(SEA) Environmental Report
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The Border Regional Authority Údarás Réigiúnach na Teorann Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (Environmental Report) of the Draft Regional Planning Guidelines (2010-2022) January 2010 Draft SEA Environmental Report The Border Regional Authority Údarás Réigiúnach na Teorann While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete accuracy is not guaranteed. Neither the Border Regional Authority nor the author(s) accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. Strategic Environmental Assessment Team Project Manager: Pádraig Maguire Border Regional Authority. SEA Project Leader: Paudge Keenaghan Leitrim County Council. Project Advisors: Terry Savage Louth County Council Ciarán Tracey Leitrim County Council Draft SEA Environmental Report Non- Technical Summary Introduction ............................................................................................................................. vi Steps in the Process ............................................................................................................. vi Content of Environmental Report ......................................................................................... vii Vision and Key Strategic Goals for the Region .................................................................... vii Consultation ............................................................................................................................. viii Policy Context .......................................................................................................................... viii National Plans and Policies highlighted in the Environmental Report. .................................... viii Habitats Directive Assessment .................................................................................................. ix Alternative Approaches to the Making of the Guidelines........................................................... ix Current State of the Environment .............................................................................................. xi Significant Environmental Pressures ......................................................................................... xi Flood Risk Assessment .......................................................................................................... xvii Likely Evolution of the Environment in the Absence of the Implementation of the RPG’s. .... xvii Monitoring, Environmental Objectives, Indicators and Targets ............................................. xviii Assessment of Aims, Policies and Objectives ....................................................................... xviii Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................. xix Incorporating Environmental Issues into the RPG’s ................................................................ xix Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Strategic Environmental Assessment ................................................................. 2 1.2 The Border Region ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Legislative Background .............................................................................................. 5 1.4 SEA Guidance ............................................................................................................ 6 1.5 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Content of Environmental Report ............................................................................... 9 1.7 Scoping .................................................................................................................... 11 1.8 Baseline Data ........................................................................................................... 11 1.9 Transboundary Environmental Effects ..................................................................... 11 1.10 SEA Statement .................................................................................................... 12 1.11 Difficulties Encountered ...................................................................................... 12 2 Consultations ............................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Scoping Report - Stage 1 Consultations .................................................................. 13 2.1.1 Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources ................... 13 2.1.2 Eastern Regional Fisheries Board ................................................................. 13 2.1.3 North Western Regional Fisheries Board ...................................................... 13 2.1.4 Geological Society of Ireland (GSI) ................................................................ 14 2.1.5 Northern Ireland Environmental Agency ........................................................ 15 2.1.6 Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government - Heritage Council Section ............................................................................................................... 15 2.1.7 Environmental Protection Agency .................................................................. 16 2.2 Scoping Report Stage 1 - Meetings/Workshops ...................................................... 16 2.2.1 Meeting/workshop with Local Authority Planners and the EPA ..................... 16 2.2.2 Meeting with the NS Share River Basin District Project Team ...................... 17 2.3 Scoping Report - Stage 2 Consultations .................................................................. 18 2.3.1 Stop Bungalow Chaos (The Campaign for Sustainable Rural Housing & Development) .................................................................................................................. 19 2.3.2 Eastern Regional Fisheries Board ................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) ............................................... 20 i 2.3.4 National University of Ireland Maynooth ........................................................ 21 2.3.5 Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government ....................... 22 3 Policy Context ........................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Content and main objectives of the Guidelines ........................................................ 24 3.1.1 Vision and Key Strategic Goals for the Region .............................................. 25 3.1.2 Future Investment Priorities identified in the Guidelines................................ 26 3.2 Relevant Policy, Plans, Programmes and Guidelines .............................................. 28 3.2.1 Guidelines for Planning Authorities ................................................................ 34 3.2.2 National and Regional Context ...................................................................... 34 3.2.3 The National Development Plan 2007-2013 .................................................. 34 3.2.4 National Spatial Strategy ............................................................................... 35 3.2.4.1 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) Update and Outlook 36 3.2.5 Regional Development Strategy - Shaping our Future (Northern Ireland) 36 3.2.6 North South Environmental Co-Operation ..................................................... 40 3.2.7 Ireland’s Environment 2008 ........................................................................... 40 3.2.8 Northern Ireland State of the Environment Report (2008) ............................. 41 3.2.9 National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 .............................................. 41 3.2.10 Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland; Energy Policy Framework 2007 - 2020 ..................................................................................................................... 42 3.2.11 Smarter Travel and Transport 21 ................................................................... 42 3.2.12 Innovation for a Green Economy - Environment and Technology ................. 43 3.2.13 Water Framework Directive 2000 .................................................................. 44 3.2.14 Grid 25. A Strategy for the development of the Transmission Network ......... 46 3.2.15 Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 ........................... 48 3.2.16 Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 Needs Assessment 2009 ....................................................................................................................... 49 3.2.17 Coastal Zone Management Plans .................................................................. 49 3.2.18 Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) ........................................... 50 3.2.19 Waste Management Plans ............................................................................. 50 3.2.20 Local/Regional Waste Management Plans ...................................................