters with benthic changes in Ground Maintenance Guidance vegetation of Chara spp. No nutrient levels/ water Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water SOP. [3140] pollutants quality in this habitat through the release of nutrients and/
or pollution incidents which could potentially result in See Table 6-1 for details reduced water quality, increased turbidity and of additional pollution eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This prevention measures could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats required.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 65
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This could then impact on vegetation structure and composition and prevent achievement of the targets associated with these attributes. Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. are sensitive to water level fluctuations. Increased water level fluctuations can increase wave action, up-root vegetation, increase turbidity, alter the substratum and lead to release of nutrients from the sediment. The hydrological regime, particularly the Follow protocols and groundwater contribution, must be maintained so that the SOPs in OPW (2011b) - area, distribution and depth of the lake habitat and its specifically points 2.1 constituent/characteristic vegetation zones and Changes in water and 2.2 of communities are not reduced (NPWS, 2015c). levels/ channel Environmental Drainage No
morphology Maintenance Guidance Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation SOP. Management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in
the deepening and widening of channels which could See Table 6-1. impact on groundwater levels. However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 66
Table 5-13: Impact Assessment - Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957).
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests The habitats of estuaries, mudflats/sandflats and Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand, although Follow protocols and transitional intertidal habitats are connected to surface SOPs in OPW (2011b) - water flows and are also dependent on specific water specifically points 2.1, Release of quality parameters. Drainage maintenance activities could 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 of suspended solids impact on water quality in these habitats through the Environmental Drainage release of suspended sediments, nutrients and pollutants Maintenance Guidance Release or which could potentially result in reduced water quality, SOP. No changes in increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then nutrient levels/ result in algal blooms. This have the potential to reach See Table 6-1 for details pollutants these habitat types through surface water pathways, as of additional pollution Estuaries [1130] scheme watercourses are directly upstream of this SAC. prevention and Mudflats and sandflats However no maintenance is proposed on channels sediment control not covered by seawater Surface downstream of Navan and mowing is the only activity measures required. at low tide [1140] water proposed along embankments in this area. Boyne Salicornia and other These intertidal habitats are dependent on specific physical Coast and annuals colonising mud Follow protocols and regime attributes, including the flooding regime. Drainage Estuary and sand [1310] SOPs in OPW (2011b) - maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation SAC specifically point 2.1 and management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in (001957) 2.2 of Environmental the deepening and widening of channels which could Drainage Maintenance Changes in water impact on surface water flows. This could have adverse Guidance SOP levels/channel impacts on these habitats and a number of attributes, No
morphology including habitat area, habitat distribution and vegetation See Table 6-1 for details composition. of additional pollution However, the only activities proposed in the vicinity of this prevention and SAC is mowing on the embankments. No instream works sediment control are proposed for the Boyne estuary and therefore channels measures required. will not be widened or deepened within the SAC. Estuaries [1130] Estuarine, intertidal habitats (i.e. mudflats/sandflats and Follow protocols and Physical Mudflats and sandflats Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand), SOPs in OPW (2011b) - disturbance of not covered by seawater Land and and coastal dune habitats are potentially vulnerable to specifically point 1.1, habitats (and loss No at low tide [1140] Air adverse impacts via land and air pathways are likely to be 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, of wood Salicornia and other vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from drainage 4.3, 4.4, 5.1 of vegetation cover) annuals colonising mud maintenance activities through the direct removal of Environmental Drainage
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 67
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests and sand [1310] vegetation within the maintenance access corridor. This Maintenance Guidance Atlantic salt meadows could impact on a range of attributes including habitat area SOP to ensure (Glauco-Puccinellietalia and vegetation composition. disturbance is not maritimae) [1330] However, the only proposed works to be carried out within caused to the estuarine Mediterranean salt the boundary of the SAC is mowing of embankments and and intertidal habitats. meadows (Juncetalia therefore disturbance of the estuarine and intertidal habitats maritimi) [1410] is not anticipated. Embryonic shifting dunes [2110] Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) [2120] Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes) [2130]
Salt meadows are intertidal habitats dependent on specific water quality parameters. Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water quality in this habitat type through the release of nutrients and/ or pollution incidents which could potentially result in reduced water quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then result in algal Follow protocols and Atlantic salt meadows blooms, through aquifer recharge. This could then impact SOPs in OPW (2011b) - (Glauco-Puccinellietalia Release or on a range of vegetation structure attributes such as typical specifically point 2.1 and maritimae) [1330] changes in Ground species and sub‐communities present, and potentially result 2.2 of Environmental Mediterranean salt nutrient levels/ water in the increase in growth of negative indicator species, such Drainage Maintenance meadows (Juncetalia pollutants as Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica. Guidance SOP. maritimi) [1410]
However, no maintenance works are proposed on channels See Table 6-1. downstream of Navan and mowing is the only activity proposed along embankments in this area of this SAC. Eventhough schemes will be carried out on watercourses are upstream of this SAC, it is not anticipated that there will be negative impacts through groundwater pathways.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 68
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Salt meadows are dependent on specific physical regime attributes, including the flooding regime, and it is also a groundwater dependent terrestrial habitat. Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in the deepening and widening of channels which could impact on groundwater levels. This could have adverse Changes in water impacts on salt meadows and a number of attributes, levels/ channel No including habitat area, vegetation composition and morphology structure.
However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as in stream works are not proposed within the Boyne estuary. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
Table 5-14: Impact Assessment - Lough Bane and Lough Glass SAC (002120).
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests The species and habitat of this SAC are potentially Follow protocols and vulnerable to adverse impacts via surface water pathways SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Hard oligo‐mesotrophic Release of are dependent on specific water quality and nutrient specifically points 2.1, waters with benthic Lough suspended solids requirements. The favourable conservation condition of 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of vegetation of Chara spp. Bane and White-clawed Crayfish is directly measured by water quality Environmental Drainage [3140] Surface Lough Release or attributes. Maintenance Guidance No White-clawed Crayfish water Glass SAC changes in Crayfish SOP. Austropotamobius (002120) nutrient levels/ Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water pallipes [1092] pollutants quality in the Boyne catchment, and consequently impact Please see Table 6.1 for
on the species they support, through the release of additional mitigation suspended sediments, nutrients and/ or pollution incidents measures.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 69
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests which could potentially result in reduced water quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms.
The species and habitat for which this SAC is designated require the maintenance of appropriate hydrological Follow protocols and regimes. For example, Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with SOPs in OPW (2011b) - benthic vegetation of Chara spp. are sensitive to water level specifically point 2.1 and fluctuations. 2.2 of Environmental Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Changes in water Drainage Maintenance management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in levels/channel Guidance SOP. No the deepening and widening of channels which could morphology impact on surface water flows and water table levels. Please see Table 6.1 for However, significant changes to the hydrological regime are additional mitigation unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design measures. standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are
therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status. The oligo-mesotrophic water that the SAC is designated are Follow protocols and likely to be vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from SOPs in OPW (2011b) - drainage maintenance activities through the direct removal specifically points 1.1, of vegetation within the maintenance access corridor. This 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, could impact on a range of attributes including habitat area 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 of and vegetation structure and composition. Physical Environmental Drainage Physical disturbance of habitats can also adversely impact on the Maintenance Guidance White-clawed Crayfish disturbance of species within the SAC, for example White-clawed Crayfish SOP and White-clawed Austropotamobius Land and habitats (and loss require high habitat heterogeneity for shelter. Larger Crayfish SOP to No pallipes [1092] Air of wood crayfish must have stones to hide under, or an earthen minimise the impacts of
vegetation cover) bank in which to burrow. Hatchlings shelter in vegetation, physical disturbance. gravel and among fine tree‐roots. Smaller crayfish are typically found among weed and debris in shallow water. No in-channel working Larger juveniles in particular may also be found among will be conducted in cobbles and detritus such as leaf litter. These conditions channels with a must be available on the whole length of occupied habitat rocky/cobble/gravelly (NPWS, 2012). substrate between May
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 70
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests and mid-July when White-clawed Crayfish are more likely to be berried (i.e. carrying eggs).
Works shall be carried out as per the Crayfish SOP (OPW, 2001b), which details operatives shall inspect instream material removed from the channel for crayfish 3 times daily. Discussions with OPW regarding the SOPs procedures indicate that consultations with NPWS will be undertaken and mitigation measures will then be drawn up for Crayfish.
Stringent biosecurity measures will be implemented throughout the works as Crayfish plague was reported in Co. Cavan in 2015. All machinery and equipment shall be cleaned, disinfected and dried (at least 24 hrs) before being moved
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 71
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests between catchments.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Table 5-15: Impact Assessment - Lough Lene (002121)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests Follow protocols and The designated habitat of this SAC potentially vulnerable to SOPs in OPW (2011b) - adverse impacts via surface water pathways are dependent Release of specifically points 2.1, on specific water quality and nutrient requirements. suspended solids 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water Environmental Drainage quality in the Boyne catchment, and consequently impact Release or Maintenance Guidance. No on the oligo-mesotrphic waters of this SAC, through the changes in release of suspended sediments, nutrients and/ or pollution nutrient levels/ Please see Table 6.1 for incidents which could potentially result in reduced water Hard oligo‐mesotrophic pollutants additional mitigation quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could Lough waters with benthic measures. Surface then result in algal blooms. Lene SAC vegetation of Chara spp water (002121) [3140] The habitat for which this SAC is designated requires the Follow protocols and maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes. Hard SOPs in OPW (2011b) - oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara specifically point 2.1 and spp. are sensitive to water level fluctuations. 2.2 of Environmental Changes in water Drainage Maintenance levels/channel No Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Guidance SOP. morphology management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in the deepening and widening of channels which could Please see Table 6.1 for impact on surface water flows and water table levels. additional mitigation However, significant changes to the hydrological regime are measures.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 72
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status. The designated habitat 'Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.' is dependent on attributes Follow protocols and of water quality such as transparency, nutrients, SOPs in OPW (2011b) - phytoplankton and algal biomass and water colour (NPWS, specifically points 2.1, 2015c). 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water Release or Environmental Drainage quality in this habitat through the release of nutrients and/ changes in Maintenance Guidance or pollution incidents which could potentially result in No nutrient levels/ SOP. reduced water quality, increased turbidity and pollutants eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This Please see Table 6.1 for could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats additional mitigation through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This measures. could then impact on vegetation structure and composition
Hard oligo‐mesotrophic and prevent achievement of the targets associated with waters with benthic these attributes. Ground vegetation of Chara spp Hard oligo‐mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of water [3140] Chara spp. are sensitive to water level fluctuations. Increased water level fluctuations can increase wave Follow protocols and action, up-root vegetation, increase turbidity, alter the SOPs in OPW (2011b) - substratum and lead to release of nutrients from the specifically points 2.1 sediment. The hydrological regime, particularly the and 2.2 of groundwater contribution, must be maintained so that the Environmental Drainage Changes in water area, distribution and depth of the lake habitat and its Maintenance Guidance levels/ channel No constituent/characteristic vegetation zones and SOP. morphology communities are not reduced (NPWS, 2015c). Please see Table 6.1 for Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation additional mitigation Management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in measures. the deepening and widening of channels which could impact on groundwater levels. However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as the
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 73
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
Table 5-16: Impact Assessment - River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299)
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests The species and habitats of the River Boyne and Blackwater are potentially vulnerable to adverse impacts via surface water pathways as they are dependent on specific water quality and nutrient requirements. For example, the favourable conservation condition of Salmon is directly Follow protocols and measured by water quality attributes, and the conservation River Lamprey Lampetra SOPs in OPW (2011b) - status of other species are measured by attributes indirectly fluviatilis [1099] specifically points 2.1, linked to water quality and sediment loadings, such as the Salmon Salmo salar Release of 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of River extent and distribution of spawning habitats and the extent [1106] suspended solids Environmental Drainage Boyne and of freshwater habitat. Otter Lutra lutra [1355] Maintenance Guidance River Surface Alkaline fens [7230] Release or SOP and Lamprey and No Blackwater water Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water Alluvial forests with Alnus changes in Otter SOPs. SAC quality in the Rivers Boyne and Blackwater, and glutinosa and Fraxinus nutrient levels/ (002299) consequently impact on the species they support, through excelsior (Alno‐Padion, pollutants Please see Table 6.1 for the release of suspended sediments, nutrients and/ or Alnion incanae, Salicion additional mitigation pollution incidents which could potentially result in reduced albae) [91E0] measures. water quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which
could then result in algal blooms. As both Rivers are designated as the SAC, these impacts could occur at the immediate location of the maintenance activity, or it could reach downstream locations through surface water pathways.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 74
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests The species and habitats for which the SAC is designated are dependent on specific aquatic and riparian habitats, which require maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes. For example, the conservation status of Otter is dependent on the extent of freshwater habitat. Follow protocols and
SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation specifically point 2.1 and management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in 2.2 of Environmental the deepening and widening of channels which could Changes in water Drainage Maintenance impact on surface water flows and water table levels. This levels/channel Guidance SOP. No could have adverse impacts on these species through morphology impacting upon the aquatic and riparian habitat that Please see Table 6.1 for supports them, and a number of attributes, including additional mitigation population structure, distribution and extent of freshwater measures. habitat. However, significant changes to the hydrological
regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
The terrestrial and wetland habitats for which the SAC is Tree and vegetation designated are likely to be vulnerable to physical removal works shall be
disturbance arising from drainage maintenance activities avoided on channels River Lamprey Lampetra through the direct removal of vegetation within the C1, C1/14, C1/37/22, fluviatilis [1099] maintenance access corridor. This could impact on a range C1/37, C1/8 as potential Salmon Salmo salar Physical of attributes including habitat area and vegetation structure Alluvial woodland was [1106] disturbance of and composition. Physical disturbance of habitats can also identified during the Otter Lutra lutra [1355] Land and habitats (and loss adversely impact on the species within the SAC, for ecological walkover No Alkaline fens [7230] Air of wood example by removing cover for Otter, and by damaging surveys conducted in Alluvial forests with Alnus vegetation cover) redds used by Salmon for spawning or lamprey spawning 2015. If tree glutinosa and Fraxinus areas. In particular, as it is the channels of both Rivers cutting/bush trimming excelsior (Alno‐Padion, which form the majority of this SAC designation there is a works are required on Alnion incanae, Salicion considerable risk of in-channel activities impacting upon the these channels, the albae) [91E0] aquatic habitats of River Lamprey and Salmon. However, working areas and no instream works are proposed to be carried downstream activities shall be
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 75
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests of Navan on channel C1. surveyed and assessed prior to commencing The ecological walkover survey identified potential alluvial works. forest habitats [91E0] under the Riparian Woodland (WN5) classification. These were recorded on channels C1, C1/14, Follow protocols and C1/37/22, C1/37, C1/8. SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance SOP and Otter and Lamprey SOPs to minimise the impacts of physical disturbance.
In-channel working will only be conducted where essential and no instream works shall take place on channel C1, downstream of Navan.
No in-channel working will be conducted in channels with a sandy/gravel substrate suitable for spawning between April to May inclusive, when River Lamprey species are likely to be spawning (King et al., 2008).
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 76
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests No in-channel working will be conducted during the salmonid spawning season (Oct 1st-May 31st) subject to consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland.
No in-channel or bankside vegetation to be conducted within 30m of a known or potential Otter holt/ resting site.If breeding is suspected at a holt site this buffer zone will be increased to 150m. Please see Figure 4.3 for otter activity recorded within the catchment.
Tree removal and vegetation works shall be avoided on channels C1, C1/14, C1/37/22, C1/37, C1/8. If works are required on these channels the working areas and activities will need to be surveyed and assessed.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 77
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests measures.
Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW (2011b) - specifically points 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 of Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance SOP and Otter SOP.
In-channel working will The species for which the SAC is designated will be only be conducted sensitive to disturbance from machinery and workforces where essential. conducting drainage maintenance operations. For example, Noise and visual Otters require lying up areas throughout their territory No in-channel or No disturbance where they are secure from disturbance and drainage bankside vegetation to maintenance activities will create disturbance which could be conducted within reduce the suitability of terrestrial and freshwater 30m of a known or (river/lake) habitats for this species. potential Otter holt/ resting site. If breeding is suspected at a holt site this buffer zone should be increased to 150m.
Please see Table 6.1 for additional mitigation measures.
Release or The fen and woodland habitats for which this Follow protocols and Alkaline fens [7230] changes in Ground SAC is designated are dependent on specific water quality SOPs in OPW (2011b) - Alluvial forests with Alnus No nutrient levels/ water and nutrient requirements. For example, alkaline fens specifically points 2.1, glutinosa and Fraxinus pollutants require appropriate water quality to support the natural 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 9.1 of
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 78
Qualifying Interests/ Site Name Potential Source Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Mitigation / Avoidance / Residual Special Conservation Pathway (site code) of Impact Avoidance Mitigation Measures Impact Interests excelsior (Alno‐Padion, structure and functioning of the habitat, generally receiving Environmental Drainage Alnion incanae, Salicion natural levels of nutrients (i.e. iron, magnesium and Maintenance Guidance albae) [91E0] calcium) from water sources, with generally low nitrogen SOP. and phosphorous which can be limiting. Drainage maintenance activities could impact on water Please see Table 6.1 for quality in these habitats through the release of nutrients additional mitigation and/ or pollution incidents which could potentially result in measures. reduced water quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms. This could then reach the groundwater dependent habitats through aquifer recharge via groundwater pathways. This could then impact on vegetation structure and composition and prevent achievement of the targets associated with these attributes. Maintenance of appropriate hydrological regimes is a key attribute of these fen and woodland habitats. For example, alkaline fen habitats require natural groundwater levels, surface water flows and water table levels to maintain this habitat type, otherwise scrub and trees can invade as Follow protocols and conditions become drier and alluvial forests are dependent SOPs in OPW (2011b) - on periodic flooding to maintain their habitat area along specifically points 2.1 floodplains. and 2.2 of Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and vegetation Environmental Drainage Changes in water Management and aquatic vegetation cutting can result in Maintenance Guidance levels/ channel No the deepening and widening of channels which could SOP. morphology impact on groundwater levels. This could have adverse impacts on these habitats and a number of attributes, Please see Table 6.1 for including habitat area, habitat distribution, vegetation additional mitigation composition and structure and typical species. measures. However, significant changes to the hydrogeological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on attributes used to define conservation status.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 79
6 Avoidance and Mitigation Measures
6.1 Introduction The Environmental Management Protocols and SOPs developed by OPW (2011b) are routinely followed by OPW operational staff undertaking drainage maintenance works and help to provide a baseline level of environmental protection, with a specific focus on certain species (i.e. Brook, River and Sea Lamprey, White-clawed Crayfish, Otter, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, invasive species and Zebra Mussel). In addition to the measures contained within these documents OPW (2011b), Table 6-1 provides additional avoidance and mitigation measures that should be followed in order to offset the identified potential impacts on the Natura 2000 site. Table 6-1: Additional Mitigation Measures Potential Specific Avoidance and Mitigation Applicable OPW Channels1 Impact Measures2 Refuelling will not be undertaken within 50m of a watercourse.
Biodegradable oils and fuels will be used where possible.
Drip trays will be placed underneath any standing machinery to prevent pollution by oil/fuel leaks.
Operators will check their vehicles on a daily basis before starting work to confirm the absence of leakages. Any leakages will be reported immediately.
Emergency spill kits will be available on site and staff trained in their use. Release of suspended During all works the weather forecast will be monitored and a contingency plan developed to prevent solids damage or pollution during extreme weather and high flow events. Release or changes in The release of suspended solids will be minimised during works and appropriate sediment control nutrient levels/ measures will be employed as follows; pollutants -Vehicles shall not expose significant area of soil as track marks in the vicinity of watercourses that may result in soil entering the watercourse via surface water runoff. If channels need to be accessed by vehicles over soft/wet ground and there is a risk that significant areas of soil may be exposed, bog mats or sleepers shall be laid. -Works shall retain vegetation along the riparian zone of the riverbank, providing a natural buffer strip. -The method of weed cutting shall ensure that no silt is disturbed/suspended into the water column from the river substrate or bank. -All aquatic vegetation or brash cuttings shall be removed from the channel and its bank and placed in an area where they cannot re-enter the water.
Changes in water Works on all channels shall be undertaken in accordance with the Scheme's design standard, in order levels/ channel to prevent any new widening or deepening of a channel. morphology
Stringent biosecurity measures will be implemented throughout the works, following the OPW's SOP on invasive species (OPW, 2011b) and the Check, Clean, Dry principles of the NNSS (NNSS, 2016).
Please see Figure 4.1 and Appendix E for invasive species recorded during the ecological walk over surveys. Himalayan Balsam is also present downstream of Kilcarn Bridge, Navan.
Physical Stands of Himalayan Balsam will be avoided, but may take place outside the period when Himalayan disturbance of Balsam is in seed (July - October) to prevent its spread. Areas of Himalayan Balsam shall be habitats (and physically delineated and signage erected to identify the area as a closed off area. loss of wood If works are to take place in the vicinity of Himalayan Balsam, the best practice management vegetation cover) guidelines for Himalayan Balsam (Kelly et al., 2008) will be followed for effective management. A
Management Plan shall be produced for these areas which will include; a distribution map of invasive species of the area, a control programme for continuous control or eradication, identify disposal options for plant material, and monitoring procedures for regrowth or reintroduction. Kelly et al. (2008) state that the optimum time for mechanical and glyphosate control is during the months of April and May. Therefore, control of Himalayan Balsam shall be conducted during these months.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 80
Potential Specific Avoidance and Mitigation Applicable OPW Channels1 Impact Measures2 No work will be undertaken within 7m of the outermost point of visible above-ground growth of Japanese Knotweed (JK). Areas of JK shall be physically delineated (including a 7m buffer) and signage erected to identify the area as a closed off area. If works in the vicinity of JK need to be undertaken the best practice management guidelines for JK (Kelly et al., 2015) will be followed for effective management. A Management Plan shall be produced for these areas which will include a distribution map of invasive species of the area, a control programme for continuous control or eradication, identify disposal options for plant material, and set out monitoring procedures for regrowth or reintroduction. It is important to note that cutting JK stems is not an effective method of control for this species. Herbicide application is the most effective form of control and control via this method shall be conducted during the optimum usage time, which is May to October inclusive (Kelly et al., 2015). If disposing of the plant material on site via burial or a bund, the area of disposal must not be within the flood zone of adjacent waterbodies.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 81
7 Conclusions This NIS details the findings of the Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment conducted to further examine the potential direct and indirect impacts of proposed drainage maintenance works in the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme on the following Natura 2000 sites: River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA (004232) Boyne Estuary SPA (004080) Mount Hevey Bog SAC (002342) Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC (000006) Raheenmore Bog SAC (000582 White Lough, Ben Lough and Lough Doo SAC (001810) Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC (001957) Lough Bane and Lough Glass (002120) Lough Lene SAC (002121) River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (002299)
The above site was identified by a screening exercise that determined likely significant effects in relation to the above sites. This screening exercise was conducted following the methodology outlined in Ryan Hanley (2014a), which examines three source > pathway > receptor chains; surface water, land and air, and groundwater pathways. The Appropriate Assessment investigated the potential direct and indirect impacts of the proposed works on the integrity and interest features of the above Natura 2000 sites, alone and in- combination with other plans and projects, taking into account the sites' structure, function and conservation objectives. Where potentially significant adverse impacts were identified, a range of mitigation and avoidance measures have been suggested to help offset them. As a result of this Appropriate Assessment it has been concluded, that the avoidance and mitigation measures suggested, the proposed drainage maintenance operations in the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme will not have a significant adverse impact on the above Natura 2000 sites. To confirm this conclusion, the following checklist, taken from DEHLG (2009) has been completed. Table 7-1: Integrity of Site Checklist (from DEHLG, 2009)
Conservation objectives: does the project Y/N or plan have the potential to: N - Following mitigation, no significant Cause delays in progress towards adverse residual impacts have been identified achieving the conservation objectives of that will prevent achievement of the the sites? conservation objectives of the assessed sites. N - Following mitigation, no significant Interrupt progress towards achieving the adverse residual impacts have been identified conservation objectives of the sites? that will prevent achievement of the conservation objectives of the assessed site. N - Potential adverse impacts via surface Disrupt those factors that help to maintain water; land and air; and groundwater the favourable conditions of the site? pathways identified during the screening process can be mitigated against. N - Potential adverse impacts on the habitats Interfere with the balance, distribution and species of the four SACs and two SPAs and density of key species that are the are not expected as impacts can be avoided indicators of the favourable condition of by implementing the mitigation and avoidance the site? measures detailed. 2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 82
Other objectives: does the project or plan Y/N have the potential to: N - Potential adverse impacts from suspended Cause changes to the vital defining solid and nutrient release are not expected as aspects (e.g. nutrient balance) that measures can be included within working determine how the site functions as a protocols to ensure potential impacts are habitat or ecosystem? effectively mitigated. N - Potential adverse impacts relating to hydrological status and water quality have Change the dynamics of the relationships been identified which could impact on the (between, for example, soil and water or functioning and dynamics of the site, however, plants and animals) that define the these are not expected to be significant given structure and/or function of the site? the mitigation measures detailed to ensure potential impacts are effectively mitigated. N - Potential adverse impacts from changes to the hydrological regime and suspended Interfere with predicted or expected solid/nutrient/pollutant release are not natural changes to the site (such as water expected as measures can be included within dynamics or chemical composition)? working protocols to ensure potential impacts are effectively mitigated. N - Potential adverse impacts on the habitats of the four SACs and two SPAs are not Reduce the area of key habitats? expected given the mitigation measures that have been detailed. N - Potential impacts to the habitats supporting the aquatic and riparian species for which the SACs and SPAs are designated, Reduce the population of key species? are not expected as impacts can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. N - Potential impacts on the aquatic and riparian species for which the SACs and SPAs Change the balance between key are designated, are not expected as impacts species? can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. N - The identified mitigation measures to protect designated habitats and species will Reduce diversity of the site? ensure that the current diversity of the sites is maintained. N - Potential impacts to the aquatic and Result in disturbance that could affect riparian species for which the SACs and SPAs population size or density or the balance are designated, are not expected as impacts between key species? can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. N - The proposed works will be undertaken along existing maintenance access corridors Result in fragmentation and therefore no fragmentation of habitats will occur. N - Potential adverse impacts on SAC and Result in loss or reduction of key features SPA habitats are not expected as impacts can (e.g. tree cover, tidal exposure, annual be avoided by implementing the mitigation flooding etc.)? measures detailed so there will be no loss of, or reduction of, key features.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 83
Appendices A OPW Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service: Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 I
B Maps of the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 II
C Drainage Maintenance Activities Proposed for Boyne 2016-2020
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 III
D Watercourses Screened into Appropriate Assessment (JBA, 2014)
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 IV
E Additional Locations of Kingfisher nest sites and Invasive Species.
E.1 Kingfisher survey, Boyne SAC (Cummins et. al, 2010)
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 V
E.2 Invasive species information from NPWS
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 VI
References Cummins, S., Fisher, J., McKeever, R.G., McNaghten, L. and Crowe, O. (2010) Assessment of the distribution and abundance of Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and other riparian birds on six SAC river systems in Ireland. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. Crowe, O. (2010) Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of the Effects of Statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance Activities on Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and other riparian birds II. Office of Public Works, Galway.
BirdLife International. (2013). Birdlife International Seabird Ecology and Foraging Range Batabase. http://seabird.wikispaces.com Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2009) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities. DoEHLG (2009 rev 2010) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland Guidance for Planning Authorities. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. EC (2002) 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, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission. EC (2007) Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the 'Habitats Directive' 92/43/EEC – Clarification of the concepts of: alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence, opinion of the commission. European Commission. EC (2007) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. Version EUR 27. European Commission. European Communities (EC) (2000) Managing Natura 2000 Sites: the provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EEC, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission. Fossitt, J.A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Dublin. JBA Consulting (2014) Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme: Stage 1 Appropriate Assessment Screening. Unpublished Report. JNCC (2014) Annex I Habitat Accounts. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/SAC_habitats.asp [date accessed 19th October 2015] JNCC. (2013). Seabird Monitoring Programmed (SMP) Database. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/smp/Default.aspx Kelleher, C. and Marnell, F. (2006) Bat Mitigation Guidelines for Ireland. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 25. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. Kilroy, G., Dunne, F., Ryan, J., O'Connor, A., Daly, D., Craig, M., Coxon, C., Johnston, P. and Moe, H. (2008) A Framework for the Assessment of Groundwater – Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems under the Water Framework Directive. Environmental Protection Agency. King J. J. and Linnane S. M. (2004) The status and distribution of lamprey and shad in the Slaney and Munster Blackwater SACs. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 14. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. King J.J., Hanna G. And Wightman G.D. (2008) Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of The Effects of Statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance Activities on Three Lamprey species (Lampetra planeri Bloch, Lampetra fluviatilis L., and Petromyzon marinus L.).Series of Ecological Assessments on Arterial Drainage Maintenance No 9 Environment Section, Office of Public Works, Headford, Co. Galway.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 VII
Mitchell, P.I.; Newton, S.F.; Ratcliffe, N.; Dunn, T.E.(2004). Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland. Poyser, London. NPWS (2008).The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. NNSS (2015) GB Non-native Species Secretariat. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/. [Accessed 15 January 16]. NPWS (2012) Conservation Objectives: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170. Version 1.0. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Boyne Estuary SPA 004080. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2014).The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Habitats Assessment Volume 2. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland. NPWS (2015) Conservation objectives for River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA [004232]. Generic Version 4.0. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015h) Conservation Objectives: Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) SAC 000006. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015b) Conservation Objectives: Ardagullion Bog SAC 002341. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015c) Conservation Objectives: Slyne Head Peninsula SAC 002074. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015d) Conservation Objectives: Ardagullion Bog SAC 002341. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015f) Conservation Objectives: Raheenmore Bog SAC 000582. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS (2015g) Conservation Objectives: Connemara Bog Complex SAC 002034. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. NPWS. (2012). Boyne Estuary SPA (site code 4080) Conservation Objectives Supporting Documents V1. OPW (2007) Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of the Effects of Statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance Activities on Water Courses of Plain to Montane levels with Aquatic Vegetation (Floating River Vegetation). http://www.opw.ie/media/Issue%20No.%205%20EcIA%20floating%20river%20vegetation.pdf [date accessed 19th October 2015] OPW (2011a) Arterial Drainage Maintenance and High Risk Channel Designation Programme 2011-2014 Habitats Directive Assessments. Environment Section Engineering Services Office of Public Works. Unpublished Report. OPW (2011b) Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures. Unpublished Report. Ryan Hanley (2014a) Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Environmental Services 2013. Stage 1: Appropriate Assessment Screening Methodology for the Maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes. Methodology. Unpublished Report. Ryan Hanley (2014c) Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service 2014-2018. Source > Pathway > Receptor Chains for Appropriate Assessment. Unpublished Report. Walsh, P.; Halley, D.J; Harris, M.P; del Nevo, A; Sim, I.M.W.; and Tasker,M.L. (1995). Seabird monitoring handbook for Britain and Ireland: a compilation of methods for surveys and monitoring of breeding seabirds. JNCC, Peterborough. Kelly, J., Maguire, C.M. and Cosgrove, P.J. (2008). Best Practice Management Guidelines Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera. Prepared for NIEA and NPWS as part of Invasive Species Ireland.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 VIII
Kelly, J., Maguire, C.M. and Cosgrove, P.J., Muir, R.A. (2015). Best Practice Management Guidelines Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica. Prepared for NIEA and NPWS as part of Invasive Species Ireland.
2015s2905 Boyne NIS v2.3 II
Registered Office
24 Grove Island Corbally Limerick Ireland
t: +353 (0) 61 345463 e:[email protected]
JBA Consulting Engineers and Scientists Limited
Registration number 444752
Visit our website www,jbaconsulting.ie