Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Works - Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme

Stage 2: Natura Impact Statement 2018 to 2022

April 2018

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 Draft V1.0 Report / Tony Brew December 2017 Final Report V2.0 Included OPW Invasive Tony Brew April 2018 Species procedures, winter survey results and concluding statement.

Contract This report describes work commissioned by the Office of Public Works, by a letter dated 31/08/2017. The Office of Public Works’ representative for the contract was Tony Brew. Niamh Sweeney, Patricia Byrne and Fiona Byrne of JBA Consulting carried out this work.

Prepared by ...... Patricia Byrne BSc PhD CIEEM Ecologist

Reviewed by ...... Laura Thomas BA MRes PGCert CEcol MCIEEM Chartered 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.

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Copyright © Jeremy Benn Associates Limited 2018 Carbon Footprint A printed copy of the main text in this document will result in a carbon footprint of 396g if 100% post- consumer recycled paper is used and 504g 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.

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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 ...... 5 2.1 Background ...... 5 2.2 Drainage Maintenance Activities ...... 5 2.3 The Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 10 2.4 Drainage Maintenance Works Proposed for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme 11 3 Screening Assessment Results ...... 13 3.1 Introduction ...... 13 3.2 Screening Assessment Conclusions ...... 19 4 Existing environment ...... 21 4.1 Methodology...... 21 4.2 Results ...... 21 5 Natura 2000 sites within the Zone of Influence of Drainage Maintenance Activities ...... 42 5.1 Introduction ...... 42 5.2 Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) ...... 42 5.3 Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) ...... 47 5.4 Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) ...... 49 6 Appropriate Assessment...... 51 6.1 Introduction ...... 51 6.2 Identification of Potential Sources of Impact ...... 51 6.3 Cumulative and in-combination impacts ...... 54 6.4 Impact Assessment ...... 57 7 Avoidance and Mitigation Measures ...... 63 7.1 Introduction ...... 63 8 Conclusions ...... 65 A Appendices ...... 68 References...... 87

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List of Figures Figure 1-1: The Appropriate Assessment Process (from: Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities, DoEHLG, 2009).. 2 Figure 1-2: Screening assessment process ...... 4 Figure 2-3: Map of the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme ...... 11 Figure 3-1: Channels and embankments with potential impacts via surface water pathways ...... 14 Figure 3-2: Channels and embankments with potential impacts via land and air pathways ...... 17 Figure 4-1: Lower weir on River Glyde separating depositing/lowland river habitat from tidal river habitat...... 23 Figure 4-2: Reed and large sedge swamps FS1 on the River Dee ...... 24 Figure 4-3: Riparian woodland WN5 on left bank of River Glyde ...... 24 Figure 4-4: Tall-herb swamp adjacent to River Glyde ...... 25 Figure 4-5: Tidal river habitat CW2 with mud shores (left) and mud and cobbles with attached seaweed (right)...... 25 Figure 4-6: Area of upper saltmarsh CM2 on River Glyde ...... 26 Figure 4-7: Lower saltmarsh CM1 habitat on River Glyde...... 27 Figure 4-8: Annex 1 saltmarsh habitat and Perennial vegetation on stony banks [1220] at the mouth of the Glyde/Dee Estuary ...... 28 Figure 4-9: Glyde and Dee Estuary MW4 opening onto mud and sandflats with mixed sediment shores ...... 29 Figure 4-10: Drainage ditch adjacent to OPW embankment on right bank of River Dee. .. 30 Figure 4-11: Mixed woodland WD1 on right bank of River Glyde...... 31 Figure 4-12: Cleared area of woodland on left bank of River Glyde below upper weir...... 32 Figure 4-13: Areas of wet grassland adjacent to the River Glyde ...... 32 Figure 4-14: Scrub WS1 on left embankment of River Dee ...... 33 Figure 4-15: Egret roosting site ...... 34 Figure 4-16: Badger droppings (left) and Otter spraint (right) ...... 34 Figure 4-17: Water Fern Azolla filiculoides on the River Glyde ...... 35 Figure 4-18: Japanese Knotweed on landward side of embankment adjacent to the River Glyde ...... 36 Figure 4-19: Giant Hogweed (potential) ...... 37 Figure 4-20: Drainage ditch at Stabannan ...... 38 Figure 4-21: Mixed species treeline at Stabannan ...... 39 Figure 4-23: Badger holes on E3, River Glyde ...... 41

List of Tables Table 2-1: OPW Drainage Maintenance Subcategories ...... 5 Table 2-2: OPW Drainage Maintenance Types ...... 5 Table 2-3: Embankments at the Glyde and Dee and planned works ...... 12

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Table 3-1: Summary results of surface water dependent QIs with potential for significant effects in Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) (JBA, 2014) ...... 14 Table 3-2: Summary results of surface water dependent QIs in Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) with potential for significant effects (JBA, 2014) ...... 15 Table 3-3: Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects in via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014) ...... 17 Table 3-4: Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014) ...... 18 Table 3-5: Stabannan and Braganstown SPA (004091) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects in via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014) ...... 19 Table 3-6: Screening Assessment Conclusions (JBA, 2014) ...... 20 Table 4-1: Habitats recorded adjacent to OPW channels ...... 22 Table 4-2: Invasive Non-native species locations ...... 35 Table 4-3: Habitats recorded adjacent to OPW channels ...... 37 Table 5-1: Conservation objectives of Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) (NPWS, 2011a) ...... 43 Table 5-2: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Dundalk Bay SAC ...... 47 Table 5-3: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Dundalk Bay SPA ...... 49 Table 5-4: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Stabannan-Braganstown SPA ...... 50 Table 6-1: Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be affected by drainage maintenance activities via surface water pathways ...... 51 Table 6-2: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via land and air pathways ...... 52 Table 6-3: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via groundwater pathways ...... 53 Table 6-4: Impact Assessment ...... 57 Table 7-1: Specific Mitigation Measures ...... 63 Table 8-1: Integrity of Site Checklist (from DoEHLG, 2009) ...... 65

Abbreviations AA ...... Appropriate Assessment DoEHLG ...... Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government EC ...... European Communities EDM ...... Environmental Drainage Maintenance EPA ...... Environmental Protection Agency EREP ...... Environmental River Enhancement Programme GIS ...... Geographical Information Systems HDPE ...... high-density polyethylene IFI ...... Inland Fisheries Ireland IROPI ...... Imperative Reason of Overriding Public Interest JNCC ...... Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2017s6456 Glyde and Dee NIS v2.0

MAC ...... Maintenance Access Corridor MLWM ...... Mean Low Water Mark MHWM ...... Mean High Water Mark NBDC ...... National Biodiversity Data Centre NIS ...... Natura Impact Statement NPWS ...... National Parks and Wildlife Service OPW ...... Office of Public Works QI ...... Qualifying Interest RBMP ...... River Basin Management Plan SAC ...... Special Area of Conservation SOP ...... Standard Operating Procedure SPA ...... Special Protection Area

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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 2018-2022. This Natura Impact Statement (NIS) provides the results of the assessment conducted for the Glyde and Dee 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).

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 (DoEHLG) (2009). These guidance documents identify a staged approach to conducting an AA, as shown Figure 1-1.

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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, DoEHLG, 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.

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1.4 Methodology This NIS has been prepared with reference 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 (DoEHLG 2009). • 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 (European Commission and Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 2000). • 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 2002). • 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). • EC (2013) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. Version EUR 28. European Commission (EC 2013). • Fossitt, J., (2000). A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny (Fossitt 2000). • 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 2008). • NPWS (2013a).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 (2013b).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 Screening Screening assessment (see Figure 1-2) conducted for these works has been undertaken in line with recommended guidance, including that specifically produced for the OPW in 2013 (Ryan Hanley, 2013a, 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: • Surface water • Land & air • Groundwater The screening assessment involves 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. The results of each pathway are then combined in a concluding section to identify if/where likely significant effects may arise.

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Surface water Land & Air Groundwater

Pathway present Pathway present Pathway present connecting connecting connecting potential potential impacts potential impacts impacts to relevant to relevant to relevant Natura Natura 2000 sites Natura 2000 sites 2000 sites

sites

Source > Pathway > Receptor Chain Chain Receptor > Pathway > Source

Further assessment required

Figure 1-2: Screening assessment process The screening process uses a combination of GIS analysis and qualitative assessment to identify which drainage maintenance activities, on which specific watercourses, are likely to have significant effects on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites. The screening assessment, conducted by JBA ecologists in 2014, has been reviewed and updated as necessary for the production of this NIS.

1.4.2 Ecological Walkover Surveys The OPW selected a number of channels and embankments within the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme for assessment which are in, or within 100m of, a Natura 2000 site To inform the Appropriate Assessment process, a number of assessments and ecological surveys were conducted, including; • An ecological desk-based assessment to collate information on designated sites and protected and notable species. • An ecological walkover survey conducted on 21st and 23rd August and 12th and 13th September 2017 by Niamh Sweeny and Patricia Byrne. • A winter survey conducted on 5-6 February 2018 by Patricia Byrne.

Section 4.1 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.

1.4.3 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.

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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

Channel Maintenance Silt and vegetation management A Aquatic vegetation cutting B Bank protection C Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Tree cutting E Other K Embankment Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Maintenance Tree cutting E Mulching F Mowing G Gate installation H Structural Maintenance Sluice maintenance I Bridge maintenance J Bank protection C Bush cutting/Branch trimming D Tree cutting E

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The following sections, taken from Ryan Hanley (2014b) and OPW (2011a), 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. 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. 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

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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 Glyde and Dee 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. 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

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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. 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).

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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.

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 Inland Fisheries Ireland (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. In 2017 an environmental training course was designed and provided by JBA to all OPW staff. It was given in three different stages. Management were given a more detailed 2-day course in Environmental and Ecological training. Ground staff were given 1.5 days of training in the environment and ecology. Modules were designed to assist staff in understanding the relevant legislation, recognising ecologically sensitive habitats and species, non-native alien species identification and general environmental and ecological training relevant to their work. This included a half day practical session where ecologists demonstrated the identification of the elements taught in the classroom, in the field.

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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 Error! Reference source not found. 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&%20SO Ps%20April%202011.pdf. OPW have also developed a set of procedures for dealing with invasive species, which is now standard practice during all maintenance operations (Invasive Species Procedures, Appendix 0). A draft Environmental Risk Assessment process has been developed by the OPW which will be filled in by the program producer for >3m base width main channels where maintenance has not occurred for 15 years and embankment works where maintenance has not occurred for 15 years. The Environmental Risk Assessment form for this process is in Appendix Error! Reference source not found..

2.3 The Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme The Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme is located in County Louth. It includes 761.0km of watercourse and 9.9km of embankment. Figure 2-3 shows a map of the watercourses in the scheme in relation to the Natura 2000 sites within the area.

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Figure 2-3: Map of the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme

2.4 Drainage Maintenance Works Proposed for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme Within the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme the exact location and type of required maintenance activity varies over time. For the purposes of this NIS not all activities will occur on all scheme channels, structures and embankments and only the following are planned for the Glyde and Dee Scheme within the timeframe 2018-2022: • A - Silt and vegetation management • D - Bush cutting/branch trimming • E - Tree cutting • The location and OPW channel and embankment numbers for the Glyde and Dee scheme covered in this assessment are provided in Appendix A.4. Channel maintenance on all channels are listed in Appendix A.5, as provided by the OPW. Embankment maintenance on embankments listed in Error! Reference source not found.3, as provided by the OPW, will include: • D - Bush cutting/branch trimming • E - Tree cutting • F - Mulching

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Table 2-3: Embankments at the Glyde and Dee and planned works Bush Tree cutting Mulching cutting/branch (E) (F) trimming (D) E1 X X X E2 X X X E3 X X X E4 X X X E5 X X X E6 X X X E7 X X X E8 X X X E10 X X X E11 X X X E12 X X X

In terms of structural maintenance, no operations are planned as part of these works (2018-2022). Therefore, any structural maintenance works on bridges and associated structures on those watercourses screened into the assessment (JBA, 2014) via each of the pathways are not included in this assessment.

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3 Screening Assessment Results

3.1 Introduction An Appropriate Assessment screening assessment, addressing Stage 1 of the process, has already been completed for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme (JBA, 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 and b). 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: • Surface water • Land & air • 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 within the scheme that could impact upon the Natura 2000 sites - Dundalk Bay SAC (000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) and Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091).

3.1.1 Surface Water Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) maintenance activities on those watercourses shown in Figure 3-1 were identified as potentially resulting in significant adverse impacts on the Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) and Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) via surface water pathways. Summary results of surface water dependent (SWD) qualifying interests (QIs) with potential for significant impact are shown in Table 3-1 and Table 3-2. Stabannan-Braganstown SPA was screened out in relation to surface water pathways as this site predominantly contains improved grassland and arable crops, which are not surface water dependent habitats.

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Figure 3-1: Channels and embankments with potential impacts via surface water pathways

Error! Reference source not found.: Summary results of surface water dependent QIs with potential for significant effects in Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) (JBA, 2014)

EU SWD QIs/ Drainage Activity Desktop Study Conclusion code Annex I Habitat location relative Comment to SWD Qualifying interest

1130 Estuaries <3km upstream, Works are proposed to take Potential for overlap pace both within and likely immediately upstream of significant mouth of the Glyde and effect Dee rivers. 1140 Mudflats and Mudflats and saltmarsh are Potential for sandflats not abundant and widespread likely covered by within Dundalk Bay. A significant seawater at low single watercourse flows effect <3km upstream, tide into the bay, upon which overlap maintenance works will take place and as such potential impacts are anticipated. 1310 Salicornia and <3km upstream, Salicornia flats are known Potential for other annuals overlap to be abundant within the likely colonizing mud bay and are heavily significant and sand associated with the effect saltmarshes which are even more abundant.

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Error! Reference source not found.: Summary results of surface water dependent QIs in Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) with potential for significant effects (JBA, 2014)

SWD QIs/ Special Drainage Desktop Study Conclusion Annex I Conservation Activity location Comment Habitat Interest likely to relative to SWD occur Qualifying interest Estuaries Light bellied Brent <3km upstream, The majority of Potential for (MW4)/ Goose Branta bernicla overlap this SPA is likely Estuaries hrota‐ [A046] comprised of significant [1130] Shelduck Tadorna estuarine habitat. effect tadorna [A048] Drainage Teal Anas crecca maintenance is [A052] proposed for several Mallard Anas watercourses platyrhynchos [A053] within 3km of this Pintail Anas acuta habitat. [A054] Common Scoter Anas acuta [A065] Red breasted Merganser Mergus serrator‐ [A069] Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus [A130] Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula [A137] Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140]Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142]Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Dunlin Calidris alpina [A149] Black tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] Bar tailed‐ Godwit Limosa lapponica [A157]‐ Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Black headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus‐ [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184]Wetlands & Waterbirds Mudflats and Light bellied Brent This site contains Potential for sandflats Goose Branta bernicla <3km upstream, numerous likely ([LS2, LS3, hrota‐ overlap mudflats and significant LS4, LS5)/ Shelduck Tadorna sandflats which effect

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SWD QIs/ Special Drainage Desktop Study Conclusion Annex I Conservation Activity location Comment Habitat Interest likely to relative to SWD occur Qualifying interest Mudflats and tadorna become exposed sandflats not Oystercatcher at low tide. covered by Haematopus Drainage seawater at ostralegus [A130] maintenance low tide Ringed Plover works are [1140] Charadrius hiaticula proposed within [A137] 3km of this site. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142] Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Dunlin Calidris alpina [A149]Black tailed Godwit Black tailed Godwit Limosa‐ limosa [A156]Bar tailed‐ Godwit Limosa lapponica ‐[A157] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Black headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus‐ [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetlands & Waterbirds Lower Dunlin Calidris alpina <3km upstream, Saltmarshes are Potential for saltmarsh [A149] overlap present in the SPA likely (CM1)/ Black tailed Godwit within 3km of significant Salicornia Limosa limosa [A156] watercourses effect and other Curlew‐ Numenius upon which works annuals arquata [A160] are proposed. colonizing Redshank Tringa mud and totanus [A162] sand [1310] Black headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus‐ [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetlands & Waterbirds

3.1.2 Land & Air Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) maintenance activities on those watercourses shown in Figure 3-2 were identified as potentially resulting in significant adverse impacts on the Dundalk Bay SAC (000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) and Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) via land and air pathways.

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Figure 3-2: Channels and embankments with potential impacts via land and air pathways

Summary results of qualifying interests (QIs) with potential for significant impact by land and air pathways are shown for Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) in Table 3-3, for Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) in Table 3-4 and for Stabannan and Braganstown SPA (004091) in Table 3-5.

Table 3-3: Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects in via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014)

Habitats Maintenance Qualifying interest Location Conclusion activity location location relative to of Impact relative to drainage maintenance Natura 2000 activity Maintenance site boundary Mudflats and Mudflats and sandflats are sandflats not located throughout the SAC Potential covered by and surround the channel 0m/Overlap 10m significant seawater at which enters the site, and as effect low tide [1140] such maintenance works will fall within 10m of this habitat Perennial The exact current area of this vegetation of habitat type within the SAC is stony banks unknown, but shingle is known [1220] to occur almost continuously from Salterstown to Lurgan White House in the south bay, Potential 0m/Overlap and from Jenkinstown to east 10m significant of Giles Quay in the north bay. effect (NPWS, 2011a). This habitat is located in close proximity to where drainage maintenance works will be conducted on the boundary of the bay.

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Table 3-4: Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014)

EU Species Maintenance Qualifying Location Conclusion Code activity interest location of Impact location relative to relative to drainage Natura 2000 maintenance site activity boundary Maintenance Light bellied The Conservation 100m Brent Goose Objective Branta‐ bernicla Supporting hrota Document (NPWS, 2011b) identifies that subsites 0Z474 Potential A046 0m/Overlap and 0Z473 where Effect drainage maintenance works will be undertaken is of importance for this species. Shelduck As above 100m Potential A048 0m/Overlap Tadorna tadorna Effect Teal Anas As above 100m Potential A052 0m/Overlap crecca Effect Mallard Anas As above 100m Potential A053 0m/Overlap platyrhynchos Effect Pintail Anas As above 100m Potential A054 0m/Overlap acuta Effect Red breasted As above 100m Potential A069 Merganser 0m/Overlap Effect Mergus‐ serrator Oystercatcher As above 100m Potential A130 Haematopus 0m/Overlap Effect ostralegus Ringed Plover As above 100m Potential A137 Charadrius 0m/Overlap Effect hiaticula Golden Plover As above 200m Potential A140 Pluvialis 0m/Overlap (Nest) (B) Effect apricaria Grey Plover As above 100m (W) Potential A141 Pluvialis 0m/Overlap Effect squatarola Lapwing As above 100m Potential A142 Vanellus 0m/Overlap Effect vanellus Knot Calidris As above 100m Potential A143 0m/Overlap canutus Effect Dunlin Calidris As above 100m Potential A149 0m/Overlap alpina Effect Black tailed As above 100m Potential A156 Godwit Limosa 0m/Overlap Effect limosa‐ Bar tailed As above 100m Potential A157 Godwit Limosa 0m/Overlap Effect lapponica‐ Curlew As above 100m A160 0m/Overlap Potential Numenius

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EU Species Maintenance Qualifying Location Conclusion Code activity interest location of Impact location relative to relative to drainage Natura 2000 maintenance site activity boundary Maintenance arquata Effect Redshank As above 500m (Nest Potential A162 0m/Overlap Tringa totanus site) Effect Black headed As above 100m Gull Potential A179 0m/Overlap Chroicocephalus‐ Effect ridibundus Common Gull As above 50m Potential A182 0m/Overlap Larus canus Effect Herring Gull As above 50m Potential A184 Larus 0m/Overlap Effect argentatus

Table 3-5: Stabannan and Braganstown SPA (004091) - Summary results of QIs with potential for significant effects in via land and air pathways (JBA, 2014)

EU Species/ Maintenance Qualifying Location Conclusion Code Habitats activity interest location of Impact location relative to relative to drainage Natura 2000 maintenance site boundary activity Maintenance Greylag Goose Little information is 300m Anser anser available as to the areas of the SPA which are important for this Potential A043 0m/Overlap species. Effect Therefore, the precautionary principle has been adopted.

3.1.3 Groundwater Pathways As a result of the screening assessment (JBA, 2014) it was determined that maintenance activities on the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme watercourses are unlikely to have any significant effect on the Dundalk Bay SAC (000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) or Stabannan-Braganstown SPA via groundwater pathways.

3.2 Screening Assessment Conclusions The Screening Assessment (JBA, 2014) identified that the sites detailed in Error! Reference source not found.6 were likely to be significantly affected by drainage maintenance operations undertaken within the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme. These 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 (2018-2022). From this screening exercise it has been determined that significant likely effects may arise on the following Natura 2000 sites as a result of OPW drainage maintenance activities.

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Table 3-6: Screening Assessment Conclusions (JBA, 2014)

Site Pathway of Impact Comment Surface Land and Groundwater Water Air Y Y N Habitats at Dundalk Bay SAC have been deemed vulnerable to Dundalk Bay SAC maintenance works which (000455) may reach the site via surface water and land and air pathways. Y Y N Bird species within Dundalk Bay SPA have been deemed vulnerable Dundalk Bay SPA to maintenance works (004026) which may reach the site via surface water and land and air pathways. N Y N Bird species within this SPA have been deemed Stabannan- vulnerable to Braganstown SPA maintenance works which (004091) may reach the site via land and air pathways only. Note: Y = likely significant effect N = no likely significant effect

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4 Existing environment This section summarises the findings of the ecological walkover surveys of the embankments and channels relative to the proposed works for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Maintenance Scheme (2018-2022). Surveys were conducted by Niamh Sweeny and Patricia Byrne in two different areas; on the Glyde and Dee Rivers on 21st and 23rd August and 12th and 13th September 2017, and in the Stabannan area on 13 October 2017. Winter surveys were carried out by Patricia Byrne on 5-6th February 2018 and covered the Glyde and Dee embankments and sections of the Stabannan area.

4.1 Methodology Desktop data has been collected from a range of sources; • NPWS website (www.npws.ie) where site synopses, Natura 2000 data forms and conservation objectives were obtained • National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) (http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/) • Environmental Protection Agency maps website (https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/) • River Basin Management Plans (www.wfdireland.ie) • Catchments (www.catchments.ie) • Planning website (www.eplanning.ie) Surveys included mapping of habitats present within the study area, including any Annex 1 habitats or potential Annex 1 habitats, recording evidence of any protected species (e.g. birds, Otter, Badger), a preliminary assessment of features with suitability for roosting bats and recording of any non-native invasive species found. All evidence of protected habitats and species was recorded on a tablet using the GISmapp application where relevant, and all information gathered was provided to the OPW on a separate GIS database. Ecological Survey methods were in general accordance with those outlined in the following documents; • Best Practise Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping, Heritage Council (Smith et al. 2011) • Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology, Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC 2010). • Ecological Surveying Techniques for Protected Flora and Fauna during the Planning of National Road Schemes (NRA 2009). Aerial photographs and site maps assisted the habitat survey. Habitats have been named and described following Fossitt (2000). Nomenclature for higher plants principally follows that given in Webb’s An Irish Flora (Parnell and Curtis, 2012). The results of these surveys have informed this NIS where relevant. A complete GIS database containing all species and habitats identified during the walkover surveys, including those relevant to the NIS and those not relevant but ecologically significant or protected under other legislation, has been provided separately to the OPW.

4.1.1 Constraints As some of the surveying was carried out late in the season after the flowering season was over, there was some difficulty in correctly identifying some plants. This was particularly the case with grasses and plants such as Hogweed.

4.2 Results

4.2.1 Glyde and Dee rivers The Glyde and Dee Rivers rise in Co Monaghan and Co. Cavan and flow south-eastwards and north-eastwards respectively. The confluence of the two rivers occurs just inland of the seaside village of Annagassan, and the watercourse then drains into Dundalk Bay.

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Within the Glyde and Dee scheme, the watercourses include sections of depositing lowland river, tidal river and drainage ditches. Most of the surrounding land is improved agricultural grassland, with reedbeds fringing the watercourses in places. Small areas of saltmarsh occur in the lower reaches of the tidal river sections of both rivers. Habitats recorded from the surveys are listed in Table 4-1 and described below. A complete GIS database containing all species and habitats identified during the walkover surveys, including those relevant to the NIS and those not relevant but ecologically significant or protected under other legislation, has been provided separately to the OPW.

Table 4-1: Habitats recorded adjacent to OPW channels

Habitat name Fossitt code Arable crops BC1 Buildings and artificial surfaces BL3 Depositing/lowland rivers FW2 Drainage ditches FW4 Dry calcareous and neutral grassland GS1 Estuary MW4 Hedgerow WL1 Improved agricultural grassland GA1 Lower saltmarsh CM1 (Mixed) broadleaved woodland WD1 Mixed sediment shores LS5 Muddy sand shores LS3 Mud shores LS4 Reed and large sedge swamps FS1 Riparian woodland WN5 Sand shores LS2 Scrub WS1 Shingle and gravel banks CB1 Tall-herb swamps FS2 Tidal rivers CW2 Treeline WL2 Upper saltmarsh CM2 Wet grassland GS4

FW2 - Depositing/lowland rivers The rivers Glyde and Dee are classified as depositing/lowland rivers as far as the most seaward weirs (see Figure 4-1). Below the weirs they are classified as tidal rivers, where they are influenced by incoming seawater. Both rivers were slow and meandering and approximately 10 m wide. Bank vegetation reflected adjacent habitats and varied between reedbeds, wet grassland and improved agricultural grassland. Floating river vegetation was visible in several locations and included Broadleaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans and Duckweed Lemna spp.

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Figure 4-1: Lower weir on River Glyde separating depositing/lowland river habitat from tidal river habitat.

FS1 - Reed and large sedge swamps Extensive Reedbeds of Common Reed Phragmites australis were recorded along both watercourses (Fig. 4-2).

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Figure 4-2: Reed and large sedge swamps FS1 on the River Dee

WN5 - Riparian woodland A small area of riparian woodland (willow Salix spp.) was recorded on the left bank of the River Glyde between the upper and lower weirs (Fig 4-3).

Figure 4-3: Riparian woodland WN5 on left bank of River Glyde

FS2 -Tall-herb swamps A small area of tall-herb swamp lined with trees was recorded on the landward side of the ditch adjacent to the embankment on the River Glyde (Figure 4-4). Vegetation included willowherb Epilobium spp., Common Reed, Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, Reed Sweet-grass Glyceria maxima and Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium.

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Figure 4-4: Tall-herb swamp adjacent to River Glyde

CW2 - Tidal rivers The lower reaches of the rivers Glyde and Dee, below the most seaward weirs, are influenced by incoming tides and comprise tidal river habitat. Downstream from the weir on the River Dee, the watercourse was fringed in places with Common Reed, Reed Sweet-grass, Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea, and Yellow iris Iris pseudocorus. Bindweed, Nettle Urtica dioica, Bramble Rubus fruticosa agg. and willowherb also occur. At low tide, mud was visible at the edges of the watercourses (Figure 4-5). After the confluence of the two rivers, towards the mouth of the estuary, the substrate comprises cobbles and mud, with attached brown (Fucus spp.) and green (Enteromorpha spp.) seaweeds.

Figure 4-5: Tidal river habitat CW2 with mud shores (left) and mud and cobbles with attached

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seaweed (right).

CM2 – Upper Saltmarsh Areas of upper saltmarsh were recorded in places along the tidal rivers inshore of lower saltmarsh. Plants observed included bent-grasses (Agrostis spp.), rushes and Sea Aster Aster tripolium (see Figure 4-6).

Figure 4-6: Area of upper saltmarsh CM2 on River Glyde

CM1 - Lower saltmarsh Small areas of saltmarsh were found along the lower reaches of the tidal river sections of both rivers, with Common Saltmarsh Grass Puccinellia maritima dominant (Fig. 4-7).

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Figure 4-7: Lower saltmarsh CM1 habitat on River Glyde.

Potential Annex 1 saltmarsh and Annex 1 Perennial vegetation on stony banks [1220]. A more extensive area of saltmarsh (Figure 4-8) was found at the mouth of the estuary on the left bank. Plants included Common Saltmarsh Grass, Sea-purslane Halimione portulacoides and Sea Aster. This area is classified as potential Annex 1 saltmarsh habitat (NPWS, 2011a) and is part of the extensive saltmarsh habitat of Dundalk Bay. A narrow band of shingle and gravel with Sea Beet Beta vulgaris was recorded higher up the shore. This corresponds to the Fossitt shingle and gravel banks CB1 and the Annex 1 habitat Perennial vegetation on stony banks [1220].

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Figure 4-8: Annex 1 saltmarsh habitat and Perennial vegetation on stony banks [1220] at the mouth of the Glyde/Dee Estuary

MW4 -Estuary/ LS3 -Muddy sand shores, LS5-Mixed sediment shores/ LS2 - Sand shores The downstream element of the tidal rivers Glyde and Dee beyond the Annagassan Bridge is classified as estuarine habitat, where there is a semi-enclosed body of water which has a free connection with the open sea. Sea water is measurably diluted by inputs of freshwater and this, combined with tidal movement, means that salinity is permanently variable. At the mouth of the estuary, just beyond Annagassan pier, littoral sediments varied between muddy sand shores, sand shores and mixed sediment shores (Fig. 4-9). These tidal mudflats and sandflats are equivalent to the Annex 1 habitat Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140].

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Figure 4-9: Glyde and Dee Estuary MW4 opening onto mud and sandflats with mixed sediment shores

FW4 - Drainage ditches Drainage ditches were recorded on the landward side of all OPW embankments (see Figure 4-10), facilitating field drainage, and are regulated by sluice systems in the channel network that form part of the OPW flood defence scheme. Channels were generally 1-2 m in width and in places were heavily vegetated with Bramble, willowherb, thistles Cirsium spp., Common Reed, Reed Sweet- grass and Branched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum. Drainage ditches also ran between most agricultural fields.

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Figure 4-10: Drainage ditch adjacent to OPW embankment on right bank of River Dee.

WL1/ WL2 - Hedgerows and Treelines Hedgerows were recorded along field boundaries and adjacent to some ditches along the Glyde and Dee rivers, as indicated on the habitat map. Most were dominated by Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna with Bramble, Hedge Bindweed and ivy Hedera spp., and were scattered in places with Elder Sambucus nigra, Ash Fraxinus excelsior and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus.

WL2 - Treelines Treelines occurred in places on the landward side of embankments beyond their associated drainage ditches, with various groupings of tree species; Ash and Beech Fagus sylvatica with an understory of Hawthorn and Bramble; ivy clad conifers with Elder, Rowan Sorbus aucuparia and Bramble as understory; ivy clad Ash, Alder Alnus glutinosa and Sycamore; Hawthorn, Hazel Corylus avellana, Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum and Elder; and Sycamore, Alder, oak Quercus spp. and willow.

WD1 - (Mixed) broadleaved woodland A wooded area (approx. 700 m x 50 m) was recorded on the right bank below the upper weir on the River Glyde (Figure 4-11). Species comprised Sycamore, Ash, Alder and willow. Trees were heavily clad with ivy. The left bank had a narrower band of trees and it was evident from previous aerial photographs that a low-lying area of land just downstream of that same weir had been recently cleared of woodland (Figure 4-12).

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Figure 4-11: Mixed woodland WD1 on right bank of River Glyde.

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Figure 4-12: Cleared area of woodland on left bank of River Glyde below upper weir.

GS1 - Dry calcareous and neutral grassland, GS2 - Dry meadows and grassy verges The vegetation cover on the embankments adjacent to both rivers were generally classified as a mosaic of neutral grassland and grassy verge habitats, typically with ungrazed grasses including Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne and False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, as well as willowherb, thistle, Bindweed, Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium, vetch Vicia spp, dock Rumex spp. and occasional small willow trees.

GS4 - Wet grassland Areas of wet grassland were found along the river banks and adjacent to paths and drainage ditches. Plants recorded included Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Nettle, Meadowsweet, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Reed Sweet-grass and Water Mint Mentha aquatica (Figure 4-13).

Figure 4-13: Areas of wet grassland adjacent to the River Glyde

Agricultural land (BC1, BC3, GA1) Most of the agricultural land adjacent to the river embankments was classified as arable crops (BC1), tilled land (BC3), and species-poor improved agricultural grassland (GA1). Embankments that were open to grazing livestock were also classified as improved agricultural grassland with species such as Perennial Rye-grass, Dandelion Taraxacum agg., thistles and knapweed Centaurea spp.

WS1 - Scrub Sections of the embankments on the left bank of the River Dee below the weir were densely vegetated with Bramble, gorse Ulex sp and Common Reed, and were classified as scrub (Figure 4- 14).

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Figure 4-14: Scrub WS1 on left embankment of River Dee

Fauna

Birds Several bird species were observed foraging along the watercourses. These included Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Curlew Numenius arquata and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. A flock of sandpipers was recorded in flight. Flocks of gulls were seen in harvested field adjacent to the River Dee on two of the survey dates. A roosting site for Little Egret Egretta garzetta was observed adjacent to the lower reaches of the Glyde and Dee, when 6-7 egrets flew off on approach. They appeared to be using an area of scrub with ivy clad Hawthorn, piles of wood debris and Bramble (Figure 4-15).

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Figure 4-15: Egret roosting site

Mammals Badger Meles meles droppings were recorded in several areas with thick vegetation on the embankments of the Glyde and Dee, as well as adjacent to mammal tracks/trails (Figure 4-16). Activity was most apparent in areas where Elder and willow trees offered cover. Otter Lutra lutra spraint was recorded in numerous locations along the embankments (Figure. 4- 16), as well as feeding remains and otter slides. The OPW embankments offer good commuting and foraging routes for Otter though no otter holts were recorded. Badger and Otter are protected under the 1976 Wildlife Act (and amendments).

Figure 4-16: Badger droppings (left) and Otter spraint (right)

Non-native Invasive Species Three non-native invasive species listed on the third schedule of the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 S.I. No. 477/2011 were recorded during the site visit. Their locations are listed below in Table 4-2

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Table 4-2: Invasive Non-native species locations

Invasive Non-native species GPS location (ITM) Water Fern 706383 794940 Water Fern 706769 794614 Japanese Knotweed 707982 793822 Giant Hogweed 708498 793462

Water Fern Azolla filiculoides Water Fern was recorded on the River Glyde below the upper weir among river bank vegetation. Where water movement was slow it extended across the whole river (Figure 4-17). The plant is best suited to slow flowing or static fresh waterbodies in low-lying areas. Dense rafts of Water Fern can accumulate, reducing light levels below the surface of the water to waterweeds, pondweeds and algae, which could die off, seriously reducing oxygenation in the water (Early et al, 2009).

Figure 4-17: Water Fern Azolla filiculoides on the River Glyde Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica A small stand (2x3 m) of Japanese Knotweed was recorded on the landward side of the left embankment of the River Glyde, downstream of the upper weir (Figure 4-18).

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Figure 4-18: Japanese Knotweed on landward side of embankment adjacent to the River Glyde Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Potential Giant Hogweed (Figure 4-19) was observed adjacent to the River Glyde on the right bank downstream of the Glyde Bridge.

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Figure 4-19: Giant Hogweed (potential)

4.2.2 Stabannan Stabannan townland is situated approximately 4 km inland from Dundalk Bay in Co. Louth. It is a small, flat alluvial plain adjacent to the River Glyde and is bounded to the north and south by low, rolling hills. The area is predominantly improved grassland and arable crops (NPWS, 2015c). Habitats recorded on the walkover survey on 13th October 2017 are listed in Table 4-3. Table 4-3: Habitats recorded adjacent to OPW channels Habitat name Fossitt code Depositing/lowland rivers FW2 Drainage ditches FW4

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Habitat name Fossitt code Treeline WL2 (Mixed) broadleaved woodland WD1 Hedgerow WL1 Improved agricultural grassland GA1 Arable crops BC1 Tilled land BC3 Buildings and artificial surfaces BL3

FW2 - Depositing/lowland rivers In the Stabannan area, the River Glyde, was slow moving, with a width of about 8m. Banks were heavily vegetated with Nettles and Brambles.

FW4- Drainage ditches Most drainage ditches in the area of Stabannan had been recently cleared of dense vegetation, but along some stretches Water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica and Branched Bur-reed were recorded. Typical marginal vegetation included Hedge Bindweed, Creeping Buttercup, willowherb, Meadowsweet, Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata, Timothy Phleum pratense, thistle, Angelica and dock (Figure 4-20). Stoneworts Chara spp. were recorded in the base of a ditch with a stony substrate and freely flowing water.

Figure 4-20: Drainage ditch at Stabannan

WL2 - Treelines Treelines were a dominant feature of the Stabannan area. Most field boundaries were ditches bordered by planted treelines of Poplar Populus spp. (3-7 deep), with some mixed species of oak, Silver Birch Betula pendula, Ash, maple Acer spp., Beech Fagus sylvatica and other non-native trees (Figure 4-21).

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A planted treeline along River Glyde included Alder, Silver Birch, oak and willow.

Figure 4-21: Mixed species treeline at Stabannan

WD1 - (Mixed) broadleaved woodland Two small areas of planted mixed broadleaved woodland were recorded; one with Silver Birch, oak, willow and poplar. Another small wooded area adjacent to the River Glyde included Oak, willow, birch, Hawthorn, Ash and Sycamore.

WL1 - Hedgerow A hedgerow of Bramble, Hawthorn and Sycamore was recorded along the boundary of agricultural land at right angles to drainage ditch.

GA1 - Improved agricultural grassland, BC1 - Arable crops and BC3 - Tilled land All agricultural fields recorded at Stabannan were either GA1 Improved agricultural grassland, BC1 Arable crops (included maize and harvested fields) or BC3 tilled land of harvested and ploughed fields.

BL3 - Buildings and artificial surfaces A network of farm roads allowed access to large fields within the Stabannan area. Drains were culverted under these roads.

Fauna Badger An active Badger sett with fresh spoil heaps was seen in the Stabannan area in the banks of a recently cleared drainage ditch (Figure 4-22). The ditch was within a small woodland and drained into the River Glyde. Badger are

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Figure 4-22: Active Badger sett at Stabannan

Non-native Invasive Species No non-native invasive species listed on the third schedule of the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 S.I. No. 477/2011 were recorded during the site visit to Stabannan.

4.2.3 Habitat maps- Habitat maps associated with the Glyde and Dee rivers are found in Appendix A.6.3 and for the Stabannan area in Appendix A.6.4.

4.2.4 Winter Surveys on the Glyde and Dee Scheme Fauna A winter survey of the embankments (5-6 February 2018) revealed additional records of mammal activity. Field signs are more visible in winter due to seasonal dieback of vegetation. The surveyed sections of the embankments along the River Glyde appeared heavily used by both Otter and Badger during the winter months, with Badger and Otter prints, Otter spraint and mammal pathways seen along embankments. A number of holes dug by badgers were recorded on embankment E3 on the River Glyde (Figure 4-23). The exact location of these holes has been provided in GIS format to the OPW. The holes had reached about 50 cm depth and are likely to progress. These will require re-surveying prior to any works.

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Figure 4-23: Badger holes on E3, River Glyde Birds A pair of Mute swans Cygnus olor were seen on the River Glyde and a flock of Brent Geese Branta bernicla hrota were observed in agricultural fields adjacent to the River Dee. Both species of bird are Amber listed.

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5 Natura 2000 sites within the Zone of Influence of Drainage Maintenance Activities

5.1 Introduction This chapter provides baseline information on the three 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 description of the sites is provided below, along with details of the qualifying interests and conservation objectives and site vulnerabilities. Sites include: • Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) • Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) • Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091)

The locations of the sites are found in Figure 5-1.

Dundalk Bay SAC 000455

Dundalk Bay SPA 04026

Stabannan- Braganstown SPA 004091

Figure 5-1: Natura 2000 sites and Site Location (Source: NPWS MapViewer, 2017).

5.2 Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) Dundalk Bay, Co. Louth, is a very large open, shallow sea bay with extensive saltmarshes and intertidal sand/mudflats, extending some 16 km from Castletown River on the Cooley Peninsula in the north, to Annagassan/Salterstown in the south. The bay encompasses the mouths and estuaries of the Rivers Dee, Glyde, Fane, Castletown and Flurry These rivers drain fairly intensive agricultural

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catchments. The site has a marked tidal range. Some agricultural fields which adjoin the bay are included in the site for ornithological interests (NPWS 2014a, 2015) Saltmarsh vegetation occurs in four main areas: at Lurgangreen, Marsh South, Dundalk Harbour and Bellurgan. Two types are represented – Atlantic and Mediterranean salt meadows. The Atlantic salt meadows are commonest and are characterised by Sea-purslane Halimione portulacoides (often as a dominant band), along with Common Saltmarsh Grass Puccinellia maritima, Thrift Armeria maritima, Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Common Scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis, Sea Plantain Plantago maritima and Saltmarsh Rush Juncus gerardii. Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica is frequent and often dominant over substantial areas. Glassworts Salicornia spp. occur on the lower zones of the saltmarshes, and in places extend out onto the sandflats. Mediterranean salt meadows are mostly confined to the upper levels of the saltmarshes or along stream sides where they merge with grassland habitats. The habitat contains Sea Rush Juncus maritimus, Sea Arrowgrass Triglochin maritima and Sea Aster Aster tripolium (NPWS 2014a). Post-glacial raised beaches are a feature of the shoreline. Shingle beaches occur more or less continuously from Salterstown to Lurgan White House in the south bay, and from Jenkinstown to east of Giles Quay in the north bay. The shingle is mostly stable, occurring on post-glacial raised beaches. The shingle often occurs in association with intertidal shingle, saltmarsh and or shingle- based grassland. (NPWS 2014a, 2015) The extensive sandflats and mudflats (over 4,000 ha) occur and are comprised of ecological communities such as muddy fine sand communities and fine sand community complexes. In the centre of Dundalk Bay there is a gravel community dominated by polychaetes. These habitats host a rich fauna of bivalves molluscs, marine worms and crustaceans and are the main food resource of the tens of thousands of waterfowl (including waders and gulls) which feed in the intertidal area of Dundalk Bay. (NPWS 2014a). This is a site of significant conservation value because it supports good examples of a range of coastal habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive, as well as large numbers of bird species, some of which are listed in the Birds Directive. (NPWS 2014a).

5.2.1 Qualifying Interests The site is a selected for the following Qualifying Interests listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. • 1130 Estuaries • 1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide • 1220 Perennial vegetation of stony banks • 1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand • 1330 Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco Puccinellietalia maritimae) • 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) ‐ Conservation Objective The conservation objective for Dundalk Bay SAC is to maintain or restore favourable conservation condition of the qualifying interests (Annex I Habitats, Annex II or IV species) of the site. The attributes and targets of the qualifying interests are listed below in Table 5-1. The full list of Conservation Objectives are available from NPWS website (NPWS, 2011a). Table 5-1: Conservation objectives of Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) (NPWS, 2011a)

Estuaries [1130] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Estuaries in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares The permanent habitat area is Habitat area was stable or increasing, subject to estimated at 2799ha natural processes

Community distribution Hectares The Subtidal fine sand community complex should be conserved in a natural condition.

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Tidal Mudflats and Sandflats [1140] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide at Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares The permanent habitat area is Habitat area was stable or increasing, subject to estimated at 4375ha natural processes Community distribution Hectares The Muddy fine sand community and Intertidal fine sand community complex should be conserved in a natural condition

Perennial Vegetation of Stony Banks [1220] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Perennial vegetation of stony banks in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares Area stable, subject to natural Exact current area processes, including erosion and unknown, but shingle is known to occur almost succession continuously from Salterstown to Lurgan White House in the south bay and from Jenkinstown to east of Giles Quay in the north bay. Shingle is estimated to cover 12ha. Probably less than 25% of this would be vegetated Community distribution Occurrence No decline, subject to natural processes Physical structure: Presence/ Maintain the natural circulation of Functionality and absence of sediment and organic matter, without sediment supply physical barriers any physical obstructions Vegetation structure: Occurrence Maintain range of habitat zonations zonation including transitional zones, subject to natural processes including erosion and succession Vegetation Percentage Maintain the presence of species composition: typical cover at a poor communities with characteristic species and sub representative species: Honckenya peploides, Beta‐ communities sample of vulgaris ssp. maritima, Crithmum ‐ monitoring stops maritimum, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Glaucium flavum and Silene uniflora Vegetation Percentage Negative indicator species (including composition: negative cover non natives) to represent less than indicator species 5% cover ‐

Salicornia Mud [1310] To restore the favourable conservation condition of Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares Area stable or increasing, subject to Based on data from the natural processes, including Saltmarsh Monitoring erosion and succession Project (McCorry and Ryle, 2009). One sub site (Dundalk Bay) was mapped, giving a total‐ estimated area of 35ha for Salicornia mudflat, which is one of the largest areas of this habitat in the country. NB further unsurveyed areas maybe present within the site

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Salicornia Mud [1310] To restore the favourable conservation condition of Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Community distribution Occurrence No decline, subject to natural processes Physical structure: Presence/absence Maintain/restore natural circulation sediment supply of physical of sediments and organic matter, barriers without any physical obstructions Physical structure: Occurrence Maintain/restore creek and pan creeks and pans structure, subject to natural processes, including erosion and succession Physical structure: Hectares flooded; Maintain natural tidal regime flooding regime frequency Vegetation structure: Occurrence Maintain range of saltmarsh habitat zonation zonations including transitional zones, subject to natural processes including erosion and succession Vegetation structure: Centimetres Maintain structural variation within vegetation height sward Vegetation structure: Percentage cover Maintain more than 90% of area vegetation cover at a representative outside creeks vegetated sample of monitoring stops Vegetation Percentage cover Maintain range of sub communities composition: typical at a representative with characteristic species listed in species and sub sample of Saltmarsh Monitoring ‐Project communities monitoring stops (McCorry & Ryle, 2009) ‐ Vegetation structure: Hectares No significant expansion of negative indicator Spartina. No new sites for this species Spartina species and an annual spread of anglica less than 1% where it is already ‐ known to occur

Atlantic Salt Meadows [1330] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Atlantic salt meadows in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares Area stable or increasing, subject Based on data from the to natural processes, including Saltmarsh Monitoring erosion and succession Project (McCorry and Ryle, 2009). One sub site (Dundalk Bay) was mapped and additional‐ areas of potential saltmarsh were identified from an examination of aerial photographs, giving a total estimated area for Atlantic salt meadow of 379.98ha. NB further unsurveyed areas maybe present within the site. Community distribution Occurrence No decline, subject to natural processes Physical structure: Presence/absence Maintain/restore natural circulation sediment supply of physical barriers of sediments and organic matter, without any physical obstructions Physical structure: Occurrence Maintain/restore creek and pan creeks and pans structure, subject to natural processes, including erosion and succession Physical structure: Hectares flooded; Maintain natural tidal regime flooding regime frequency

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Atlantic Salt Meadows [1330] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Atlantic salt meadows in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Vegetation structure: Occurrence Maintain range of saltmarsh zonation habitat zonations including transitional zones, subject to natural processes including erosion and succession. Vegetation structure: Centimetres Maintain structural variation within vegetation height sward Vegetation structure: Percentage cover at Maintain more than 90% of area vegetation cover a representative outside creeks vegetated sample of monitoring stops Vegetation Percentage cover at Maintain range of sub composition: typical a representative communities with characteristic species and sub sample of species listed in Saltmarsh‐ communities monitoring stops Monitoring Project (McCorry & ‐ Ryle, 2009) Vegetation structure: Hectares No significant expansion of negative indicator Spartina. No new sites for this species Spartina species and an annual spread of anglica less than 1% where it is already ‐ known to occur

Mediterranean Salt Meadows [1410] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Mediterranean salt meadows in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares Area stable or increasing, subject Based on data from the to natural processes, including Saltmarsh Monitoring erosion and succession. Project (McCorry and Ryle, 2009). One sub site (Dundalk Bay) was mapped, giving a total‐ estimated area of 0.045ha for Mediterranean salt meadow. NB further unsurveyed areas maybe present within the site. See coastal habitats supporting document for further details Community distribution Occurrence No decline, subject to natural processes. Physical structure: Presence/absence Maintain/restore natural circulation sediment supply of physical barriers of sediments and organic matter, without any physical obstructions Physical structure: Occurrence Maintain/restore creek and pan creeks and pans structure, subject to natural processes, including erosion and succession Physical structure: Hectares flooded; Maintain natural tidal regime flooding regime frequency Vegetation structure: Occurrence Maintain range of saltmarsh zonation habitat zonations including transitional zones, subject to natural processes including erosion and succession Vegetation structure: Centimetres Maintain structural variation within vegetation height sward Vegetation structure: Percentage cover Maintain more than 90% of area vegetation cover at a representative outside creeks vegetated sample of monitoring stops Vegetation Percentage cover Maintain range of sub

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Mediterranean Salt Meadows [1410] To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Mediterranean salt meadows in Dundalk Bay SAC, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: Attributes Measure Target Notes composition: typical at a representative communities with characteristic species and sub sample of species listed in Saltmarsh communities monitoring stops Monitoring Project (McCorry & ‐ Ryle, 2009) Vegetation structure: Hectares No significant expansion of negative indicator Spartina. No new sites for this species Spartina species and an annual spread of anglica less than 1% where it is already ‐ known to occur References: McCorry, M. and Ryle, T. (2009) Saltmarsh Monitoring Report 2007 2008, Unpublished Report to NPWS

‐ 5.2.2 Site Vulnerabilities Threats, pressures and activities with impacts (high, medium, low) on Dundalk Bay SAC (NPWS, 2015a) identified in the Standard Natura 2000 form are listed in Table 5-2. Table 5-2: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Dundalk Bay SAC

Threat or pressure Code Rank Discharges E03 H Agricultural fertilization A08 H Industrial or commercial areas E02 H Invasive non-native species I01 H Urbanised areas, human habitation E01 H Cultivation A01 H Shipping lanes D03.02 M Grazing A04 M Walking, horse riding and non-motorised vehicles G01.02 M Dykes, embankments, artificial beaches, general J02.12 M Canalisation & water deviation J02.03 M Siltation rate changes, dumping, depositing of dredged deposits J02.11 M Leisure fishing F02.03 M

5.3 Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) The site is a SPA under the E.U. Birds Directive, of special conservation interest for the following species: Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Light-bellied Brent Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull and Herring Gull. The E.U. Birds Directive pays particular attention to wetlands and, as these form part of this SPA, the site and its associated waterbirds are of special conservation interest for Wetland & Waterbirds. The site is of international importance because it regularly supports an assemblage of over 20,000 wintering waterbirds (NPWS 2014b). The extensive sand flats and mud flats have a rich fauna of bivalves, molluscs, marine worms and crustaceans which provides the food resource for most of the wintering waterfowl. The outer part of the bay provides excellent shallow-water habitat for divers, grebes and sea duck. In summer, it is thought to be a major feeding area for auks from the Dublin breeding colonies. The bay is used at night for roosting by wintering flocks of Greylag Goose, Greenland White-fronted Goose and Whooper Swan from Stabannan/Braganstown (inland of Castlebelligham) and other inland sites (NPWS 2014b). Dundalk Bay SPA is one of the most important wintering waterfowl sites in the country and one of the few that regularly supports more than 20,000 waterbirds. Four species occur in numbers of

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international importance and a further 19 species in numbers of national importance. The regular occurrence of Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Little Egret is of particular note as these species are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. Dundalk Bay is a Ramsar Convention site and parts of Dundalk Bay SPA are designated as Wildfowl Sanctuaries (NPWS, 2014b).

5.3.1 Qualifying Interests The site is selected for the following wintering bird species (NPWS, 2011a): • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus [A005] • Greylag Goose Anser anser [A043] • Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota [A046] • Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [A048] • Teal Anas crecca [A052] • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos [A053] • Pintail Anas acuta [A054] • Common Scoter Melanitta nigra [A065] • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator [A069] • Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus [A130] • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula [A137] • Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140] • Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142] • Knot Calidris canutus [A143] • Dunlin Calidris alpina [A149] • Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica [A157] • Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] • Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus [A179] • Common Gull Larus canus [A182] • Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] • Wetland and Waterbirds [A999]

Conservation Objective The conservation objectives for the Dundalk Bay SPA are to maintain the favourable conservation condition of the qualifying interests (Annex I Habitats, Annex II or IV species) of the site. The full list of Conservation Objectives is available from NPWS website (NPWS, 2011a). The Conservation Objectives for this site are the same for each bird species, which are to maintain the favourable conservation condition of the waterbird Special Conservation Interest species listed for Dundalk Bay SPA in respect of the following attributes, measures and targets;

Attributes Measure Target Notes Population trend Percentage change Long term population trend Population trend stable or increasing assessment (Generalised Additive Modelling (GAM)) was undertaken using waterbird count data collected through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey and other surveys. Distribution Number and range of No significant decrease in As determined by regular areas used by waterbirds the numbers or range of low tide and other waterbird areas used by waterbird surveys

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Attributes Measure Target Notes species, other than that occurring from natural patterns of variation

The conservation objective for the supporting wetland habitat for Dundalk Bay SPA is detailed in NPWS (2011a) and outlined below.

A999 Wetlands & Waterbirds To maintain the favourable conservation condition of the wetland habitat in Dundalk Bay SPA as a resource for the regularly occurring migratory waterbirds that utilise it. This is defined by the following attribute and target: ‐ Attribute Measure Target Notes Habitat area Hectares The permanent area occupied As defined by SPA boundary by the wetland habitat is stable to MLWM; MLWM to and not significantly less than MHWM; and MHWM to SPA the areas of 8136, 4374 and boundary 649 hectares respectively for subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal habitats, other than that occurring from natural patterns of variation.

5.3.2 Site Vulnerabilities Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on Dundalk Bay SPA (NPWS, 2015b) identified in the Standard Natura 2000 form are listed in Table 5-23. Table 5-3: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Dundalk Bay SPA Threat or pressure Code Rank

Urbanised areas, human habitation E01 H Roads, motorways D01.02 H Invasive non-native species I01 H

Agriculture- land fertilisation A08 M Dykes, embankments, artificial beaches, general J02.12 M Leisure fishing F02.03 M Siltation rate changes, dumping, depositing of dredged deposits J02.11 M Dispersed habitation E01.03 M Nautical sports G01.01 M Industrial or commercial areas E02 M Shipping lanes D03.02 M Discharges E03 M Walking, horse riding and non-motorised vehicles G01.02 M Grazing A04 L

5.4 Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) Stabannan-Braganstown SPA is situated approximately 4 km inland from Dundalk Bay in Co. Louth. It is a small, flat alluvial plain adjacent to the River Glyde and is bounded to the north and south by low, rolling hills. Much of the site was formerly marshland or wet grassland, but is now drained and agriculturally improved. It is farmed intensively for grass, cereals and root crops (NPWS, 2015c, 2016). The site is a SPA under the E.U. Birds Directive, of special conservation interest for the following species: Greylag Goose. In winter this site is utilised by an internationally important wintering population of Greylag Goose (1,391) – all figures are five year mean peaks for the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000.

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The population of Greylag Goose utilising the site has declined in recent years but is still of national importance, with approximately 35% of the national total. The site also supports smaller populations of Greenland White-fronted Goose (24) and Whooper Swan (60). Small numbers of Bewick’s Swan (2) have also been recorded at the site. At night most of the geese and swans roost in Dundalk Bay. Other species typical of agricultural land also occur, notably Golden Plover (876) and Lapwing (300). The site is of ornithological importance as it supports an important population of Greylag Goose, which on occasion occurs in numbers of international importance. It is of note that three species that regularly occur at the site are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive, i.e. Greenland White- fronted Goose, Whooper Swan and Golden Plover (NPWS, 2016).

5.4.1 Qualifying Interests The site is selected for the Greylag Goose Anser anser [A043] (NPWS, 2016).

5.4.2 Conservation Objective The conservation objective for the Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) is to maintain the favourable conservation condition of the qualifying interest (Annex I Habitats, Annex II or IV species) of the site (NPWS, 2016). The Conservation Objectives for this site is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Greylag Goose Anser anser. 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.

5.4.3 Site Vulnerabilities Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (NPWS, 2015c) identified in the Standard Natura 2000 form are listed in Table 5-24. Table 5-4: List of threats and pressures with ranking of impacts (high, medium, low) to Stabannan- Braganstown SPA Threat or pressure Code Rank

Roads, motorways D01.02 H Grazing A04 H Cultivation A01 H Agricultural fertilization A08 H

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6 Appropriate Assessment

6.1 Introduction The following chapter assesses the screened in Natura 2000 sites in more detail and examines where adverse impacts may arise from the sources of impact identified in the chapters above. The full impact assessment on these features is provided in Section Error! Reference source not found.. The screened in Natura 2000 sites are as follows: • Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) • Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) • Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091)

6.2 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 Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA and the Stabannan-Braganstown SPA in the Glyde and Dee Drainage Scheme; primarily informed by Ryan Hanley (2014a and b).

6.2.1 Potential Sources of Impact via Surface Water Pathways Both Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA were identified as potentially being impacted upon via surface water pathways. However, in the screening report JBA (2014) identifies that not all qualifying interests/ special conservation interests will be at risk from surface water pathways, as identified in Table 6-21 below. Within Dundalk Bay SAC Estuaries [1130], Mudflats and sand flats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] and Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand [1310] were identified as being potentially at risk from impacts via from surface water pathways. In Dundalk Bay SPA the majority of bird species for which the site is designated, along with supporting wetland habitats, were identified as potentially being at risk from the proposed works via surface water pathways. Table 6-1: Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be affected by drainage maintenance activities via surface water pathways

Natura 2000 Site Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be (Site Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via surface water pathways Dundalk Bay SAC Estuaries [1130] (000455) Mudflats and sand flats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand [1310] Dundalk Bay SPA Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota [A046] (004026) Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [A048] Teal Anas crecca [A052] Mallard Anas platyrhynchos [A053] Pintail Anas acuta [A054] Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator [A069] Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus [A130] Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula [A137] Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140] Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142] Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Dunlin Calidris alpina [A149] Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica [A157] Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetlands and Waterbirds [A999]

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The following sources of impact from proposed works are identified as potentially affecting 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, and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can impact on surface water dependent habitats indirectly through increased turbidity, which can reduce photosynthesis levels. It can also impact indirectly on waterbirds of special conservation interest by affecting food chains from reduced water clarity and reduced photosynthesis which can affect aquatic invertebrate diversity (i.e. the food source of the waterbirds) 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, 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 and ability to support Annex II species. There is also the potential for pollutants (e.g. fuel) to be released from construction activities with machinery working in or near water as a result of pollution incidents, fuel spillages or poorly maintained machinery. It can also impact indirectly on waterbirds of special conservation interest by affecting food chains through increased algal growth and decreased invertebrate and algal diversity (i.e. the food source of the waterbirds). • Changes in water levels/channel morphology - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can occur from maintenance activities that deepen and widen 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.

6.2.2 Potential Sources of Impact via Land and Air Pathways Dundalk Bay SAC, Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and Braganstown SPA were identified as potentially being impacted upon via land and air pathways. In the screening report JBA (2014) identifies that only Perennial vegetation of stony banks [1220] and Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] will be at risk from land and air pathways (see Table 3-4). However, from the ecological walkover survey and from looking at Map 5 in NPWS (2011a), a small area of potential Annex I saltmarsh habitat was recorded at the mouth of the Glyde/Dee Estuary, therefore the three Annex I saltmarsh habitats of the SAC are now screened in to this assessment. The estuarine habitat [1130] was screened out in the JBA report (2014) as maintenance works will only be undertaken at the southern boundary of the SAC, far beyond the boundary of the Annex I estuarine habitat as detailed in NPWS (2011a). Table 6-2: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000 sites likely to be impacted upon via land and air pathways

Natura 2000 Site (Site Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Land and Air Pathways Dundalk Bay SAC Perennial vegetation on stony banks [1220] (000455) Mudflats and sand flats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand [1310] Atlantic salt meadows Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae [1330] Mediterranean salt meadows Juncetalia maritimi [1410] Dundalk Bay SPA Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota [A046] (004026) Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [A048] Teal Anas crecca [A052] Mallard Anas platyrhynchos [A053] Pintail Anas acuta [A054] Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator [A069] Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus [A130] Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula [A137] Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria [A140]

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Natura 2000 Site (Site Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Land and Air Pathways Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus vanellus [A142] Knot Calidris canutus [A143] Dunlin Calidris alpina [A149] Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa [A156] Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica [A157] Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Stabannan and Greylag Goose Anser anser [A043] Braganstown SPA

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 - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation and bush cutting/ branch trimming. It can impact on habitats 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, and other faunal species, through machines tracking along the bankside, reducing vegetation as a food source and as a refuge or roosting site. Whilst this impact is usually short-term and temporary, with habitats recovering upon completion of the works and species returning, it can impact upon site integrity. • Noise and visual disturbance - this can arise from a variety of drainage maintenance activities, including removal of in-stream silt and vegetation 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. • Spread of non-native invasive species - Maintenance activities in areas infested with non- native invasive species can result in their spread if inappropriate working methods are followed and no biosecurity or management measures are put in place. This could then adversely impact upon Natura 2000 sites by reducing the diversity and extent of native species. For certain aquatic species, their spread can result in changes to water chemistry parameters, light penetration and nutrient levels which could then impact upon the species for which SACs and SPAs are designated.

6.2.3 Potential Sources of Impact via Groundwater Pathways The screening assessment (JBA, 2014) asserted that maintenance activities on the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme watercourses are unlikely to have any significant effect on the Dundalk Bay SAC (000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) and Stabannan-Braganstown SPA via groundwater pathways; saltmarsh habitat was screened out, as the nearest location of this habitat was assumed to be over 4km from where drainage maintenance activities are proposed. However, from the ecological walkover survey and from looking at Map 5 in NPWS (2011a), a small area of potential Annex I saltmarsh habitat was recorded at the mouth of the Glyde/Dee Estuary. Therefore, the Annex I saltmarsh habitats Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330] and Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410] of the SAC are now screened in to this assessment for groundwater pathways (see Table 6.3). Table 6-3: Qualifying Interests/Special Conservation Interests of the screened in Natura 2000

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sites likely to be impacted upon via groundwater pathways

Natura 2000 Site (Site Qualifying Interests/ Special Conservation Interests likely to be Code) affected by drainage maintenance activities via Groundwater Pathways Dundalk Bay SAC Atlantic salt meadows Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae [1330] (000455) Mediterranean salt meadows Juncetalia maritimi [1410]

The following sources of impact from proposed works are identified as potentially affecting the above Natura 2000 site 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. 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. This could affect the structure and function of the saltmarsh habitat. • 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: o Increased capacity and flow in the channel leading to a reduction in water levels and hydrogeological impacts. o Changing the groundwater catchment and groundwater flow paths. o Direct aquifer recharge from a stream bed in karst/fissured aquifer. o 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 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.

6.3 Cumulative and in-combination impacts Projects and Plans that have the potential to contribute in-combination impacts and cumulative impacts upon Natura 2000 designated sites are considered in this section, as described in the Guidelines for the Assessment of Indirect and Cumulative Impacts, as well as Impact Interactions (Walker and Johnston 1999). Key points to consider when assessing cumulative and in-combination impacts include the nature and scale of the potential impacts including their potential magnitude and significance, the availability and quality of data and the impacts that may have occurred with similar projects in the area, where available or observed. Potential sources of in-combination effects identified as part of this assessment include: Agricultural activities: Farmers and landowners may also undertake general agricultural operations in areas adjacent to the Glyde and Dee rivers, which could potentially give rise to impacts of a similar nature to those arising from the planned OPW works. This could potentially result in additional periods of disturbance and a risk to water quality. Many agricultural operations are periodic, not continuous in nature, and qualify as a Notifiable Action that requires consultation with NPWS in advance of the works e.g. reclamation, infilling or land drainage within 30m of the river, removal of trees or any aquatic vegetation within 30m of the river, and harvesting or burning of reed or willow (NPWS, 2017). Agricultural operations must also comply with the EC (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 and amendment 2017 S.I. No. 456/2011 and 407/2017 in relation to activities covered by the regulations;

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• restructuring of rural land holdings, • commencing use of uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive, • land drainage works on lands used for agriculture. A NIS is required under Regulation 9 if it is likely to have a significant effect on a European designated site. The drainage or reclamation of wetlands is controlled under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 and the European Communities (Amendment to Planning and Development) Regulations 2011. OPW arterial drainage maintenance operations: 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 an issue for the Glyde and Dee works. The closest scheme is that of the Boyne, and though relatively close, it is within a separate hydrological catchment and therefore the potential for adverse in-combination effects is minimal. The Natura 2000 sites potentially affected by the Glyde and Dee drainage maintenance works also do not fall within the zones of influence of any other schemes. Therefore, the in-combination effects of drainage maintenance and agricultural operations is not likely to be significant. Development: Various planning permissions have been granted to projects in the nearby area, none of which have the potential to have similar impacts on water quality or disturbance as the proposed maintenance works have to the Natura sites. Other on-going or proposed plans/projects (at the time of this study) which may give rise to any form of cumulative impact on the Natura 2000 sites include:

Neagh Bann International River Basin District Plan 2009-2015 The Neagh Bann International River Basin District (IRBD), include the Lough Neagh and River Bann basins as well as river basins draining to the outer estuarine limits of Dundalk Bay (Rivers Fane, Castletown, Glyde, Dee, Cully Water, Kilcurry, Ballymascanlan and Flurry) and Carlingford Lough (Newry River). The core objectives of the Water Framework Directive are to prevent deterioration, restore good status, reduce chemical pollution and achieve the water related objectives of protected areas. The River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) shows the ecological status of rivers within the Neagh Bann RBMP area; 0.3% are High status, 16.7% are Good status, 42.2% are Moderate status, 36.5% are Poor status and 4.0% are Bad status. Under the River Water Quality Status (2010-2015) the sections of the rivers Glyde and Dee above the weirs have been classified as Moderate for the River Glyde and Poor quality for the River Dee (see www.catchments.ie/maps/?layer=subcatchment&code=06_10). Preparation of the 2nd Cycle RBMPs 2015-2021 is now underway. The Neagh Bann IRBD Plan aims to improve the management and water quality of the Neagh Bann IRBD, and hence the Glyde and Dee Rivers. Therefore, the plan would not significantly adversely impact on Dundalk Bay SAC, Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and Braganstown SPA in combination with the proposed arterial drainage maintenance works.

Louth County Council Development Plan (2015-21) - Settlement plan for Annagassan As part of the Louth County Council Development Plan (2015-21), there is a settlement plan for Annagassan, where it is proposed to infill two hectares of land with 40 houses. This is part of a policy to promote and attract economic activity in small settlements. This has not yet gone for planning. As any plan would be subject to appropriate assessment, it would be at that stage that any cumulative and in-combination impacts on the Natura 2000 sites would be assessed.

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Irish Water- waste water treatment at Castlebellingham The waste water treatment plants at Castlebellingham is a threat to Dundalk Bay and the Glyde River, putting these waterbodies at risk of not achieving good status (Irish Water, 2016). The Catlebellingham waste water treatment plant is on a priority list for an upgrade, but there are no significant development plans yet.

6.3.1 Significance of cumulative and in-combination impacts In summation, given the nature of the proposed arterial drainage maintenance works, their scale, the local conditions, and considering the same for other relevant plans and projects in this area, it is unlikely that any significant adverse impacts will occur in-combination or cumulatively with other projects or plans in the area.

6.3.2 Do nothing impact Should the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme works not be carried out at this site, it is likely that natural succession would occur throughout the location. This is likely to include increased sedimentation in the channels over time, and increased vegetation growth along channel edges. Reduction in channel width, and retention of water in flood plain areas, may slow the flow of water and cause flooding in susceptible areas during periods of high rainfall.

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6.4 Impact Assessment Error! Reference source not found.4 assesses the habitats screened in Natura 2000 sites 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. Table 6-4: Impact Assessment

Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests Dundalk Bay Estuaries [1130] Release of Surface Water The habitats of estuaries, mudflats/sandflats and Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not SAC (000455) Mudflats and sand flats suspended Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand, (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, significant not covered by seawater solids although transitional intertidal habitats, are connected 3.1 and 3.2 of Environmental to surface water flows and are also dependent on Drainage Maintenance Guidance at low tide [1140] Salicornia and other Release or specific water quality parameters. Drainage SOP. maintenance activities could impact on water quality in annuals colonizing mud changes in these habitats through the release of suspended and sand [1310] nutrient levels/ See Error! Reference source not pollutants sediments, nutrients and pollutants which could found. for details of additional potentially result in reduced water quality, increased pollution prevention and sediment turbidity and eutrophication, which could then result in control measures required. algal blooms. This could reach these habitat types through surface water pathways as scheme watercourses are directly upstream of this SAC. Changes in These intertidal habitats are dependent on specific Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not water levels/ physical regime attributes, including the flooding (2011b) - specifically point 2.1 and significant channel regime. Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt 2.2 of Environmental Drainage morphology and vegetation management can result in the Maintenance Guidance SOP deepening and widening of channels which could impact on surface water flows. This could have See Error! Reference source not adverse impacts on these habitats and a number of found. for details of additional attributes, including habitat area, habitat distribution pollution prevention and sediment and vegetation composition. control measures required. However, significant changes to the hydrological regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only. The drainage maintenance Works on all channels will be activities are therefore unlikely to impact significantly undertaken in accordance with the on attributes used to define conservation status. Scheme's design standard, in order to prevent any new widening or deepening.

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Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests Mudflats and sand flats Physical Land and air Intertidal habitats (i.e. mudflats/sandflats and Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not not covered by seawater disturbance of Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and (2011b) - specifically point 1.1, 1.2, significant at low tide [1140] habitats sand), perennial vegetation on stony banks and salt 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1 of Perennial vegetation on meadows (saltmarsh), identified in Ryan Hanley Environmental Drainage (2014b) as being potential vulnerable to adverse Maintenance Guidance SOP to stony banks [1140] impacts via land and air pathways, are likely to be minimise the impacts of physical Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud vulnerable to physical disturbance arising from disturbance. drainage maintenance activities with the Glyde and and sand [1310] Dee scheme. This could be through disturbance via Atlantic salt meadows Works within the SAC boundary access tracks or from direct removal of vegetation should be avoided as should any (Glauco-Puccinellietalia within the maintenance access corridor. This could maritimae) [1330] access and disturbance to mud and impact on a range of attributes including habitat area sand flats, perennial vegetation on Mediterranean salt and vegetation composition, structure and function. stony banks and saltmarsh habitats. meadows (Juncetalia The ecological walkover survey identified Annex I

maritimi) [1410] intertidal mud and sand flat habitat at the mouth of the estuary where it ran into Dundalk Bay. Access to the Works will not encroach into areas of seaward section of channel C 1(1) would require saltmarsh habitat adjacent to the tracking across the Annex 1 mud and sand flats, with tidal river sections of channel C 1(1) potential, though temporary, damage to the habitat. downstream of the bridge over the River Glyde (GPS 707943 793866 Potential Annex I saltmarsh habitat was recorded on (ITM)) and below the bend in the the left bank at the mouth of the estuary below an area River Dee at Ballynagassan (GPS of Annex 1 perennial vegetation on stony banks, and 708573 792821 (ITM)). along the edges of the tidal river sections of both rivers. The areas of saltmarsh could be considered connected habitats within the same watercourse system. Given that maintenance activities are conducted along the watercourses, there will be a working corridor along the channels and consequently adverse impacts on the potential Annex I salt marsh habitat is likely. Atlantic salt meadows Release or Groundwater Salt meadows are intertidal habitats dependent on Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not (Glauco-Puccinellietalia changes in specific water quality parameters. Drainage (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, significant maritimae) [1330] nutrient levels/ maintenance activities could impact on water quality in 3.1 and 3.2 of Environmental pollutants this habitat type through the release of nutrients and/ Drainage Maintenance Guidance Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia or pollution incidents which could potentially result in SOP. maritimi) [1410] reduced water quality, increased turbidity and eutrophication, which could then result in algal blooms, See Error! Reference source not through aquifer recharge. This could then impact on a found. for details of additional range of vegetation structure attributes such as typical pollution prevention measures species and sub communities present, and potentially

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Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests result in the increase in growth of negative indicator required. species, such as Common Cord-grass Spartina anglica. Changes in Salt meadows are dependent on specific physical Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not water levels/ regime attributes, including the flooding regime, and it (2011b) - specifically point 2.1 and significant channel is also a groundwater dependent terrestrial habitat. 2.2 of Environmental Drainage morphology Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and Maintenance Guidance SOP. vegetation management can result in the deepening and widening of channels which could impact on See Error! Reference source not groundwater levels. This could have adverse impacts found.. on salt meadows and a number of attributes, including habitat area, vegetation composition and structure. 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. Dundalk Bay Spread of non- Land and air Due to the presence of Japanese Knotweed, potential Stringent biosecurity measures must Not SAC (000455) native alien and water Giant Hogweed and Water Fern along the Glyde River, be implemented throughout the significant invasive species drainage maintenance works have the potential to works following OPW’s Invasive cause further spread of this invasive non-native Species SOP (2011) and the Check, species within the river system and off site via Clean, Dry principles of the Non- personnel, equipment and machinery. Small fragments Native Species Secretariat (NNSS, of knotweed can regenerate new plants. Dispersal can 2017) to ensure invasive non-native occur via machinery vectors (i.e. tyres, tracks and species are not introduced into areas buckets) as well as by water. of the SAC. This has the potential to spread to Annex I Perennial vegetation on stony banks and potential Annex 1 salt marsh habitat downstream, where it could alter community structure and function. Dundalk Bay Light-bellied Brent Release of Surface Water The wetlands and waterbird populations and most of Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not SPA (004026) Goose Branta bernicla suspended the designated species of this SPA are dependent on a (2011b) - specifically points 2.1, 2.2, significant hrota [A046] solids number of habitats with connectivity to surface waters 3.1 and 3.2 of Environmental Shelduck Tadorna within the site, including estuaries, mudflats, sandflats Drainage Maintenance Guidance and saltmarsh. Drainage maintenance activities could tadorna [A048] Release or SOP. impact on these habitats through the release of Teal Anas crecca [A052] changes in nutrient levels/ nutrients, suspended solids and pollution incidents See Table 7.1 for additional Mallard Anas which could potentially result in reduced water quality, pollutants mitigation measures. platyrhynchos [A053] eutrophication and increased turbidity, which could

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Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests Pintail Anas acuta [A054] impact upon the wetland habitats and potentially the Red-breasted Merganser food supply (i.e. macroinvertebrates and fish) of the Mergus serrator [A069] waterbirds, possibly affecting the distribution of species Oystercatcher within Dundalk Bay and long-term population trends. Haematopus ostralegus [A130] Changes in The birds for which this SPA is designated are Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not Ringed Plover water dependent on a number of habitats with connectivity to (2011b) - specifically point 2.1 and significant Charadrius hiaticula levels/channel surface waters within the site, including estuaries, 2.2 of Environmental Drainage [A137] morphology mudflats, sandflats and saltmarsh. Maintenance Guidance SOP Golden Plover Pluvialis Drainage maintenance activities, such as silt and apricaria [A140] vegetation management can result in the deepening See Table 7.1 for additional Grey Plover Pluvialis and widening of channels which could impact on mitigation measures. surface water flows and water table levels. This could squatarola [A141] Lapwing Vanellus then have adverse impacts on those habitats and vanellus [A142] distribution of the waterbirds they support. Knot Calidris canutus However, significant changes to the hydrological [A143] regime are unlikely as the works will restore the system to the design standard only and there are no works Dunlin Calidris alpina planned to widen or deepen the channel within the [A149] SAC boundary. The drainage maintenance activities Black-tailed Godwit are therefore unlikely to impact significantly on Limosa limosa [A156] attributes used to define conservation status. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica [A157] Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] Redshank Tringa totanus [A162] Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999]

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Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests Great Crested Grebe Physical Land and air The bird species for which the SPA is designated were Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not Podiceps cristatus disturbance of identified by Ryan Hanley (2014a) as being vulnerable (2011b) - specifically points 1.1 and significant [A005] habitat to drainage maintenance activities via land and air 1.2 of Environmental Drainage Light-bellied Brent pathways. The habitats that support these species, Maintenance Guidance SOP. including mud flats and sandflats and salt marsh, are Goose Branta bernicla within Dundalk Bay SAC and the overlapping SPA, and hrota [A046] Works within the SPA boundary Shelduck Tadorna are likely to be vulnerable to physical disturbance should be avoided, particularly arising from drainage maintenance activities, such as tadorna [A048] access to mud flats and sand flats silt and vegetation management. Teal Anas crecca [A052] and saltmarsh habitats. This could be through disturbance via access tracks or

Mallard Anas from direct removal of vegetation within the platyrhynchos [A053] maintenance access corridor. This could impact on a Pintail Anas acuta [A054] range of attributes including habitat area and See Table 7.1 for additional Red-breasted Merganser vegetation composition, structure and function, as well mitigation measures Mergus serrator [A069] as the modification of roosting/ feedings sites. Oystercatcher Noise and visual The bird species for which the SPA is designated were Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not Haematopus ostralegus disturbance identified by JBA (2014) as being vulnerable to (2011b) - specifically points 1.1 and significant [A130] drainage maintenance activities via land and air 1.2 of Environmental Drainage Ringed Plover pathways. Maintenance Guidance SOP. Charadrius hiaticula These species will be sensitive to disturbance from [A137] machinery and workforces conducting drainage No maintenance work will be Golden Plover Pluvialis maintenance operations during the over-wintering conducted downstream of the apricaria [A140] period (November - March). This disturbance could confluence of the Glyde and Dee Grey Plover Pluvialis cause displacement of populations which can require between November and March. This squatarola [A141] significant energy expenditure for the birds, which, if gives an extension of 500m to the undertaken during the cold winter months when birds Lapwing Vanellus 100m buffer identified in Ryan are already stressed by recent migrations and vanellus [A142] Hanley (2014a) as the buffer zone difficulties in finding food, could have an adverse required for SPA species in the Knot Calidris canutus impact on population trend and distribution. winter months. [A143] Protected species (Curlew and gull species) were Dunlin Calidris alpina observed on watercourses and fields upstream of the [A149] See Table 7.1 for additional SPA boundary, near the confluence of the Glyde and mitigation measures. Black-tailed Godwit Dee rivers, indicating that these birds could be Limosa limosa [A156] sensitive to maintenance works carried out outside the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa Dundalk Bay SPA. lapponica [A157] Curlew Numenius arquata [A160] Redshank Tringa totanus

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Site Name Qualifying Potential Pathway Impact on Attribute and Target Prior to Avoidance / Mitigation Residual (site code) Interests/ Special Source of Mitigation / Avoidance Measures Impact Conservation Impact Interests [A162] Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus [A179] Common Gull Larus canus [A182] Herring Gull Larus argentatus [A184] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Stabannan Greylag Goose Anser Physical Land and air The bird species for which the SPA is designated was Follow protocols and SOPs in OPW Not and anser [A043] disturbance of identified by JBA (2014) as being vulnerable to (2011b) - specifically points 1.1 and significant Braganstown habitat drainage maintenance activities via land and air 1.2 of Environmental Drainage SPA pathways. Maintenance Guidance SOP. Noise and visual Little information is available as to the areas of the disturbance SPA which are important for this species. Therefore, No maintenance work will be the precautionary principle has been adopted (JBA, conducted within 300 m of the SPA 2014) regarding physical disturbance of habitat. boundary (i.e. the distance identified This species will be sensitive to disturbance from in Ryan Hanley (2014a), as the machinery and workforces conducting drainage buffer zone required for the SPA maintenance operations during the over-wintering species) between November and period (November - March). This disturbance could March. cause displacement of populations which can require significant energy expenditure for the birds, which, if See Table 7.1 for additional undertaken during the cold winter months when birds mitigation measures. are already stressed by recent migrations and difficulties in finding food, could have an adverse impact on population trend and distribution.

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7 Avoidance and Mitigation Measures

7.1 Introduction In order to ensure that drainage maintenance works do not adversely impact on the Dundalk Bay SAC, Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and Braganstown SPA, specific mitigation and avoidance measures have been defined that should be followed, in addition to the OPW's Environmental Management Protocols and SOPs (OPW, 2011), in order to offset the identified potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites; these are detailed in Table 7-1. Table 7-1: Specific Mitigation Measures

Potential Specific Avoidance and Mitigation Measures Impact Release of Refuelling will not be undertaken within 50m of a watercourse. suspended Biodegradable oils and fuels will be used where possible. solids Drip trays will be placed underneath any standing machinery to prevent pollution by oil/fuel leaks. Release or Operators will check their vehicles on a daily basis before starting work to confirm the absence of changes in leakages. Any leakages will be reported immediately. nutrient levels/ pollutants Emergency spill kits will be available on site and staff trained in their use. During all works the weather forecast will be monitored and a contingency plan developed to prevent damage or pollution during extreme weather and high flow events. The release of suspended solids will be minimised during works and appropriate sediment control measures will be employed as follows; - 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 as described in OPW SOP, to protect from bank erosion and reduce the release of suspended solids to the waterbody. - When removing aquatic vegetation instream, maximise the use of weed-cutting bucket where possible to minimise the amount of silt being 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

Physical Works within the Dundalk Bay SAC boundary should be avoided downstream of Annagassan Bridge, disturbance of including access to mud flats and sand flats, perennial vegetation on stony banks and saltmarsh habitats habitat.

Noise and visual No maintenance work will be conducted downstream of the confluence of the rivers Glyde and Dee disturbance between November and March.

Spread of non- Works will not encroach into areas of saltmarsh habitat adjacent to the tidal river sections of channel C native invasive 1(1) downstream of the bridge over the River Glyde (Lat. 53.88283 (north) Long. -6.35813 (west)), and species below the bend in the River Dee (Lat. 53.873449 (north) Long. -6.348941 (west)).

No maintenance work will be conducted within 300m of the Stabannan and Braganstown SPA boundary between November and March.

Stringent biosecurity measures will be implemented throughout the works following the OPW's Invasive Species Procedures (Appendix 0). Given the recent outbreaks of crayfish plague reported on the Rivers Suir, Deel, Lorrha and Barrow, the best practice principles of Check-Clean-Dry guidance of the NNSS (2017), IFI biosecurity protocols (2010) and Waterways Ireland Marine Notice No. 39/2017 (Appendix A.7) shall be followed during these works, to ensure that crayfish plague and non-native invasive species are not introduced into the proposed working area.

Please see Table 4-2 for location of invasive species, particularly Japanese Knotweed.

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Potential Specific Avoidance and Mitigation Measures Impact

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 non-native 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.

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8 Conclusions This NIS provides information for the Competent Authorities to conduct an Appropriate Assessment for the proposed Arterial Drainage Maintenance works for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme in County Louth. A previous AA screening exercise on this scheme by JBA in 2014, found that this scheme had the potential to negatively impact upon the following Natura 2000 sites: • Dundalk Bay SAC (000455) • Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) • Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091)

The screening was conducted following the methodology outlined in Ryan Hanley (2014b), which examines three source > pathway > receptor chains; surface water, land and air, and groundwater pathways. The conclusion of this report necessarily relies on some assumptions and it is inevitably subject to some limitations. Most of the assumptions and limitations would not affect the conclusion but the following points are recorded to ensure the basis of the assessment is clear: • This NIS has investigated the potential direct and indirect impacts of the proposed works upon the Natura 2000 sites, assessed the potential impacts for significance alone and in- combination with other plans and projects. This process took into consideration the nature of the proposed works and the structure, function and conservation objectives of the relevant Natura 2000 sites. • Where significant adverse impacts were determined to potentially occur as a result of the works, a number of appropriate mitigation measures to be implemented during the scheme were provided in order to prevent any significant adverse impacts as a result of the scheme. The conclusion of this report is based on the assumption that during the works, staff will be made aware of the sensitive ecological features that may be present on site and will be competent to identify the presence of these features. Mitigation measures and SOPs will be followed as required in such circumstances. As a result of this NIS it can be concluded, that provided the avoidance and mitigation measures in this report are implemented during the proposed drainage maintenance works on the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Maintenance Scheme, they will not have significant adverse impacts upon Dundalk Bay SAC (000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (004026) and Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) or negatively impact upon the overall integrity of the sites. To confirm this conclusion, the following checklist (Table 8-1), taken from DoEHLG (2009) has been completed. Table 8-1: Integrity of Site Checklist (from DoEHLG, 2009) Conservation objectives: does the Y/N project or plan have the potential to: Cause delays in progress towards N - Following mitigation, no significant adverse achieving the conservation objectives of residual impacts have been identified that will the sites? prevent achievement of the conservation objectives of the assessed sites. Interrupt progress towards achieving the N - Following mitigation, no significant adverse conservation objectives of the sites? residual impacts have been identified that will prevent achievement of the conservation objectives of the assessed site. Disrupt those factors that help to maintain N - Potential adverse impacts via surface the favourable conditions of the site? water; land and air; and groundwater pathways identified during the screening and AA process can be mitigated against. Interfere with the balance, distribution and N - Potential adverse impacts on the habitats density of key species that are the and species of the one SAC and two SPAs are not expected as impacts can be avoided by 2017s6456 Glyde and Dee NIS 2.0 65

indicators of the favourable condition of implementing the mitigation and avoidance the site? measures detailed.

Other objectives: does the project or Y/N plan have the potential to: Cause changes to the vital defining N - Potential adverse impacts from suspended aspects (e.g. nutrient balance) that solid and nutrient release are not expected as determine how the site functions as a measures can be included within working habitat or ecosystem? protocols to ensure potential impacts are effectively mitigated. Change the dynamics of the relationships N - Potential adverse impacts relating to (between, for example, soil and water or hydrological status and water quality have plants and animals) that define the been identified which could impact on the structure and/or function of the site? functioning and dynamics of the site, however, these are not expected to be significant given the mitigation measures detailed to ensure potential impacts are effectively mitigated. Interfere with predicted or expected N - Potential adverse impacts from changes to natural changes to the site (such as water the hydrological regime and suspended dynamics or chemical composition)? solid/nutrient/pollutant release are not expected as measures can be included within working protocols to ensure potential impacts are effectively mitigated. Reduce the area of key habitats? N - Potential adverse impacts on the habitats of the one SAC and two SPAs are not expected given the mitigation measures that have been detailed. Reduce the population of key species? N - Potential impacts to the bird species for which Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and Braganstown SPA are designated, are not expected as impacts can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. Change the balance between key species? N - Potential impacts to the bird species for which Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and Braganstown SPA are designated, are not expected as impacts can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. Reduce diversity of the site? N - The identified mitigation measures to protect designated habitats and species will ensure that the current diversity of the sites is maintained. Result in disturbance that could affect N - Potential impacts to the bird species for population size or density or the balance which Dundalk Bay SPA and Stabannan and between key species? Braganstown SPA are designated, are not expected as impacts can be avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed. Result in fragmentation N - The proposed works will be undertaken along existing maintenance access corridors and therefore no fragmentation of habitats will occur.

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Other objectives: does the project or Y/N plan have the potential to: Result in loss or reduction of key features N - Potential adverse impacts on SAC and SPA (e.g. tree cover, tidal exposure, annual habitats are not expected as impacts can be flooding etc.)? avoided by implementing the mitigation measures detailed so there will be no loss of, or reduction of, key features.

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A Appendices

A.1 OPWs Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures

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The Office of Public Works

Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service

Environmental Management Protocols

&

Standard Operating Procedures

The Office of Public Works Environment Section West Region Drainage Maintenance Headford Co. Galway Telephone: +353 (0)93 35 456 Fax: +353 (0)93 35 631 The Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Environmental Management Protocols & Standard Operating Procedures

Contents: Current Version Environmental Management Protocols April 2011 Environmental Drainage Maintenance Guidance Notes (10 Steps to Environmentally Friendly Maintenance) April 2011 Lamprey Standard Operating Procedure V2 April 2009 Crayfish Standard Operating Procedure V2 April 2009 Otter Standard Operating Procedure V2 April 2009 Mussels Standard Operating Procedure V2 April 2009 Invasive Species Standard Operating Procedure V2 March 2009 Zebra Mussel Standard Operating Procedure V2 May 2009 Blank OPW/ EREP Audit Form April 2011 NPWS Local Contact Details May 2009 Fisheries Contact Details April 2011 OPW Bridges on National Primary Roads March 2009

This document is uncontrolled in hard copy format. Hard copies should be validated against the revision level of the online version prior to use. w ww.opw.ie ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

ARTERIAL DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE SERVICE (APPLICABLE TO ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS AND FOREMEN)

PART I – OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

COMMUNICATIONS - STATUTORY STAKEHOLDERS  By the end of September of each year, each Drainage Region to forward a draft copy if its Annual Works Programme for the coming year to OPW’s Environment Section, and to the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) EREP Project Manager who will review it for appropriate sites and study locations for the Environmental River Enhancement Programme 2008 -2012.  By end of November of each year, each Drainage Region to forward the relevant sections of the Finalised Annual Maintenance Programme for the coming year with a copy of appropriate scheme maps, to the National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS) Regional Managers and the IFI Directors.  When compiling the programme the type of works proposed should be indicated for each channel under the headings A-F to facilitate the Screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA). A – Silt & Vegetation Management B – Aquatic Vegetation Cutting C – Bank Protection D – Bush Cutting/Branch Trimming E – Tree Cutting F – Bridge/ Structure Repairs  Ideally, approximate timing (season/month) and approximate duration of works should be included for each channel.  Works that fall within SACs, SPAs or NHAs are to be highlighted on the programme.  As a follow up, the Drainage Regions offer the opportunity for a meeting with the stakeholders to discuss the programme and where a meeting is requested, preferable for this to take place as early as possible in the year.  Prior to entry onto a channel contained wholly or partly within an SAC, SPA or NHA, three weeks notice in advance of entry, and for SAC & SPA an AA Screening Statement/Conclusion Statement must be completed and forwarded through the NPWS District Conservation Officer.

INTERIM STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS  In addition to the start of the year stakeholder meeting to overview the Annual Works Programme, Regional Offices will offer and facilitate a schedule of more frequent and catchment focused meetings.  The need and the frequency of these meetings will be determined on a regional basis in partnership with the relevant stakeholders.  Typically a frequency of every 2-3 months to discuss the following 2-3 months work on the catchment, identifying any further environmental sensitivities, appropriate mitigating measures, follow up joint site visits where deemed beneficial and flagging any opportunities for added benefit in proposed River Enhancement works.  Typical attendance includes a range of OPW Management Staff, i.e. Engineer, Technician and/or Foreman, NPWS Rangers and/or DCO and IFI Officers.  OPW Engineer will compile minutes of the meeting to record attendance and a brief account of main decisions and follow up actions.  Any channel specific information resulting from these meetings, such as timing requests should be entered into the Records Database in accordance with the National Recording Process.  Fruitful consultations with statutory stakeholders such as NPWS and IFI are of critical importance to continuously improving environmental performance. However, in the interest of maximising the efficiency of stakeholders input, Management Staff are as far as practical, to plan their consultative requirements and address a range of aspects in any one discussion forum. Interim Stakeholder Meetings or similar forums offer good opportunities to maximise consultation efficiencies.

CORRESPONDENCE  All Environment related correspondence/complaints should be logged on the Engineering Services Correspondence Database as per normal protocol. Complaints received should be forwarded to the Environment Section should assistance be required.

WALKOVER SURVEYS  As a component to the EREP Project, on a number of channels, EREP team will request for Walkover Surveys as an opportunity to discuss in detail on site the environmental options for a particular channel with a range of relevant stakeholders.  Typical attendance will be an IFI EREP representative, a range of OPW Management Staff and relevant Operational Crew if deemed beneficial, local IFI Officer and/or NPWS Ranger or DCO.  OPW Management Staff to liaise with EREP team and coordinate the site visit with local IFI and NPWS to facilitate their participation if these stakeholders wish to attend.  Environmental procedures as agreed on-site will be recorded by IFI EREP team and issued to the OPW Engineer as part of the design guidance for the particular Enhanced Maintenance works.  Regional Management Staff to ensure that Operational Staff carry out the works in accordance with the agreed procedures.

NATURA 2000 SITE ASSESSMENTS  All scheduled maintenance operations in the vicinity of a Natura 2000 Site i.e. an SAC or SPA, will require Screening for Appropriate Assessment and Stage II Appropriate Assessment where required.  By the end of September of each year, each Drainage Region to forward a draft copy if its Annual Works Programme for the coming year to OPW’s Environment Section to facilitate this process.  Environment Section will procure the Ecological Consultant, collate all the channel lists and issue completed AA Screening Statements/Conclusion Statements to the respective OPW engineers as completed.  The Ecological Consultant will consult with OPW management to define the precise extents of proposed works in each Natura 2000 Site.  In addition, the Ecological Consultant will be carrying out walkover surveys for pre and post maintenance works for a representative number of the sites and OPW Management will be required to facilitate the same.  OPW Management Staff will issue the relevant completed Assessments directly to the NPWS District Conservation Officer.In addition, Environment Section will issue all of the Assessments to the Development Applications Unit, DEHLG, Dun Sceine, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2.  Preferably for the Assessments to be forwarded to the DCO as soon as it is completed, but in any case with a minimum of three weeks notice before commencement of the works.  Management Staff to implement all prescribed mitigating measures and ensure that Operational Staff are made aware of all relevant site specific mitigating measures.

Current version of Designated Sites GIS Layers available on Socialtext

Environmental River Enhancement Programme (EREP)  After reviewing the draft Annual Works Programme, IFI EREP team will revert to the respective Regional Engineers Office and request follow up meetings as required to discuss aspects of the programme in relation to the EREP.  Enhancement sites require ground truthing to ensure they are technically feasible as envisaged. This is to be coordinated by the IFI EREP team with local IFI and OPW personnel as required.  Sites shortlisted by IFI EREP team for Capital Enhancement works are emanating from a screening process of technical feasibility in terms of gradient and water quality. In the future, sites selected will increasingly be resulting from other requirements such as the Water Framework Directive Programme Of Measures under Morphology.  IFI EREP team in consultation with the local IFI and OPW, will prioritise sites on a basis of best return for investment. IFI EREP team will liaise with the Regional Offices to assist in identifying channels deemed suitable for capital enhancement which should be integrated with the following years work programme. In some cases, a situation may arise where the site selected is not overlapping with the current Annual Works Programme but where feasible and subject to any third party agreement, OPW will accommodate these works.  Similarly for enhanced maintenance works, IFI EREP team in consultation with the local IFI and OPW, will select sites again that are technically feasible and offer best return for investment. These sites will normally be from channels on the current Annual Works Programme.  IFI EREP team will coordinate all the scientific monitoring works, provide the enhancement design details and guidance to OPW Management Staff and maintain a reasonable level of site supervision, proportional to the complexity of the works and the experience of the OPW Staff involved.  Consultations with local IFI through the Interim Stakeholder meetings are encouraged to identify sites suitable for Enhancement works and in some cases the local IFI may also be in a position to produce an enhancement design. All enhancement designs and works are to be coordinated through the IFI EREP team to facilitate formal recording into the national EREP project and allow for biodiversity and/or hydromorphology monitoring if required. Local IFI may coordinate with IFI EREP team or alternatively OPW Regional Staff coordinate directly with the EREP team.  A small portion of channels have more infrequent maintenance cycles and these cases can offer particularly good opportunities for enhanced maintenance type works. Channels programmed where maintenance works have not being carried out for in excess of 10 years, to be flagged to IFI EREP team for possible Walkover Surveys and guidance on appropriate EDM procedures.  Management Staff to ensure that as far as practical, all Operational crews have an opportunity to get experience on these projects.  Each Regional Engineer is to make provision in the Annual Works Programme for Plant & Labour resources in addition to provisions in the Annual Budget for materials subject to expenditure constraints. Typical resources are as follows:

Capital Enhancement Region Target Capital Machine ManWeeks (Km) Costs Weeks East Region 20 €200,000 30 60 South West Region 14 €140,000 21 42 West Region 16 €160,000 24 48

50 €500,000 75 150

Enhanced Maintenance (in conjunction with routine maintenance) Region Target Capital Machine ManWeeks (Km) Costs Weeks East Region 20 15 0 South West Region 14 11 0 West Region 16 12 0

50 38 0

 Progress targets for EREP to be shown on monthly production reports.  OPW are the primary contact point for liaison with landowners including the organising of access and egress for machinery and materials. Brochures on EREP are available in all Regional Offices. Additional copies can be obtained through OPW Environment Section.  Management Staff are encouraged to maximise the use of all available on-site materials such as stone from historical spoil heaps as opposed to importing materials at a higher cost.  In addition, Management Staff are encouraged to maximise synergies with other funding sources such as Fisheries Development grants attained by local Angling Clubs which could combine with OPW plant and labour to supply materials.  In all cases, Inland Fisheries Ireland are the statutory authority to give design guidance to OPW. Angling Clubs or other sectoral funding sources to liaise with the Fisheries authorities in respect of all design and environmental monitoring requirements.  As-Built plans are to be completed by the IFI EREP team for all enhancement works. This will entail a site visit by IFI and relevant OPW Staff where requested. These will be retained by IFI as well as any relevant design information.  IFI EREP team will forward a copy of the As-Built plans to Environment Section who will upload the same to Socialtext for access to the information by all Staff.  At the end of the year, IFI EREP team will forward Environment Section a GIS layer of that year's works for uploading to OPWs GIS records.

Current version of Enhancement GIS Layer available on Socialtext

NATIONAL RECORDING PROCESS  Weekly Record Cards can contain information on Lamprey, Crayfish, Kingfisher, Mussels, Otter and other site specific environmental information as arises.  Environmental information on Cards will be recorded onto the Records Database by each Drainage office. The latest Records Database has been revised to integrate environmental records.  On an interim basis, a copy of all Cards with environmental information to be copied and forwarded to Environment Section by each Drainage Office. This is to allow Environment Section to review the detail of information being recorded, feedback to the Operational crews through the Management Staff and attain a national consistency in the style of information being recorded.  All relevant information to be uploaded to GIS by Environment Section.  All other relevant environmental information sourced by Management Staff whether from direct observations or through stakeholder consultations, should be entered into the Records Database.  Relevant environmental information sourced through the EREP project and related research will be forwarded by IFI EREP team to Environment Section directly for centralised GIS uploading.  On an annual basis, Environment Section will compile an update of Weekly Records Cards species records and make available to all Staff via Socialtext to assist in tracking progress.  On an ongoing basis, Environment Section will make available the various OPW compiled species records to other authorities to assist in contributing to any appropriate national conservation knowledge.  As described above, each drainage office will upload onto the Records Database all environmental information from the Weekly Record Cards and all other broader environmental information attained by Management Staff. Within a few years, it's envisaged that multiple regional Staff will be able to use the new Records Database, and then environmental information from all sources will be uploaded directly by a whole host of Staff. Typically this will include any mitigating agreements for particular channels agreed with stakeholders or any other individuals observation such as protected species presence noted during a separate site visit.

SALMONIDS  As far as practicable, the maintenance works are to be scheduled to accommodate salmonid (Salmon & Trout) spawning areas, as is in place across all regions for many years. This is a widespread measure on many catchments and is most applicable to medium gradient channels with gravel substrate.  Prior to works commencing, consult with local IFI. Ideally, consultations to be conducted through Interim Stakeholder Meetings or alternatively, direct contact in respect of the specific site.  Maintenance operations on salmonid spawning beds typically carried out between July and September but timing subject to adjustment due to local knowledge of IFI.  Raking of spawning gravels to improve spawning capacity also typically carried out between July and September.  River enhancement works to enhance both the fisheries and the broader ecology of the drainage channel are covered under the EREP project.  In the future, as the extent of completed enhancement works increases, there is a risk of damage to structures due to future maintenance. All channels scheduled for maintenance to be checked against GIS records for presence of previous enhancement works. Where a presence is indicated, carry out a site visit as appropriate and in consultation with IFI , devise on-site procedures to protect or enhance existing instream structures.

Current version of Enhancements & Spawning GIS Layers available on Socialtext.

LAMPREY (BROOK, RIVER & SEA) & CRAYFISH  All channels scheduled for maintenance to be checked against GIS records for presence of Lamprey or Crayfish.  In accordance with the SOPs, Operational Staff will closely observe the spoil three times daily and report to the Foreman any Lamprey or Crayfish located.  Mitigating procedures to apply when: ◦ GIS records indicate species presence, or ◦ Operational Staff locate Lamprey or Crayfish during operations, or ◦ Where particularly suitable habitat is identified by an environmental stakeholder.  If significant populations are encountered, notify IFI EREP team and facilitate scientific studies if site deemed suitable by IFI.  If significant populations are encountered, notify NPWS Ranger and local IFI Officer and conduct site visit as necessary.  Combination of Mitigating Measures to be selected as applicable to the site while balancing the Flood Risk Management requirements and a sustainable approach to the conservation of Lamprey and/or Crayfish.  Identify extent of channel applicable and the mitigating measures to apply.  Inform Operational Staff of mitigating requirements.

Suite of relevant Mitigating Measures as follows:

On site measures  Skip sections to retain intact habitat either in one long reach or multiple short reaches.  Maintenance in an upstream direction to avoid secondary disturbance of a species moving downstream. Balance with the advantage of maintenance in a downstream direction where instream vegetation minimises siltation.  Confine maintenance to 2/3 of channel width leaving marginal vegetation and silt intact.  Maximise use of weed cutting bucket particularly where aquatic vegetation removal is the primary objective. This is effective for Lamprey juveniles as they are in the silt. For Crayfish, cutting of “Flaggers” type vegetation is effective but cutting of “water celery” mat type vegetation is less effective as it can result in Crayfish being removed within the weed mass.

Forward planning measures  Annual maintenance of the channel in shorter segments sequentially completing the same over a number of years. Balance with maintaining reasonably operational efficiency in terms of machinery moving, transport, access and egress.  Longer time periods between maintenance cycles e.g. move from 4-6 years to 7 to 8 years. Balance with overall river ecology as longer maintenance cycles will lead to more heavy- scale works.  Timing of maintenance to accommodate Lamprey spawning. Stakeholder consultations between OPW and local IFI for salmomid mitigating purposes, to include consideration of Lamprey spawning. This is to be applied to channels where Lamprey spawning habitat is known as informed by IFI or other stakeholder. For River & Brook Lamprey, no works on relevant spawning channel from end March to start of June subject to adjustment due to local knowledge of IFI. For Sea Lamprey, as they spawn during the summer months, restrictions from late April to early July are required. To be applied to channels where Sea Lamprey spawning is known as informed by IFI or other stakeholder and timing subject to adjustment due to local knowledge of IFI. Note that Sea Lamprey are much less widespread so envisaged that the scale of this mitigation will be very limited.  Loosening spawning bed gravels. Stakeholder consultations between OPW and IFI for salmonid gravel loosening purposes, now to include consideration of Lamprey spawning as above.  Enhance channel profile such as skewed cross section and promote deposition of silt along margins. Integrate with IFI discussions on planning the EREP to avail of enhancement opportunities particularly for channels where Lamprey or Crayfish presence is recorded.  Modification of OPW structures which impede upstream migration. Identification of weirs as barriers to be as informed by IFI or other stakeholder. Where modification designs required, liaison with IFI EREP team to integrate the improvement works into the EREP project. Identification of a bridge apron step attained through ongoing site inspections by OPW Management Staff or other stakeholder. In consultation with IFI, steps at bridges to be modified by a rock armour type ramp or similar. Envisaged that these measures will be of a limited scale on drained channels.

GIS Records:  Where Lamprey or Crayfish are discovered, Operational Staff will have recorded the same on the Weekly Record Cards. Cards with species location information will be uploaded to the Records Database as stated in the National Recording Process.  All new Lamprey spawning location information attained through stakeholder consultation to be recorded on the Records Database in accordance with the National Recording Process.  All database records of species location will be uploaded to GIS by Environment Section.  IFI EREP team conducting ongoing research on Lamprey & Crayfish as a component of the EREP works. Scientific data calculating species density for some sites will be developed and to be supplied by IFI to OPW and uploaded to GIS by Environment Section.

Current version of relevant SOPs: V2 April 2009 Current version of relevant GIS Layers available on Socialtext.

OTTER  Research to date indicates that Otters are widespread across all sizes of drainage channels nationally, hence it is prudent to assume that Otter use any particular site.  In accordance with the Otter SOP, Operational Staff will walkover the works area one week in advance in conjunction with the Health & Safety assessment noting dense cover with access directly to the water that is to be avoided where feasible.  In addition, any recognisable signs of Otter presence observed such as Spraints, Footprints or suspected Holts, will be recorded on the Weekly Record Cards. These signs were identified in Otter Awareness Training carried out across all regions in 2008.  While holts are usually well concealed, where Operational Staff observe a suspected holt such as a burrow opening, in consultation with Management Staff, subject to flood risk management functions, no works to within a 50m buffer each side.

Bridge mammal crossing enhancement  As a component of ongoing consultations with NPWS and other stakeholders, evidence may arise from time to time as to a particular spot for Otter road kill. Typically this can arise where the Otter always traverses the roadway as opposed to going through the bridge. While this scenario is not known to be a widespread issue in Ireland, the highest risk locations are on the National Primary Roads which have the heaviest traffic volumes.  There are 170 National Primary Road bridges on OPW channels as listed in the table referenced below and Management Staff are to have particular regard to these locations if evidence arises on a possible road kill “hot spot”.  Enhancement works will typically take the form of a bolt-on wildlife ledge or similar. Design and configuration is to carried out in consultation with NPWS and relevant Local Authority.  On an annual basis, Environment Section will review the national website www.biology.ie which records Otter road kill reports from the public. Any road kill location which overlaps with an OPW channel will be flagged by Environment Section to the relevant Management Staff.  Current understanding is that Otter road kill is not a significant issue in Ireland. It's envisaged that while the justification for bridge mammal crossing works may arise for some scenarios, these measures will be of a limited scale on drained channels.

Current version of Otter SOP: V2 April 2009 Current version of National Primary Roads & OPW Bridges: March 2009

FRESHWATER PEARL MUSSEL  GIS records from NPWS show the locations of the 91 known FWPM populations in Ireland.  The following OPW channels have been identified as containing FWPM:

Channel Scheme Location Most Recent Record CH9 Corrib Headford Oughterard 2009 C1/21/3 Moy Approx 500yrds from outfall to into L. Cullin 2004 C1 Sect M&N Moy Ballygallagart 2004 C1/21/14 Moy Crossmolina 2008 C1 Dunmanway FRS d/s of the Long Bridge 2003 C1 Owvane Approx 1400 yrds from outfall 2002 C1 Feale d/s Listowel near Scartleigh cemetary 2006 **Owenaher Moy u/s of C1/54 1996 **Brown Flesk River Maine Trib of C1 Maine near Farranfore 1987 ** Galey River Feale Approx 1400yrds u/s of C1/18 near Ahavoher Br. 1950 **River Liffey Ryewater (Lucan) Approx 3.5km d/s C1 Ryewater outfall 1894 ** Although not on OPW channels - these channels may or may not contain populations of FWPM. Works in the vicinity which could impact on a possible population need to be considered in close consultation with local NPWS knowledge.

 While highly unlikely to have instream works in a FWPM habitat, if a new population located by Operational Staff during operations, works to cease.  Notify NPWS and in consultation with NPWS, area to be skipped or non in-stream works carried out as agreed for the specific site.  For operations in the vicinity of known populations, mitigating procedures to apply:  Consult with NPWS and local IFI and conduct site visit as necessary. ◦ Typically only selective non in-stream works adjoining the population. ◦ Works such as removal of a fallen tree is to be completed by lifting clear of the channel to minimise any channel bed disturbance due to the branches being dragged. ◦ Assess need for silt management procedures for works upstream of the population and implement in consultation with NPWS.

Current version of relevant SOPs: V2 April 2009 Current version of FWPM GIS Layer available on Socialtext.

SWAN & DUCK MUSSELS  Swan and Duck Mussels are not strictly a protected species, however they are of conservation interest.  Both species are similar in appearance and habitat requirements and distinguishing between them is not necessary unless local environmental stakeholders can identify the exact species.  As the Mussel SOP, if Operational Staff locate the same, Management Staff will be notified.  Where significant populations are encountered notify NPWS Ranger and local IFI Officer, and where they are interested in visiting the site, facilitate a site visit as necessary.  Identify extent of channel applicable and the mitigating measures to apply.  Typical Mitigating Measures include: ◦ Operational Staff to observe spoil and return any Mussels to the channel whom are expected to recolonise the channel bed. ◦ Maximise use of weed cutting bucket particularly where aquatic vegetation removal is the primary objective. ◦ Skip sections to retain intact habitat either in one long reach or multiple short reaches. ◦ Confine maintenance to 2/3 of channel width leaving marginal vegetation and silt intact.  Record species presence on the Weekly Record Cards which will be recorded on the Records Database.

Current version of relevant SOPs: V2 April 2009

KINGFISHER  Avoid disturbing nesting sites in banks.  Visual sightings of Kingfisher by Operational Staff to be recorded on the Weekly Record Cards.  Sightings by Management Staff to be recorded on the Weekly Record Cards where works in progress or on other occasions, record by separate map or channel reference format.  All sightings to be recorded on the Records Database in accordance with the National Recording Process.  All database records of species location will be uploaded to GIS by Environment Section.  On an annual basis, Environment Section will issue the records to Birdwatch Ireland whom will add to the national Kingfisher database.

Current version of Kingfisher GIS Layer available on Socialtext.

BIRDS  Removal of any abnormally dense layer of vegetation is to be executed between September and February (inclusive) to minimise impacts on nesting birds unless there are other overriding requirements such as Health & Safety.  For SPAs containing important over-wintering bird populations, in consultation with the NPWS, regard to be given to timing or phasing of the works to minimise potential disturbance.

BATS  While the removal of large mature trees is not typically a requirement of maintenance works, where the case arises, in consultation with NPWS, regard to be given to the likelihood of bat roosting habitat.  Typical mitigating measure would be to leave tree in fallen position for 24hrs to allow any bats vacate.  Masonry bridges offer niches and crevices suitable for bat roosts and where masonry bridges are scheduled for maintenance works, regard to be given to the likelihood of bat roosting habitat. Typical maintenance works at low level such as wing wall repair or underpinning foundations have limited potential to impact on bat roosts. Where the case arises that repair works are to be above the high water level such as the upper arch, in consultation with NPWS, assess the potential for the works impacting on bat roosts.  Typical mitigating measure would be to contract a bat specialist to survey for bat presence before works commence, to avoid entombment of any bats.

WETLANDS - BOGS, FENS & TURLOUGHS  All channels scheduled for maintenance which overlap SAC designations to be checked against the list of channels that impinge on Raised Bog, Fen habitat or Turloughs and have regard to any NPWS agreements noted *.  OPW Management Staff to consult with NPWS for expert opinion as to any evidence of ongoing ecological decline of the Bog, Fen or Turlough and judgement on, if the drainage datum set by the Drainage Scheme and its maintenance is an ongoing contributing factor by affecting the hydrological regime of the same.  Where a likely impact is identified, conduct site visit as necessary and in consultation with NPWS, mitigating measures to be selected such as:  Skipping the channel in question while taking cognisance of the flood risk management requirements.  Maximise use of weed cutting bucket particularly where aquatic vegetation removal is the primary objective.  Inspection by OPW line management to assess the possibility of over digging the channel below the original design datum. Presence of an existing water level control such as a bridge floor to be established and alternative reference datum to be installed if deemed warranted.

* Environment Section currently developing a list of channels which overlap with Raised Bog, Fen habitat and Turloughs within SACs. Channels that are subject to a previous NPWS agreement /understanding of the extent of maintenance will be recorded.

Current version of Wetlands channels list available on Socialtext.

INVASIVE SPECIES – PLANTS  Multiple invasive plant species are widespread nationally as described in the SOP and prudent to assume that one or more of these plants can be present on any works site.  At present the OPW does not have any direct responsibility for the management of Invasive species. However to ensure OPW operations are not a vector for these invasives, measures are required to reduce the risk of spread.  Ensure machine washing equipment transported to site for all appropriate machinery movements as described in the Invasive Species SOP.  Ongoing EDM site audits by Environment Section will include confirmation that machine washing was executed in accordance with the SOP for the last applicable machine transfer.  In some cases, OPW will assist other authorities in the control of invasive species. In these projects, the works are typically carried out in partnership between a number of authorities such as IFI, NPWS and relevant Local Authority. As scenarios arise where OPW are requested to assist in an invasive species control project, Management Staff are encouraged to support the multi-authority partnership model which will maximise resource efficiencies for all parties while still achieving a broader environmental good.

Current version of relevant SOP: V2 March 2009

INVASIVE SPECIES – ZEBRA MUSSEL  Zebra Mussels are present in the River Shannon, Grand Canal and are in many lakes such as L Derg, L Ree, L Garra, L Key, L Derragh, Derravaragh, L Sheelin and L Corrib. This species is spreading and it is prudent to assume that works in any large sluggish river or near a lake has potential to contain Zebra Mussel.  For any proposed works in the vicinity of potential Zebra Mussel waters, flag for Operational Staff and ensure particular attention to cleaning procedures for all equipment prior to removal from site.  Any new location of Zebra Mussel uncovered during operations, notify NPWS and IFI for their information.  Record on Weekly Record Sheet which will be uploaded on the Records Database in accordance with the National Recording Process.  On an annual basis, Environment Section will collate the records nationally and issue to any relevant authorities to assist in tracking the species spread.

Current version of relevant SOP: V2 May 2009

TREE MANAGEMENT  A small portion of channels have more infrequent maintenance cycles typically where self cleaning gradients are present. These sites can entail abnormally dense tree cover which may be required to be managed for conveyance or fisheries purposes. Removal of any abnormally dense layer of vegetation is to be executed between September and February (inclusive) to minimise impacts on nesting birds unless there are other overriding requirements.  IFI requests to reduce “tunnelling” on drainage channels to be accomodated where feasible. OPW Management Staff to facilitate a site visit with the IFI Officer as required and devise a selective approach to the tree removal so as to retain a dappling of shade along the channel length.  Excess woody vegetation to be collected and utilised by the following in order of preference: ◦ Reused by adjoining landowner for domestic firewood. ◦ Subject to landowners agreement, stockpile excess to form natural cover and niche habitat, preferably with some connection of cover to the channel e.g. along a hedge leading to the water. ◦ Shred and spread along the adjoining top of bank allowing the material to degrade rapidly and recolonisation of the underlying vegetation.

ENVIRONMENTAL DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE (EDM) GUIDELINES  A portion of operational crews will be audited annually for implementation of the EDM Guidelines and other standard environmental procedures as adopted.  Auditing will be 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.  Audit results will be recorded on a standard format with the following feedback: ◦ All audit results will be forwarded to the relevant Engineer for that Drainage 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 will be forwarded to OPW Systems Co-ordinator for inclusion in monthly regional benchmarking reports. ◦ IFI EREP team will compile an overall summary of their findings in their end of year report under the EREP project.  Design for Enhanced Maintenance works under EREP will include a design element for full scale implementation of the EDM Guidelines such as Boulder Replacement and Excavating Pools.  Management Staff to ensure that as far as practical, all Operational crews have an opportunity to get experience on these projects.

Current version of EDM Guidelines: April 2011 Current version EDM Audit Sheet: April 2011 PART II – DEPOT MANAGEMENT

DEPOT WASTE MANAGEMENT

 12 Waste Management Plans are available on Socialtext covering the 12 Drainage Offices.  Environment Section will review 2 plans per annum and audit implementation.  Updated Plans together with an overview of findings will be forwarded to the relevant Coordinator and uploaded to Socialtext.

FUTURE REVISIONS

 Envisaged that this set of Protocols will be a fluid document and will be periodically updated as procedures are revised or new procedures introduced. In addition, to be used as a framework document for quality control purposes to reference the latest versions of all supporting information.

Inland Fisheries Ireland March 2011

IFI Region Director Address Telephone Region/Scheme IFI Blackrock William Walsh 15a Main Street 01 2787022 East: Glyde & Blackrock Co. Dee, Boyne, Dublin Blackwater, Bally-Teigue IFI Ballina John Connelly Ardnaree House 096 22788 West: Moy, Bonet Abbey Street Ballina Co. Mayo IFI Ballyshannon Dr. Milton Station Road 071 9851435 West: Donegal Matthews, Ballyshannon Co. schemes, Kilcoo, Donegal Duff IFI Limerick Sean Ryan Ashbourne 061 300238 East: Inny, Brosna Business Park West: Boyle, Dock Road Ballyglass Limerick South: Killimor, Carrighahorig, Nenagh, Groody, Maigue, Deel, Feale IFI Macroom Dr. Patrick Buck Sunnyside House, 026 41221 South: Maine, Macroom Co. Owvane Cork IFI Clonmel Suzanne Campion Anglesea Street 052 80055 East: Brickey Clonmel Co. Tipperary IFI Galway Amanda Mooney The Weir Lodge 091 563118 West: Corrib Earl's Island Headford, Mask, Galway IFI Dr. Ciaran Byrne Unit 4 Swords 01 8842600 All Business Campus Balheary Rd Swords Co. Dublin

EREP Project Dr. Karen Unit 4 Swords 01 8842624 All Manager Delanty Business Campus Balheary Rd Swords Co. Dublin

(Note: Completed flood relief schemes are not listed but proposed works should be discussed with the relevant local IFI) OPW Bridges (numbering 170) intersecting National Primary Roads.

Scheme Channel ID Bridge No. National Route type Bridge Name Glyde and Dee C2 (7C) B80 N01 Glyde and Dee C2 (7E1) B839 N01 Glyde and Dee C2 (7E1) B840 N01 Broadmeadow and Ward C2/1 B230 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C2/1 B239 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C2 B204 N02 Coolatrath br. Broadmeadow and Ward C2/3 B243 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C1/6/1 B86 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C1/6/1/1 B96 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C1/6 B68 N02 Broadmeadow and Ward C1 B16 N02 Boyne C1 B4 N02 Slane br. Glyde and Dee C2 (7H) B101A N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (17) B179 N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (14B) B118 N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (14) B867 N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (1) B30 N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (13) B111 N02 Glyde and Dee C2 (16B4) N02 Glyde and Dee C1 (1) B15 N02 Aclint Br Glyde and Dee C29 (2) B441 N02 Glyde and Dee C29 (3) B443 N02 Glyde and Dee C25 (8) B341 N02 Glyde and Dee C25 (7D1) B672 N02 Monaghan Blackwater C1/1/5 B7 N02 Monaghan Blackwater C1/1/5/6/1 B1 N02 Monaghan Blackwater C1/3/5/2 B8 N02 Monaghan Blackwater C1/3/6/3 B1 N02 Hoaf Br Boyne C1/8/24 BX1 N03 Boyne C1/8/23 B733 N03 Boyne C1/8/21 B723 N03 Boyne C1/8/16 B644 N03 Boyne C1/8 B126 N03 Clavens Br Boyne C1/8/8 B294 N03 Boyne C1/12/1 B875 N03 Dillon's Br Boyne C1/12/7 B915 N03 Owenmore Behy Bridge BX1 N04 Boyle C6/7/5 B2 N05 Ballanagare Br Boyle C6/7/1/4 B2 N05 Boyle C6/7/1 B3 N05 Cloonshanville Br Boyle C1/3/2/1 B4 N05 Boyle C1/9/1 B1 N05 Boyle C1 B4 N05 Old Lung Bridge Boyle C1/8 B1 N05 New Lung Bridge Boyle C1/45 B8 N05 Moy C1/31/2 B3 N05 Moy C1/31 B4 N05 Moy Not on a channel B2 N05 Trimoge Moy Not on a channel B2 N05 Moy Not on a channel B1 N05 Moy C1/30/3/1 B1 N05 Moy C1/28/2 B3 N05 Moy C1/28/1 B4 N05 Moy C1/25 B6 N05 Moy C1/23/3 B2 N05 Moy C1/23 B9 N05 Moy Not on a channel B1 N05 Moy C1/21/1/5/2/2 B3 N05 Moy C1/21/1/5/2/11 B2 N05 Moy C1/21/1/5/1/15 B1 N05 Moy C1/21/1/5/2/18 B1 N05 Moy C1/21/1/5/2/19 B2 N05 Moy C1/21/2/5/2/20/4 B1 N05 Boyle C1/44/15 B2976 N06 Boyle C1/44/17 B2984 N06 Boyle C1/64/1/11/6 B3337 N06 Boyle C1/64/1/11 B3303 N06 Miltownpass Br. Boyle C1/64/1/11/4 B3319 N06 Boyle C1/64/1/11/4/2 B3331 N06 Boyle C1/64/1/13/2 B3330 N06 Boyle C1/64/1/13 B3372 N06 Rochfort Br. Boyle C1/64/1/13/4 B3384 N06 Brosna C27 (1) B150 N06 Brosna C1 (1) B11 N06 Kilbeggan Br. Brosna C17 (1) B143 N06 Brosna C17 (SE) B726 N06 Brosna C17 (5) B138 N06 New Br Brosna C17 (4) B135 N06 Corrib Clare C1 B3 N06 Quincentennial Br. Nenagh C1/9 B23 N07 Ollatrim Br Nenagh C1/9/24 B4 N07 Monaghan Blackwater C1/1/6/1 B11 N12 Tyholland Br Blanket Nook C1/3 B23 N13 Swilly embankments E9 B1 N14 Swilly embankments C1/5 B9 N14 Deele and Swillyburn C1 B6 N14 Deele and Swillyburn C1/11 B19 N14 Deele and Swillyburn C2 B20 N14 Abbey C1/4 B39 N15 Abbey C1/4 B31 N15 Abbey C1/3A B30B N15 Abbey C1/2 B21 - B23 N15 Abbey C1/1 B18 N15 Duff C1 B1 N15 Bonet C1/12/3 B1 N16 Bonet C1/12 B5 N16 Bonet C1/12 B4 N16 Bonet C1/12 B2 N16 Bonet C1 B5 N16 Bonet C1/13/2 B1 N16 Bonet C1/13 B1 N16 Moy C1/50/2 B3 N17 Moy C1/50 B4 N17 Moy C1/48/3 B2 N17 Moy C1/48 B3 N17 Moy C1/45/4 B2 N17 Moy C1/45 B13 N17 Moy C1/30/5/9 B3 N17 Moy C1/30/5/9 B15 N17 Corrib Mask CM4/43/4 B2 N17 Corrib Mask CM4/34 B10 N17 Corrib Mask CM4/34/2 B2 N17 Corrib Clare C3/30 B8 N17 Corrib Clare C3/30/4 B1 N17 Corrib Clare C3/26 B2 N17 Corrib Clare C3/26/9 B1 N17 Corrib Clare C3/26/1 B3 N17 Corrib Clare C3/12/2 B1 N17 Corrib Clare C3 B14 N17 Corrib Clare C3 B2 N17 Claregalway bridge Fergus D7 B3 N18 Owenagarney C2 B1 N18 Owenagarney C4 B3 N18 Coonagh Embankments C10 B9 N18 Coonagh Embankments D13 B113 N18 Coonagh Embankments B1 N18 Maigue C1/36 B1 N20 Helena's br. Maigue C1/37/1 B3 N20 Maigue C1/37 B1 N20 Maigue C1 B23 N20 Creggane br. Maigue C1/33 B1 N20 Cappanafaha br. Maigue C1/30 B2 N20 Ballynabanoge br Maigue C1/26 B1 N20 Maigue C1/15 B10 N20 Maigue C1/10/5 B3 N20 Maine C1/28 BX1 N21 Maine C1/34 B117 N21 Maine C1/35 BX2 N21 Deel SR C12/2/2 B125 N21 Deel SR C12/2/2/2 B127 N21 Deel SR C12/2/1 B123 N21 Deel SR C10 B95 N21 Ballyfraley br. Deel SR C8 B76 N21 Reens br. Maigue C1/17/10 B1 N21 Maigue C1/17/8 B2 N21 Maigue C1/17/5 B1 N21 Maigue C1 B1 N21 Adare br. Maigue C1/15 B5 N21 Maine C1 B3 N22 Maine br. Maine C1/32 B110 N23 Dysert br. Maine C1/33 B114 N23 Killfinnaun br. Maine C1 B9 N23 Herbert br. Groody C1/4 B29 N24 Groody C1 B4 N24 Groody C1/7 B53 N24 Groody C1/9 B56 N24 Moy C1/9/1 B1 N26 Moy C1/9 B2 N26 Moy F/282 B N26 Moy C1/14 B1 N26 Moy RIVER B3 N26 Moy C1/37 B1 N26 Moy C1/38 B1 N26 Moy RIVER B2 N26 Cloongullaun br. Moy C1/39 B3 N26 Moy C1/39 B6 N26 Moy C1/39 B9 N26 Moy C1/39/3 B1 N26

Otter Wildlife Passes and OPW Drainage Channels

• It has been brought to the attention of the OPW that there may be a need for small mammal passes on some of the maintained channels.

• The National roads constitute less than 6 percent of roads in this country, approx. 3 National Primary and 3 percent National Secondary. In spite of this they a carry over 42 percent of the traffic. It is for this reason that the focus will be on the National Primary road crossings.

• The national road kill survey was analysed and the data from the web site “www.biology.ie” was cross-referenced against OPW channel locations and the results were inconclusive, as the web page is not widely used. It appears for now that OPW channel road crossings have no affect on the deaths of otters as per this information.

Next Steps: 1) Consult NPWS throughout all regions to review any evidence of otter road kills on National Primary roads or are they aware of any other such road deaths. 1. Where there appears to be mammal deaths on National Primary roads that intersect OPW channels it will be seriously considered to install in the bridge (where possible) a small mammal pass to allow ease of access for otters.

Otter Habitat Disruption • Otters, along with their breeding and resting places, are protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. They are also included in Annex I and Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, which is transposed into Irish Law in the European Com- munities (Natural Habitats) Regulations (S.I. 94 of 1997), as amended.

Otter Pass Details • Mammal Ledges and underpasses should be constructed parallel to the watercourse. • Underpasses should be of a diameter of 600mm up to a length of 20m. Where lengths exceed this the pipe should be increased to 900mm diameter • An underpass should be no more than 50m of the watercourse with channels or fencing guiding the animals to it.

Where there is sufficient space under the bridge for a ledge the following should be provided: • Fencing: See “figure 1; Specification for Mammal Resistant Fencing” in the NRA, National Roads Au- thority, Guidelines for the Treatment of Otters Prior to the Construction of National Road Schemes, for more detail. Also, Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, DMRB Volume 10, Section 1, Part 5, Chapter 9. • A bolt on ledge can be used under a bridge where there is no dry passage. The bolt on ledge should provide otters with a dry walkway of between 300mm and 450mm wide, constructed from 4.5mm Durbar patterned galvanised plate. • At some sites, considerations of responsibility, cost, aesthetics or practicality might indicate the use of a solid ledge; this is most likely where an existing otter-ledge has proved to be sited too low to of- fer dry passage at spate conditions. A solid ledge can be created in 3 ways; concrete bagging, shut- tering plus new concrete and concrete blocks. • See (OPW, 2007), (DMRB, 2001) and (NRA 2006) for further Details

References • NRA (2006) – National Roads Authority, Guidelines for the Treatment of Otters Prior to the Construc- tion of National Road Schemes. • NRA (2005) – National Roads Authority, Guidelines for the Crossing of Watercourses During the Construction Of National Road Schemes. • OPW (2007) – Series of Ecological Assessments on Arterial Drainage Maintenance No. 4, Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of the Effects of Statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance Activities on the Otter (Lutra lutra). • OPW (2006) – Screening of Natura 2000 Sites for Impacts of Arterial Drainage Maintenance Opera- tions. Environment Section, Engineering Services, Office of Public Works. • DMRB (2001) - Design manual for roads and bridges (DMRB). Volume 10, Section 4 Environmental Design and Management Nature Conservation. Part 4 HA 81/99 Nature conservation advice in relation to otters. Section 1, Part 9 HA 81/99.

A.2 Invasive Species Procedures

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A.3 Draft Environmental Risk Assessment Form

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Environmental Risk Assessment 4I CH O=?L @IL G <;M? QC>NB G;CH =B;HH?FM QB?L? G;CHN?H;H=? B;M HIN I==OLL?> @IL  SLM ;H> ?G<;HEG?HN QILEM QB?L? G;CHN?H;H=? B;M HIN I==OLL?> @IL  SLM Authorisation '?H?L;F 3CN? $?N;CFM

Start Date: Estimated Completion Date:

Site Location: Scheme:

Channel No.: Embankment No.:

Works Details Yes No

1. Does the work entail > 40m of structural work (not general maintenance) on a channel or embankment.

2. Does the work entail < 40m of structural work (not general maintenance) on a channel or embankment.

3. Does the work entail heavy tree or vegetation maintenance on a channel or embankment.

Site Details Yes No

4. Is there a requirement to carry out this work, outwith of the appropriate environmental window. 5. Does the site location coincide with any sensitivities displayed in the operations or species layer. Engineer: Technician: 6. Will machinery access corridor require removal of trees or undergrowth. Foreman: Site Supervisor: 7. Have particular sensitivities been flagged by IFI or NPWS.

If yes to 1 contact Environment Section. If yes to 2 or 3 and either 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 contact Environment Section.

Signed: Date: Programmer

Rev 05 2016 1

A.4 Channel and embankment layout

A.4.1 Glyde and Dee rivers

River Glyde

River Dee

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A.4.2 Stabannan area

River Glyde

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A.5 Drainage Maintenance Activities Proposed for the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme

Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) 2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) 2010 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) 2010 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) 2015 Summer Long Reach x x x C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x

C1(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C10(1) 2016 Summer x x x C10(3) 2016 Summer x x x C10(4) 2016 Summer x x x C10(5) 2016 Summer x x x C10(6) 2016 Summer x x x C10(7) 2016 Summer x x x C11(1) 2015 Summer x x x C12(1) 2011 Summer x x x C13(1) 2015 Summer x x x C13(2) 2015 Summer x x x C14(1) 2011 Summer x x x C15(1) 2011 Summer x x x C16(1) 2015 Summer x x x C16(1) 2015 Summer x x x C16(2) 2015 Summer x x x C17(1) 2015 Summer x x x C17(1A) 2015 Summer x x x C17(1A1) 2015 Summer x x x C17(2) 2015 Summer x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C17(3) 2015 Summer x x x C18(1) 2014 Summer x x x C19(1) 2014 Summer x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) 2012 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) 2013 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) 2013 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) 2013 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) Pre-2006 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(1) 2007 Summer Long Reach x x x C2(10) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(11) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(11A) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(12) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(13) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(14) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(14A) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(14B) 2011 Summer/Winter x x x C2(15) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(15) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(15A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(15B) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C2(16B2A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2A1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2A2) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B2B) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B3) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16B4) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C1) 2008 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C1A) 2008 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C2) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C2A) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C2A1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C2B) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C2C) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C3) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C3A) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C4) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C4A) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16C4B) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16D) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16F) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16F) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16F) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16F1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16G) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16G1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16G2) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16H) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16H) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16H1) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16H2) 2008 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16I) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(16J) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17B) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17B1) 2010 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17B1A) 2010 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17C) 2010 Summer/Winter x x x C2(17D) 2010 Summer/Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C2(18) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(19) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x

C2(19A) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(20) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(20) 2015 Summer x x x C2(20) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(20) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(20B) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20C) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20C1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20C2) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20C3) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20D) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20E) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20F) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20F1) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20F1A) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20G) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20G1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(20H) 2007 Summer/Winter x x x C2(21) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(21) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(21) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(21) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(21A) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(22) 2007 Summer/Winter x x x C2(23) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C2(24) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(25) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C2(25A) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26A) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26B) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26B1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26C) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(26C) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x

C2(27) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C2(28) 2014 Summer x x x C2(28) 2014 Summer x x x C2(28) 2010 Summer x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C2(28) 2010 Summer x x x C2(28) 2010 Summer x x x C2(28B) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28B1) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28B2) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28B2A) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28C) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28D) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28E) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28E1) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F1) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F1A) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F2) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F2A) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F2B) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F3) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28F4) 2016 Summer x x x C2(28G) 2015 Summer x x x C2(28G1) 2015 Summer x x x C2(28H) 2015 Summer x x x C2(28H1) 2015 Summer x x x C2(28I) 2015 Summer x x x C2(28J) 2015 Summer x x x C2(29) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(3) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(3) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(30) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(30A) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(31) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(32) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(33) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(33A) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(33B) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x

C2(34) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C2(35) 2013 Summer x x x C2(35) 2013 Summer x x x C2(35) 2013 Summer x x x C2(35A) 2009 Summer/Winter x x x C2(35B) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C2(35B1) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(35B2) 2006 Summer/Winter x x x C2(35B3) 2009 Summer/Winter x x x C2(36) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(37) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(37A) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(37B) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(38) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(39) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(4) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(4) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(40) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x C2(40A) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x C2(40B) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x C2(40C) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x C2(41) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x

C2(41A) 2017 Summer/Winter x x x C2(42) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(42) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(42) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42A) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42B) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42C) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42D) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42D) 2015 Summer x x x C2(42E) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(42F) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43) 2013 Summer x x x C2(43B) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(43C) 2007 Summer x x x C2(43D) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(43E) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(43F) 2006 Summer x x x C2(43G) 2012 Summer x x x C2(43H) 2015 Summer x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C2(43I) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(5) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C2(6) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(6A) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x

C2(6B) 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7B) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7B2) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7B2A) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7B2A) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7B2B) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7B3) 2015 Summer x x x C2(7C) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7D) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7E) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7E) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7E1) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7E2) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7E3) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7E3B) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7F) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7F) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7F2) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7F3) 2016 Summer x x x C2(7G) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C2(7H) 2013 Summer x x x C2(8) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C2(8A) 2008 Summer/Winter x x x C2(9) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C20(1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C21(1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C22(1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C22(1) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C22(2) 2014 Summer/Winter x x x C23(1) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C24(1) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C24(2) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C25(1) 2016 Summer Long Reach x x x C25(1) 2016 Summer Long Reach x x x C25(1) 2016 Summer Long Reach x x x

C25(1) 2016 Summer Long Reach x x x C25(10) 2009 Summer x x x C25(3) 2012 Summer x x x C25(3A) 2012 Summer x x x C25(4) 2015 Summer x x x C25(4A) 2015 Summer x x x C25(4A1) 2015 Summer x x x C25(4A2) 2015 Summer x x x C25(5) 2015 Summer x x x C25(6) 2010 Summer x x x C25(7) 2016 Summer x x x C25(7A) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C25(7A1) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C25(7B) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7C) 2016 Summer x x x C25(7C) 2013 Summer x x x C25(7D) 2012 Summer x x x C25(7D1) 2012 Summer x x x C25(7D2) 2012 Summer x x x C25(7D2) 2012 Summer x x x C25(7D3) 2012 Summer x x x C25(7E) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7E1) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7E2) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7F) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7F1) 2015 Summer x x x C25(7G) 2012 Summer x x x C25(8) 2010 Summer x x x C25(8) 2010 Summer x x x C26(1) 2015 Winter x x x C26(2) 2015 Winter x x x C27(1) 2014 Winter x x x C28(1) 2015 Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C29(1) 2014 Winter x x x C29(1) 2014 Winter x x x C29(2) 2014 Winter x x x C29(3) 2014 Winter x x x C29(4) 2014 Winter x x x C29(4) 2014 Winter x x x C29(5) 2014 Winter x x x C3(1) 2013 Winter x x x C3(1) 2013 Winter x x x C30(1) 2016 Winter x x x C30(1) 2016 Winter x x x C31(1) 2017 Winter x x x C31(1) 2017 Winter x x x C31(1) 2017 Winter x x x C31(2) 2017 Winter x x x C31(3) 2017 Winter x x x C32(1) Pre-2006 Winter x x x C33(1) 2015 Winter x x x C34(1) 2014 Winter x x x C34(2) 2014 Winter x x x C34(2A) 2014 Winter x x x C34(2B) 2014 Winter x x x C34(3) 2014 Winter x x x C34(3) 2014 Winter x x x C34(3A) 2014 Winter x x x C34(4) 2014 Winter x x x C34(5) 2014 Winter x x x C34(6) 2014 Winter x x x C35(1) 2015 Winter x x x C35(2) 2015 Winter x x x C35(3) 2015 Winter x x x C35(3A) 2015 Winter x x x C35(4) 2015 Winter x x x C36(1) Pre-2006 Winter x x x C37(1) 2016 Winter x x x C38(1) Pre-2006 Winter x x x C39(1) 2015 Winter x x x C4(1) 2016 Winter x x x C4(1) 2016 Winter x x x C40(1) 2014 Summer x x x C40(1) 2014 Summer x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C40(2) 2014 Summer x x x C40(3) 2014 Summer x x x C40(4) 2014 Summer x x x C40(5) 2014 Summer x x x C40(6) 2014 Summer x x x C40(7) 2014 Summer x x x C40(8) 2015 Summer x x x C41(1) 2015 Winter x x x C42(1) 2014 Winter x x x C42(2) 2014 Winter x x x C42(2A) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3A) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3B) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3C) 2014 Winter x x x C42(3C1) 2014 Winter x x x C43(1) 2012 Summer x x x C43(1) 2012 Summer x x x C43(1) 2012 Summer x x x C43(2) 2011 Summer x x x C43(2) 2011 Summer x x x C43(2) 2011 Summer x x x C43(3) 2016 Summer x x x C43(3A) Pre-2006 Summer x x x C43(3B) 2006 Summer x x x C43(3C) 2013 Summer x x x C43(3D) 2006 Summer x x x C43(3E) 2006 Summer x x x C44(1) 2014 Summer x x x C44(1) 2011 Summer x x x C44(1) 2011 Summer x x x C44(2) 2011 Summer x x x C44(2) 2011 Summer x x x C44(2) 2011 Summer x x x C44(2A) 2016 Summer x x x C44(2B) 2011 Summer x x x C44(3) 2016 Summer x x x C44(3A) 2014 Summer x x x C44(3B) 2014 Summer x x x C45(1) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x

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Channel Ref Year of Timing Machine Type of Last of Type Maintenance Mainten Works A D E ance C46(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C47/1 2013 Summer/Winter x x x C48(1) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C5(1) 2015 Summer/Winter x x x C5(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C5(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C5(2) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C50(1) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C50(1) 2012 Summer/Winter x x x C51(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C51(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C52(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C53(1) 2007 Summer/Winter x x x C54(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C55(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C56(1) 2007 Summer/Winter x x x C6(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x C7(1) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C8(1) Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x C9(1) 2016 Summer/Winter x x x M1 Pre-2006 Summer/Winter x x x

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A.6 Habitat Maps

A.6.3 Glyde and Dee Rivers

River Glyde

River Dee

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A.6.4 Stabannan area

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A.7 Waterways Ireland, Marine Notice No. 39/ 2017 MARINE NOTICE MARINE NOTICE No 39 of 2017 All Navigations Serious threat to native White Clawed Freshwater Crayfish Waterways Ireland has been advised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service that an outbreak of Crayfish plague has been confirmed in Ireland on the River Suir Catchment in Clonmel. The cause of the outbreak is unknown but people are being asked to follow simple biosecurity measures to restrict the outbreak to the current location and prevent further spread to other river catchments. Measures that should be taken by all users, for all activities on all systems and to prevent the spread of all invasive species are as follows: • Allowing all equipment (fishing tackle, waders, kayaking equipment, boats etc) to dry out and leave to dry thoroughly for a further 48 hours, before it is used elsewhere. • If drying out equipment is not feasible equipment should be: Power Steam washed at a suitably high temperature (at least above 65 degrees)– use of mobile steam power washers or use of nearby power washers at Service stations as an alternative. Disinfected with a specialised disinfectant eg "Virkon" or an approved alternative. Iodine disinfectants are available from farm suppliers but these may result in staining. Please follow application guidelines on any used disinfectant. • Alternatively avoid using equipment that has been used in infected rivers/area in any other river, river system or catchment. • Avoid bringing any equipment into and out of any affected areas. If anyone spots a suspected Native White Clawed Crayfish kill, which is identified by seeing crayfish lying on the bed of a river "Belly Up", often near bridges, walls etc please report sightings with photographs to: • NPWS at [email protected] with details of location/date; a photo if available or • [email protected] or • http://records.biodiversityireland.ie or • Your local National Parks and Wildlife Ranger or • Waterways Ireland Environment Section 061-922141

Native Irish Crayfish - Source www.npws.ie

Issued: May 2017 V 1.0 C.J. Lawn Inspector of Navigation 6 Jun 2017 Tel: 353 90 6494232 Fax: 353 90 6494147

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References Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2009) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities. Early J, McDowell S, Caffrey J, O’Callaghan D, Meenan K, Toomath C, Fitzsimons B & Kelly J (2009). Field Guide to Invasive Species in Ireland. 2nd Edition. NIEA. EC (2007) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. European Commission Fossitt, J.A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Dublin. IFI (2010). IFI Biosecurity Protocol for Field Survey Work. Inland Fisheries Ireland. Irish Water (2016) Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2016. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/Urban%20waste%20water%20report%20for%2 02016%20Final%20Version.pdf JBA (2014) Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Works – Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme: Stage 1 Appropriate Assessment Screening. Unpublished Report. JNCC (2010). Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey- A technique for environmental audit. 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. Louth County Council Development Plan (2015-21). [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Publications/Development-Plans/Louth-County-Council-Development- Plans/Volume-1-Written-Statement.pdf p. 21[date accessed 15 November 2017]. NNSS (2017) GB Non-native Species Secretariat. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/. [Accessed 20 November 2017]. NPWS (2009) Saltmarsh Monitoring Project 2007-2008, Vol. 3. Mark McCorry & Tim Ryle. A Report for Research Branch, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Final Report. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/McCorry_&_Ryle_2009_Saltmarsh_survey _V3.pdf [date accessed 7 November 2017]. NPWS (2010) Site Synopsis: Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091). [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY004091.pdf [date accessed 13 October 2017]. NPWS (2011a) Conservation Objectives: Dundalk Bay SAC 000455 & Dundalk Bay SPA 004026, Version 1.0. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected- sites/conservation_objectives/CO004026.pdf. [date accessed 13 October 2017]. NPWS (2011b) Dundalk Bay SPA Conservation Objectives Supporting Document. https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/4026_Dundalk%20Bay%20SPA%20Suppor ting%20Document_V1.pdf [date accessed 10 November October 2014] (NPWS 2013a).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 2013b).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 NPWS (2014a) Site Synopsis: Dundalk Bay SAC 000455. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY000455.pdf. [date accessed 13 October 2017]. NPWS (2014b) Site Synopsis: Dundalk Bay SPA 004026. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY004026.pdf. [date accessed 13 October 2017]. NPWS (2015a) Natura 2000 - Standard Data Form: Dundalk Bay SAC IE0000455. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/natura2000/NF000455.pdf. [date accessed 13 October 2017].

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NPWS (2015b) Natura 2000 - Standard Data Form: Dundalk Bay SPA IE0004026. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/natura2000/NF004026.pdf. [date accessed 13 October 2017]. NPWS (2015c) Natura 2000 - Standard Data Form: Site Synopsis: Stabannan-Braganstown SPA [ONLINE] Available at: IE0004091 [date accessed 18 October 2017]. NPWS (2016) Conservation Objectives: Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091) Version 5.0 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected- sites/conservation_objectives/CO004091.pdf [date accessed 18 October 2017]. NRA (2009) National Roads Authority Guidelines for Assessment of Ecological Impacts of National Road Schemes., Transport Infrastructure Ireland. [ONLINE] Available at http://www.tii.ie/technical- services/environment/planning/Guidelines-for-Assessment-of-Ecological-Impacts-of-National- Road-Schemes.pdf [Accessed on: 20 November 2017]. 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. [ONLINE] Available at https://www.opw.ie/media/Arterial%20Drainage%20Maintenance%20&%20High%20Risk%20Cha nnel%20Designation%20HDA%202011-2015.pdf [Accessed on: 20 November 2017]. 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 (2014b) Office of Public Works Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service 2014-2018. Source > Pathway > Receptor Chains for Appropriate Assessment. Unpublished Report. Smith, G.F., O’Donoghue, P., O’Hora, K. and Delaney, E. (2011) Best Practice Guidelines for Habitat Mapping. The Heritage Council, Dublin. Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. (2012) Webb's - An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. Walker, L.J. and JOHNSTON J. (1999). Guidelines for the Assessment of Indirect and Cumulative Impacts as well as Impact Interactions. [ONLINE] Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-studies-and-reports/pdf/guidel.pdf [date accessed 15 November 2017].

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