Ms Yvonne English -1 Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters PO Box 3000 Johnstown Castle Estate County Wexford I

gthMarch 201 1

Re: Notice in accordance with Regulation 25(c)(ii) of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007

Dear Ms English,

Further to the our letter of 2ndMarch 201 1 and your subsequent telephone query regarding the Appropriate Assessment for Tinure WWTW, please note the following clarification:

Tinure WWTW

The screening methodology outlined in Appendix 1 of Circular L8/08 to determine whether Appropriate Assessment for Natura 2000European Sites is necessary or not, was followed for Tinure WWTW, the details of which are detailed on the table and flow diagram attached.

The Tinure WWTW discharges to a tributary of the White River which then feeds into the . The River Dee enters the Forsea inspection at purposes only. Bay which is a SAC and SPA however Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. the discharge point from Tinure WWTW is in excess of 15km from Dundalk Bay. Due to the relatively small volume of the discharge from Tinure WWTW compared to the dilution available in the River Dee and River Glyde, which converge before entering Dundalk bay, and due to the distance of the discharge point from the SAC/SPA, it is considered that there will be no significant adverse impacts on the Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA from the treated -'ischarge from Tinure WWTW.

ire trusts the above is sufficient but should you have any further queries, please do not esitate to contact us.

'ours sincerely

Water Services

Cornhairle C:ontae Lu County Council Locall 1890 202303 Halla an Chontae County Hall T +353429335457 lonad na Mil;aoise Millenium Building F +353429334549 Dun Dealgan Dundalk E infoQlouthcoco.ie Contae Lh w www.louthcoco.ie

Cuirfear fSilte roimh chomhfhreagras Gaeilge - Correspondence in Irish is welcome

EPA Export 02-04-2011:03:40:18 2.0 The Appropriate Assessment Process

The screening methodology outlined in Appendix Iof CIIcular L8I08 is designed to determine whether Appropriate Assessment for Natura 2000IEuropean sites or habitats and species listed in the annexes of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives is necessary or not. This methodology should also be applied to NHAs.

This methodology was drafted for new projects however the four schemes being assessed here are already in operation but will be assessed in accordance with the flow diagram included in Appendix 1 of Circular L8I08. This diagram and associated questions will be addressed for each of the four sites.

2.1 Tinure WWTW

Tinure SS Consideration I ResDonse Is the development in or on the boundary of a nature No conservation site NHAISACISPA

Will nationally protected species be directly impacted? Wildlife No Acts (1976 and 2000), Flora Protection Order (S.I. 94 of 1999)

Is the development a surface water discharge or abstraction in No the surface water catchment, or immediately downstream of a nature conservation site with water dependent qualifying ha bitatskpecies? For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Is the development a groundwater discharge or abstraction in the No groundwater catchment or within 5km of a nature conservation site with water dependent qualifying habitatskpecies?

Is the development in the surface water or groundwater No catchment of salmonid waters?

Is the treatment plant in an active or former floodplain or flood zone of a river, lake, etc.? I No Is the development of a surface discharge or abstraction to or from marine waters and within 3km of a marine nature reserve? I No Will the project in combination with other projects (existing and No proposed) or changes to such projects affect the hydrology or water levels of sites of nature conservation interest or the habitats of protected species?

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EPA Export 02-04-2011:03:40:18 TINURE WlW

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six? I Yes I II I I II I' / I I

For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.

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EPA Export 02-04-2011:03:40:18