Oxigen Environmental Ltd.
‘. SECTION 3 ./,,’ ‘i.~j .:..- ., ,(,:*.7:-.: I,- “j‘;L;,‘$ j= ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION ’ MEASURES For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:39 Oxigen Environmental Ltd.
3.1 HUMAN BEINGS
3.1.1 Introduction
Human beingsare one of the most importantelements of the ‘environment’to be considered. One of the principal concernsin the executionof a developmentis that the local population experiencesno significantdiminution in the quality of life as a result of the developmenton eithera temporaryor permanentbasis. All the effectsof a developmenton the environmentmay impingeupon human beings. Any significant impact on the status of humansthat may be potentially causedby a developmentproposal must, therefore,be comprehensivelyaddressed. Air quality,water quality,noise andlandscape impact directlywhile flora, fauna androad traffic impactindirectly.
3.1.2 Existing Environment
The proposeddevelopment site is locatedwithin an existingindustrial estate, located in south west Dublin city. Thenearest private dwellings to the siteare locatedapproximately 18Om from the site, though due to the numerousother industrialpremises located between the residential dwellingsand the proposeddevelopment site, the siteis not visible fi-omthe residentialhouses.
3.1.2 Impacts on Human Beings
(1) Noise
Noise is an identified form of airFor inspection pollution purposes and only. uncontrolled it can cause nuisanceor a Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. deteriorationof amenitiesand the quality of human life. The potentialimpact of the waste recycling and processingfacility on noise levels within the area is describedin Section3.7: Noise. In summary, it is concludedthat the noise levels from on-site activities will not significantlyincrease ambient noise levels. Specifically,it is concludedthat noiselevels at the nearestsensitive location (occupiedresidential premises) will not significantly deviate from the currentbackground daytime noise levels.
Baselinenoise measurementsare included in Section3.7. Due to the existing background ’ noise levels existing at the site, from the surroundingroad network and industrial units, it is contendedthat the proposeddevelopment will not impact on the surroundingenvironment. There are no noise sensitive locations (NSL), as defined in typical waste licences i.e. .-’ residentialhousing, schools, hospitals etc, within approximately180m of the proposedfacility. - * Any NSL would be impacted by closer and larger industrial activities to it than by the -1: proposeddevelopment. Therefore the impact of the proposeddevelopment on the ambient “. I noiselevel would be negligible.
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(2) Traffic A deskbased traftic impact assessmentwas conductedin order to assessthe potentialimpacts of additionaltraffic movementsgenerated during operationof the waste recycling and processing facility (refer to Section3.8: Traffic). Theproposed facility will initially result in approximately seventysix additionaltraffic movements(two way) per day,which will increaseto approximately onehundred and eightymovements (two way) at capacity. . Traffic impactassessment results indicate that the wasterecycling and processing facility will not havea detrimentalimpact on the roadnetwork within the industrialestate.
(3) HumanHealth A variety of air pollutantshave known or suspectedharmful effects on human healthand the environment. In many similar developmentsthese pollutants are principally the products of combustionfrom power generationor fi-om motor vehicle traffic. The primary potential air pollutantsderived from the proposeddevelopment are detailed in Section3.6.
Traffic derived primary pollutants include the following species;sulphur dioxide (SOi), --’ particulatematter, lead, oxidesof nitrogen (NO,), carbonmonoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds(VOCs).
The objectiveof air pollution control is to preventadverse responses by all receptorcategories (human,animal, plant) exposedto the atmosphere.The adverseresponses have characteristic responsetimes - short-term(seconds or minutes),intermediate-term (hours or days)and long- term (monthsor years). Pollutantssuch as nitrogendioxide (NOz), sulphurdioxide (SO2)and For inspection purposes only. carbonmonoxide (CO) can Consenthave of potential copyright ownerhealth required impacts.for any other use.NO2 is a respiratoryirritant, which may exacerbateasthma and possibly increasesusceptibility to infections. CO reducesthe capacityof the blood to carry oxygenaround the body at levels>9.9 mg/m3’(8hour average)and this may increasethe risk of problemsin thosewith anginaand diseaseof the coronaryarteries. At high levels,SO2 is a strongirritant to the eyesand mucous membranes, producing narrowing of the airwaysand stimulatingcoughing. While the effects are generallytransient and easily reversiblein healthypeople, the consequencescan be more seriousfor peoplewho suffer f?om weakenedcardio-respiratory systems.
The future contributionof sulphur dioxide and the oxides of nitrogen associatedwith the ‘~ increasedtraffic movementsdue to the proposeddevelopment will be within the recommended limit valuesat the nearestsensitive receptor and it is unlikelythat they will haveadverse human impactsat that point. Predictedlevels of VOC’s, PMlo, andCarbon monoxide are also within the recommendedlimit values(See Section 3.6: Air). Predictedconcentration levels indicate that air -. pollutantswill increasemarginally due to traffic movementsfrom the proposeddevelopment. 1’ : .:\.)-. _:‘;,~: Bard na M&a, TechnicalServices Page36 (,’
, EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:39 ::..i ., -,-.,..:,i!_ ,.,I,.’>.:.II,_ i ,’ Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement ‘a However,any suchincrease is not consideredsignificant and will be well within relevantambient Air Quality Standards.
(4) Site Structure/ Land Use Any potentialimpacts of the proposedactivities of the wasterecycling and processing facility on the existingstructural and land usage of the areaare not consideredsignificant. Landusage in the vicinity of the developmentsite is predominatelylow lying landin an urbanindustrialised setting. : The landscapeof the areawill remainlargely unchanged with the existingtopographic features. Thereforethe changein landusage within the siteis not considereda significantimpact andis not regardedas important to the areaas a whole.
L’_. I
: Thelayout of the sitehas been designed and will be operatedin sucha way as to inflict minimum visual intrusion outsidethe boundaryof the site. All developmentswill take place within the conditionsof the planningpermission granted by SouthDublin County Council.
.,: Followingcessation of the wasterecycling and processing facility, siterestoration will commence in line with an afiercaremanagement plan specificto the site.Therefore any potentialimpacts of the wasterecycling andprocessing facility on the existingstructural and land usageof the area areconsidered insignificant.
.
:.’ (5) Socio-Economic The developmentwill have,although limited, variedsocial and economiceffects. Theseeffects . . maybe categorisedas follows:
For inspection purposes only. -, ’ Primary Socio-Economic Effects.Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Theseeffects are directly relatedto the waste recycling and processingfacility itself such as changesin local population/job creation. The job creation benefits are secondaryto the
development,as it is the serviceprovided by the developmentthat will benefit the local and ., i regionalcommunity. The function of the OxigenEnvironmental Ltd. recycling and processing facility will developsuch that the maximum recycling/recoverypotential of all waste accepted will be assessed.The categoriesof waste deemedsuitable for segregationand subsequent --. recyclingis dependenton availablemarkets for suchmaterials. The benefitsof this activity are obviouswith regardto the volumeof wastethat is directedto landfill. /.
: It is consideredlikely that the proposeddevelopment will haveminimal impactson the existing populationstructure of the area.
. Secondary Socio-Economic Effects. : Theseinclude those effects, which ariseas a result of servicesrequired (e.g. Water Supply,etc.) ‘,’ by the operationof a facility.
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Electricity Supply Electricity demands exerted by the facility will be negligible, with use restricted to administration,and plant usage.
Water Usage It is anticipatedthat the normal daily water requirementfor the site will be minimal, and will be sourcedfrom the council mains. -Processwater will be restricted to use by the timber shredderand rotary atomiserson site, therefore,processing related water demandswill be low.
Telecommunications The telecommunicationsrequirement of the facility should not place the current telecommunicationsnetwork under stress.
Foul Sewage System It is anticipatedthat there will be no additional stressplaced on the local foul water sewer network.
(6) EnvironmentalNuisances As with any facility that dealswith waste,some environmental nuisances can occur within the site, andwithin the environs.Due to the distancebetween the nearestresidence and the waste recycling andprocessing facility (approximately200 m), the impact from nuisancesis deemed minimal. However somespecific measures have been adoptedto combat the effect of these nuisanceswhich aredetailed below.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Aerosol control Liquid wastesin the form of road gulley sludgeswill be acceptedon site, and will be storedin specially designedholding tanks on site. These wastewatersshall consist primarily of rainwater,and will be treated(i.e. filtered) on site prior to disposalto the on-sitesewer system and it thereforecontended that the aerosolgeneration will be minimal.
Bird control Wastehandling procedures on site will be suchthat wasteis exposedonly within the recycling building and all storedwaste is storedwithin sealedcontainers and therefore not a sourceof food for scavengingbirds. As a result bird control measuresare not deemednecessary.
Dust control Waste handling operationson the site ensure that all tipping of waste occurs within the operationalbuilding, and therefore on-site dust generationis restricted to the movement of traffic on site,which is consideredto be minimal.
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j’ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:39. : ,, i,.: ‘. a i: Fire cbntrol .,.,-,.i Prior to commencementof operationa fire audit of the sitewill be undertakento determinethe fire extinguishingmedia requirements of the site. The recommendationsof this report shall be implementedwithin the site. In addition to these recommendationsthere will be two fire extinguisherslocated at eachdoor of the wastebuildings, namely a powder and foam. All staff on site will be trained in fire prevention,fighting and evacuationprocedures. The amountof waste storedon site will be kept to a minimum and will be storedin closed/sealedcontainers. Firewallswill be constructedwithin all processingbuildings on site.
,I:’ Litter control < Wastehandling procedures that will be implementedat the site,the proposedstorage practices to be employed,and the proposedpractice of sorting of waste within the building only, will ensurethat waste is never left in the open air uncovered,and as such the potential for litter escapewill be minimal. A daily litter patrol of the site perimeter and accessroad will be undertaken,where any wind blown litter will be removedand returned to site.
Odour control Due to the waste handlingprocedures, the storageof waste in sealed/coveredcontainers and the sortingof the wastewithin a buildingit is anticipatedthat the potentialimpact of odouron the nearestresidence will be negligible.
~. Roads control .‘:‘., Accessto the facility is via the internal industrialestate road network. Thepotential impact of the facility on the roadswill be through the generationof mud and dust. The accessroad shall For inspection purposes only. be routinely inspectedby siteConsentpersonnel, of copyright ownerand requiredwill be for any washed other use. down shouldthe need arise.This ‘. will minimisethe impact of the facility on the local road network. !
Trafic control The site is ftished with a hard standing area, which is sufficient to deal with the traffic volumesexpected at the facility. The accessroad is of good quality and state of repair. It is anticipatedthat there will be approximately180 traffic movementsa day. It is anticipatedthat the waste recycling and processingfacility will not have an additionalimpact on the local community.
Vermin control Pest controlmeasures that will be undertakenat the facility includethe setting of poisonby an 1:: independentspecialist pest control companythroughout the site.Fly nuisanceis minimisedby ‘. the rapid removal of degradablewaste off-site, the washing of the floor within the building with disinfectantand the coveringof all storedwaste on site _’ ,‘. 1 ‘. ..-.,,: 2: .‘. Bord na M&a, Technical Services
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:39 Oxigen Environmental Ltd.
3.2 FLORA & FAUNA
3.2.1 Introduction
This section assessesthe potential impacts of the proposedwaste recycling and processing facility on the habitats of flora and fauna. This approachand methodologyof the survey was undertakenin accordancewith the EPA Guidelines on the Information to be containedin EnvironmentalImpact Statements(2002).
The habitatspresent are describedin their current status and an evaluationof the conservation value is also given. Vegetationand faunal surveyswere undertakenin order to establishif any sensitiveor protected specieswere present; and to determinethe potentialimpacts on adjoining landsand/or any designatedlands located adjacent to the proposeddevelopment.
In compiling this chapter, due regard was given to relevantlegislation pertaining to flora and faunaassessment, This included : .,- . Wildlife Act, 1976,
n EC CouncilDirective on the Conservationof wild birds (BirdsDirective - 1979)
n EuropeanCommunities (Conservation of Wild Birds) Regulations,1985 to 1999
n EC Council Directive on the Conservationof Natural Habitatsof Wild Faunaand Flora (HabitatsDirective - 1992) . .EuropeanCommunities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997
n Wildlife (Amendment)Act, 2000. 1 And relevantprotection Orders. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
3.2.2 Description of the Receiving Environment
The site for the proposed waste recycling and processing facility is located within an industrialisedarea, namelyBallymount Industrial Estate,which is locatedapproximately 0.5 km ,off the M50, south eastof the Red Cow Roundabout.There are no landscapedor greenbelt areas adjacentto the site,with the site surroundedby industrial/commercialunits.
The site covers an area of approximatelyeighteen acres, with the terrain for the most part flat leadingto large moundson the southwest and south eastboundaries. The site is accessedfrom the Ballymount Road Lower and the Turnpike Road, with two industrial estate accessroads leadingto the site entrance. ‘..
The soilsbeneath the site is disturbedand consistsof light brown, firm poorly sortedglacial tills with limestone boulders. The bedrock geology is identified as Calp Limestones of Lower Carboniferousperiod.
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-. .,“.__ Surfacewater run-off from the site drainsto the on site surfacewater drainagenetwork, that ” ” dischargesinto the Ballymount stream,which flows in the County Councilunderground surface water network adjacentto the site. The Ballymount stream dischargesinto the CamacRiver, which hasbeen designated a salmonidriver.
The site of the proposedwaste recycling andprocessing facility was previouslyowned by Corns ‘.’ Steel Ltd (formerly Steel Company of Ireland) and was operatedas a steel works, which has beenoperated as such since1945, subsequent to which it was usedfor agriculturalhurposes.. -:i -: ;.!::-: 3.2.3 Study Methodology
An ecologicalsurvey of the proposedwaste recycling and processingfacility and its environswas .:’ undertakento in orderto: .’
l Determinethe existingecology and diversity of the site; sj’ l Establishthe presenceor absenceof importantspecies or habitats.
A baselinesurvey was undertakenby Bord na Mbna TechnicalServices on 27thMay 2004. ‘^ Consultation was undertakenwith statutory (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Eastern: Regional Fisheries Board) bodies, in order to collate all recorded data for the site and its environs. This included the assimilationof information on nearby designatedwildlife sites, watercoursesand protected species. :.-’
All major habitat types occurring on theFor inspection site were purposes mapped only. and classifiedaccording to dominant Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. species. Belt transects‘(n=lO) measuringca. 10m length were taken to representeach habitat type recordedand specieswere recorded in order to collect adequatefloristic tiormation for habitat descriptions. Plant cover was subjectively assessedusing the DAFOR (Dominant, Abundant, Frequent, Occasional,Rare) scale (Kershaw, 1966). It shouldbe noted that this assessmentof occurrencerelates to the site itself, and doesnot reflect the statusof the speciesin a nationalcontext. Nomenclaturefollowed Webb (1996) for higher plants, and Hubbard (1984) for the identificationof grasses. _- ,(. :,.:I -.,;j-,G.::‘: ‘:,-2.::y i ; .;,-.y:. ..,I’ ;..:A.:-\s; ,/ ,,,,,:. ~.. .~‘~~~.g-.,‘.+ :’1.., ), y: ..:: b.,:”-1 >s:i,r,fi: _*. t: Ij.,‘l,,; .,,+ ,i:;>‘<,-+$g‘:::,g+& ,,,,:,,: ,’;,,:;y.::,,,,,2 .:,_, ““~,+f~,t;:;a~>.>!~:@.& ,,I .-_,,;‘;:~.“~ii”I~~~~ ; .,,..‘.,:s.., (’,’L:i;,.~~;~~: ..,.+,.;z.;*>>: ~,~~,~~;“~-~ ::-,;~,;~:,~~~~~~.;-;‘,;% .a,.,:“:’~i- ,F 1, ~.,:t~:‘.‘.~~:~~~~.i -,c*:. ..!~~;t~,qp:@+~:~ +& .,.. L,::- .:- i _,._,:~l::.,;,:;..;i~~j”‘~..yd’Qri; <,6&,’ ‘s-.~ ..:.~,;~~:~-~~~~~~:i;~~~~ ,,lpii’;,,1,..&***~&~$&~~, I/? &ga+~~~~~ <->- page 4 1 / .:,.,,j ,j:.7+?v ..ys Bard na Mdna Technical Services ‘~
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3.2.4 Flora and Fauna Habitats
Flora: The main habitats occurring within the site area are detailed below, with their classifications ,- (according to the Heritage Council) in parentheses. : ..-,‘.. ..,r, 3 (i) Managed grassland (GA2) ,i (ii) Earth banks (BL2) ‘7,: I. __ (iii) Rough ground (ED3) i Of these, the most dominant habitat type was the managed grassland, which is located at all four a- boundaries of the facility. . . i, (i) Managed grasslmd This is the most dominant habitat located within site, with the dominant grass species present including cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), false oat grass (Awhenatherum elatius), Yorkshire fog (Holcus Z&a&s), red fescue (Festuca rubra) and meadow grass (Poa spp.). Broadleaf herb species present include germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedvys), buttercup (Ranunculus vepens), dandelion (Taraxacum spp), daisy (Bellis perennis), common ftnnitory (Fumauia oficinalis), red clover (TrzjbZium pratense), ribwort plantain (Plantago ZanceoZata),common birdfoot trefoil (Lotus corrziculatus), common watercress (Rovippa nasturtium-aquaticurn) and black medick (Medicago Zupul). .,
For inspection purposes only. PlateConsent of3.2/l: copyright Managed owner required forgrassland any other use.
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-,, . . ; ‘i (ii) Earth Banks; ‘_ To the south west and south east of the facility there are two earth banks which provide visual screens to the two main roads adjacent to the facility, namely Turnpike Road and Ballymount Road Lower. These mounds were artificially constructed by the previous owners of the facility. These mounds were allowed to colonise naturally and therefore contain many of the species that are present within the managed grassland. Other species present include hogweed (HevacZeum sphondylium), curled dock (Rumex crispus), sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata), common vetch (Yicia sativa), and hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) was observed within the large areas of I bramble (RubusJizlcticusus spp.) that were present within the mound. Dispersed trees are located I on the mounds and these include species of ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).
Plate 3.2/2: Earth Banks
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
(ii) Bare ground; This habitat is dominated by broadleaf herbs such as dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), daisy (BeZZis perennis), poppy (Papaver rheas), buttercup (RanuncuZus repens), common watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), wood forget me not (Myosotis sylvatica), sticky mouse ear (Cerastium glomeratum), common fixnitory (‘urnaria oficinalis), green hellebore (HeZZeborus viridis), and shepherds purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:39 a Weed species that were present include groundsel (&n&o vulgavis), common nettle (Urtica dioica), bramble (Rubus Jiwcticos~.s spp.), thistle (Cirsium v&gave), and purple dead nettle :_ (Lamium purpureum). .:., ,_ ;,;, _ >t Plate 3.2/3: Bare ground
Fauna
A large number of Irish land mammals For are inspection nocturnal purposes only.and therefore activity on site during a survey Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. can be quite low making identification difficult. However, during this survey observation of track and any other visible signs were recorded. Due to the species-poor habitats at the site as a result of the industrialized nature of the area, and the lack of any suitable adjacent green belt or landscaped areas it is believed that the number of mammals that would be present on site would be low. One mammal that is frequent on the site is the rabbit (Oryctolagus cunicuZus), however sightings of this ‘. mammal were limited and, as there were no warrens identified on site, it is probable that this species . . was a visitor to the site. There were no badger (Meles meles) setts or likely roosts for bats located on site.
Even though there was no evidence recorded during the survey, there are some habitats present that would be ideal for many mammals including the field mouse (Apodemus sylvatica), brown rat (Rat&s nor) and fox (YuZpesvulpes).
Bird fauna, spotted or heard in the vicinity during the survey, included common scavenger species such as hooded crow (Cowus coyoy1ej,ma,opie (Pica pica) and rook (Cowus~giZegus). Other species observed during the survey included the great tit (POT-USmajor), pied wagtail
Bord na Mdna Technical Services Page 44
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 (Motacilla alba), blackcap(Sylvia atricapilla), wren (T.‘.ogZodytestrogzodytes), robin (Erithacus rubecula), dunnock (Pvunella modular-is), siskin (Carduelis spinus), meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) andblackbird (Turdus me&a).
3.2.5 Conservation Value and DesignatedAreas ‘,, i . Nature conservationwithin the Republic of Ireland Nature conservationin the Republic of Ireland is governedby the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife (Amendment)Act 2000. The basic national designationfor wildlife is the Natural Heritage Area @HA), which has been in force in Ireland sincethe initial designationin 1995. However it was not until the enactmentof the Wildlife (Amendment)Act, 2000 that NHAs were legally protectedfrom damage.There are approx. 1200proposed NHAs in Ireland, to which the a processof formal designationcommenced in 2002.
Nature conservationwithin EuropeanCommunitv Two major piecesof Europeanlegislation on nature conservationand the designationof sites have been adoptedby all member states. This legislation is EC Council Directive on the conservationof wild birds, 1979 (Birds Directive), and the EC Council Directive on the : Conservationof Natural Habitatsof Wild Faunaand Flora, 1992(Habitats Directive). -,.. Underthe Birds Directive, Ireland is obligedto protectthe habitatsof birds, which arevulnerable to habitat changeor to low populationnumbers. Aspects of habitat protection includepollution, deteriorationof habitat and disturbance,with identified habitatsdesignated as SpecialProtection Areas (SPA). Under the Habitats Directive For inspection habitats purposes only.that have either internationalor community Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. _’ interest are given legal protection. This directive seeksto establish‘Natura 2000’, a network of 0 protectedareas throughout the EuropeanCornrnunity, through the designationof areasas Special Areasof Conservation(SACS).
Desianatedsites within 1Okm of proposeddevelopment site
Natural HeritageAreas: Thereare no Natural HeritageAreas within 10 lun of the proposeddevelopment site
.’ L ‘_ SpecialProtection Areas: :- Thereare no SPASwithin the vicinity of the proposeddevelopment site. .:
SpecialAreas of Conservation: Thereare no SACSwithin the vicinity of the proposeddevelopment site.
Bard na Mdna Technical Services
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Conservation value of existing site The habitats encountered on the site are widespread and very typical throughout the Irish countryside and as none of the habitats recorded are of high conservation value the overall impact of the proposed development on habitats will be negligible. ‘. ,,‘. 3.2.6 Potential Impacts of the Proposed Development : It is proposed to remove much of the managed grasslands and convert into hardstand.
3.2.7 Proposed Mitigation Measure
As this habitat is common throughout Ireland, and does not have a conservation value it is deemed that the impact of removing this habitat will be negligible and therefore there are no mitigation measures planned.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement
3.3 SOIL & GEOLOGY
3.3.1 Introduction
This sectionexamines the type of soils and geologyunderlying the site. It alsoaddresses the impact of the proposeddevelopment on soils and geology.
3.3.2 Study Assessment and Methodology
Therewere no intrusive groundinvestigations undertaken as part of this study. The site is predominantlycovered by impervioushardstand with greenareas along the margin of the site. The site is locatedwithin an industrial businesspark area, and was used for steel stockholding.Prior to this the areawas used for agriculturalpurposes.
Desk-basedinformation on the substrataunderlying the proposeddevelopment site was obtainedthrough the GeologicalSurvey of Ireland (GSI) and from information held on files within Bord na Mona EnvironmentalConsultancy Services.
3.3.3 Description of the Receiving Environment
soils The site is locatedwithin an industrial area and as such it is likely that the upper soil horizonsbeneath the sitewere alteredduring constructionworks.
For inspection purposes only. Qaaternary Geology Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Quaternarysediments underlying the site are glacial in nature and originate from the Midlandian glaciation. This geologicalperiod spansfi-om about 14,000to 10,000years beforepresent (BP)). Thesesediments are referred to as the Dublin Till. They consist of firm to stiff sandy gravely clays with clast (varying in size f?om cobblesto boulders) present.
Well cardsfrom the Clondalkinregion records a depthto bedrockof between 3 & 16 m below groundlevel (bgl). Depth to bedrockis thoughtto lie at ca. 4-6 metresbeneath the site.
Bedrock Geology PublishedGeological data of the study area identify the bedrock geolo,T as the Calp Limestonesof Lower Carboniferousperiod. This formation is Chadianto Brigantian in age and was formed in the deepwaters of the Dublin basin as turbidity deposits. The formation consistsof dark grey, fine grained,graded limestones with interbeddedblack,
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poorly fossiliferousshales. The ClondalkinFormation, within the immediatevicinity of the site,is karistified anddolomitised in certainareas.
Figure 3.3/l: Geology of Kiidare - Wickiow (GSI 1994)
The Calp Limestonesin this region is reportedto dip at 80 degreestowards the southeast. There areno major faults reportedin the region.
Quality of the Subsurface The site and its surroundshave been used for industrialpurposes since the 1970’s.Due to the historic industrialnature of the site, there is the potentialfor previous contamination of the subsurface. 3.3.4 Potential Impacts of the ProposedDevelopment
As there are no geologicalfeatures of any significancepresent at or beneaththe site, the For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. proposeddevelopment will haveno impact on local geology. The proposeddevelopment will entail the construction of a hardstandcover over a majority of the site and as suchthere will be no dischargesto the subsoil. Thereforeit is consideredthat therewill be no impactsto the underlyingsubsurface.
3.3.5 Mitigation Measures All wastes and fuels will be stored in fully bunded areasin accordancewith relevant environmental guidelines and recognised standards.All bunds will be tested in accordancewith the waste licenceconditions. In addition,oil absorbentmaterials will be kept on site in close proximity to any fuel storage tanks or bowsers during site developmentworks. The refuelling of vehicleswill be undertakenin a designatedarea, which will be fully containedto prevent spillageinto the surfacewater network.
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 _., ,j. ,( )/ :,. AL,” , ; ,‘-;~, .‘!& [,$’ .’ <: V5,$ : .y ‘di” ;-.’ _.!‘. .‘-:i’,,;TJ~ , .,:‘PpaI Environmentalimpact Statement ‘, i.:: ’ --..,5 +‘>-&;T. .*,y:; Oxigen Environmental Ltd. :: -(c ., All wastes being delivered to or removed fi-om site will be loaded/unloaded in fully r. bunded areas. New leachate drains installed on site will be constructed in accordance with all applicable building standards thereby minimising the potential for leaks in ‘, undeqjround pipes.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Bord na M&a, Technical Services
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. 0 :. 3.4 HYDROLOGY 3.4.1 Introduction
The proposedwaste transfer and processing facility is locatedwithin the uppercatchment of the River Liffey (hydrometricarea no. 9), of which the facility is locatedwithin the sub-catchment the CamacRiver @rea54.7 km2). This river catchmentis characterisedby high intensity industrialand commercialareas. There is no surfacewater body locatedwithin or adjacentto the site, with uncontaminatedsurface water fi-om the facility being dischargedinto the culverted Ballymountstream that flows within the immediatearea, which ultimatelydischarges into the CamacRiver to the north of the facility.
3.4.2 Baseline Surface Water Assessment
In order to assessthe existingnature and quality of surfacewaters in the vicinity of the waste transfer and processingfacility at Ballymount, a baseline water quality assessmentwas undertakenin May 2004.
:/ This assessmententailed the following: :.; > Reviewing baseline information obtained through the national river quality survey operatedby the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA). > Analysis of surfacewaters in the vicinity of the proposeddevelopment for chemical parameters.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Surface Water Sampling Locations
EPA baselinedata:
Chemicaland biologicalsurveys of the rivers of Ireland havebeen conducted since 1986. This work was initially co-ordinatedby the Office of Public Works and local County Councils, though since 1993has beenco-ordinated by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency. Resultsof these surveys can be found from their website (m or fi-om their relevant _I publications.The EPA monitorsthe River Camacat a numberof monitoring stations.There is a monitoring station at Riverside Estate Bridge (station No. 0310), and at Kylemore Road Bridge (station no. 0400), which are locatedupstream and downstream,respectively, of the dischargefi-om the tributary of the Ballymount Streamthat flow adjacentto the facility. There areboth chemicaland biologicalrating results availablefor the Kylemore Road Bridge, with only biological data availablefor the RiversideEstate Bridge location.
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 -.iy Baselinedata for surfacewater within the vicinity of the proposeddevelopment:
Surfacewater samplinglocations were determinedfollowing a review of the drainagepattern of the catchment,which indicatedoptimum samplingpoints to facilitate characterisationof surface waters in the vicinity of the proposed development. Two no. surface water monitoring locationswere chosento perform this function, and aredetailed in Fig 3.4/l.
TABLE 3.4/l SURFACEWATER MONITORING LOCATIONS
Sample Point Location Reference 1.D Justification
To determinethe water Dischargefrom the existing SW-1 quality of the waters after facility leavingthe facility
To determinethe water Ballymount Stream quality within the Ballymount SW-2 immediatelydownstream of Streamimmediately existingfacility downstreamof the existing
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Chemical and Biological ResuIts ..’ EPA results: Chemical and biological quality results. are available for Kylemore Road Bridge and biological quality results are availablefor RiversideEstate Bridge monitoring stationson the River Camac.The median,minimum and maximum chemicalresults for the Kylemore Road Bridge station location was obtainedfrom samplingundertaken between 1998 and 2000, the biologicalquality resultsfor both locationsare from 1988to 2000.
./ _ TABLE 3.4/2 GENERAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR KVLEMORE ROAD BRIDGE (0400) from 1998 to 2000
Note: Scmrce the Environmental Protection For Agencyinspection purposeswebsite only. (www.epa.ie) Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
TABLE 3.4/3 BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS Year Riverside Estate Bridge Kylemore Road Bridge 1988 2-3 2-3 I I 1989 2-3 1
1991 3 2 1994 1 1996 2-3 1 1998 2-3 3 I I Note: Source the Environmental Protection Agency website (www.epa.ie)
/. _, Q-rating 5 pristine conditions 4 cleanconditions .# .: 3-4: slightly polluted conditions; 3,2-3: moderatelypolluted
2,1-2, 1: seriouslypolluted ./ _a.. i,. -‘. : . . .; I Bord na M&a, Technical Services Page 52 .* EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40.,. -. Oxigen Envirotimental Ltd.
Resultsfrom surfacewater bodiesin the vicinitv of the site:
On examinationof the drainagenetwork fiorn the facility, it was determinedthat surface water sampleswould be collectedfrom the final dischargepoint from the facility (SW-!), and at the downstreamlocation on the BallymountStream,(SW-2). Surface water run-off from the facility consistsof uncontaminatedrainfall that falls on the site. Due to the dry weatherspell, there was no dischargefrom the facility and therefore obtaining a samplefi-om this location (namelySW-l) was not possibleat the time of sampling.The resultsof the analysisfrom the BallymountStream (SW-2) aredetailed in Tables3.4/4 to 3.4/7.
TABLE 3.4/4 GENERAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR SW-2 Parameter SW-2 Emission Limit VaIue pH (PHunits) 8.0 >6-
TOC mgA For inspection purposes<5 only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Sulphatemg/l 58.2 200 Fluoridemgil 0.2 l.oL
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental imbact Statement
.,
. .
TABLE 3.416 CATION RESULTS FOR SW-2 Parameter(mg/l) SW-2 EmissionLimit Value For inspection purposes only. sodium Consent of copyright owner17 required for any other use.
Magnesium 9.4 Potassium 1.8 >, Calcium 73 .
TABLE 3.4/7 ORGANIC RESULTS FOR SW-2 Parameter@g/l) SW-2 EmissionLimit Value DRQ 40 50 Mineral Oil 40 50
‘. me ’ European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, SI. 293 of 1988 _, Note2 European Communities (Quality of Surface Water Intended For The Abstraction Of Drinking Water) : Regulations, S.1294 of 1989. : Note3 Values in bold are in excess of emission limit vahes ‘.. Limit value unavailable : -
‘...,
Figuresin bold exceedthe emissionlimit value. .~
‘,
‘..I”. 1 ‘: .,r .,; ,._ Bord na k&a, Technical Services Page 54
‘._
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 -‘ Ox&en Environmental Ltd. Environmental Imuact Statement
Interpretation of Results
The EuropeanCommunities (Quality of SahnonidWaters) Regulations, SI. No. 293 of 1988 is the principal meansof evaluatingsurface water in Ireland,therefore, a comparisonfollows between results obtained and the aforementionedRegulations. In the absenceof emission limit valuesfor same,reference is made to the EuropeanCommunities (Quality of Surface Water Intendedfor the Abstraction of Drinking Water) Regulations,S.1 No. 294 of 1989.The latter has only limited applicability in practice, as most streams/surfacewaters will neverbe used for abstractionas drinking water. Therefore,the emissionlimit valuesspecified in the latter regulationsare to be usedfor guidelinespurposes only.
EPA results The EnvironmentalProtection Agency results are detailedin Table3.4/2, which indicatethat the River Camacis of good chemical quality. All chemicalresults detailed are below the surfacewater standardsas detailedin EuropeanCommunities (Quality of SahnonidWaters) Regulations(S.I. 293 of 1988).The biological results (seeTable 3.4/3) indicatethat the river is moderatelypolluted upstream (namely at the Riverside Estate Bridge), with a marginal improvementin quality at the Kylemore Road Bridge.
Resultsfrom surfacewater bodieswithin the vicinity of the site.
SW-2 (BallymountStream; adjacent to site) This surfacewater samplingpoint is located downstreamof the proposeddischarge point of the facility. Plate 3.4/l: Ballymount Stream; SW-2 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Bord na Mdna, Technical Services Page 55
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement
Chemicalparameters associated with organicpollution, namelyBiochemical Oxygen Demand (BODs) (2 mg/l), ChemicalOxygen Demand (COD) (40 II@), Total OrganicCarbon (TOC) (~5 mg/l), Ammonia (0.05 mg/l), Nitrate (1.06 mg/l) andNitrite (0.03 mg/l) were detectedat relatively low levels,which would suggestthat the streamat this locationis relatively clean,
The anion (namely Chloride, Sulphateand Fluoride) and cation (namely Calcium, Sodium, ‘Magnesiumand Potassium)results were detectedat low concentrations,and were well below the emissionlimit values.
The metal scanindicated that Manganese(0.06 mg/l), and Boron (0.60 mg/l) results were all marginally abovetheir respectiveemission limit values,with the remainingmetal parameters being well below the limit values.
Organics(namely’Diese1 Range Organics and Mineral Oil) were not detectedat this location.
3.4.3 Potential Impacts of the Proposed Development
The proposeddevelopment includes for the installation and operationof a surface water drainage system as shown in Drawing D.l in Appendix 2. There will be no noticeable increasein the volume of surfacewaters dischargedfrom the site asthe existing site is already almost fully coveredwith hardstanding(concrete). All processwaters i.e. leachateand foul waters, shall be collectedseparately and dischargedto the County Council foul Watersewer system.
For inspection purposes only. The surfacewater drainagesystem Consentwill of copyright be fitted owner required with foran any oil other interceptor use. prior to dischargeto the surface water system. The oil interceptor will have an automatic shut-off valve fitted which will stopemissions to the local surfacewater network if oil is detectedin the run-off.
The environmental impacts associatedwith the proposed development at Ballymount IndustrialEstate on the local surfacewater regirneare considered below:
Given the nature of activities on site and vehiclemovements required to successfullyoperate the site, the potential exists for uncontrolleddischarge of materials such as fuels, lubricants and hydraulic fluids to the surfacewater drainagenetwork. Imprudent storageand handling of suchoil-based materials can result in uncontrolleddischarges that can significantly impact on the receivingenvironment.
Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page 56
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen EnvironmentalLtd.
3.4.4 Proposed Mitigation Measures ,.’. All newly constructed and existing drains within the facility shall be cleared on commencementof operationswithin the site by power jetting and all drains to be surveyedby CCTV to ensureremoval of any residualmatter. : During constructionbunded tanks will be used during site developmentwork to store fuels, oils, and lubricants.Strict buildingpractices shall be adheredto to ensurethat there is no uncontrolleddischarges during the constructionphase of the proposeddevelopment.
Fuel tanks will be locatedwithin fully reinforcedconcrete bunded areas that conform to the standardbunding specification(BS8007-1987) with the capacityof holding 110%of .’ : the tank capacity. The tank will be finishedwith a suitablesealant resistant to chemical attack/corrosion. A paved area will be provided around the storage tank for .,fhel dispensing. This area will be surroundedby a sa-ftikerb for the collection of any spillagesand leakagesand for the collection of surfacewater run-off Surfacewater run- off generatedwithin this channelwill be directedto the oil interceptorprior to discharge. Spill kits (absorbentmaterials) will be located at strategic positions throughout the facility, with each ‘memberof staff having received spill preventionand containment training.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oiigen Environmental Ltd. EnvironmentalImpact Statement
3.5 HYDROGEOLOGY
3.5.1 Introduction
This sectiondetails the baselinequality of the underlyinggroundwaters existing at the site and addressesthe impact of the proposed development on the underlying groundwaters.
3.5.2 Study and Assessment Methodology
Desk-based information on the, underlying hydrogeologicalconditions beneath the proposeddevelopment site was obtainedthrough the GeologicalSurvey of Ireland (GSI) and from information held on files within Bord na Mona EnvironmentalConsultancy Services.There were no intrusiveground investigationsundertaken as part of this study. . . .’ :_ 3.5.3 Description of the Receiving Environment
.~ ‘! (1) Aquifer Classification :. The site is underlainby Lower Carboniferousrock consistingof the Calp Limestones ., (CD). Thesehave beenprovisionally classified by the GSI as a BedrockAquifer which is moderatelyproductive only in local zones(LI).
(2) GroundwaterVulnerability Groundwater vulnerability classificationare currently being producedby the GSI for For inspection purposes only. County Dublin. As part ofConsent this of study,copyright owner guidelines required for anypublished other use. by the GSI for mapping vulnerabilitywere usedto define andclassify the site.
Using GSI criteria for groundwater vulnerability the site has a high - moderate vulnerabilityrating.
(3) GroundwaterLevels There are no groundwatermonitoring boreholeson the site, howeverwater levels taken from adjoiningproperties (namely Galco SteelLtd. locatedimmediately south eastof the facility) indicate that the groundwater level lies between 2.50 m and 2.80 m below ground level (bgl). The groundwaterflows are from the southeastto northwest, towards the nearbyRiver Carnac.
-. ..,
‘,A (4) GroundwaterOualitv : The site andits surroundshave been used for industrialpurposes since the 1970’s.Due to /( the historic industrialnature of the site, there is the potentialfor previouscontamination
‘, Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page 58 . .’ ‘. .:
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40. ,_ ” ‘..-,.: Oxigen Environmental Ltd. EnvironmentalImpact Statement of the groundwaters.Groundwater quality results are availablefor the adjoiningproperty and these indicate that the quality of the groundwater is good with some localised contamination(see Appendix4: Groundwatermonitoring results for Galco Steel Ltd - SourceGalco Steel Ltd. IntegratedPollution Control LicenceApplication. j.
3.5.4 Potential Impacts from the ProposedDevelopment
Therewill be no direct dischargesto groundwateror any groundwaterabstractions as part of the proposeddevelopment.
The proposeddevelopment will entailthe extensionof the existinghardstand cover over the site (see Appendix 2: Drawing D.l Site tiastructure) and as such it is considered that there will be no impactsto the underlyinggroundwaters.
3.5.5 ProposedMitigation Measures
There will be no emissionsto groundwaterfrom the proposeddevelopment. All wastes and other consumableswill be storedin bundedareas, which dischargedirectly into the County Councilfoul sewer.
Potential leachatefrom the handling of wastes within the building will be collected within a dedicateddrainage system and dischargedto foul sewer.This will minimise the potentialfor indirect emissionsi.e. leaksto impact on groundwaterquality.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 Oxigen.Environmental Ltd,
3.6 AIR _-
.,j’ 3.6.1 Introduction .‘I
To determinethe baselineair quality and subsequentlyassess the potentialimpact of both the site developmentand operationalphases of the proposeddevelopment, the following approachwas taken:
l Identificationof the potentialpollutants.
l Monitoring of the abovepollutants to assessthe currentbaseline air qualitylevels in the vicinity of the proposeddevelopment.
l Investigationof the potentialimpact to air quality duringthe constructionand operationalphases of the proposeddevelopment
l Mitigation measuresto minim&eagainst potential impacts. ,.; : 3.6.2 Overview of Potential Pollutants : : i Trafk derivedpollutants (Oxides of Sulphurand Nitrogen, Volatile OrganicCompounds, PMio), odourand the generationof dustare considered the main potentialpollutants that may impact on the air qualityduring the constructionand operational phases of the proposeddevelopment.
The emissionof pollutantsinto the atmospherecontinues to be oneof the greatestof all pressures on the global environment.A major componentof this pressureis traffic emissions.There are a For inspection purposes only. variety of pollutants,principally Consentoxides of copyrightof owner nitrogen, required forcarbon any other use.monoxide, volatile organiccompounds andparticulates that may be emittedto atmospherefrom vehicles.Of particularimportance in this caseis the generationof dust from the constructionprocess and its impact on the air quality. A descriptionof the environmentaleffects of eachpotential pollutant is provided in the following sections(1) to (6).
^:: . (1) SulphurDioxide (SO& SO2is a corrosiveacid gas, which combineswith water vapourin the atmosphereto produceacid rain. Both wet and dry depositionhas been implicated in the damageand destruction of vegetation and in the degradationof soils,building materials and watercourses.The principal sourceof this gasis power stationsburning fossil fuels, which containsulphur. ~.I. ., ,I (2) Oxidesof Nitrogen (NO,) /: The term oxidesof nitrogenrefers predominately to nitric oxide (NO) andnitrogen dioxide (Noz). ‘~.‘j Theseoxides are formed when nitrogencombines with oxygenat the high temperaturesgenerated -’ by fossil me1 combustion.Nitric oxide has no colour, odour, or taste and is non-toxic. In the -:. .’. i.>.: ‘_ ‘.-“’i ,,~ .;: Bard na Ahha Technical Services Page 60 :. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40_’,.,‘. Oxigen Environmental Ltd, atmosphereit is rapidly oxidizedto nitrogendioxide by reactionwith ozone.Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-browngas that has a pungent,irritating odour.It absorbslight andcontributes to the yellow- brown hazesometimes seen hanging over cities.It is oneof the main componentsof smog.
Nitrogen oxidesoccur both naturally and from human activities.In nature, they are a result of bacterialprocesses, biological growth and decay,lighting, as well as forest and grasslandfires. Road traf?ic is the principal source of anthropogenicnitrogen oxidesand is responsiblefor approximatelyhalf the emissionsin Europe(‘Ireland’s Environment- A Millennium Report’ EPA April 2000) :. .= Nitric oxide is the most commonform of NOx emitted.Nitrogen dioxideaccounts for lessthau ,: 10%. The amount of nitrogendioxide emittedvaries with the temperatureof combustion.As the temperatureincreases, so doesthe levelof nitrogendioxide.
NO;! hasa variety of environmentalimpacts. At high concentrations,nitrogen dioxide is potentially toxic to plants, injuring leavesand reducinggrowth which, in turn, reducescrop yield. In the presenceof sunlight, it reactswith hydrocarbonsto producephotochemical pollutants such as ozone. In addition,under specific conditions nitrogen oxides may be easilyconverted to nitric ‘acid, which is in turn removed from the atmosphereby direct depositionto the ground,or transfer to aclueousdroplets (e.g. cloudor rainwater),thereby contributing to aciddeposition.
_’
i: (3) Volatile Organic CompoundsNOC’s) _ VOC’s arereleased in vehicleexhaust gases either as unburnedfuels or as combustionproducts, -, and are alsoemitted by the evaporationof solventsand motor fuels. CertainVOC’s are important For inspection purposes only. becauseof the role they playConsent in theof copyright photochemical owner required for anyformation other use. of ozonein the atmosphere.The predominantVOC’s associatedwith transportrelated activities are includedin the measurement programme.Four compoundswere chosenas indicatorsof pollution fi-omthese sources; benzene, toluene,ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) isomers.
(4) Dust Deposition Airborne particulatematter varies widely in its physical and chemicalcomposition, source and -‘. particle size. Particles are often classedas either primary (those emitted directly into the atmosphere)or secondary(those formed or modified in the atmospherefi-om condensationand , ., growth). Particulatematter arisesTom both man-madeand natural sources. Natural sources includewind-blown dust, sea-saltand biologicalparticles e.g. pollen. Man-madesources include large carbon particles fkom incomplete combustion,ash, dust particles f?om quarrying and ’ constructionactivities and road traffic generateddust. In generallarge particles do not stayin the ‘. atmospherefor long and are depositedclose to their source, whereassmall particles can be transportedlong distances. )’., ,..:;, .y::‘T ..I:j . ,.& Bord na Mdna Technical Services Page 61 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40._. Uxigen Environmental Ltd,
Particles,which aredeposited to ground,give rise to problemssuch as soiling of buildingsand other materialsand also cause a generalnuisance. The Technical Instructions on Air QualityControl TA Lufi - 1986recommended guideline value for dustemissions is 350 mg/m2/day.
In terms of monthly dustfall results in the UK (undissolvedsolids measurementonly- BS1747 samplingmethod), the following is often quoted:“with insolubledeposits, fallout rates exceeding 200 mg/m2/dayon a monthly averagewill generallycause nuisance to residentialproperties at peak periodswithin that month”. Using the aboveanalogy this value is equivalentto approximately460 mdm’/day usingthe VDI 2119sampling method. In light of experience,and possibly higher public 1 perceptions,many of thoseworking in the field have adoptedmuch lower informal limits in the region.of 100- 150mglm’day averagedover a month(using the BS1747 sampling method). This is equivalentto approximately230 - 350 mg/m2/daytotal dissolvedand undissolvedsolids. The GermanT.A. Lufi Standard(1986) recommended value for dust emissionsis 350 mg/m2/dayis basedon the combinedweight of dissolvedand undissolved solids, measured over onemonth using ’ the Bergerhoffdust gauge. TheEPA in Irelandhas adopted the Germansampling methodology and ’ guidelinevalue of 350 mg/m2/day. .,‘- .,i. (5) PJ%o :: In recent years, interest has focusedon the levels of particulatematter with an aerodynamic , diameterless than 10 microns (PMlo) which have been shown to have health implicationsat . elevatedlevels, due to their ability to penetrateinto the trachea-bronchialsystem. A major man- madesource of fine primary particlesis combustionprocesses, primarily road transportand coal burning activities. However, road transport is estimatedto be the single biggestprimary man- ,,’ made source of PM10in most EU countries(EPA’s report entitled ‘Ireland’sEnvironment - A For inspection purposes only. Millenium Report’). Of particularConsent of copyright concern owneris required diesel for anycombustion, other use. where transport of hot exhaust _ vapour into a stack can lead to spontaneousnucleation of ‘carbon’ particulatesbefore emission. An estimated30 to 70 times more particulatesare emittedby diesel enginesthan petrol melled ) vehiclesequipped with catalyticconverters and burning unleaded fuel. .- Secondaryparticles are typically formed when low volatility products are generatedin the ,‘_: atmosphere,for examplethe oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphuric acid. The atmospheric lifetime of particulatematter is stronglyrelated to particlesize, but may be as long as 10 daysfor ‘. particlesof approximatelylrnm in diameter. With the generalrise in traffic, especiallyin urban areas,levels are likely to continueto increase.Significant natural sources of PM10particles include re-suspensionof fine soil material in rural areas,volcanic activity, sea spray, forest fires and reactionsbetween natural gaseous emissions. .,., .‘...,?L,..-. ?. (6) Odour :-.- Odour is perceivedby the brain in responseto chemicalspresent in the air we breathe.Odour is the responsethat those chemicalsinduce. Most odours are a mixture of many chemicalsthat ..1.. -1\,)’ ‘.(_/ : Bord na Mdna Technicui Services Page 62 ,; EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:40 .,: :I ,. ,.i -; y-2 , 2.:; .- ,.y :; r. ..L>&,:@. OxigenEnvironmental Ltd, EnvironmentalImpact State&.&t ““w’ t ? interact to’producean overall odour response(Good Practice Guide for Assessingand Managing - Odourin New Zealand.Ministry for the Environment,June 2003).
Odours are normally assessedon the basis of nuisancerather than direct toxicological impact’ however ‘offensive odours can cause poor appetite for food, lowered water consumption, : impaired respiration,nausea and vomiting and mental perturbation’ (‘WastewaterEngineering, Treatmentand Disposal’, Metcalf andEddy Inc, 3rdEdition, McGraw Bill (1991)). I<.‘ 3.6.3 Baseline Data
A baselineair quality assessmentwas carriedout at the proposedOxigen Environmental Ltd waste ” recyclingand processingfacility in Ballyrnountin order to determinethe backgroundair quality. The following componentswere identified as potentialpollutants and were, thereforeincluded in the assessment: ~’ ;- l Nitrogen Dioxide (NOZ) .. . .._. ‘, l SulphurDioxide ( SO2)
l Volatile OrganicCompounds (BTEX)
l Dust deposition :, , ,; :1 l PMlo ‘ f-‘:._ l Odour ‘.t,: Four locationswere chosenfor the samplingof SO2,NO*, BTEX and dust deposition.The air ?’ samplinglocations are presented in Figure3.6/l overleaf. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Oxigen Environmental Ltd, .j (1) Nitrogen Dioxide (NOz)/ SulphurDioxide (SOA Backgroundlevels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphurdioxide (SOz)were determinedusing diffusiontubes and based on the guidelinesoriginally set out by the DTI (UK) for the determination of NO2 in ambientatmospheres. The diffi.tsiontubes were placedon the stand of the four dust depositiongauges indicated on Drawing Jl, in well ventilatedareas away from treesand fencesand situatedapproximately l-2m aboveground level. Thelocations were chosento reflectbackground levelsof the abovespecies.
Beforemounting the tubeon the stand,the tube is removedf?om its protectivecontainer. Thegreen cap is placedupwards with the filter end facing downwardsto preventthe ingressof particulates. On completionof the 22 day monitoring surveyperiod (4” March to 25’ March 2004)the tubes were placedin their protectivecontainers and sentto the laboratory.The samplinglocation, date and time were recordedfor eachsample. The tubeswere then dispatchedto the UKAS accredited laboratoryat GradkoInternational Ltd for analysis.
The SO2and NO2 tubeswere analysedby ion chromatographyand the resultsexpressed as pg/m3. Resultsare presented in Table3.6/l below:
‘. TABLE 3.6/l: BaselineNO2 and SO2Results Nitrogen Dioxide Sulphur Dioxide Location cwm3 1 wm3 1 AM-01 13.02 2.54 AM-02 11.74 2.31 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. AM-03 8.17 1.61
AM-04 10.72 1.61
The resultsobtained for nitrogen dioxide varied from 8.17 to 13.02pg/m3. The highestrecorded value of 13.02pg/m3was at AM-01. Theseresults are consistentwith those expectedfor a. site locatedin an urbanenvironment. Annual mean concentrations of nitrogenoxides are expected to be in the range0-30pg/m3 for rural environmentsand 20-90pg/m3for urbanenvironments. The EC Directive 85/203/EECon air quality standardsfor nitrogen dioxide gives a 98 percentilehourly limit valueof 2001Ls/m3which has beenadopted as the Irish air quality standard(S. I. No. 244 of 1987).The World HealthOrganization (WHO) 1999report on the Guidelinesfor Air Quality also recommendsthis hourly guidelinevalue of 200&m3 and a mean annualvalue of 40pg/m3. In addition,the CouncilDirective 1999/3O/ECl-hour limit for nitrogendioxide is also2001..@m3 (as a 95 percentile)and an annuallimit of 40r-Ls/m3,which must be met by 1 January2010. Furthermore .. theseguideline values have been adoptedinto Irish law in the form of the Air Quality Standards . . -. . “,.,:: Bard na M&a Technical Services Page 65 “’ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41,:: .. ,, ..: +,,: .i ,i : 3..,$ .,, ;...: .$ “~ -*jt ,, :4 !: ‘i ‘“: _:Pcp ,,~. ! ‘I’:, ,$#f ,..“‘,‘-Y,._ ; >.,*-.. ..g&~ y:::& Oxigen Environmental Ltd, Environmental Impact Statemtk~” .’; Regulations2002 (S.I. No. 271 of 2002).Although it is not strictly relevantto compare,the values obtainedfor this monitoringsurvey are well within theselimits. “: The concentrationsobtained for sulphur dioxide were also shown to be relatively low at all -’ locations.The highestlevel obtainedwas at the northernboundary AM-01 (2.54 &m3). The EC Directive 80/779/EECon air quality limit valuesfor sulphurdioxide and suspendedparticultites -- stipulatesa yearly averageof daily valuestaken throughoutthe year of 120pg/m3and has been adoptedas the Irish air quality standard(S. I. No. 244 of 1987). Althoughnot strictly relevant,all _’... the valuesobtained were shown to be well witbin this limit. The 1999WHO report outlinesa .’ guidelinevalue of 125pg/m3for maximum daily meanand 50pg/m3for annualmean for sulphur “’ dioxide. Theseguideline values are clearly not currentlybeing exceeded at the site. In addition,the CouncilDirective 1999/3O/ECgives an hourly limit valueof 350yg/m3not to be exceeded24 times in any calendaryear and a daily limit value of 125pg/m3not to be exceededmore thanthree times a calendaryear (99 percentile). Both of theselimit valueswill comeinto law by 1 January2005. Theseguideline values are also laid out in S.I. No. 271 of 2002. It is clearthat the resultsobtained arewell below theseguideline values. ‘. -: (2) Volatile Organic Compounds(BTEX) Diffusion tubeswere used to determinethe backgroundlevels of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene ’ andxylene isomers based on the guidelinesoriginally set out by the DTI (UK) for the determination of NO;! in ambientatmospheres. These diftision tubeswere alsomounted on the dust gaugestands ‘_ at the four samplinglocations. ,,
Prior to sampling,the brass-end cap For inspection from the purposes end only. of the tube markedwith a red dot was removed i’ Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. and replacedwith a diffusive end cap. The tube was placedon the standwith the diffusive head ’ .’ pointing downwards.At the end of the 22 day samplingperiod (4th of March to 25th of March 2004),the diffusive headwas removedand this end of the tube was tightly sealedwith the brass end-capand sent to the laboratoryfor analysis. ./ (, The BTEX tubes were analysedby thermal desorptionfollowed by gas chromatography-mass ” spectrometryand the resultsexpressed as pg/m3.The results are shown in Table3.6/2 overleaf: ” -’
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 TABLE 3.6/2: Baseline BTEX Results Location Benzene Toluene Ethyl- m/P o- Xylene P&l3 P&l3 Benzene Xylene f-@m3 14e3 I-Mm3 AM-01 d.50 0.33 0.19 0.65 0.19 AM-02 1.50 2.87 0.60 1.91 0.88 AM-03 1.29 2.17 0.46 1.44 0.79 AM-04 0.96 1.83 0.65 1.49 0.84 - .~ ;: The concentrationsobtained for benzeneat the four locationsare low rangingfrom 0.50 l-&m3to 1.50 gg/m3. The EU legislationpertaining to Benzeneis directive 2000/69/ECrelating to ‘limit valuesfor benzeneand carbondioxide in ambientair’. The recommendedlimit value is 5@m3 over a calendaryear. Theproposed limit enteredinto force on 1 January2003 and every 12 months thereafteris reducedby equalannual percentages to reach0% by 1 January2010. This legislation hasbeen adopted by the Irish EnvironmentalProtection Agency and the limits are statedin S.1No. 271 of 2002. The result obtainedfrom the monitoringsurvey was well within this proposedlimit. There are no nationalor EU limits for toluene,ethylbenzene or xylene. In the absenceof such limits, Danish C-valuesare used to comparethe resultsto recommendedaverage ground level concentrations.These C-values are mean hourly valuesand must not be exceededby more than 1% of a periodof time. Thevalues are based on long-termexposure to individualsubstances. These are 400r.L8/ni3for toluene,5001&m3 for ethylbenzeneand 100pg/m3for xylenes.The resultsobtained from the monitoringsurvey were below theselimit values. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. -., (3) Dust Deposition Dust direction monitoring was conductedusing directional dust gaugesconforming to the ’ British StandardsBS 1747;Part 5. Each gaugemeasures the lateral flux through four vertical slots to collectors arrangedon a vertical support. Each complete directional dust gauge ’ assemblycomprises of; ,. ;.. : :X.[ ;.,;
l One verticalsupporting post set at 15Ornrnabove ground level.
l Four collectingheads set at 90” to eachother. _’ l Four collectingbottles attached to the collectingheads. ,’ ’ _‘-.i Prior to sampling,the collectingvessels were carefullycleaned with laboratorydetergent and then deionisedwater and allowed to dry. Samplinginvolved placing the labelledcontainers in the protectingcages.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Oxigen En&vonmental Ltd,
Total depositeddust was monitoredover a periodof 22 daysfi-om (and including) the 4th of March to the 25th of March 2004.The date of erectionof the cageswas noted.Following exposure for 22 days,the vesselswere sealedand broughtback to the laboratoryfor analysisfor dust. All samples returnedto the laboratorywere storedat 4°C. Subsequentanalysis of all sampleswas carriedout gravimetricallyfor dust and strictly followed the standardVDI 2119.Totaldeposited dust was monitoredat four locationsat the proposeddevelopment. 1 Thelocation of the directionaldust gauges are outlined in Table3.6/3 below andin Figure3.6/l.
Table 3.6.3 Location of Directional Dust Deposition Gauges Location Description Dl NorthernBoundary D2 SouthernBoundary D3 EasternBoundary D4 WesternBoundary
Resultsare presented in Table3.6.4 below: and outlinedin Figure3.6/2 overleaf
,.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
,’II.8 : D2-E 95.1 D2-W 439.7 D3-N 148.5 D3-S 139.6 D3-E 41.6 ‘. D3-W 53.5 D4-N 101.0 .,,,,’ D4-S 469.4 D4-E 41.6 : D4-W 160.4 There are no national or EU limit values for directionaldust depositionrates. The maximum recordeddust depositionrates occurredat Dl-N (594.2 mg/m2/d).The minimum dust deposition raterecorded occurred at Dl-W. Inspectionof the resultsindicate that the highestconcentrations of dustare coming from a southerlyor westerlydirection.
“; .:~.,.-;: Bord na M&a Technical Services Page 68 .-’ ’ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 ,_ For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
‘i Figure 3.6/2 Sampling location and recorded Ievels (mg/m?d) of dust deposition rates
; ; Key D: Dust Monitoring location ._ , .:.,,\( ,‘. ,! 7r
Bard na M&a Technical Services Page 69 ., EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41.., Oxigen Environmental Ltd,
PMlo (4) ‘:,. The monitoring programmeusing carried out using a Partisol-plusmodel 2025 segmentedair sampler.The unit is designedto meet the regulatorymonitoring requirementsfor PM10and other particulatesampling methods in the US andEurope. Features of the unit include:
l A flow rate of lm3/hthrough a singlefilter.
l Theuse of standard47mm sample filters with a convenientfilter exchangemechanism.
l Full microprocessorcontrol and data handling.
l Active volumetricflow control.
Samplingwas carried out over a period of 14 days. Due to the start time of the monitoring exercise,each 24 hour samplespans two calendardays, from the afternoonon the first day to the afternoonon the secondday. Two monitors were locatedat the easternand westernboundaries of the site. Theselocations are indicatedas PM-01 & PM-02 on Figure 3.6/l : Air monitoring locations.
Theresults of the monitoring programmeare highlighted in Tables3.6.5 and 3.6.6
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.: Bord na EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 . . “>i
.d, .q,;.- ;! ,. ” ., -+;g
,- ...z”~:;~y~ ., .>i ::;;:< li ,J .y&f <;- i.:::,,, . . ..+.p __,~ OxigenEnvironmental Ltd, EnvironmentalImpact Statement ~‘MY ;’:_’ Table 3.6.5 shows that throughout the sampling period at location PM-01 the limit value of 50 it pg!rn3 was not exceeded at any time. The highest recorded daily average at PM-01 was 34.49 ~gk-n3 on 3rd- 4* March.
TO 16/03/04
Sampling Date
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Oxigen Environmental Ltd, _: ‘;I Table 3.6.6 shows that the PM-10 limit value of 50 &m3 was exceeded at location PM-02 on 8” - 9’ March with a value of 66.91pg/m3. The averagedaily values at PM-02, which was located on the western boundary, were generally higher than those results recorded at PM-01, which was located I on the easternboundary. This was probably due to PM-02, was located to the busy Turnpike Road, as opposed to the PM-01, which was located adjacent to the less busy internal industrial estate ” / accessroad. Figure 3.6/3 overleafhighlights the recorded PM10 levels at both sampling locations.
.,
li 1
-
:
.:
;
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13* - 14* March 2004 24.52 14” - Uth March 2004 30.75 15* - 16ti March 2004 < 12 Daily Average 33.2 ‘/ : Limit St? ‘_
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Baseline PM-IO concentrations (uglm3) at PM-01 and PM-02
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PM-02 ‘M-01 uglm3
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 ‘:. ‘. . ..‘.. 3..;.Y..,
1,. . j, j. ; : .,i: OxigenEnvironmental Ltd, Environmental Impact Statement 0 (5) Odour : No ambient odour samples were taken during the baseline assessment. Ambient odour measurement was not considered for a number of reasons. Measured ambient odour levels are highly dependent on meteorological conditions on the day of sampling and therefore may not reflect the existing background odour level at the site. Both on-site and off-site odour sources may contribute to measured ambient odour levels and as a result the background levels determined may not reflect the present site activity. At present there are no existing ambient odour guidelines, therefore it would not be possible to determine if significant background odour levels exist at the site.
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Bord na Mdna Technical
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Uxigen EnvironmentalLtd, Environmental Impact Statement
3.6.4 Environmental Impacts
If uncontrolled,construction and operationof the proposedwaste recycling and processing facility couldgive rise to the following air emissions.
(1) Construction Phase In general,during this phasethe potentialimpacts on air quality may be attributableto the generationof dust and the movementof constructiontraffic at the site. The construction phaseis projectedto extendfor a 6 -7 monthtime period.
Generationof Dust The impact of fugitive dust generatedfkom the constructionphase will, to a certainextent dependon wind direction,wind speedand rainfall. Constructionwaste generated during this phase will be retained on site and processedduring the operational phase of the development.Fugitive dust may arise f?om the movementof constructionvehicles on the existinghardstanding area and transport of spoil aroundthe site.However, the level of dust generationis likely to be of relativelyshort durationwith minimal impact on the receiving environment.
Traffic Pollutants The movementof constructionvehicles at the site during the constructionphase of the developmentwill generateexhaust fumes and subsequently contribute to potentialemissions of SO2,NOx, CO, particulate matter For and inspectionVOC’s purposes including only. BTEX. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. While the levelsof these pollutantsare expectedto increaseduring the constructionphase of the development,strict adherenceto ‘good site/engineeringpractices’ (e.g. all vehiclesto be switchedoff when not in use) will minimisethe generationof any unnecessaryair emissions.In any event it is consideredthat the level of contaminationemitted will be minimal andof short duration.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Uxigen EnvironmentalLtd, Environmental Impact Statement
(2) Operational Phase mm. SO,, BTEX During the operationphase, the anticipatedincrease in traffic entering and leaving the proposeddevelopment will be up to a maximumof 180vehicle movements per day (ninety inboundplus ninety outbound).The likely impact on the local air quality as a result of the emissionsof CO, NO2, BTEX and particulatematter (l?Mrc)from the increasein traffic is detailedin Tables3.6.4 overleaf:
Averagetraffic flows associatedwith the proposeddevelopment were used to predict ,’ groundlevel concentrationsof particulatematter, CO, NO2 and total hydrocarbonsat the nearestsensitive receptor (selected due to proximity). Thereceptor is locatedat a distance 1’ of 24m from the Turnpikeroad to the northwest of the facility. This receptorWas chosen as it is the nearestresidence to the facility and is alsoon one of the main routes into and out of the proposeddevelopment. Therefore it is locatedin the areaconsidered where the most significanteffects of increasedtraffic flow is currently being experienced,or are likely to be experienced,once the developmentis fully operational. Assessmentsof predictedtraffic relatedpollutants were carried out underdifferent traffic speedsituations for reference dates 2004 (representsbaseline conditions) and 2007 (year when the developmentis likely to be fully operational).A worse case scenarioof all of the 180 traffic movements(two way) passingthis residenceis applied. The Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) flow is calculatedby applying a conservativeexpansion factor of 1.6 to the traffic count carried out from 7.3Oamto 6.15pm on the accessroad junction as outlined in section 3.8.Traffic. ForAn inspection estimate purposes only.of 15% HGV’s is also applied as a Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. conservativemeasure.
Predictivecalculations have beencarried out in accordancewith the proceduresgiven in Annex 1 of Volume 11, Section3, Part I of the UK Departmentof Transportand Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (2003). The adjustedfigures for 2004 and 2007 are presentedin Table 3.6.7 below and can be comparedwith the following applicableair quality guidelinesand regulations:
l S I No. 271 of 2002Annual Limit value for NO;! of 40ug/m3
l S I No. 271 of 2002Annual Limit value for Benzeneof 5ug/m3
l S I No. 271 of 2002 Annual Limit value for PMlc of 40ug/m3
Bord na M&a Technical Services Page 76
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 OxigenEnvironmental Ltd, EnvironmentalImpact Statement
TABLE 3.6/7 Predictive Modelling of Pollutants at the Entrance of the site and the Nearest Sensitive Receptor on the access road. Scenario Traffic co Benzene NOz JWo Speed Annual AUUUid AImllal Annual’
c-1 Mean Mean Mean Mean (mfw9 hi@3 ova3 (W-4
2004 10 5.06 1.55 17.54 34.94 ,-, No 48 5.02 1.52 15.70 33.86 Development 96 5.02 1.51 15.93 33.88
2007 10 5.05 1.54 17.43 34.65 :- No 48 5.01 1.51 15.60 33.78 ‘- Develojment 96 5.01 1.51 15.77 33.81 2007 10 5.05 1.54 18.15 34.90 With 48 5.02 1.51 15.98 33.86 Development 96 5.01 1.51 16.15 33.89 OC....A”..d c An. ,a,-.
. . __ Background levels were taken from existing baselinedata or typical urban baseline levels. A level of 5mg/m3of carbon monoxide(as an eight hour average)wasused as it was reported in a recentEPA publication(Irelands Environment 2004 EPA). id represent potential levels of this parameterin a busy urban environment.This level was only exceededon two occasionsat city centre sampling stations in 2002. The maximum recordedbenzene and NO2 levels during the baselinestudy were used as conservative measurefor backgroundlevels. The maximum averagePM10 level was also used as a For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. conservativemeasure. Table 3.6.7 indicatesthat predictedlevels of PMlo, benzene,NO2 andCO for the nearestsensitive receptor at presentare below the limit values.This is due to the inbuilt assumptionin the model that despitethe gradualincrease in vehicles/day, cleanertechnology applied to future vehicle design,will reduce overall emissions,and therefore the impact on the sensitivereceptor. Examinationof the predicted levels for 2007 with development,indicate a minor increasein NO2 levels (96kph) but is still not significantin comparisonto the limit value. Also speedsabove 48 kph areunlikely to be reachedon the Turnpike road due to a 30mph speedlimit being imposed. A slight decreaseis predictedfor PM10concentrations in 2007without development,but it is very slight in comparisonto the present backgroundlevels. Overall, there is no significant increasein impact predictedat the nearestsensitive receptor for theseparameters.
Bard na M5na Technical Services Page 77
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Oxigen Environmental Ltd, EnvironmentalImpact Statement
Dust Deposition The operation of Ballymount waste recycling and processing facility could potentially have implications for the levels of ambient dust as a result of the following activities during normal operations:
l Movement of HGV’s within the site boundary.
l Movement of &able material within the site
Each of these has the potential to generate dust emissions and the severity of the impact may be influenced by weathei conditions.
Odour Both on-site and off-site odour sources may contribute to measured ambient odour levels and as a result any background levels determined may not reflect the proposed site activity. Any materials that are received at the proposed site that have the potential to generate odour will be processed within the recycling buildings, thus rninimising the potential impact on off site sensitive receptors.
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ethnical Services Page 78
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Ox&en Environmental Ltd, EnvironmentalImpact Statement
3.6.5 Mitigation Measures
(1) Construction phase
(a) Traffic emissions The presenceof on-site vehicleswill give rise to NOz, BTEX and SO2emissions. Good site practices will. be implemented to minimise these emissions.All vehicles and machinerywill be switchedoff when not in useto eliminateany unnecessaryemissions.
@b)Dust deposition The use of a water bowseron the hardstandingareas of the site will ensurethat there will be no significantdust emissionarising ti-om this stageof the development.
(2) Operational Phase
The predictedbenzene, SO2 and NO2 concentrationsin Table 3.6. for the development indicate that the increase in traffic will have little increasedimpact on me nearest sensitivereceptor. This predictedimpact is basedon the worsecase scenario of maximum baselinelevels combinedwith all of the proposedtraffic movementsassociated with the developmentimpacting oh the sensitive receptor. Since the predicted impact is not significantthere areno mitigation measuresproposed for thesespecific parameters.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. As part of the site’sprocess operation all potentially odorousmaterials will be storedand processedwithin the buildings on the site. Any odorousmaterial that is storedinside the processbuildings may have the potentialto impact on sensitivereceptors outside the site boundariesduring operationssuch as door-openingand potential dispersionof odours through vents in the proposedrecycling buildings. Door-openingof the buildings will be restrictedto receivingand dispatching.Any odour that ariseswithin the processbuildings (from stockpilesetc) will be treateddirectly through the use of odourneutraliser applied using rotary atomisersthroughout the plant. Theserotary atomiserswill be used for this purposeand also for dust control. Use of the odour neutraliserwill minimise potential odour emissionfrom vents in the buildings.Implementation of thesemitigation measures will ensurethe impact of potentialodour emissions fi-om the site will not be significant.
(c) Dust Deposition All of the material received on site will be transported in covered trucks. Further hardstandingof the site and correct maintenanceof this areaduring spellsof dry weather (through the use of the water bowser) will ensurethat no significant dust is generated
Bord na Mdna Technical Services Page 79
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 Oxigen Environmental Ltd, Environmental Impact Statement during the movementof vehicleson the site.All friable materialwill be storedinside the proposedsite buildings and therefore will not be subjectto the influenceof winds that may distributethis materialover a wide area.A strict on site policy of maintainingclosed doorsat all times (apart from receiptand dispatchof waste) for eachof the site buildings will minirnisethe emissionof dust from the building andhence any off-site impact.
In conclusion,based on the extensivebaseline and predictive studiescarried out for the aboveparameters and strict adherenceto the mitigation measures,it is contendedthat the proposeddevelopment will not have a significant impact on the air quahty of the receivingenvironment.
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:41 OxigenEnvironmental Limited ‘. 0 3.7 NOISE
3.7.1 Baseline Noise Study
A survey of the baselinenoise levels at the site was carried out by Bord na Mona Technical Services,to determinecurrent noise levelsat the proposedOxigen EnvironmentalLtd, Waste Recyclingand processing facility in BallymountRoad Lower, Clondalkin,Dublin 22.
A day.time acousticassessment was undertakenon the 28*hApril 2004 betweenthe hours of 08:OOand 22:00 at the locationsgiven in Table3.7.1.
A night time acousticassessment was undertakenon the 27th& 28thApril 2004 at the locations . 0 given in Table3.7.1 betweenthe hoursof 22:00 and08:OO. Establishedacoustic methodologies as outlined below were appliedfor this assessmentand subsequentinterpretation of the resultantdata.
(1) Standardsand Guidance The acoustic assessmentand subsequentreporting are in accordancewith International Standard Organisation (ISO) 1996 Acoustics - Description and Measurement of EnvironmentalNoise Part 1, 2, and 3 in addition to relevant sectionsof the Environmental ProtectionAgency - EnvironmentalNoise SurveyGuidance Document.
(2) Monitoring Locations For inspection purposes only. Table3.7/l below presentsaConsent geographical of copyright ownerdescription required for any otherof the use. four sitelocations and the nearest noise sensitivelocation selectedto determinethe current site specific noise environtnent. Location Nl is the nearestsensitive receptor which is approximately180m from the boundary of the waste recycling and processingfacility. The nearestreceptor is a private residential dwelling.
The remaining noise sampling locationsN2 to N5 are within the site boundary and were chosenaccording to their geographicalsituation. Each location representsthe four major compassvariables of North, South, East & West and sampling was carried out at these positionsaccordingly.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited
TABLE 3.7.1: LOCATION OF NOISE MONITORING POINTS -11 Sample Point Location Justification Reference ID (geographical reference from site) Nl Private Dwelling to South*+ I N2 NorthernBoundary To assessthe backgroundII N3 SouthernBoundary noiselevels at the N4 EasternBoundary perimetersof the site N5 WesternBoundary
*Nearest Sensitive Receptor
’ Approximately 180111from site boundary
(3) Monitoring Equipment The following equipmentwas employedduring the acoustic assessmenton the 28’ April 2004.
l Bruel & Kjaer Real-TimeNoise AnalyzerType 2260 Investigator . Bruel & Kjaer SoundAnalysis So&are BZ 7210 . Model 2260 SerialNo. 2361174
l Date of Certification and Calibration 26thNovember 2003
l MicrophoneType: Bruel & Kjaer 4 189 SerialNo. 2363893
l PrismaTripod. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Eachambient noise level measurementwas approximately30 minutesin durationfor daytime monitoring and 15 minutes at night. Weatherduring the day time monitoring period was dry, with partially cloudy skies, dry ground conditions and calm wind conditions. Weather conditions during the night time monitoring period were cloudy, calm, with dry ground conditions. The monitoring equipmentwas mannedthroughout the sampling intervals and observationsof noise sourceson and off site were subjectively noted in order to aid the -. interpretationof the results. All measurementswere taken with the noise meter positionedat 1.5 m height abovelocal groundlevel and l-2 m away from reflective surfaces,
Bord na M&-auTechnical ServicesPage
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 (4 MeasurementParameters At eachof the monitoringlocations the following dataparameters were recorded:
_.:.. L,, Values: Les (t) valuesrepresent the continuousequivalent sound level over a specified time (t), This value expressesthe averagelevels over time and is a linear integral.
Max. P Values: The Max. P value representsthe maximum soundpressure level producedby a sourceduring the monitoring period.
I& andLro Values: The Lgoand Llo valuesrepresent the soundlevels exceededfor a percentage,of the instrument measuringtime. Llo indicatesthat for 10% of the monitoring period, the sound levels were greater than the quoted value. Llo is a good statisticalparameter for expressingevent noise suchas passingtraffic. The L~,-J representspost event soundlevels and is a good indicator of backgroundnoise levels. .I (5) Vibration Sources ; There are currently no vibration sourceslocated in the vicinity of the existing site. Hence For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. therewas no baselineevaluation of vibration levelsundertaken.
EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen.EnvironmentalLimited
3.7.2 Results of the Baseline Noise Survey
.:, Tables 3.7.2 & 3.7.3 below presents the results of the day time and night time noise survey undertaken on 27th and 28th April 2004 at the proposed Oxigen Environmental Ltd. waste recycling and processing facility in Ballymount Road Lower, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
..
: ” :
TABLE 3.7.3: NIGHT-TIME NOISE MEASURJZiVENTS II
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 / I_ ,;, : ;,. : :,“’ .-- .- .- ..__. - _. _ _. - -. ._ _- ..- - -.. ._ -- - .------... .._. .._-, ..- _ .- _- _._ ._ _-_.;. “.. : ‘i .. . ‘$*,i ,’ , : .; : .,+< ., ;. i “?;: ; :.! .,I ,,; ,‘-.q& ,“‘i: Oxigen Environmental Limited EnvironmentalImpact Staten&t
DavtirneNoise Daytime noiselevels at the site rangedbetween Leq 55.8 dB(A) to 75.1 dB(A) and was mainly due to traffic noise on Ballyrnount Road Upper, the M50 motorway and N7 Roadway (city bound), distantintermittent traffic noiseon Naas Road (N7 southbound),Long Mile Road and Ballymount Road Lower leading to the Walkinstown area, and noise associatedwith the operationof adjacentfactories. The majority of the noise eventsthat were subjectivelynoted during monitoring were primarily from off site sources,since no activity actually takes place at the proposedwaste recycling and processingfacility at present.All of the Leq dB(A) results for all of the locationsmonitored are abovethe day time noiselimit stipulatedby the EPA for licensedfacilities of 55 dB(A). This result is to be expecteddue to the high volumesof traffic in the Ballytnount areaand surroundingroad networkthroughout the day.
Location Nl is located close to a private dwelling on Ballymount Road Upper. This is a sensitivereceptor approximately 180m Tom the site boundary and is at a location which currently experienceshigh levelsof traffic, as there are a numberof facilities in the industrial estatethat operatestwenty four hours per day, sevendays per week, with mechanicaldevises only operatingbetween 06:30 and 23:30. At locationNl, the most notable noise sourceis traffic on Ballymount Upper road. The traffic on this sectionof road is very heavy during the morning period. Consequentlythe peak noise levels at this location are attributed to the passingof vehicles.This is demonstratedby the high Leqvalue of 75.1 dB(A) and an Lro value For inspection purposes only. of 78.3 dB(A). The Lgovalue Consent of of63.6 copyright dB(A), owner required which for any is other a gooduse. indicator of backgroundnoise :. levels, is also consideredhigh. Aeroplanesflying overheadand noise from adjacentfacilities .’ such as forklift trucks moving and reversing,metal containersbeing transportedand trucks reversingalso contributed to noise level readingsat Nl. ,1
At locationN2, the backgroundnoise levels are consideredhigh. The Les65.7 dB(A) and Lro 68.9dB(A). Theho value of 52.7 dB(A) is below the EPA stipulation,The predominant noise : sourcesat this locationwas traffic on the industrial estateroads, background noise from the s ,- M50 (Red Cow Interchange),noise from adjacentfactories such as truck horns, reversing :. beepsand metal clangingin a nearby factory.
: .,’“” At locationN3 the monitoring survey recordednoise measurements are not particularly high _ comparedwith Nl. There are noise sourceswhich includedconstant traffic noise emanating .o .
Bord rtaMdna Technical ServicesPage : EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen EnvironmentalLimited s from the road which runs along the southernboundary of the proposedfacility. There is a .’ continuousstream of traffic including HGV’s, cars and vans onto the turnpike roundabout situatedat this location. Theseheavy traffic levels would accountfor the Les level of 57.1 dB(A). This locationrecorded an ho level of 55.4 dB(A) during the monitoring period. Other .. noise sourcessubjectively noted at this location were backgroundtraffic noise on the M50 r > (Red Cow Interchange)and aircraft passingoverhead.
.,; Location N4 is situated at a location which is adjacentto a busy road sectionwithin the industrial estate.Noise sourceson the road, grasscutting on the proposedfacility, the M50 (Red Cow Interchange)and adjacentfactories all contributedto a Lq level of 56.6 dB(A) at this location. The characterof the industrial estate’scontinuous noise events also has an influenceon the Llo 58.8 dB(A) and Lgo53.3 dB(A) values,which would not be consideredto be particularly high. However the Lgo value at N4 is the lowest for all of the locations monitoredduring the daytimeperiod.
Location N5 is situated at a location which is adjacentto a busy road section within the industrial estate on the western boundary. A significant amount of traffic passesby this location to accessthe M50 via the Red Cow interchange.Traffic noise is the predominant noise sourceat this locationand this is indicatedby an L,, level of 55.8 dB(A). The Llo and Lgoparameters at this locationare not particularly high. The Lgovalue of 53.6 dB(A) is a good For inspection purposes only. indicator of backgroundnoise Consent levels of copyright and owner this required result for any is otherinfluenced use. by the continuousnature of
the traffic movementsin the industrialestate. The Llo value of 57.4 dB(A) is consideredhigh and is influencedprimarily by passingtraffic. The results of a traffic survey completedby Bord na Mona on 271hMay 2004 estimatedthat during the morning period, approximately 20% of the total vehicle movementsat N5 were HGV’s. This would account for up to 74 HGV’s passingthis location during the monitoring period. There were also 2 occurrencesof aircraft passingoverhead during the survey.
Night-time Noise Night-time noise levels at the site rangedbetween L,, 46.4 dB(A) to 62.5 dB(A) and was mainly dueto traffic noise on Ballymount Road Upper, the M50 motorway and N7 Roadway (city-side), distant intermittent traffic noise on Naas Road, Long Mile Road and Ballymount a Road Lower leadingto the Walkinstown area, and noise associatedwith the operation of 1 Bard no Mdna Technical ServicesPage
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_‘, EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 ‘..‘,: ;‘_ .’ -& - - --.- - -_ _ .- -- - -.. -- ‘-__ .- - _- -_ - ._._ -.-. .A.-.. .A.,- .- .,.;&; - .._ .-_.- .-. _ .-. ._ - ______._ - .- -_-- -._ -. : :&.- : , ,:,,,,, ,-.::-in,:.,.,y ::%:>~.+s-.:;- .. _;. .:.?-:::.&g, I,._), _:j‘, .I; :;: T:.-y adjacent factories. The majority of the noise events that were subjectively noted during monitoring were primarily from off site sources,since no activity actuallytakes place at the proposedwaste recycling and processingfacility at present.All of the Leq dB(A) results for all of the locationsmonitored are abovethe night-time noise limit stipulatedby the EPA for licensedfacilities of 45 dB(Aj. This result may be expecteddue to the volume of traffic in the Ballymount areathroughout the night. Location Nl is locatedclose to a private dwelling on Ballymount RoadUpper approximately 180m fi-om the site boundary. This is a sensitive receptor and is at a location which experienceshigh levelsof traffic, as there are a numberof facilities in the industrialestate that operatestwenty four hours per day, sevendays per week, with the operationof mechanical devices restricted to 06:30 and 23:30. Although there is a significant drop off in traffic movementsduring the night time period, noiselevels arestill consideredto be quite high, with an L,, level of 60.4 dB(A). However due to its urbanand industriallocation on the edgeof a major city, this locationis affectedby high backgroundnoise levels emanatingTom the M50 motorway and the Red Cow interchange.This is supportedby an LEOvalue of 43.0 dB(A) and an Llc value of 55.1 dB(A). LocationN2 is situatedon the northern boundaryof the facility and the L,, 52.9 db(A) level is above the EPA stipulatedguideline for night time noise limits of 45dB(A). This value was For inspection purposes only. affectedby traffic on the industrialConsent of copyrightestate ownerroads, requiredwith for any particular other use. influence fi-om HGV’s passing a intermittently. However it was subjectivelynoted that backgroundnoise levels emanatedfrom the M50 & Red Cow interchangeand adjacentfactories. The LEOvalue of 40.1 dB(A) for N2 was the lowest recorded I& value throughout the night time monitoring survey for all locations.The Lie 45.2 dB(A) is not particularly high and this value is more likely to reflect 5:. short intermittent noiseevents.. Samplingat locationN3 resultedin the lowest L,, value46.4 dB(A) being recordedfor all the locationsmonitored. It was subjectivelynoted that the Les level at this location would have beeninfluenced by noise fi-om traffic on the M50 & Red Cow interchange,HGV’s & motor cycle activity and intermittent traffic in the industrial estate.The Lgovalue of 42.5 dB(A) is consideredlow and is a good indicator of generalbackground noise levels. The incidenceof Bord na Mdna Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited ,_:_i intermittent noise events at this location, is supported by the Lro 49.2 B(A) value and the I subjective notes taken throughout the sampling period. ;.“I ,.- The Les result of 47.0 &(A) at location N4 is influenced by background noise from an II-’ adjacent facility such as forklift trucks moving and reversing, metal containers being transported and trucks reversing, background noise from traffic on the M50 & Red Cow interchange, aircraft flying overhead and a helicopter flying low over the proposed facility. The Lgo result at N4 is 40.4 dB(A). This indicates that for 90 percent of the sampling time, noise levels did not rise above 45 B(A). This is corroborated by subjective notes taken during ,. sampling which indicates that noise events were short in duration. The Llo value recorded at N5 is 52.0 dE3(A). Subjective notes recorded during the sampling period, identifies iiGV’s and the movement of equipment and machinery in an adjacent facility as the main sources of noise contributing to this result. The I& level of 43.5 dB(A) is considered low and is below the night time noise limit of 45 dB(A) stipulated by the EPA. In summary, both the day and night-time results show high background noise levels at all locations associated with activities and traffic movements at nearby facilities and background noise associated with large. volumes of traffic on the surrounding road network (M7, M50, Longmile Road). For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited 3.7.3 Environmental Impacts ,;_: -: ,’ Construction Phase .j I: Noise ; The constructionphase is expectedto take place over a period of 6-12 months and activities will generally be restricted to daylight hours between 8.OOamand 18:OOpm.Weekend constructionwork is to be restrictedto Saturdaymornings only (9:00&n- 13:OOpr-n).During the various stagesof the construction phase,noise will be generateddue to the use of constructionequipment with a potentialto generatenoise: :, 0 .,.-.,^.::.; l Sitepreparation and constructionof the proposedsite buildingsand landscapingof the site surface (noisemay be generatedby heavy goodsvehicles removing spoil and delivering materials, earth moving machinery such as excavators,bulldozers and dumptrucks l Delivery and positioningof plant machinery,noise fi-om the shovel loaders and moving/reversinglorries. : i: :,: : The SoundPower Levels of the equipmentthat may be used during the constructionphase of ” the proposeddevelopment is presentedin Table3.7/4: TABLE 3.7/4 : PREDICTED EQUIPMENT NOISE LEVELS 1’ PlantEquipment PredictedLa Tractor Scraper For inspection purposes only. 113atlm Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Dozer 112at lm SmallArticulated Dump Truck (to be usedin 105at lm berm forming/removalof overburden) Rigid Body Dump Truck 119at lm Hydraulic Excavator 110at lm Constructionnoise impacts will be assessedin accordancewith BS 5228:1997- Noise and vibration control on constructionand open sites. This standarddoes not however specify noise limits for construction activities but does recognise that since the activities are temporary,noise limits higher than thoseassociated with permanentinstallations are generally acceptablein the community. Internationalpractice dictates that noise limits in the rangeLACK, lhr of 65 to 75dB aregenerally acceptable for daytime constructionactivities. Bord na Mdna Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited Assuming a target community noise exposure level of 65 to 75dB(A) as previously mentioned, the permissible sound pressure level (L& associated with site construction activities is calculated as follows. The nearest noise sensitive location is located 180m away from the current site boundary where the noisiest construction activities are likely to occur. Assuming a minimal ground-air attenuation of 3dB, the sound pressure level allowed at the construction site to meet the requirement of a community noise exposure in the range LACK,ihr’of 65 to 75 is calculated as: L,, = (65 to 75) + 3 + (20 log180 + 8) = 119 to 130 dB The maximum noise levels associated with individual construction activities at the proposed development will not generally exceed 120dB(A) resulting in a predicted community exposure level at the nearest sensitive receptor of 69dB(A). ..,.I As previously mentioned, the construction activities are not continuous, hence the ~~~~ i_ ..’ experienced at the nearest sensitive receptor will be even lower than this value. In summary, construction works will temporarily increase the noise levels in the immediate vicinity during the construction phases of the project, due to the use of excavation, landscaping, soil removal and construction of associatedground works and site buildings. Taking into account the fact that on-site construction activities shall occur during normal working hours and shall employ good engineering and noise mitigation measures where required, it is considered that the noise impacts on the local environment during the construction phase of the proposed For development inspection purposes only.will not be significant. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. ‘/ Vibration a The method of construction and the current state of the site indicates that there will be no major vibration sources during construction phase. , ;. ,..‘7,. ‘;::’ Operation Phase 1: : 2.;-~ Noise The waste recycling and processing facility will be open twenty four hours per day, seven days a week, with the operation of mechanical devices restricted to between 06:30 to 23:30. 1’ However the majority of the traffic movements to and from the site between 06:OOand 22:00 Monday to Sunday and with only limited movements occurring outside these hours. Waste is not removed to or from the site after 22:00 hours. .a Bord na Mdna Technical ServicesPage 90 1 : :.. ,_ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigea EnvironmentalLimited The main noise sourcesduring the operationalphase of the waste recycling and processing _’ facility arelikely to include: .I .’.’ 0 Lorries enteringand leaving the site l EmployeeVehicles entering & leavingthe site. -_ l Timber shredder ., l Skid SteerLoader (Mustang 2070) 0 Loadingshovel 0 ScreeningEquipment (Trommel, OCC / ONP StarScreens ‘& Conveyors). i 0 Ballistic Separator 0 Balers SourceNoise Predictions: Tables3.74 and 3.7/6 below show the predictednoise impact at the nearestsensitive receptor from “he soundpressure reference levels for the proposedequipment likely to be used during normal operations.These predictions account for the normal hoursof operationfrom 06:OOto 22:00 and out of hours operationsbetween 22:00 and 06:00, when onsite activity will be significantlyreduced. To predictthe noiselevel of identified on-sitenoise sourcesat the noisesensitive locations the ’ soundpressure reference level of each sourcewas obtainedat a referencedistance within its near field, usually lm. This referencelevel is in most casesprovided by the manufacturerof specificitems of equipmentand in other caseswas obtainedby actualnoise measurements for . operatingequipment in similar wasteprocessing facilities. Predictionsshall be carriedout by For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. employingthe inverse squarelaw, which is a ‘Yule-of-thumb” usedto calculatethe expected ,, 0 reductionin noise levels as one movesaway from the source. Generally,as one doublesthe distancefrom the source,a reduction of 6 dB is expected.Within a confinedspace, however, this rule doesnot apply due to reflection where a diffuse field is set up at a level higher than that expectedfrom this law. The graphbelow indicatesthe expectedreduction in soundlevel as onemoves away from the source. The curveflattens out asthe distanceincreases due to the logarithmicfunction that determinesthe noiselevel at a particulardistance. Graphicallythis may be representedas follows on Figure3.7/l below: EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Reduction in dB -Inverse Law Distance (M) TheInverse Square law is definedas. Lpa= Lpl - 20 Log (R2/Rl) is the calculatedsound pressure level at R2 meterstowards the receiver LP2 _ location ) LPl is the measuredreference sound pressurelevel at RI meters Corn the :. source ,~,’ 2:;t ,, .‘,.,-;.‘ Table 3.715: Sound Pressure Reference IeveIs for the proposed equipment to be employed at the waste recycling and processing facility and their predicted noise impact- Skip Waste BuiIding Proposed SPL Ref. Distance (m) of Noise Predicted Noise Levels (dl3 Equipment dBA Source(s) to Noise Sensitive 4 Location(s) At the Noise Sensitive For inspection purposes only. Locations Consent of copyright owner required(&pox.) for any other nOte use.I NSLl NSLl Screening Machine 76@20m 300 52.5 Truck Delivering 90@lm 300 40.5 Forklift operating 78.6@1m 300 29.1 Volvo Loader 90@lm 300 40.5 Skid Steer Loader 84@lm 300 34.5 Accumulative 53.1 Noise when working in unison Accumulative Noise when working in unison taking into account building / - 48.1 barrier attenuation of at least 5 WA) Bord na M&a Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42,_,_.,::;” Table 3.7/6: Sound Pressure Reference levels for the proposed equipment to be employed at the waste recycling and processing facility and their predicted noise impact- Dry Recyclables Building Proposed SPL Ref. Distance (m) of Noise Predicted Noise Levels (dB Equipment dBA Source(s) to Noise Sensitive A> Location(s) At the Noise Sensitive (Approx.) noteI Locations NSLl NSLl Screening Machine 76@20m 400 49.9 Truck Delivering 90@lm 400 38 Forklift operating 78.6@1m 400 26.5 Volvo Loader 90@lm 400 38 Skid Steer Loader 84@lm 400 32 Accumula tivc 50.5 Noise when wor?cing in unison Accwzulahe Noise when working in unison taking into account building / 45.5 barrier attenuation of at least 5 d&W Sound pressure reference levels used in predictive noise monitoring are generally taken fkom - the design specifications for each plant equipment as provided by the manufacturer. At this . . time, Ox&en Environmental Limited cannot provide a comprehensive list of the plant that they intend to utilise at the Sallymount waste recycling and processing facility. Therefore the above assessment was based on a For generic inspection purposeslist of only. equipment that is likely to ,be used during Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. normal operations and which has been used on similar noise impact prediction surveys. The sound pressure reference levels for the trommels were not available during the preparation of ‘. the source noise prediction calculations. However, since each trommel will be located indoors, ‘,’ its noise contribution at the boundary or nearest sensitive receptor is not likely to be of significance. ’,_‘..2 From the results of the noise prediction calculations it is shown that the noise contribution =” from each of the buildings is below the baseline day time and night time levels experienced at ‘, the nearest sensitive location, Nl. In the event that all plant and machinery was operating - simultaneously in both buildings the daytime level predicted at the nearest sensitive receptor would be 50 dB. In the absence of national guidance notes, the British Environmental Protection Agency guidance values as stated in the Horizontal Guidance for Noise; Part 2 - Noise Assessment and Control ( see http://www.environment- .I aaencv.nov.uWcommondatall053Wh3 pt2 iune 2004 v3 353249.pdf ) are used. These state that ‘.... if there is a d&jTerencein level of 10 dB or more then contribution of the lower :__ Bord na Mdna Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited Environmental Impact Statement source can be disregarded’. Therefore as the differencebetween the lower source (in this casethe noise from the plant, which is 50 dB) and the higher source(the backgroundnoise level, which is 63.5 dB), is greaterthan 10 dI3, it canbe concludedthat that the noisefi-om the plant would have a minimal impact on the baselinenoise level. 3.7.4 MITIGATION MEASURES Construction Phase Noise The constructionphase of the proposeddevelopment will occur over a period of 6 monthsand will be restricted to daylight hours, typically between 8am and 6pm. The most significant noise impacts will occur during the initial site preparationphase. This will be of short durationand hence any impact will be finite. It is therefore contendedthat due to the relatively short duration of the constructionphase of the proposeddevelopment, the noise impact on the nearestsensitive receptors are not likely to be of significance. All construction plant and equipment will comply with the European Connnunities (ConstructionPlant and Equipment) (PermissibleNoise Levels) Regulations1988, (Statutory InstrumentNo. 320 of 1988).Typical noiselevels for constructionmachinery ranges from 119 to 130 dB at lm. However, the negativeimpact causedby this disturbancewill be minimised due to short term constructionphase timeframe. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. There are severalmitigation measuresthat can be put in place to further reducenoise levels impactingon the receivingenvironment. These include: 0 Propertraining of operatorsin equipmentuse to minimisenoise generation,excessive rewing of engines,ensuring that vehiclesare operated with noisecontrol hoods closed. l Proper maintenanceof vehiclesand equipment,checking the efficiency of silencers, lubricationof bearings l The control of on-site activities through the implementationof good management practiceswill combineto ensurethat the noisegenerated at the site will not have any undesirableeffects on the existingneighbouring environment. l Selection of plant with low inherent potential for generation of noise and / or vibration Bord na Mdna Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Limited Vibration It is not anticipatedthat any vibration will occurduring the constructionphase of the site as no major excavationor blastingrequired. Therefore no mitigation is required , -_ Operation Phase :. : i Noise The main noise sourceslisted aboveare not likely to be operatingcontinuously during the day and therefore, any impact will not be of a continuousnature. Also, it is proposedthat all operationsconcerning sorting / recycling of materialwill take place indoors and thus further reducing the potentialimpact from noise sources.However the mitigation measuresdetailed below shouldapply to any outdooractivities associated with the operationof the plant and when the plantbuilding entrances / exits (includingloading bay doors)are open. There are severalmitigation measuresthat can be put in place to further reducenoise levels impactingon the receivingenvironment. i: .,^, Theseinclude: .-. 0 Propertraining of operatorsin equipmentuse to minim&e noise generation,excessive I revving of engines,ensuring that vehiclesare operated with noisecontrol hoods closed; : l Proper maintenanceof vehicles and equipment,including the conveyors,screening ‘. equipment,shovel loaders and compactingmachinery. l Monitoring of site noise levels to ensure complianceand implementationof cost effectivecontrol measures. .’ l The control of on-site activities through the implementationof good management For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. practiceswill combineto ensurethat the noise generatedat the site will not have any undesirableeffects on the existingneighbouring environment. l Selection of plant with low inherent potential for generation of noise and / or vibration l The closureof all doorson the main plant building. Vibration It is not anticipatedthat any vibration will occur during the operationalphase of the site. Thereforeno mitigation is required. Bard na Mdna Technical ServicesPage EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 3.8.1 Introduction This sectionof the EnvironmentalImpact Statement(EIS) examinesthe expectedvolumes of ’ traffic that will be generatedas a result of the proposeddevelopment and its impact on the :;, surroundingroad network. ._:: 3.8.2 Overview of the Road Network and Traffic Volumes (1) ExistingRoad Network The locationof the proposeddevelopment site with regardto the local network is shown in Figure 3.8/l below. The site is locatedapproximately 0.5 km eastof the M50 motorway, southeastof me Red Cow Roundabout.The site is locatedwithin the Ballymount IndustrialEstate, and is located on a brownfield site that was previously operatedas steelworks.The proposeddevelopment will use the existing entranceto the site. The site is borderedon all four sidesby roads,namely the Ballymount Road Lower to the south, Turnpike Road to the west and to the north and eastby internal industrialestate access roads. Figure 3.8/l Local Road Network For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Traffic accessingthe proposeddevelopment will approachthe site either from Walkinstown Cross,the M50 or the Red Cow Roundaboutvia BallymountRoad Lower and Turnpike Road. The -_ sameroutes will be usedby traffic exiting the site. Ballymount Road Lower and Turnpike Road are singletwo-lane carriageways,both having approximatewidth of 7.5 m. The generalsurfacing : .’- and structureof the roadsis consideredgood, -. ;-.‘:: Bord na Mdna, Technical Services Pane 96 ,~ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. (2) Existinrz Traffic Volumes In assessingthe existing traffic situation at any site proposedfor development,traffic impact analysismust be basedon reliableand up to date dataobtained through recognised and appropriate data collectionmethods. The capacityand operation of a road network systemis dependenton. the junctions within that network and it is the operation of thesejunctions which determinethe capacityand vehicle delay on the system. The main corridorsupon which the traffic generatedby the proposeddevelopment will have an impact are the Ballymount Road Lower and Turnpike In order to assessthe currenttraffic conditionson the road network appropriateto the development :’ site, a traffic and transportationsurvey was carried out at the site. In order to determinethe ‘: potential impact of the developmenttwo locationswere chosento undertakethe survey, which were: : l T-junctionbetween the IndustrialEstate access road andTurnpike Road, and l T-junctionbetween the IndustrialEstate access road andBallymount Road Lower. A traffic survey was carried out on the 27* May 2004, for both the morning and eveningpeak Table 3.8/l: Existing Traffic Volumes at Turnpike Road Junction (AM) Turning left Turning From North From South North South Start Time from access right from bound to bound to bound bound road accessroad accessroad accessroad 7:30 94 37 4 1 5 4 7:45 109 35 8 0 4 2 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 8:00 117 44 10 3 18 10 8:15 161 37 15 3 17 10 8:30 159 40 12 1 13 11 8:45 183 43 8 5 16 9 9:oo 153 52 6 5 15 9 9:15 167 43 14 4 12 4 9:30 171 43 11 4 11 6 9:45 140 41 14 10 1 6 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Table 3.8/2: Existing Traffic Volumes at Turnpike Road Junction (PM) Turning left Turning From North From South North South Start Time from access right from bound to bound to bound bound road accessroad accessroad accessroad ., l&30 36 23 36 5 0 4 16:45 50 16 35 0 0 3 17:oo 40 12 35 0 0 2 :., 17:15 48 8 37 1 0 0 : : :.. 17:30 42 6 36 0 1 1 .: 17:45 59 8 46 0 1 1 :. l&O0 50 13 45 0 1 1 ,_i 18:15 51 11 38 0 1 1 .,‘- .,‘,’ : r Table 3.8/3: Existing Traffic Volumes at BalIymount Road Lower Junction (AM) Turning From West From East right from bound to bound to accessroad accessroad accessroad 4 16 10 .i 7 20 7 4 29 12 ; ~, 18 42 10 .,__’ 12 24 10. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.12 12 11 .: 12 14 12 ,*x~. 11 13 9 .: 15 17 4 12 10 3 L EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:42 Table 3.8/4: Existing Traffic Volumes at Ballymount Road Lower Junction (PM) Turning left Turning From West From East Start Time West bound East bound from access right from bound to bound to ; road accessroad accessroad accessroad’ 16:30 77 96 5 41 64 8 I 16:45 67 49 6 49 65 3 ,’ 17:oo 59 74 9 55 42 7 ;,: 17:15 27 54 2 23 40 4 _I 17:30 38 53 0 26 54 6 17:45 51 58 2 29 40 4 18:00 62 50 1 31 23 5 _: 0 18:15 70 38 7 16 18 11 ‘. The traffic survey results can be shown in the following figures, with evening figures in brackets “’ (Figure 3.8/2 and 3.8/3) Figure 3.8/2: Peak time figures for Turnpike Road. Access road 102 (308) .’_, 71(13) For inspection purposes only. tConsent of copyright owner required for any other use. ‘, -0 Turnpike Road 117 (4.l 4 1454(37hJ Figure 3.8/3: Peak time figures for Ballymount Road Lower. I Access road 88 (48) t 1324 (472) I Ballymount Road Lower 4 1333 (451) _ -. .,‘L Bord na M&a, Technical Services Page IO0 : ..I_... ((,.i, ., ;:.: :> EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43,~.::a Oxigen Environmental Ltd. (3) ProposedRoad Development within the vicinitv of the site. To determine the proposeddevelopment planned for the existing road network, the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and the County DevelopmentPlan for South Dublin County Council(Draft 2004 - 2010) were consulted.The National Development Plan (NDP) ‘is laying the foundation for Ireland’s further economicand social development’,of which road developments and improvementsplay a key role. National and regional road developmentplans have been outlinedwhich will be undertakenby the newly establishedRoad DesignDepartments within each County Council. As part of the NDP the MS0 motorway is to be completed once the archaeologicalinvestigations at Carrickmineshas beencompleted, and the Red Cow Roundabout will be upgradedto incorporatethe Lucas light rail network inh-astructure. The M50 motorway andRed Cow Roundaboutwill be integralto the accessto the site for operationalvehicles. The specific objectives (Part 3) within the Draft County DevelopmentPlan for South Dublin ‘CountyCouncil provide for ‘the improvementof the road network to cater for the transportation requirementsof the County’. The developmentplan has set out two specifictime frames for road developmenti.e. six year roads objective (for lifetime of developmentplan) and long term objectives.Within both time frames the BallymountRoad Lower has beenidentified as a road that requiresimprovement, with the M50 set out in the six year road objectivesfor an upgrade. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. ! :; ::_: 3.8.3 Environmental Impacts Traffic generation from the site The maximum amount of waste that will be accepted at the facility will be 350,000 tonnes per year. The predicted maximum volume of waste that will be accepted at the facility will be 7,000 tonnes of material per week based on an average weight of 15 tonnes per refuse vehicle (based on typical weights recorded by Oxigen Environmental Ltd.). Nevertheless the worst case scenario is assumed for the traffic predictions. The waste will be transported to and from the site by 15 tonne refuse vehicles and skip trucks. Traffic movements will also consist of road sweepers which will be parked in the facility overnight. The waste facility is expected to operate twenty four hours a day seven days a week (with the exception of mechanical devices which will be restricted to between 06:30 to 23:30), with the majority of the traffic movements to and from the site between 06:OO and 22:00 Monday to Sunday, with limited movements occurring outside these hours.. These hours may vary depending on market demand. The acceptance of 350,000 tonnes of material at the site will require 480 inbound and 480 outbound trips per week. This can be broken down to 80 inbound and 80 outbound trips per day, or a maximum of approximately 160 lorry movements (two-way) per day. There will be approximately an additional 20 (two way) movements per day from road sweepers, and ancillary vehicles servicing the site. Processed waste shall be removed off site by the ninety outgoing vehicles, which will bring it to its final destination prior to collecting the next load. The waste recycling and processing facility will employ 80 full time employees, however there is a separate entrance servicing the office building (see Drawing D.l), which will be used by employees at the site. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. It is necessary to distribute this traffic onto the road network based upon the functional area for the waste collection. Traffic movements associated with the waste recycling and processing facility will primarily be that of refuse vehicles and skip trucks entering the site laden with waste and outbound vehicles empty after discharging its load. It is predicted that the proposed development will require approximately three to four years before it will reach the maximum traffic movement figures as outlined above, and that during the initial phases during which the facility shall be operated under the Waste Permit (WPR 041) the traffic movements will be approximately 74 per day (i.e. 37 inbound and 37 outbound). Junction Analvsis The impacts of the development on the existing road network are likely to be encountered at either the junction with Turnpike Road or Ballymount Road Lower. In order to determine the impact in terms of junction operation and capacity from the proposed development, an analysis of the junction was carried out using the computer modelling program PICADY4 (Priority Intersection Capacity and Delay) produced by the Transport Research Laboratory (UK). This programme is Bord na M&a, Technical Services Page IO2 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. EnviroizmentalImpact Statement used to predict the capacities,queue lengths and delaysat junctions. The programmegives the Ratio of Flow to Capacity (RFC), and the length and queuingdelay. The R?C is usedto access the capabilityof the junction in terms of traffic movement. An RFC of 0.850 or lessis considered to be acceptableduring the peakperiod. An RJX of this value indicatesthat a junction is at 85% of it’s operaticnalcapacity with a reservecapacity of 15%. In order to assessthe predictedimpacts of the traffic the following assumptionswere made: l That traffic would approachand exit the site in equalnumbers fi-om the left and right of the entrance l Themajority of the traffic would havean origin within the GreaterDublin Area. The programmewas carried out using the maximum predictedtraffic movementsfor the facility (i.e. 180 movementsper day), and using the existingtraffic volumesfrom the peak hoursnamely 07:30 to 10:00and 16:30 to 18:30. A full copy of the PICADY4 results are given in Appendix5 with a summaryof the resultsgiven below in Tables3.8/5 and 3.816.. Junction . . For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Table 3.8% Queuing Delay Information for Proposed development at Ballymount Rd. Lower Total demand Queuing Delay Vehicles 1 Veh/hr minutes 1 iWns/veh Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page 103 ..-,,, ; ,.. ., EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43,.. _; ,I:- ;;: Oxigen Environmental Ltd. .’ *~;‘,.; All 1421.7 947.8 1.81.6 0.13 11~~0.647 ,‘ '..: ,~ The results of the computermodelling indicatethat at both junctions the predictedRatio of Flow : to Capacity (RX) value is lessthan 0.85 and thereforethe impact due to the increasein traffic : numberscan be accommodatedby the existingroad network. -‘. i ,, 3.8.4 Mitigation Measures .s ,-. The following traffic managementmeasures are proposed to ensurethe free flow of traffic during the life-time of the wasterecycling andprocessing facility: A regular inspection of the public highway will be undertaken and in the event of significantquantities of mud on the road, the road shall be swept accordingly.The road will alsobe inspectedfor any vcindblown litter, which will be collectedaccordingly. All - trucks shallbe suitablycovered to preventthe accumulationof litter during transport. , The site entranceis locatedto the north eastof the site, with a systemof two weighbridges that will allow for two vehiclesto be enteringor leavingthe site at the sametime without contributingto the overallqueue system. ,..- -.i .’ _j”,, Signswill be placed on the approachesto the waste recycling and processingfacility, which will designatethe location of the facility and also warn traffic of heavy vehicles turning. Traffic to and from the site till For inspectionnot be purposes permitted only. to park on the public roadway or to Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. impedethe free flow of traffic on the adjoiningroad network. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen EnvironmentalLtd. EnvironmentalImpact Statement 3.9 CLIMATIC FACTORS 3.9.1 Introduction Climate changehas been identified as the most significantworldwide environmental problem today. In order to stabiliseglobal emissions,cuts of up to 70% in global emissionsare necessary. It is expectedthat the EU will reduce emissionsby 8% overall by 2012 under the Kyoto agreement.As part of the EU target, Ireland has agreedto limit the growth in greenhousegas emissionsby 13% abovethe 1990levels. (National Climate ChangeStrategy, October 2000, Dept of Environment and Local Government) The characterisationof the climatic conditionsprevailing at the Ballymount Industrial Estate was conducted utilising historical meteorological data compiled by the MeteorologicalService. There is no site specificclimatic information availablefor the specific study area, so information was obtained from the nearest climatological station, which was CasementAerodrome (approximately10 km south west of the site). It can be consideredthat the prevailing climatic conditions at Ballymount Industrial Estatewould be similar to that in CasementAerodrome, as there are only smalltopographical variations between the weatherstation and the site. 3.9.2 Baseline Data (1) Wind Monthly meanwind speedsrecorded at CasementAerodrome during the period 1968 For inspection purposes only. to 1996 arepresented in TableConsent 3.9/l, of copyright while owner the required percentage for any other use.frequency of wind speeds occurringduring the period 1981to 2000 is presentedin Table3.9/2. As illustratedin the wind speedand the wind frequencysummary table (period 1981to 2000) for the Casementmeteorological data presentedin Appendix 6 a higher percentageof winds in the area are experiencedin the range 200” to 270” from north, i.e. ranging from south southwestto west. Moderateto gentlebreezes (3.4 to 7.9 m/s) dominatein the area (50% of the year). The strongestwinds (greater than llknots / 5Sm/s) occur during the period from October to March, with the averagemonthly wind speeds during this period ranging from 5.6 m/s to 7.0 m/s (11.2 to 14.1 knots). Low wind conditions(~3.3 m/s) are experiencedat the site for approximately28% of the year, predominatelyduring the summer months, with the averagemonthly wind speeds during the April to Septemberperiod ranging from 4.7 m/s to 5.4 m/s (8.7 to 10.1 knots). Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page 105 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement 1 TABLE 3.9.2: Percentagefrequency of wind speedsat CasementAerodrome 1981- 2000 1 Total Percentage Wind Speed Wind Speed BeaufortScale Frequency- All months (knots) DescriptiveTerm (m/s> 1981to 2000 Cl o-o.2 Calm 2.0 l-3 0.3 - 1.8 Light air 11.3 4-6 1.8-3.3 Lightbreeze 14.6 7-10 3.4-5.4 Gentlebreeze 23.0 11-16 5.5 - 7.9 Moderatebreeze 26.8 17-21 1 8.0-10.7 1 Freshbreeze I 13.0 22-27 10.8- 13.8 Strongbreeze 7.0 28-33 13.9- 17.1 Neargale 1.9 34-40 17.2- 20.7 Gale 0.4 41-47 20.8 - 24.4 Stronggale 0.05 48-55 24.5 - 28.4 storm 0.003 (2) Precipitation Averagemonthly and annualrates of precipitationover the period of 1968- 1996 for Casementare presentedin Table 3.9/3. The results indicatethat the annualaverage rate of precipitationin this areais 711.7 mm. Long term monthly meanprecipitation For inspection purposes only. rates rangingfrom 48.9 mmConsent to 73.1 of copyright mm owner with required the for highest any other use.monthly rainfalls occurring between the months of October to January. During winter the rainfall will be commonly associatedwith Atlantic frontal depressionswhereas during the summer monthshigh rainfall amountswill tend to be associatedwith intensethundery showers which may be localisedin rainfall intensity. w 3.9/3: Precipitation Rates at Casement Climatological Station 1968 - 1996 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement (3) Air Temperature Thepattern of long-termdaily temperaturesat Casement1968-1996 is shownin Table 3.9/4. Air temperatureranges from a meanmonthly temperatureof 4.6”C in February to 152°C in July. The averageannual temperature (28 year average)is approximately 9.3”C. The highest mean daily maximum temperatureof 19.7”C occurs during the month of July. The extreme maximum and minimum temperaturesand humidity values for the period are shown in Appendix 6. Climatological scientists have calculatedthat there has been an increaseof 0.6”C f 0.2”C in the global average surfaceair temperaturesince 1860. Known more commonlyas ‘globalwarming’, this is thought to result from increasedatmospheric concentrations of greenhousegases which arediscussed in further detailbelow. ( Table 3.9/4: Air Temperature at CasementClimatologicaI Station 1968- 1996 OC J FM A’M J J ASONDAnn Mean 4.9 4.6 6.0 7.5 10.1 13.1 15.2 14.8 12.6 10.1 6.7 5.6 9.3 Daily 78’ 76. 96. 11.8 14.6 17.7 19.7 19.3 16.8 13.6 9.9 8.3 13.1 Maximum _’ ‘,, 3.9.3 Environmental Impacts All new developmentswill result in the releaseof greenhousegases, as all will involve the burning of fossil fuels, either directly or indirectly. Accordingly, the development,while not energyintensive will result in the releaseof greenhousegases to the atmosphere. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. The main sourceof air emissionsfi-om operationsat the proposeddevelopment that may havethe potentialto contributeto atmosphericconcentrations of the pollutantsof climatic concern(primarily CO2,NOx and SOz)would be vehicular/traffic. Adherenceto the mitigation measuresas mentionedin previous sections(namely air and traffic) and good site practiceduring both the constructionand operationphases of the proposeddevelopment will ensurethat the overall impact of air emissionswill not be significant. 3.9.4 Mitigation Measures The use of energy efficient technologiesin the developmentwill minimise the pollution load generatedby the development.Trucks deliveringwaste to the site will not be allowedto leavetheir enginesidling. Bard na Mdna, Technical Services Page 107 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 “,._’ .,s ; .’1’ )‘, :;y.: i .,.‘Ii _. ,. ;.,:’. . y-r‘.:.::-;,. .I< ,.,’ _‘. *..>:ii’:. . . _ .. ;;;.;ci;@ :.:., ‘1.,’ :i >’ ‘.‘-;=,t y,~*~~~:~~‘.;*>; Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement a -:.I In addition, the following piecesof legislation,technological advances and project designattributes will meanthe contributionof carbon dioxide, sulphurdioxide and the oxides of nitrogen associatedwith on-site traffic movementsto local climate change/atmospheric changes, are likely to be minimal: ‘..,> l compulsoryagreements between the EuropeanCommission and automobile manufacturers’to increasefuel efficiency and limit CO2 emissionsfrom new cars. -,‘.. ,.;, l the implementationof the Air Pollution Act for the sulphurcontent in petrol and dieselfuels. _: .“._ ..I.. . ;i.,’ :A:;;:, -‘,./ .’ :(~ .,i.l ,.~, :-;., .:,. l ::., r.*.‘$ j;,+:.. ::i ._, b.*:;&:;...:.>g;._” $5.;r,.’:a,‘.:’.:,: . ;.,,: i->‘;,,‘p-s:,“;;;;5$ jy;,s*,,:(_2’1:;, r,.k”,:.~gc$,,3-:-“’; g$$.~;;g&;;-0.<..._i ,,,, .; z&fq+~~*&i..,-L: ,. $g+&)~$&f;p:;..^*.,_ar^r>Eaa‘r;;,,.;.. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. _. ‘” ,.& /. ^“-):. .,‘ -,.,. i..I-;,/(.. il .._I.j ai_ .biii’..,.: _, _:..ig‘.:, -;.. :, J.,,.‘.j‘ r* $\-“,,,. il’t. / ., Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page 108 y, :>;, _. ‘... i ,. ~ .’ -;-.,.;* EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43“-. ;,.-.-.: ‘,:e;, :: Oxigen Environmental Ltd. 3.10 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACTS >-) 3.10.1 Introduction The waste transfer and processing facility is located within a busy industrial estate, approximately0.5 kilometresoff the M50, to the south eastof the Red Cow Roundabout.The site is borderedon all four sidesby roadsnamely Turnpike Road, Ballymount Road Lower and a continuousestate access road. The site entranceis locatedto the north eastof the site, with accessto the site via either the TurnpikeRoad or Bally-mountRoad Lower. Theseroads are closelyconnected to the national ’ 1’ primary road, N7, the Dublin motorway M50, or to tertiary Dublin roadswhich will alloti accessto the markets throughoutDublin city. There are very few residentialbuildings within the vicinity of the facility. :. ‘. ,1:‘:-:i The site was operatedas a steel works by Corus Steel Ltd. (formerly Steel Company of Ireland Ltd.) until December2003, when it was purchasedby OxigenEnvironmental Ltd. for the purposeof operatingit as a modem waste transfer and processingfacility for their current client base. ..: 3.102 BaselineVisual and LandscapeAssessment Local topography,local screeningvegetation (i.e. densityof trees growing in the local area) and adjacentactivities will determine For inspectionthe purposes visibility only. of the site and its visibility from local Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. residencesand roads. Visibility will changewith the seasonsand the correspondingeffect on foliage. Road users will be the main group affected by the waste transfer and processing facility. The landscapeand visual impact of the waste transfer and processingfacility at Ballymount Industrial Estatewould be causedby the physical changein the appearanceof the site. The assessmentof the existing environmentin relation to landscapeand visual impacts focused , on: i.. .,:_ l Landscapecharacter, ,’ ,, l Context of the sitein relation to the surroundinglandscape, : : l Topwwb, ::; l Land use, ., l Visual, ,’ ‘., ‘> l Changein landscape, (/ -1. l Sensitivityof the landscapeand, .:- l Designationof site. -. ‘. (...^,. ;‘A Bard na M&a, Technical Services Page109 ?., i,. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 OxigenEnvironmental Ltd. Landscapecharacter The overall characterof the existing site landscapeis that of relatively low lying land in an urbanindustrialised setting. , The existing site was used as a steel works until December 2003, with the two large operationsbuildings and the office block still presenton site. The site is borderedon all four sides by roads, with industrial and commercial dwellings located beyond. There is a continuousearth bank that is locatedto the south east and travels to the south west of the facility. This earth bank provides cover for the existing buildings, and restricts views of the facility operationsfrom the two main routes. Landscapecontext The site lies within a largeindustrial estate, and is boundedon all sidesby the industrialestate road network. Topography The site of the wastetransfer and processingfacility lies at approximately59 m OD, with the earthenbanks rising to approximately63 m OD. The site would be classedas relatively fiat, with minimal variancesin the topography of the site. The site lies in the surface water catchmentof the River Liffey, andwithin the sub-catchmentof the River Camac. The sitewas operatedas a steelworks by CorusSteel Ltd (formerly SteelCompany of Ireland Ltd.) until December2003. It is proposedto commencedry recycling operationswithin the For inspection purposes only. site by October 2004 (subjectConsent of copyrightto planning owner required permission for any other use. requirements SD04N0358) in accordancewith the conditionsof the wastepermit WPR 041. , Visual : The site is not overlooked,due to the flat nature of the surroundingterrain. The number of houseswithin this areais limited dueto its zoningfor industrialuses. It is proposedto operate the facility within the existing buildings on the site, and to construct two buildings (see Section2) within the facility over the first five years.These buildings shallbe constructedin accordancewith the planning conditions as set out by South Dublin County Council. The earthenbanks to the south eastof the facility shall remain, with someadditional trees to be plantedto provide additionalcover from the busy road network. Changein Landscape The landscapecontext of the site and surroundingarea has progressivelychanged over the yearsfrom semi-rural to predominatelyindustrial allowing the zoning of specific areaswith the CountyDevelopment Plan. <.: ., ‘::’ . . ‘-’ ; Bord na Mdnu, Technical Services Page 110 ‘: --. . . EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43_; ,: Oxigen EnvironwlentalLtd. Sensitivitvof landscape The site would’ not be consideredsensitive due to the industrial/commercialnature of the surroundingareas. Desimation of the site Under Section9.3.2 of the Draft SouthDublin County CouncilDevelopment Plan, views and prospectsare protected. The protectedviews and prospectshave beenlisted in Table 13.9 of the draft plan. None of the protected views or prospectswill be impacted upon by this development. 3.10.3 Environmental Impacts The proposeddevelopment will be undertakenon an existing facility, with the existing buildingsto be usedas part of the process.It is proposedto constructtwo buildingsnear to the boundariesof the site. Thesebuildings will be constructedin accordancewith the conditions of the planningpermission granted by SouthDublin County Council, and will be designedin keepingwith the buildingson site, andwith the natureof the buildingssurround the facility. ., ( .C/*_ The site is borderedto the south by regionalroads, which servicesthe industrial estate.The impact on the generalpublic will be this aspectof the site. The existing earthenbanks with additionaltree planting shall reducethis overallimpact. 3.10.4 Mitigation Measures For inspection purposes only. The selectionof trees plantedConsentwill of copyrightbe appropriate owner required forto any the other siteuse. conditionsand narrow crowned trees will be selectedfor the traffic movementareas to minirnise the risk of future damage from high vehicles. The colour and finishesselected for all buildingsat the facility will continueto be selectedin accordancewith an overall colour schemeand will be muted in shadeand tone, taking into account the surroundingenvironment, the scale of the buildings concernedand the local EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 .- 3.11.l Introduction CulturalHeritage (Physical),in respectof a project, is assumedto includeall humanlycreated featureson the landscape,including portable artefacts,which might reflect the prehistoric, historic, architectural,engineering and/or social history of the area. 3.11.2 BaselineCultural Heritage Assessment ;r As part of the documentaryresearch, the following sourceswere examinedfrom which a list of .; sitesand areas of archaeologicalpotential was compiled: l Local historicaland archaeologicalrecords relevant to the study area; .- l County DevelopmentPlan for SouthDublin County Council x;>: From the Paper Survey, a list of archaeologicalsites and sites of archaeologicalinterest were identified. Cultural Heritage Sites Surroundingthe DevelopmentSite are shown in ,. figure 3.1 l/l. >. i > .’ Table 3.11/l List of Archaeologicalsites depicted in Figure 3.114 SITE NO. ADDRESS/LOCATION DESCRIPTION DUO17 - 077 Red Cow, NaasRoad Earthwork, Possiblesite DUO22 - 002 GreenhillsRoad Flat Cemetery For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 : ..‘-)’ :, j = ‘+g; ,I ... : ,: l:; .?Yj 1, IIa: t. ‘.~~;~“~; ;’ .i .:,y. !: : L j~;,.‘!.:.l.: . . ~..* -,b.. Uxigen EnvironmentalLtd. Environmental Impact Statement j ),.,. ,- Figure 3.11/l: Cultural Heritage Sites Surrounding the Development Site .’ (1) Archaeologv The closestrecorded archaeological site is DU017-077--- which is classifiedas an earthwork ‘.- site andis locatedapproximately 0.5 ktn to the northwestof the proposedsite in the townland of Red Cow. According to the files For inspection held by purposes the only. ArchaeologicalSurvey of Ireland, it is likely Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. that this site was destroyedduring the constructionof the Naas dual carriageway.There is a flat cemeterylocated adjacent to the WalkinstownCross, at GreenhillsRoad. This site DUO22 - 002 is locatedapproximately 2 km eastof the proposeddevelopment site. (2) Historv Thereare no known traditions associatedwith the site or its immediateenvirons. (3) Architecture There areno protectedstructures within the vicinity of the site. EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. 3.11.3 Environmental Impacts co Archaeology There are no identified sites of archaeologicalpotential or interest located within the boundariesof the site or within its environs. Consequently,it is not envisagedthat the development will have any negative physical impact on any such identified sites. Furthermore,it is not envisagedthat the developmentwill have any negativevisual impact on any sites in the generalenvirons of the developmentsite as none of these sites, as listed in table 3.1l/l, can be seenfrom anywherewithin the developmentarea. Topsoil stripping, groundreductions as part of the constructionof two buildings on site and generallandscaping works havethe potentialof revealinghitherto unknown sites,features and artefactsof archaeologicalpotential and interest.Furthermore, extant remains,whether or not previouslyidentified and recorded,also have the ability to be damagedor destroyed. (2) History It is envisagedthat the proposeddevelopment will not impact on featuresor eventsof historical .-, interest. ;’ (3) Architecture In the caseof this development,there areno structuresof architecturalinterest, locatedwithin ,, the boundariesof the site or within the definedstudy area.Consequently, it is not envisaged that the developmentwill have any negativephysical impact on any such identified sites. (J :._.j ; 3.11.4 Mitigation Measures For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. ,: ,_ An archaeologistwill be in attendanceon site during any excavationphase of the construction works and will be empoweredto stop work if any feature of archaeologicalimportance is uncovered. Given that the proposedsite operationswill not haveany impactson areasof cultural heritage _~ other mitigation measuresare not required. ,_’‘3 .. .:. ;:..i ,,‘ ,;;*.,. Bord na MGna, Technical Services EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 .,, z: ,‘:i& ,- ,/l ,‘i. “‘:;‘?; ,: i, ! i.r; _, :,>, ;: ,: ii :j:p “: “ ,. . :. ‘.!(.‘, .:z /,-_’ ..:, ,,. ,, ;,.:F;+&’ 1, ii _ Oxigen Environmental Ltd. Environmental Impact Statement 3.12 MATERIAL ASSETS I ,’ This sectionlooks at the effect of the facility on the worth or material assetsof the locality through the following headings; .: ,I (1) The changeaffected on the urban structure/thechange in the value of the property in the area; : (2) Effectsto amenityareas and areasof naturalbeauty. The positive effectsof the facility (i.e. the provision of sustainableemployment and improved road inliastructure)must be consideredin conjunctionwith the detrimentaleffects, if any, on the environs. ,.’ ;; The changeaffected on the urbanstructure/the change in the valueof nropertv i The urbanstructure of a locality may be adverselyaffected by a developmentwhich is either unhealthy or unsuitable,both in its location and/or magnitudei.e. the siting of chemical industry closeto a schoolor a built up area. The siting of this activity within the Ballymount Industrial Estate area is consideredto be ,_ ; suitablefor the following reasons: l The waste recycling and processingfacility doesnot require any major modifications ” “’I. to the existingtelecommunications or electricity suppliesto the area. ‘: For inspection purposes only. ., .- Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. l Theproposed development of the wasterecycling and processing facility will reducethe “’ needto transportlarger volumesof waste greaterdistances for treatment.It will alsobe of benefitto business/industryin the area. ,,I : l The proposeddevelopment is bordered on all sides by roads and therefore is not -’ ‘_ overlookingor overshadowingany existingdevelopment. a The developmentwill contribute towards the consolidationof South Dublin as an industriallocation and alsohelp meet the objectivesof both the national and regional wastemanagement targets. ‘.,), l It is unlikely that the proposeddevelopment will cause a decreasein adjoining property values,given that the areais alreadyan industrial area and that the current ’ .- propertymarket is strong. “;- i,. Bord na Mdna, Technical Services EPA ExportPape 25-07-2013:17:18:43 I15 Oxigen Epvironmental Ltd. Effects to Amenity Areas and Areas of Natural Beauty The waste recycling and processingfacility site and the immediate surroundingsare not designatedas a Natural Heritage Area or a proposedcandidate Special Area of Conservation @SAC), nor is it designatedunder any of the other nature conservationor landscape designationscurrently used in Ireland. ‘. In summary,it is contendedthat the material assetvalues will not be significantly affectedby “”r’: the facility as the environmentalimpacts (air, noise and water pollution, visual intmsion, traffic impacts) of the proposedactivity areshown to be minimal. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Page116 .’ EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:43 OxigenEnvironmental Ltd. EnvironmentalImpact ‘Statement 3.13 INTERACTIONS OF THE FOREGOING All environmental factors are inter-related to some extent. As defined in the EnvironmentalProtection Agency ‘Guidelineson the Information to be Containedin EnvironmentalImpact Statements’,a cumulativeeffect is definedas ‘...the addition of manysmall impacts to createone larger, moresignzjkant impact’. A synergisticimpact occurs where ‘the resultant impact is of greater significancethan the sum of its constitbents’.Cumulative and synergisticeffects are, therefore, those which result from the incrementaleffect of an action when addedto other past,present, and reasonably foreseeableactions. The EuropeanCommunities Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment)Regulations, 1998, demand that an EIS describesthe impactsand likely significanteffects on the interactionbetween any of the following principalelements of the environmentmedia : :. ‘.. i,, _’ humanbeings ,-. flora i fauna i . . -, soil .T water : air .:: climate ‘: : the landscape : ‘?. ,s Tables 1.1/l and 1.112in section 1 highlight the impacts and effects on interactions For inspection purposes only. betweenthese media and identifiesConsent of copyright the sections owner requiredof for the any other EIS use. where the interactionsare addressed. 3.13.1 Human Beings: Air/Traffic/Landscape Atmosphericand noise emissions from the wasterecycling andprocessing facility site havethepotentiaz to impact on humanbeings in the vicinity of the site. ImpactsTom dust emissionshave the potential of being the most significant impact of the waste recycling and processingfacility. Mitigation measuresto prevent the aforementioned impactsare given in Section3.6.4: Air. The waste recycling and processingfacility will be constructedand shall operatein accordancewith the BAT principle,thus reducinganypotential impacts. Bord na M&a, Technical Services Page 117 EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:44 Oxigen Environmental Ltd. ’ ,r 0 The visual impact of the facility has the potential to affect human beings. Mitigation proposals are outlined in Section 3.10: Landscape & Visual Impacts, which it is considered will ameliorate this and any future impacts. I’,, 3.13.2 FL~RA&FAUNA:SOIL&GEOLOGY/A~ ; Minor impacts will be encountered by the flora and fauna due to the temporary loss of habitat within the facility. This habitat however, is not considered ecologically significant (refer to Section 3.2.2: Flora & Fauna/Baseline Ecological Study). For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. z,. : : .. ., ., EPA Export 25-07-2013:17:18:44