Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary An inter-jurisdictional land and marine based framework to guide the future development and management of the Shannon Estuary VOLUME 1: WRITTEN STATEMENT CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAN 1 2.0 THE CONTEXT 15 3.0 THE VISION & OVERALL STRATEGY 29 4.0 THE STRATEGY 37 5.0 THEMATIC SPATIAL PLAN 41 SECTION 5.1 INTRODUCTION 43 SECTION 5.2 EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH 47 SECTION 5.3 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT LOCATIONS 49 SECTION 5.4 MARINE RELATED INDUSTRY 51 SECTION 5.5 SHIPPING & NAVIGATION 79 SECTION 5.6 ENERGY 87 SECTION 5.7 MARINE TOURISM LEISURE & RECREATION 105 SECTION 5.8 AVIATION 119 SECTION 5.9 COMMERCIAL FISHING & AQUACULTURE 123 SECTION 5.10 ENVIRONMENT 135 Kilrush 6.0 SEA & HDA 155 7.0 REVIEW & MONITORING 163 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 167 Mapping and imagery is copyright courtesy of Ordnance Survey Ireland License No EN 0029306(c) Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Clare County Council, Limerick City & County Councils, Kerry County Council, the Office of Public Works, Shannon Development, Shannon Foynes Port Company, Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and RPS. Some of the images within SIFP Volumes and supporting documents have been provided by members of the public, through the SIFP photography competition. Credit for these images is given to Simon Berrows, Mike McCarthy, Rob Allen, and Isabel Baker. Page II | Contents * ALL MAPS AND FIGURES REFERRED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT ARE CONTAINED WITHIN VOLUME 3 The SIFP Steering Group comprises • Clare County Council (Lead Authority, with Mr Tom Coughlan as Chair) • Kerry County Council • Limerick County Council • Limerick City Council • Mid-West Regional Authority • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government • Shannon Development • Shannon Foynes Port Company • National Parks and Wildlife Service • Marine Institute • Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Public Works • National Monuments Service • Limerick Clare Energy Agency • Inland Fisheries Ireland • Eirgrid • Shannon Airport Authority • Shannon International River Basin District Project K ilrush Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary | Page III The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary is an inter-jurisdictional land and 1.0 marine based framework plan to guide the future development and management of the Shannon Estuary. Introduction It has been commissioned by Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County to the Plan Councils, Shannon Development and the Shannon Foynes Port Company. The project is being overseen by a multi-agency steering group comprised of the above and other key stakeholders with an interest in the Estuary. 1.1 INTRODUCTION The Shannon Estuary is an immensely important asset and one of the most valuable natural resources in Ireland and the Mid-West Region in particular – the The Shannon Estuary is fringe lands and the marine area both provide space and location for development, activities and opportunities to progress economic, social and environmental growth an immensely important within the Region. However, if this is not progressed in a sustainable, integrated and carefully planned manner, asset and one of Ireland’s opportunities will be lost to preserve, conserve and enhance the very attributes which sustain this natural most valuable natural resource. An over-arching, integrated framework for moving forward is required, to assist in the planning resources… and sustainable development of this exceptional region. The Estuary is the largest in Ireland, with a water body of some 31,500 ha, covering a distance of 2 approximately 100km from Limerick City to Loop ...covering 500km Head. It has a long established history of facilitating major industries, including Shannon Foynes Port at of navigable waters Foynes and Limerick Docks. The Port has grown to become Ireland second largest port operation, stretching 100km from handling the largest vessels entering Irish waters, up to 200,000dwt. Shannon International Airport, ESB Moneypoint, Tarbert Power Station, NORA Fuel Limerick City to Loop Storage, Aughinish Alumina have also grown and become major industrial and employment hubs within Head, Co Clare & Kerry the Estuary, operating efficiently and sensitively within the estuarine environment. Head, Co Kerry. The Estuary’s deep water, generous hinterland, skilled resident population, and location at the entrance to the Gateway of Limerick City provide an attractive base for these various industries. It has become a major contributor to the energy supply market. ESB Moneypoint has been generating electricity for around 25 years, and with a capacity of 915 MW it is capable of meeting approximately 25% of Irelands demand for Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary | Page 1 electricity. Along with Tarbert Power Station (Photo • Heritage and Landscape 1), it has created a strategic energy hub within the • Valuable Habitats and Species Shannon Estuary, facilitating the growth of strategic grid infrastructure and other synergistic industries such as The Estuary also provides a wide range of habitats, renewable energy and combined heat and power. including mudflats, rocky shores, salt marshes, beaches, and dunes amongst others. It is designated as Special The coast and shoreline has always been an important Area of Conservation (SAC) as part of a network location for economic and social activity and the blend of sites across Europe under the Habitats Directive, of natural and historical landscapes within the Estuary known as the Lower River Shannon SAC. The entire are a valuable tourism and recreational asset. Traditional Estuary as far west of Foynes is designated as a Special activities such as commercial and recreational fishing Protection Area (SPA) known as the River Shannon and aquaculture, based on the core assets of the and Fergus Estuary SPA as part of a network of sites Estuary have served to create employment and a good within Europe, under the Birds Directive, with a major standard of living for the coastal population. extension proposed to cover the rest of the Estuary (Figure 2.7 Volume III). This dual Natura 2000 designation within the Shannon Estuary emphasizes the uniqueness of its natural environment and resources, and places considerable responsibilities on those seeking to progress any proposals within the area, to ensure this uniqueness is maintained and safeguarded. The requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directive, will remain a key determinant in the future development of the overall Estuary. Photo 1 - Tarbert from the N69 There are several Natural Heritage Areas and proposed Natural Heritage Areas within the study area, which protect important habitats or protect threatened There has been an increase in human activities on species of plants and animals. The conservation the land and sea, utilising the Estuary resources, and and enhancement of the Estuary’s rich biodiversity harnessing its potential, not just shipping and fishing, is essential, to ensure that the integrity of its natural but the emergence of marine renewable energy environment is preserved. Although conservation and opportunities, maritime tourism and recreation/cruise enrichment of this delicate estuarine environment is ships. The Shannon Estuary is multi-functional, as the vital, it has not prohibited the evolution and growth waters and adjoining lands support a range of functions, of many of the major industries and businesses which uses, communities, activities, and environmental furnish the shores of the Estuary, providing economic resources/assets, which all bring character, prosperity and social well being of many of the coastal settlements and vibrancy to the area. The Estuary and the and further afield. settlements directly adjoining it are outlined on Figures 1.2 - 1.3 Volume III. The focus going forward is on optimizing opportunities for economic and social development within the Among the most notable functions are: Estuary to provide local employment, sustain coastal • Shipping/Port functions communities and help provide a better standard of • Marine related Industry/Industry living for all, building on the assets and resources already • Fishing/Aquaculture available, such as the Shannon Free Zone (Photo 2). • Marine Tourism, Leisure and Recreation There is an increasing focus on the potential to be • Energy generation yielded from the area’s natural resources and assets, • Fuel Storage in seeking to encourage economic development and • Aviation investment in the Mid-West. The Estuary itself, its natural deep water, large hinterland, proximity to the Page 2 | Introduction to the Plan Gateway of Limerick / Shannon, access to the western HOW CAN THE TWO SUCCESSFULLY seaboard, good transport linkages with the potential EVOLVE FURTHER? for multi-modal improvements to air, sea and rail connections, and a skilled labour force all create optimal baseline conditions for investment, industry, trade and Over the past number of decades, numerous studies employment, if encouraged, promoted and facilitated in have been undertaken by various agencies and an appropriate, sustainable and rational manner. consultancies to assess the potential opportunities offered by the Estuary. These have centred on the natural resources of the Estuary in terms of its tourism, leisure and recreation potential, including the reports by Arthur Young (1989) and Brady Shipman Martin (1999). Many studies have been carried out to examine