Appropriate Assessment Report

Name of project or plan: Proposed offshore site investigation works and various surveys, between and Ireland’s

Eye and off the North Dublin Coast at Loughshinny as part of the offshore site investigations for the purpose of designing a marine outfall for the Greater

Dublin Drainage Project. (FS 006292)

Name and location of Natura 2000 site Bay SAC (Site Code 000199) It would be helpful for a map or plan to Baldoyle Bay SPA Site Code ( 004016) be provided: Ireland’s Eye SPA (Site Code 004117) Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC (Site Code 003000)

In terms of the proposed GI Works one of the Borehole locations is on the northern boundary of the Baldoyle Bay SAC and app 1.5km north of the Baldoyle Bay SPA and four of the borehole locations are contained within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC, while the remaining borehole locations are situated in a 3 km stretch between these designations along the proposed marine outfall route In terms of the proposed Underwater noise survey the survey area overlaps app 15 km2 of the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC ,covers all Ireland’s Eye SAC and SPA(marine areas) and bounds the eastern fringe of the Baldoyle Bay SAC for a distance of app 6 km and at one point comes within 500m of the Baldoyle Bay SPA . The reef bathymetry survey area is contained fully within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC and bounds Ireland’s Eye SAC and SPA The reef assessment survey area is contained fully within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC (since it relates to a reef study of this SAC) and bounds Ireland’s Eye SAC and SPA Indicative sediment and benthos sampling locations are shown on Drawing No 3210901/FSL/002 and it can be seen that there are app 46 such point locations situated throughout the study area. Approximately 30 of these are situated within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC and some of the remaining sampling points are in close proximity to the Baldoyle Bay SAC and Ireland’s Eye SPA and SAC as shown on said Drawing. In terms of the proposed Archaeological Dive survey, this follows the proposed route of the Marine Outfall and approximately 1.4 km (0.42km2) of this will overlap with the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC and this same area is within 0.5 km of the Ireland’s Eye SPA and SAC with the westernmost fringe of the survey area coming within app 200 m of the northern boundary of the Baldoyle Bay SAC and app 1.5km north of the Baldoyle Bay SPA

Baldoyle Bay SAC

Baldoyle Bay is designated for a number of habitats that it supports which include mudflats and sand flats, salicornia, Atlantic salt meadows, and Mediterranean salt meadows.

Baldoyle Bay SAC extends from just below Portmarnock village to the west pier at Howth in Co. Dublin. It is a tidal estuarine bay protected from the open sea by a large sand-dune system. Two small rivers, the Mayne and the Sluice, flow into the bay. 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  Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide  Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand  Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco- Puccinellietalia maritimae)  Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi Large areas of intertidal flats are exposed at low tide at this site. These are mostly sands but grade to muds in the inner sheltered parts of the estuary. Extensive areas of Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica) occur in the inner estuary. Both the Narrow- leaved Eelgrass (Zostera angustifolia) and the Dwarf Eelgrass (Z. noltii) are also found here. During summer, the sandflats of the sheltered areas are covered by mats of green algae (Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca). The sediments have a typical macrofauna, with Lugworm (Arenicola marina) dominating the sandy flats. The tubeworm Lanice conchilega is present in high densities at the low tide mark and the small gastropod Hydrobia ulvae occurs in the muddy areas, along with the crustacean Corophium volutator. Areas of saltmarsh occur near Portmarnock Bridge and at Portmarnock Point, with narrow strips along other parts of the estuary. Species such as glassworts (Salicornia spp.), Sea-purslane (Halimione portulacoides), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) and Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus) are found here. Portmarnock Spit formerly had a well-developed sand dune system but this has been largely replaced by golf courses and is mostly excluded from the site. A few dune hills are still intact at Portmarnock Point, and there are small dune hills east of Cush Point and below the Claremont Hotel. These are mostly dominated by Marram (Ammophila arenaria), though Lyme-grass (Leymus arenarius) is also found. The site includes a brackish marsh along the Mayne River. Soils here have a high organic content and are poorly drained, and some pools occur. Rushes (Juncus spp.) and salt tolerant species such as Common Scurvygrass (Cochleria officinalis) and Greater Sea-spurrey (Spergularia media) are typical of this area. Knotted Hedge-parsley (Torilis nodosa), a scarce plant in eastern Ireland, has been recorded here, along with Brackish Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus baudotti), a species of brackish pools and ditches which has declined in most places due to habitat loss. Two plant species, legally protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, occur in the Mayne marsh, Borrer's Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia fasciculata) and Meadow Barley (Hordeum secalinum). Baldoyle Bay is an important bird site for wintering waterfowl and the inner part of the estuary is a Special Protection Area under the E.U. Birds Directive as well as being a Statutory Nature Reserve.

Baldoyle Bay is a fine example of an estuarine system. It contains four habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive, and supports two legally protected plant species. The site is also an important bird area and part of it is a Special Protection Area under the E.U. Birds Directive, as well as being a Statutory Nature Reserve. It supports internationally important numbers of Brent Goose and nationally important numbers of six other bird species, including two Annex I Birds Directive species.

The Conservation Objectives1 for the Baldoyle Bay SAC are: To maintain the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected:

 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide  Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand  Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco‐Puccinellietalia maritimae)  Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)

Baldoyle Bay SPA Baldoyle Bay extends from just below Portmarnock village to the west pier at Howth, Co. Dublin. It is a tidal estuarine bay protected from the open sea by a large sanddune system. Two small rivers, the Mayne and the Sluice, flow into the inner part of the estuary.

Large areas of intertidal flats are exposed at low tide. These are mostly sands but grade to muds in the inner sheltered parts of the estuary. Baldoyle Bay is of high ornithological importance for wintering waterfowl, providing good quality feeding areas and roost sites for an excellent diversity of waterfowl species. It supports an internationally important population of Pale-bellied Brent Geese and has a further seven species with nationally important populations Great Crested Grebe Shelduck), Pintail, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit. The occurrence of Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit is of

1 NPWS (2012) Conservation Objectives: Baldoyle Bay SAC 000199. Version 1.0. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. particular note as these species are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. Other species which occur in significant numbers include Teal, Mallard Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, Lapwing , Knot Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank and Turnstone. Regular breeding birds include Shelduck, Mallard and Ringed Plover. In autumn, passage migrants such as Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper are regular in small numbers.

Baldoyle Bay SPA is of high conservation importance, with an internationally important population of Brent Geese and nationally important populations of a further seven species, including two which are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. The inner estuarine section is a Statutory Nature Reserve and is also designated as awetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Conservation Objectives of the Baldoyle SPA are2 to maintain the favourable condition of the wetland habitat and the favourable condition of the bird species listed below within the SPA

 Light-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla hrota)  Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)  Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)  Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)  Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)  Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)  Wetlands

Irelands Eye SPA Ireland's Eye is an uninhabited island located about 1.5 km north of Howth in Co.Dublin. The island has an area of c.24 ha above the high tide mark. A tall stack, which is completely cut off from the main island at mid to high tide, occurs at the eastern side of the cliffs. A sandy beach, backed by low sand hills,

2 NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Baldoyle Bay SPA 004016. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. occurs at Carrigeen Bay on the western shore, while a shingle beach extends from Carrigeen to Thulla Rocks. Elsewhere the island is covered by glacial drift. A lowlying, sparsely vegetated islet, known as Thulla, occurs a little to the south of the island, and an extensive area of bedrock shore (heavily covered by brown seaweeds) is exposed at low tide between Thulla and the main island. There are no watercourses or springs on the island, though two small rainwater ponds form during winter in the North-west and north-east sectors. A substantial area of the sea to the north and east of the island, where seabirds socialise and feed, is included in the site. The drift soils support a plant community of Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and various grasses, especially Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), along with Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Pennywort (Umbilicus rupestris). The localised Spring Squill (Scilla verna) is a feature of the flora. The cliff maritime flora includes Rock Spurrey (Spergularia rupicola), Sea Stork’s-bill (Erodium maritimum), Rock Samphire (Crithmum martimum), Golden Samphire (Inula crithmoides) and Sea Lavender (Limonium binervosum). The small area of shingle vegetation supports two Red Data Book plant species, Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) and Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger). The seabird populations exercise a strong influence on the vegetation over much of the island and in places only those plants which can survive liberal spraying with guano manage to survive. Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Slender Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus) are common in such areas. Ireland's Eye has important populations of breeding seabirds. In 1999 the following were counted: Fulmar 70 pairs; Gannet 142 pairs, Cormorant 306 pairs; Shag 32 pairs, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 pair; Herring Gull c.250 pairs; Great Black-backed Gull c.100 pairs; Kittiwake 941 pairs; Guillemot 2,191 individuals; Razorbill 522 individuals. In 2001 the following were counted: Gannet 202 pairs; Cormorant 438 pairs; Shag 39 pairs; Great Black- backed Gull 110 pairs; Kittiwake 1024 pairs; Guillemot 2948 individuals; Razorbill 686+ individuals. Puffin was formerly common, but nowadays not more than 20 individuals occur. Black Guillemot also breeds, with 15 individuals recorded in 1998. Manx Shearwater has bred in the past. The Gannet, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Great Black- backed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill populations are of national importance. When the Cormorant population is considered as part of a larger grouping with the colonies on nearby Lambay and St. Patrick’s Island, this population is of international importance. The Gannet colony is of particular note as it is one of five in the country and the only one on the east coast. It is also notable that it has only been established as recently as the late 1980s. Several pairs each of Shelduck, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover breed, while the island is a traditional site for Peregrine Falcon, a species listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. In winter small numbers of Greylag and Pale-bellied Brent Geese graze on the island and it is used as a roost site by gulls and some waders. Ireland’s Eye is now one of the best monitored sites in the country, with the breeding seabirds having been systematically censused using standard methods almost annually since 1990 (and also in 1986). Prior to that, census data are available for 1969/70 from the Operation Seafarer project. The present status of most of the breeding seabirds on Ireland’s Eye appears favourable. The principal direct threat to the nesting birds is potential disturbance from visitors to the island. While the present level of disturbance does not appear to be having adverse impacts on the majority of the breeding birds (most of which are on relatively inaccessible cliffs), regulation and management of visitors to the island may be necessary in the future. Brown rats are long established on the island but their recent status is not well known. It is likely, however, that the presence of rats may be a factor in keeping the Puffin population at a low level. This relatively small island is of high ornithological importance, with seven seabird species having populations of national importance. The regular presence of a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcon is also of note. The Conservation Objectives3 for the Ireland’s Eye SPA are: To maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the bird species listed as Special Conservation Interests for this SPA:

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [breeding ] Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) [breeding ] Kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla) [breeding ] Guillemot ( Uria aalge) [breeding ]

Razorbill(Alca torda) [breeding ]

Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC

This site includes a range of dynamic inshore and coastal waters in the western Irish Sea. These include sandy and muddy seabed, reefs, sandbanks and islands. This site extends southwards, in a strip approximately 7 km wide and 40 km in length, from Rockabill, running adjacent to , and crosses Dublin Bay to Frazer Bank in south . The site encompasses Dalkey, Muglins and Rockabill islands. The area selected for designation represents a key habitat for the Annex II species harbour porpoise, within the Irish Sea. Population survey data show that porpoise occurrence within the site boundary meets suitable reference values for other designated sites in Ireland. The species occurs year-round within the site and comparatively high group sizes have been recorded. Porpoises with young (i.e. calves) are observed at favourable, typical reference values for the species. Casual and effort-related sighting rates from coastal observation stations are significant for the east coast of Ireland and the latter appear to be relatively stable across all seasons. The selected site contains a wide array of habitats believed to be important for harbour porpoise including inshore shallow sand and mud-banks and rocky reefs scoured by strong current flow. The site

3 NPWS (2011) Conservation objectives for Ireland's Eye SPA [004117]. Generic Version 4.0. Department of Arts Heritige and the Gaeltecht

also supports Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), for which terrestrial haul-out sites occur in immediate proximity to the site. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) has also occasionally been recorded in the area. A number of other marine mammals have been recorded in this area including minke, fin and killer whales and Risso’s and common dolphins.

Reef habitat is uncommon along the eastern seaboard of Ireland due to prevailing geology and hydrographical conditions. Expansive surveys of the Irish coast have indicated that the greatest resource of this habitat within the Irish Sea is found fringing offshore islands which are concentrated along the Dublin coast. A detailed survey of selected suitable islands has shown areas with typical biodiversity for this habitat both intertidally and subtidally. Species recorded in the intertidal included Fucus spiralis, Fucus serratus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Ascophyllum nodosum, Semibalanus balanoides and Necora puber. Subtidally, a wide range of species include Laminaria hyperborea, Flustra folicacea, Alaria esculenta, Halidrys siliquosa, Pomatocereos triqueter, Alcyonium digitatum, Metridium senile, Caryophyllia smithii, Tubularia indivisa, Mytilus edulis, Gibbula umbilcalis, Asterias rubens, and Echinus esculentus. These Reefs are subject to strong tidal currents with an abundant supply of suspended matter resulting in good representation of filter feeding fauna such as sponges, anemones and echinoderms. This site is of conservation importance for reefs, listed on Annex I, and Harbour Porpoise, listed on Annex II, of the E.U. Habitats Directive.

The Conservation Objectives4 for the Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC are: To maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of habitats and species of community interest for which the SAC has been selected:

4 4 NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC 003000. Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage

 Reefs  Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena

Description of the project or plan The offshore investigation works/surveys will include for the following (see also Map No 32102901-FSL-002 in terms of locations for various survey/SI elements)

Marine Ground Investigations(GI)

The marine GI works will extend across the study area of the proposed marine outfall which lies south of Portmarnock and north of Ireland’s Eye (ref Figure 1 in Appendix A in ‘’Supporting Information Report’) The marine GI will comprise of the collection of sediment and bedrock cores in order to provide a greater understanding of the benthic and bedrock character along the proposed dredging route. It is proposed to create a total of 12 No 150mm diameter boreholes on the seabed along the alignment of the proposed outfall area. The proposed works will comprise of 12 locations where vibrocoring will be used to collect 11 sediment profiles to a depth of 5m.The locations will then involve the use of cable percussion boreholes that will be further progressed by rotary core drilling to obtain bedrock cores. The location of the boreholes and vibrocores are shown in Figure 2(ref Appendix A in ‘’Supporting Information Report’) and in Table 3.1 Soft sediment samples will be taken by using a cable percussion operated core, hard rock samples will be taken with a rotary core and the sediment core profile by use of a vibrocore so three drilling rig types will be required on board the chosen drill vessel to accommodate these techniques. The drill rig vessel will be towed into position over the proposed sample locations using a tug boat. The extendable legs will be deployed into the foreshore/seabed for stabilisation. The only movement of the vessel housing the drilling rigs will be between sampling locations.

More details in relation to the proposed Vibrocores, Cable percussion boreholes, Rotary Cored Boreholes and In-situ Testing techniques is outlined in S3.2.1-3.2.4 respectively in ‘’Supporting Information Report’’ It is anticipated that the proposed GI works will commence in August 2015 and last for 6 months (weather dependent)

Bathymetry Survey,

The survey will be completed over a 4 month period commencing in June 2015 and will consist of a side scan sonar survey. The survey area is shown in Figure 2 (ref Appendix A in Appropriate Assessment Screening Report) This survey will not require any equipment to be erected on the foreshore. All surveys will be conducted using equipment mounted on or towed by the survey vessel.

Underwater Noise and Vibration survey

Due to the requirement to work within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC –designated for Harbour porpoise- to construct the marine outfall, the NPWS requested an assessment of the potential impact due to underwater noise and in particular potential impact for harbour porpoise. Therefore it is proposed to undertake underwater noise monitoring within the study area. The monitoring will likely require a week long monitoring period to ascertain a baseline noise level. Noise monitoring will be conducted from boats using noise recording equipment which will be hand held from a boat or secured to the vessel. This survey will involve both underwater noise and particle velocity measurements at sensitive locations within the study area. This survey will not require any equipment to be erected on the foreshore. All surveys will be conducted using equipment mounted on or towed by the survey vessel. The survey area is shown in Figure 2 (ref Appendix A in Appropriate Assessment Screening Report)

Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC Reef Habitat Survey

This survey will consist of habitat mapping using acoustic sampling, scientific divers and comprehensive drop down high resolution still photography. These techniques will be used either singularly or in combination, the following survey methods are proposed:  Mapping of sub-littoral reef complexes using multi-beam echo sounds for app 1.8km along the NE Coastline from LWM to 200m offshore

 Ground truthing of reef structures and habitat changes using seabed photographs

 Detailed habitat mapping using divers

The likely effect from this survey method is the noise associated with multi-beam echo which is likely to be in the range of 92-98 KHz. Both the ground truthing and habitat mapping by divers may have the potential to cause localised disturbance to marine mammals

The survey will commence in June 2015 and last for 4 months. The survey area is shown in Figure 2 (ref Appendix A in Appropriate Assessment Screening Report)

Surface sediments and benthos sampling

In order to inform the hydrodynamic model ,suspended sediment samples are proposed to be undertaken on an extended study area from Lambay to Howth( see Figure 4 in Appendix A in ‘’Supporting Information Report’ ’Samples will be taken by use of a sampling tube at (i) just below surface,(ii) mid-water column depth (iii) just above the seabed.

Benthos sampling is anticipated to include samples of the seabed will be acquired using a grab sampler, with duplicated replicates processed for macro-invertebrate benthos larger than 500u M at each location.

The surface sediment survey is expected to commence in June 2015 for duration of app 2 weeks

Marine Archaeological Dive Survey

The survey will consist of observational dives throughout the study area (following the route of the proposed marine outfall) by scientific divers. This will not involve any equipment on the foreshore and this dive survey is expected to commence in August 2015 and last for 1 month.

The survey footprint extends from the foreshore seaward occupying an area that measures 750M N-S and 5km long (E-W)-see Map No 32102901/FSL/002

Though not specifically stated it would appear that the proposed dive survey will help to inform further in relation to the information provided in the ‘’Marine Archaeological Assessment’’ –which accompanied the Foreshore Licence Application- and will follow on from some of the archaeological management and monitoring recommendations made therein in terms of ‘’Pre Construction Measures’’ and ‘’Construction Phase Measures’’ (as presented in Section 6.0 ‘’Recommendations’’). It may also be required on follow on from a meeting between the Applicants and NMS section of DAHG which took place on 30/7/2013 which ‘’discussed requirements for further archaeological testing prior to the submission of the planning application’’ – ref ‘’Correspondence Summary Table 4.1’’.

Is the project or plan directly connected No. with or necessary to the management of the site (provide details)?

Are there other projects or plans that 1 FURTHER SURVEY OPERATIONS together with the project or plan being assessed could affect the site (provide Further non-intrusive marine mammal and tide details)? and current surveys off the north Dublin coast of Loughshinny-Portmarnock (the subject of an earlier S3.3 Foreshore Licence Application) will be running in parallel with these Site Investigations and further surveys. All of these surveys are of short duration, localised and would only take up a miniscule footprint area in terms of the overall areas designated. Significant “in combination” effects are not considered likely.

2 POTENTIAL NEW DEVELOPMENTS ALONG ADJACENT COASTLINE

Sustainable Urban Development Systems (SUDS) for all surface water discharges from new developments is an objective of the Co Development Plan 2011-2017 which will ensure sustainable surface water discharges to coastal waters from future development. There is no likelihood for in-combination effects to coastal habitats from sewage effluent because the implementation of the GDDS will adhere to the requirements of the WFD to achieve ‘’Good Water Quality Status’ in all protected areas by 2015.

3 PROPOSED WWTP AT CLONSHAUGH AND MARINE OUTFALL

All Marine Investigative Surveys will be completed in advance of any works commencing on the Marine Outfall and Clonshaugh WWTP .The proposed off-shore pipeline required to service the proposed Clonshaugh WWTP under GDD will be subject to its own AA. Porpoises are likely to be habituated to the noise generated from existing fishing and shipping routes in the locality. No significant in- combination effects are likely.

Describe how the project or plan (alone  Sediment release from drilling and coring or in combination) is likely to affect the operations associated with GI Works may impact Natura 2000 site. on habitats(including reef communities ) through smothering  Potential for accidental spills from marine GI Works or leaching of drilling fluids into the water column ,has potential to impact on habitats (including reef communities)  Noise and vibration associated with the drilling and coring operations (associated with the GI Works) and operations for the bathymetric surveys has potential to impact on birds and may result in the temporary displacement of the harbour porpoise from breeding grounds.  Noise associated with vessel movements to service the various surveys and sediment sampling operations may impact on bird populations  Access to intertidal borehole may require overland access to haul alternative plant to its location which may damage intertidal habitats from trampling and use of vehicles

Explain why these effects are not While sediment release is likely to occur as a result of the considered significant. investigative drilling operations, impacts will be minimal and localised. The sediments in the vicinity of the GI Works are mobile sands and therefore sediments released through drilling operations are unlikely to be discernible above the natural variation in the area. Therefore no impact is predicted from sediment release to SAC Sites.

The operation of the equipment required for the drilling and vibrocoring work is likely to result in low-level air- borne noise disturbance but is unlikely to be discernible to the bird breeding populations owing to the distance of the works from SPA sites. The noise and vibrations associated with the GI Works and bathymetric surveys does not have the potential to impact on sub tidal and intertidal reef communities or habitats within any of the SAC sites.

The adoption of best practice methods for all marine survey and GI works, adherence to relevant pollution prevention guidelines, adoption of strict environmental controls and the presence of the MMO on site will minimise the risk of any harmful fluids such as fuels, chemicals and/or oils entering the water column through accidental spills or leakage .The potential impact to SAC and SPA sites from pollution/accidental spillages is therefore not considered to be significant.

It is considered highly unlikely that the marine GI works will cause death to any marine mammals as drilling/vibrocoring operations operate at a lower reported auditory range for all species. The use of Multi-beam Echo-sounder(MBES) for the bathymetric surveys has the potential to result in short term disturbance to harbour porpoise through displacement from areas such as feeding and breeding grounds .The ‘’Risk Management Strategy’’ has been developed to address noise impacts to harbour porpoise and a set of mitigation measures is outlined at S 6.0 .It is considered that with the adoption of these mitigation measures and full compliance with measures set out in “Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters” (January 2014) the noise associated with marine survey works is unlikely to result in significant impact to the harbour porpoise.

Some of the marine survey works fall within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC, however direct loss of reef communities is not predicted as all drilling works will be undertaken approximately 0.6km from sub tidal communities and approximately 0.8km from the inter-tidal reef community. The bathymetric surveys are non- intrusive surveys which will not impact on the reef communities.

There is no shipping lanes around the proposed marine survey works, however boat movements are common (i.e. trawlers, pleasure/leisure and sail/motor boats operating from Howth and ) The additional presence of plant and vessels required for the GI Works and Surveys should not increase noise levels in this regard. There will be a requirement for survey vessels to travel to and from monitoring points on a regular basis to service the monitoring stations; these may generate some marine traffic noise. It is considered that with the adoption of the mitigation measures as set out in the Appropriate Assessment Statement and the NPWS document “Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters” (January 2014) the noise associated with the GI Works and marine survey works are unlikely to result in significant impact on the features of interest of the sites, with negligible impact to harbour porpoise. Furthermore porpoises are likely to be habituated to the noise generated from existing fishing and shipping routes in the locality. Impacts on bird species from the noise associated with the survey vessels is not considered likely as it is consistent with normal marine traffic noise in the area.

The surveys are non-intrusive and do not involve the placement of any structures on the foreshore. While there is app 45 no sediment/benthos sampling points spread throughout the entire survey area these are in effect fixed points taking up miniscule areas on the sea bed therefore they will only take up a miniscule footprint area in the context of the overall areas of the designated sites.

The proposed GI Works and survey operations will result in a very small area of interaction with the seabed The impact from altered hydrology will be minimal and insignificant.

The impacts of the works will be temporary and localised. The works will not result in habitat loss, there will not be significant disturbance to key species and there will be no habitat or species fragmentation within the SAC’s or SPA’s. The integrity of the sites will not be affected.

There will be no direct discharge of pollutants into the environment during the works and water quality will not be affected.

While Access to one intertidal borehole may require overland access to haul alternative plant to its location the impact on the underlying seabed will be temporary and localised and in terms of the overall Baldoyle Bay SAC the footprint area actually impacted is infinitesimal. With a recovery of the habitat anticipated post GI Works the impact to the designated area can be considered minor- insignificant.

On the basis of the above it is considered that there will be no significant adverse effects as a result of the proposed offshore site investigation works and various surveys, between Portmarnock and Ireland’s Eye and off the North Dublin Coast at Loughshinny on the ‘qualifying interests’ or the ‘conservation objectives’ of the Baldoyle Bay SAC (Site Code 000199), Balydoyle Bay SPA (Site Code 004016), Ireland’s Eye SPA (Site Code 004117) and Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC (Site Code 003000)

Who carried out the assessment? Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Marine Licensing Vetting Committee, 21st April 2015.