Waste Water Discharge
Licence Application
for
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk
Agglomeration.
Attachment F1:
Assessment of Impact.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Fingal County Council
For inspection purposes only. Portrane DonabateConsent of copyright Rush owner required Lusk for any other Waste use. Water Discharge Licence Application
Appropriate Assessment
Aug 2011
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION...... 3 2 SCREENING ...... 2 2.1 MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE ...... 2 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF PLAN OR PROJECT...... 2 2.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE...... 4 2.4 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE ...... 11
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
1 INTRODUCTION
Fingal County Council is submitting a Waste Water Discharge Licence Application to the EPA for the Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Agglomeration under the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007, S.I. 684 of 2007. The Primary Discharge for the Agglomeration is to the Northern Western Irish Sea east of St Ita’s Hospital Portrane through a long sea outfall. There are the following European sites within 5km of the primary discharge: Rogerstown Estuary, Lambay Island, Portrane Shore Natural Heritage Area, Broadmeadow Estuary and the Malahide Shellfish Water. Under the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations it is necessary to determine if there is likely to be a significant impact from the waste water discharges from the Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk agglomeration on the European Sites This report has been prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the EPA document “Note on Appropriate Assessments for the purposes of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007” and the Circular L8/08 ‘Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes – Protection of Natural Heritage and National Monuments’ issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The EPA Note identifies 4 Stages in the Appropriate Assessment Process in line with the European Commission Methodological Guidance on the provision of Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (EC2001) and the European Commissions Guidance “Managing Natura 2000 Sites” and a number of steps within each stage. For inspection purposes only. This report has been structured toConsent generally of copyright followowner required the for stagesany other use. and steps identified in the above guidance as follows; Stage1 – Screening Step 1 – Management of the Site Step 2 - Description of Plan or Project Step 3 – Characteristics of the Site Step 4 – Assessment of Significance Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment Step 1 - Information Required Step 2 - Impact Prediction Step 3 - Conservation Objectives Step 4 – Mitigation Measures
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
Stage 3 – Assessment of Alternative Solutions - Identify alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project avoiding adverse impacts on the integrity of the designated site Stage 4 – Assessment where no alternative solution exists - Identify if there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest and if there are human health and safety considerations or important environmental benefits.
2 Stage 1 - Screening
2.1 Management of the Site:
Is the plan or project directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site? The answer is always No for wastewater discharges.
2.2 Description of Plan or Project
A new WWTP is under construction (Aug 2011) adjacent to the existing WWTP in Portrane. This new WWTP will treat sewage from the three former agglomerations of Portrane/Donabate, Rush and Lusk and will also cater for future development in these For inspection purposes only. agglomerations as well as capturingConsent areas of copyright which owner are required at forpresent any other use. being served by individual private on-site waste water treatment systems. The new WWTP has a design capacity of 60,000p.e.
The discharge from the agglomeration is mainly domestic with some commercial. The foul water collection system includes gravity sewers and pumping stations which direct the flows to the new Portrane WWTP.
The extent of the agglomeration and the location of the primary discharge point is shown on Fig. 1, below.
2
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
3
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
The new Portrane WWTP will discharge to the North Western Irish Sea. The following European sites are within 5km of the primary discharge: Rogerstown Estuary, Lambay Island, Portrane Shore Natural Heritage Area, Broadmeadow Estuary and the Malahide Shellfish Water. Rogerstown Estuary is a Special Protection Area (Rogerstown Estuary SPA; Site Code: 004015) and a Special Area of Conservation (Rogerstown Estuary SAC; Site Code: 00208), a Natural Heritage area, a Ramsar Conservation Wetland and a Statutory Nature Reserve. The nearest point of the European site is approx 0.8km from the new primary discharge point.
Lambay Island is a Special Protection Area (Site Code: 004015) and a Special Area of Conservation (Site Code: 00208) and a Natural Heritage area.
Portrane Shore Natural Heritage Area extends along the foreshore and connects with the Rogerstown European Site to the north and the Broadmeadow Estuary European Site to the south. The nearest point of the European site is approx 0.6km from the new primary discharge point.
The Broadmeadow Estuary is a cSAC (Malahide Estuary) and an SPA (Broadmeadow Estuary). It is also a Natural Heritage Area and a Ramsar site. The nearest point of the European site is approx 1.6km from the new primary discharge point. The Malahide Shellfish Water extends from the south end of Rogerstown Estuary to Portmarnock beach, commencing approx 1km offshore. The nearest point of the Shellfish Waters is approx 0.4km from the new primary discharge point.
Other primary discharges occur from For inspection the purposes Balbriggan only. Skerries WWTP, from the Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. MalahideWWTP and the Swords WWTP. It is felt that the Balbriggan Skerries primary discharge is too far away to affect any of the European sites listed above. The Malahide and the Swords WWTPs discharge to the inner and outer Broadmeadow respectively.
2.3 Characteristics of the site:
The following Characteristics of the nearby European sites have been taken from the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) website:
4
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
ROGERSTOWN ESTUARY Special Protection Area SITE SYNOPSIS Rogerstown estuary is situated about 2 km north of Donabate in north County Dublin. It is a relatively small, funnel shaped estuary separated from the sea by a sand and shingle peninsula and extending eastwards beyond the low water mark to include an area of shallow marine water. The estuary receives the waters of the Ballyboghil and Ballough rivers, both of which flow through intensive agricultural catchments. The estuary has a wide salinity range, from near full sea water to near full fresh water. The estuary is divided by a causeway and narrow bridge, built in the 1840s to carry the Dublin-Belfast railway line. The site contains good examples of a number of estuarine and coastal habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive.
At low tide extensive intertidal sand and mud flats are exposed and these provide the main food resource for the wintering waterfowl. The intertidal flats of the estuary are mainly of sands, with soft muds in the north-west sector and along the southern shore. Associated with these muds are stands of Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica). Green algae (mainly Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca) are widespread and form dense mats in the more sheltered areas. The intertidal vascular plant Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) grows profusely in places beneath the algal mats and is grazed by herbivorous waterfowl (notably Brent Geese and Wigeon). The Lugworm (Arenicola marina) is common in the outer estuary and large Mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) occur at the outlet to the sea.
Salt marsh fringes parts of the estuary, especially its southern shores. Common plant species of the saltmarsh include Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus), Sea Purslane (Halimione portulacoides) and Common Saltmarsh-grass For inspection (Puccinel purposes only.lia maritima). Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Rogerstown Estuary is an important winter waterfowl site and supports a population of Pale-bellied Brent Goose of international importance (1194 - all counts given are average peaks over the five winters 1996/97 – 2000/01). A further 14 species have populations of national importance as follows: Greylag Goose 87, Shelduck 78, Shoveler 72, Oystercatcher 1794, Ringed Plover 188, Grey Plover 343, Knot 2159, Sanderling 89, Dunlin 3128, Redshank 674, Lapwing 2166, Black-tailed Godwit 212, Greenshank 26 and Turnstone 188. The Greylag Geese are part of a larger population which spends most of the winter on Lambay Island. Other species which occur regularly in significant numbers include Wigeon 411, Teal 379, Mallard 267, Redbreasted Merganser 22, Golden Plover 159 and Curlew 245. The numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing can at times be considerably higher than the averages given above. The presence of Golden Plover is of note as this species is listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive. Large numbers of gulls, mostly Herring, Great Blackbacked and Black-headed, are attracted to the area, partly due to the presence of an adjacent local authority landfill site.
5
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
Some of the wader species also occur on passage, notably Black-tailed Godwit with numbers often exceeding 300 in April. The estuary is a regular staging post for scarce migrants, especially in autumn when Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank may be seen. Shelduck breed within the site.
Rogerstown Estuary is an important link in the chain of estuaries on the east coast. It supports an internationally important population of Brent Goose and a further 14 species in numbers of national importance. Bird populations have been well monitored since the 1980s and the site is counted at monthly intervals each winter (September to March) as part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS). The site is a statutory Nature Reserve and a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the E.U. Habitats Directive.
ROGERSTOWN ESTUARY Special Area of Conservation SITE SYNOPSIS
Rogerstown estuary is situated about 2 km north of Donabate. It is a relatively small, narrow estuary separated from the sea by a sand and shingle bar. The estuary is divided by a causeway and narrow bridge, built in the 1840s to carry the Dublin-Belfast railway line. The site contains good examples of a number of habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive.
The estuary drains almost completely at low tide. The intertidal flats of the outer estuary are For inspection purposes only. mainly of sands, with soft muds Consent in the of copyright north-west owner required sector for any andother use. along the southern shore. Associated with these muds are stands of Cordgrass (Spartina anglica). Green algae (mainly Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca) are widespread and form dense mats in the more sheltered areas. The intertidal angiosperm, Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima), grows profusely in places beneath the algal mats. The Lugworm (Arenicola marina) is common in the outer estuary and large Mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) occur at the outlet to the sea. The area of intertidal flats in the inner estuary is reduced as a result of the local authority refuse tip on the north shore. The sediments are mostly muds, which are very soft in places. Cordgrass (Spartina anglica) is widespread in parts, and in summer, dense green algal mats grow on the muds. In the extreme inner part, the estuary narrows to a tidal river. Saltmarsh fringes parts of the estuary, especially the southern shores and parts of the outer sand spit. Common plant species of the saltmarsh include Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus), Sea Purslane (Halimione portulacoides) and Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima). Salt meadows and wet brackish fields occur along the tidal river. Low sand hills occur on the outer spit, including some small areas of fixed dunes and Ammophila dunes. Fine sandy beaches and intertidal sandflats occur at the outer part of the estuary.
6
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
Two plant species, which are legally protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, occur within the site: Hairy Violet (Viola hirta) occurs on the sand spit and Meadow Barley (Hordeum secalinum) occurs in the saline fields of the inner estuary. This species has declined apparently due to reclamation and embankment of lands fringing estuaries. Another rare species, Green-veined Orchid (Orchis morio), occurs in the sandy areas of the outer estuary.
Rogerstown Estuary is an important waterfowl site, with Brent Geese having a population of international importance (1176). A further 16 species have populations of national importance: Greylag Goose (186), Shelduck (785), Teal (584), Pintail (30), Shoveler (69), Oystercatcher (1028), Ringed Plover (152), Golden Plover (1813), Grey Plover (245), Lapwing (4056), Knot (2076), Dunlin (2625), Sanderling (57), Black-tailed Godwit (272), Curlew (1549), Redshank (732) and Greenshank (22) (All counts are average peaks over four winters 1994/95 - 1997/98). The presence of a significant population of Golden Plover is of note and this species is listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. The estuary is a regular staging post for autumn migrants, especially Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank.
Little Tern has bred at the outer sand spit, but much of the nesting area has now been washed away as a result of erosion. The maximum number of pairs recorded was 17 in 1991. Ringed Plover breed in the same area.
The outer part of the estuary has been designated a statutory Nature Reserve and a Special For inspection purposes only. Protection Area under the EU BirdsConsent Directive. of copyright owner The required inner for anyestuary other use. has been damaged by the refuse tip which covers 40 hectares of mudflat.
This site is a good example of an estuarine system, with all typical habitats represented, including several listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. Rogerstown is an internationally important waterfowl site and has been a breeding site for Little Terns. The presence within the site of three rare plant species adds to its importance.
The Newtown Cottages agglomeration is in the catchment of the Malahide Estuary cSAC and the Broadmeadow Estuary SPA. The following Characteristics of the site have been taken from the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) website
7
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
MALAHIDE ESTUARY Special Area of Conservation
SITE SYNOPSIS
Malahide Estuary is situated immediately north of Malahide and east of Swords. It is the estuary of the River Broadmeadow. The site is divided by a railway viaduct built in the 1800s. The outer part of the estuary is mostly cut off from the sea by a large sand spit, known as "the island". The outer estuary drains almost completely at low tide, exposing sand and mud flats. There is a large bed of Eelgrass (Zostera noltii and Z. angustifolium) in the north section of the outer estuary, along with Tassel Weed (Ruppia maritima) and extensive mats of green algae (Enteromorpha spp., Ulva lactuca). Cordgrass (Spartina anglica) is also widespread in this sheltered part of the estuary. The dune spit has a well developed outer dune ridge dominated by Marram Grass (Ammophila Arenaria). The dry areas of the stabilised dunes have a dense covering of Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and species such as Yellow Wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), Field Gentian (Gentianella amarella), Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris) and Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). Much of the interior of the spit is taken up by a golf course. The inner stony shore has frequent Sea-holly (Eryngium maritimum). Well-developed saltmarshes occur at the tip of the spit. Atlantic salt meadow is the principle type and is characterised by species such as Sea Purslane (Halimoine portulacoides), Sea Aster (Aster tripolium), Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sea Arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima) and Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima). Elsewhere in the outer estuary, a small area of Mediterranean salt meadow occurs which is characterised by the presence of Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus). Below the salt marshes there are good examples of pioneering Glasswort swards and other annual species, typified by Salicornia dolichostachya and Annual Sea-blite (Suaeda maritima).
The inner estuary does not drain at low tideFor inspection apart purposes from only. the extreme inner part. Here, Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. patches of saltmarsh and salt meadows occur, with Sea Aster, Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) and Sea Clubrush (Scirpus maritimus). Tassel Weed (Ruppia maritima) occurs in one of the channels.
The site includes a fine area of rocky shore south-east of Malahide and extending towards Portmarnock. This represents the only continuous section through the fossiliferous Lower Carboniferous rocks in the Dublin Basin, and is the type locality for several species of fossil coral. The estuary is an important wintering bird site and holds an internationally important population of Brent Geese and nationally important populations of a further 15 species. Average maximum counts during the 1995/96-1997/98 period were Brent Geese 1217; Great Crested Grebe 52; Mute Swan 106; Shelduck 471; Pochard 200; Goldeneye 333; Red-breasted Merganser 116; Oystercatcher 1228; Golden Plover 2123; Grey Plover 190; Redshank 454; Wigeon 50; Teal 78; Ringed Plover 106; Knot 858; Dunlin 1474; Greenshank 38; Pintail 53; Black-tailed Godwit 345; Bar-tailed Godwit 99. The high numbers of diving birds reflects the lagoon-type nature of the
8
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
inner estuary.
The estuary also attracts migrant species such as Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Little Stint. Breeding birds of the site include Ringed Plover, Shelduck and Mallard. Up to the 1950s there was a major tern colony at the southern end of the island and the habitat remains suitable for these birds.
The inner part of the estuary is heavily used for water sports. A section of the outer estuary has recently been infilled for a marina and housing development. This site is a fine example of an estuarine system with all the main habitats represented. The site is important ornithologically, with a population of Brent Geese of international significance.
BROADMEADOW/SWORDS ESTUARY Special Protection Area
SITE SYNOPSIS
This site is situated in north Co. Dublin, between the towns of Malahide and Swords. It is the estuary of the River Broadmeadow, a substantial river which drains a mainly agricultural, though increasingly urbanised, catchment. A railway viaduct, built in the 1800s, crosses the site and has led to the inner estuary becoming lagoonal in character and only partly tidal. Much of the outer part of the estuary is well-sheltered from the sea by a large sand spit, known as “The Island”. This spit is now mostly converted to golf-course. The outer part empties almost completely at low tide and there are extensive intertidal flats exposed. The site extends eastwards to the rocky shore at Robswalls.
Substantial stands of eelgrass (both Zostera For inspection noltii purposes and only.Z. angustifolia) occur in the sheltered Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. part of the outer estuary, along with Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima). Green algae, mostly Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca, are frequent on the sheltered flats. Common Cord- grass (Spartina anglica) is well established in the outer estuary and also in the innermost part of the site. The intertidal flats support a typical macroinvertebrate fauna, with polychaete worms (Arenicola marina and Hediste diversicolor), bivalves such as Cerastoderma edule, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana, the small gastropod Hydrobia ulvae and the crustacean Corophium volutator.
Salt marshes, which provide important roosts during high tide, occur in parts of the outer estuary and in the extreme inner part of the inner estuary. These are characterised by such species as Sea Purslane (Halimione portulacoides), Sea Aster (Aster tripolium), Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sea Arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima) and Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima).
This site is of high importance for wintering waterfowl and supports a particularly good diversity of species. It has an internationally important population of Brent Goose (956) or
9
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
4.8% of the national total (figures given here and below are average maximum counts for the five winters 1995/96-1999/00) and nationally important populations of a further 12 species as follows: Shelduck (439), Pintail (58), Goldeneye (215), Red-breasted Merganser (105), Oystercatcher (1,493), Golden Plover (1,843), Grey Plover (201), Knot (915), Dunlin (1,594), Black-tailed Godwit (409), Redshank (581) and Greenshank (38). A range of other species occur in numbers of regional importance, including Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Pochard, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Turnstone. The high numbers of diving ducks reflects the lagoon-type nature of the inner estuary, and this is one of the few sites in eastern Ireland where substantial numbers of Goldeneye can be found.
The estuary also attracts on a regular basis migrant wader species such as Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper and Little Stint. These occur mainly in autumn, though occasionally in spring and winter.
Breeding birds of the site include Ringed Plover, Shelduck and Mallard. Up to the 1950s there was a major tern colony at the southern end of Malahide Island. Grey Herons breed nearby and feed regularly within the site. The inner part of the estuary is heavily used for water sports, which causes disturbance to the bird populations. A section of the outer estuary has recently been in-filled for a marina and housing development.
Broadmeadow/Swords Estuary SPA is a fine example of an estuarine system, providing both feeding and roosting areas for a range of wintering waterfowl. The lagoonal nature of the inner estuary is of particular value as it increases the diversity of birds which occur. The site is of high conservation importance, with an internationally important population of Brent Goose and nationally important populations of a further 12 species. Three of the species which occur regularly (Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and For inspection Ruff) purposes are lis only.ted on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Directive.
The discharge of effluent from the Oldtown agglomeration that enters the Rogerstown Estuary may result, either directly or in combination with other WWTP in the Rogerstown Estuary catchment, in a nutrient, carbon and bacterial load to the estuary in addition to the nutrient, carbon and bacterial load carried into the estuary from the rivers from sources upstream in its catchment. Such inputs have the potential to adversely impact on the quality of water. Excess nutrients and organic matter in the water may result in over production of algae and in a depletion of oxygen in the water column and underlying muds leading to a reduction in foraging habitat and food sources for protected bird species. Excessive enrichment may result in the loss of nutrient sensitive species of flora and fauna for which the site is designated.
10
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
2.4 Assessment of significance
Below is the flow diagram taken from Appendix 1 from Circular L8/08, DoEHLG “Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes – Protection of National Heritage and National Monuments.”
Question 1: Is the development in a nature conservation site? Answer 1: No
Question 2a: Is the development in the surface water catchment of a nature conservation site? Answer 2a: No.
Question 4: Is the development in the surface water or groundwater catchment of other water dependant Annex II species, other rare or protected species or salmonid waters? Answer 4: No. Note: Because of wind and tide, it is theoretically possible that a discharge to coastal waters may affect all European sites that are immediately adjacent to the coastal water. However, the hydrodynamic modeling carried out for the proposed discharge for the EIS has concluded that “the discharge of disinfected effluent from an outfall extending to 3m at LAT is not predicted to pose a significant risk For to inspection receiving purposes wateronly. quality at the beaches north and Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. south of Portrane……..Similarly any bacteriological impact on the Class C shellfish region of Portrane-Donabate is so low that it could conceivably be considered insignificant and certainly does not present a risk to the permitted faecal coliform concentrations being exceeded.” The full EIS is included in Attachment 6 of this application, and the Executive Summary for the Hydrodynamic modeling is attached below.
Result: No further action required.
A full Appropriate Assessment is therefore not required.
11
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
1 Is the development in a No nature conservation Site?
Yes
2a. 2b. (If the development (If the development involves a surface involves a groundwater water abstraction/ water abstraction/ discharge:) discharge:) Is the development in Is the development in the surface water the groundwater catchment of a nature catchment or within conservation site (or 5km ( whichever is part of such a site)? greater ) of a nature conservation site (or part of such a site) ?
Yes No 3. Are the qualifying 4. habitats and species Is the development in of the site water the surface or dependent? groundwater catchment of other water dependent Yes No Annex II species, other rare or protected species or 5. salmonid waters? Is there a WFD subbasin plan for the site or its protected Yes No habitats/species?
Yes No For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
6. Does this plan cover No all potential receptors No further action (habitats/species)? required
Yes
Use WFD sub-basin plan as basis of impact assessment
ASSESS IMPACTS
Appendix 1: “Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes – Protection of National Heritage and National Monuments.” Circular L8/08, DoEHLG
12
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
13
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk Waste Water Discharge Licence Application – Appropriate Assessment
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
14
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42 WWDL_Application – Portrane Donabate Rush Lusk:
F1: Assessment of Impact on Receiving Waters:
• Details of monitoring of the primary discharge and the receiving waters have been supplied via the web based link to the EPA data base, and the printouts are attached below.
• There is a temporary secondary discharge in the agglomeration at Rush. Details of the monitoring of the secondary discharge and of the receiving waters have been supplied via the web based link to the EPA data base, and the printouts are attached below.
• There are no ground emissions in the agglomeration.
• The existing plant discharges to coastal waters. The new plant will also discharge to coastal waters. These coastal waters are designated Shellfish Waters. The relevant environmental quality standards and legislative standards for the existing and proposed discharges are the Bathing Water Quality Regs (S.I. 79 of 2008), the Quality of Shellfish Waters Regs (S.I. 268 of 2006) and the Surface Water Regs (S.I. 272 of 2009). The results for testing under the Bathing Water Quality Regs are included in Attachment E2. These show that all the designated beaches met the limits for the Blue Flag limits. The non-designated beaches did not meet the Blue Flag requirements but did meet the mandatory quality requirements. The Marine Institute carried out testing to monitor the quality of the Shellfish Waters. The results for testing in 2010 are included in Attachment E2. These show that the waters met both the mandatory and guide value limits. For inspection purposes only. The EPA carried outConsent testing of copyright to monitor owner required the for anysurface other use. water quality. Results for 2009 and 2010 are included in Attachment E2. These show that the waters met both the limits for both Shellfish Waters and Surface Water for the parameters tested. The water quality management is included in the Eastern River Basin Management plan which can be viewed at http://www.erbd.ie/
• From the test results of the discharges from the existing plants at Portrane and Lusk and the test results of the discharge from Rush, Fingal County Council are satisfied that the emissions of main polluting substances (as defined in the Dangerous Substances Regulations S.I. No. 12 of 2001 ) to water are not likely to impair the environment.
• There are no water abstraction points downstream of the discharges.
• From the test results of the discharges from the existing plants at Portrane and Lusk and the test results of the discharge from Rush, Fingal County Council are satisfied that the emissions from the agglomeration are not likely to have a significant effect on:
WWDL_Application Form – v6- Portrane Donabate _ Attachment F1 - 1 -
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42
a site (until the adoption, in respect of the site, of a decision by the European Commission under Article 21 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC for the purposes of the third paragraph of Article 4(2) of that Directive) —
o notified for the purposes of Regulation 4 of the Natural Habitats Regulations, subject to any amendments made to it by virtue of Regulation 5 of those Regulations,
o details of which have been transmitted to the Commission in accordance with Regulation 5(4) of the Natural Habitats Regulations, or
o added by virtue of Regulation 6 of the Natural Habitats Regulations to the list transmitted to the Commission in accordance with Regulation 5(4) of those Regulations,
a site adopted by the European Commission as a site of Community importance for the purposes of Article 4(2) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC 1 in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 21 of that Directive,
a special area of conservation within the meaning of the Natural Habitats Regulations, or
an area classified pursuant to Article 4(1) or 4(2) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC 2;
1Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and For of inspection wild purposesfauna only. and flora (OJ No. L 206, 22.07.1992) Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
2Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ No. L 103, 25.4.1979)
• It is felt that the measures for minimising pollution ie secondary treatment and UV disinfection, at the new WWTP will minimise pollution over long distances or in the territory of other states.
• An Appropriate Assessment was carried out. The results of the screening process indicated that a full appropriate Assessment was not required. The Appropriate Assessment is included in this Attachment.
WWDL_Application Form – v6- Portrane Donabate _ Attachment F1 - 2 -
EPA Export 29-09-2011:04:17:42