Environmental Impact Statement Addendum Bandon River (Bandon) Drainage Scheme TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1-1 1.1 Overview of Scheme 1-1 1.2 Brief Description of The Proposed Development 1-1 1.3 Purpose and Scope of the EIS Addendum 1-2 1.4 Structure and Content of the EIS Addendum 1-2 1.4.1 General Structure 1-2 1.4.2 Description of Impacts 1-2 1.5 Project Team 1-2 1.5.1 Project Team Responsibilities 1-2 2 BACKGOUND OF THE PROPOSED SCHEME 2-1 2.1 Site Location 2-1 2.2 Physical Characteristics of Site and Surrounding Lands 2-1 2.3 Need for the Proposed Development 2-2 2.4 Strategic Planning and Development Context 2-2 2.4.1 National Flood Policy 2-2 2.4.2 Regional and Local Level 2-3 2.5 Scheme Design Process 2-3 2.5.1 Consideration of Alternatives 2-4 2.6 Scoping & Consultation 2-4 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 3-1 3.1 Proposed Works 3-1 3.1.1 Moanarone Stream Works 3-1 3.1.2 Kilbrittain Stream Works 3-2 3.1.3 Fish Pass 3-2 3.1.4 Allin Institute 3-2 3.1.5 Flood Defences 3-2 3.1.6 Existing Flood Wall Improvement Works 3-2 3.1.7 Additional Drainage Works 3-3 3.2 Location of Proposed Works 3-3 3.3 Anticipated Construction Methods 3-3 3.4 Construction Programme and Sequencing of Proposed Works 3-4 3.5 Temporary Construction Works Facilities 3-4 3.6 Estimated Cost of Proposed Works 3-5 3.7 Operation and Maintenance of Scheme 3-5 4 HUMAN BEINGS 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.2 Methodology 4-2 4.3 Human Beings in the Existing Environment 4-3 4.3.1 Study Area 4-3 4.3.1.1 Definition of Study Area 4-3 4.3.1.2 Settlements and Planning Policy 4-3 4.3.2 Population 4-3 4.3.2.1 Population Trends 4-3 4.3.2.2 Population Density 4-4 4.3.2.3 Household Statistics 4-4 4.3.2.4 Age Structure 4-4 4.3.3 Current Economic Activity 4-5 4.3.3.1 Sources of Employment 4-5 4.3.3.1.1 Proposed Employment 4-6 4.3.3.2 Economic Status of the Study Area 4-6 4.3.3.3 Employment by Socio-economic Group 4-7 4.3.3.4 IPPC Licensed Facilities 4-8 4.3.4 Landuse 4-9 4.3.5 Tourism 4-10 4.3.5.1 Angling Tourism 4-11 4.3.5.2 Other Local Tourist Attractions 4-12 4.3.6 Social Consideration 4-13 4.3.6.1 Education 4-13 4.3.6.2 Sports and Recreation 4-13 4.3.6.3 Local Amenities 4-13 4.3.7 Health and Safety 4-14 4.4 Likely and Significant Impacts on Human Beings and associated 4-14 Mitigation measures 4.4.1 ‘Do-Nothing’ Scenario 4-14 4.4.2 Construction Phase 4-15 4.4.2.1 Traffic 4-15 4.4.2.2 Impact on Economic Activity 4-15 4.4.2.3 Nuisance – Noise, Dust & Vibration 4-15 4.4.2.4 Amenity 4-16 4.4.2.5 Employment 4-17 4.4.2.6 Tourism 4-17 4.4.3 Operational Phase 4-18 4.4.3.1 Health and Safety 4-18 4.4.3.2 Angling 4-18 4.4.3.3 Local Economy and Tourism 4-19 5 FLORA & FAUNA 5-1 5.1 Introduction 5-1 5.2 Methodology and Limitations 5-1 5.3 Desk study 5-1 5.3.1 Designated Areas 5-1 5.3.2 Flora 5-2 5.3.3 Fish and Shellfish 5-2 5.3.4 Birds 5-2 5.3.5 Consultation 5-2 5.3.6 Water Quality 5-2 5.4 Assessment of Various Amendments and Additions 5-3 5.4.1 Moanarone Stream Works 5-3 5.4.1.1 Habitat Description 5-3 5.4.1.2 Significance of Habitats 5-5 5.4.1.3 Fauna 5-5 5.4.1.3.1 Mammals 5-5 5.4.1.3.2 Birds 5-6 5.4.1.3.3 Fish 5-6 5.4.1.3.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-6 5.4.1.4 Significance of Fauna 5-6 5.4.1.5 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-6 5.4.1.5.1 Habitat Loss 5-6 5.4.1.5.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-7 5.4.1.5.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-8 5.4.1.5.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-9 5.4.2 Kilbrittain Stream Works 5-10 5.4.2.1 Significance of Habitats 5-12 5.4.2.2 Fauna 5-13 5.4.2.2.1 Mammals 5-13 5.4.2.2.2 Birds 5-13 5.4.2.2.3 Fish 5-13 5.4.2.2.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-13 5.4.2.3 Significance of Fauna 5-14 5.4.2.4 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-14 5.4.2.4.1 Habitat Loss 5-14 5.4.2.4.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-14 5.4.2.4.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-15 5.4.2.4.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-17 5.4.3 Flood Defence Works at Allin Institute 5-18 5.4.3.1 Significance of Habitats 5-18 5.4.3.2 Fauna 5-19 5.4.3.2.1 Mammals 5-19 5.4.3.2.2 Birds 5-19 5.4.3.2.3 Fish 5-19 5.4.3.2.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-19 5.4.3.3 Significance of Fauna 5-20 5.4.3.4 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-20 5.4.3.4.1 Habitat Loss 5-20 5.4.3.4.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-20 5.4.3.4.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-21 5.4.3.4.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-23 5.4.4 Flood Defence Wall at Mill Place 5-24 5.4.4.1 Significance of Habitats 5-26 5.4.4.2 Fauna 5-26 5.4.4.2.1 Mammals 5-26 5.4.4.2.2 Birds 5-27 5.4.4.2.3 Fish 5-27 5.4.4.2.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-27 5.4.4.3 Significance of Fauna 5-27 5.4.4.4 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-27 5.4.4.4.1 Habitat Loss 5-27 5.4.4.4.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-28 5.4.4.4.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-28 5.4.4.4.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-29 5.4.5 Fish Pass 5-31 5.4.5.1 Significance of Habitats 5-32 5.4.5.2 Fauna 5-32 5.4.5.2.1 Mammals 5-32 5.4.5.2.2 Birds 5-33 5.4.5.2.3 Fish 5-33 5.4.5.2.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-33 5.4.5.3 Significance of Fauna 5-33 5.4.5.4 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-33 5.4.5.4.1 Habitat Loss 5-34 5.4.5.4.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-34 5.4.5.4.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-35 5.4.5.4.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-36 5.4.6 Additional Drainage Works 5-38 5.4.6.1 Significance of Habitats 5-38 5.4.6.2 Fauna 5-38 5.4.6.2.1 Mammals 5-38 5.4.6.2.2 Birds 5-39 5.4.6.2.3 Fish 5-39 5.4.6.2.4 Freshwater Pearl Mussel 5-39 5.4.6.3 Significance of Fauna 5-39 5.4.6.4 Impacts on the Receiving Environment and Related Mitigation 5-40 5.4.6.4.1 Habitat Loss 5-40 5.4.6.4.2 Habitat Disturbance 5-40 5.4.6.4.3 Pollution of Watercourses 5-41 5.4.6.4.4 Introduction of Invasive Species 5-42 6 GEOLOGY AND SOILS IN THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 6-1 6.1 Methodology & Limitations 6-1 6.1.1 Published Material 6-1 6.1.2 Definitions 6-1 6.2 Geology 6-1 6.2.1 Geomorphology 6-1 6.2.2 Bedrock Geology 6-2 6.2.3 Quaternary Geology (Subsoils) 6-2 6.2.4 Geological Heritage 6-2 6.2.5 Potential Impacts on Geology 6-2 6.2.5.1 Loss of Bedrock 6-3 6.2.5.2 Loss of Geological Heritage 6-3 6.2.5.3 Loss of Quaternary Geology 6-3 6.3 Soils 6-4 6.3.1 Potential Impacts on Soil 6-4 6.3.1.1 Loss of Soil 6-4 6.3.1.2 Contaminated Land 6-4 6.4 Hydromorphology 6-5 6.4.1 Hydromorphological Characteristics 6-5 6.4.2 Potential Impacts on Hydromorphology 6-5 7 WATER - HYDROLOGY & HYDROGEOLOGY 7-1 7.1 Surface Water Quality 7-1 7.1.1 Methodology 7-1 7.1.2 Legislation 7-1 7.1.3 Desk Study 7-2 7.1.3.1 Introduction 7-2 7.1.3.2 EPA Water Quality Data 7-2 7.1.4 Results of Water Sampling 7-3 7.1.4.1 Kick Sampling 7-3 7.1.4.2 Surface Water Abstraction 7-3 7.1.5 Impacts on Water Quality 7-3 7.1.5.1 Generation of Silt-Laden Run-off & Increase in Suspended Solids 7-3 7.1.5.2 Use of Potential Water Contaminants 7-5 7.2 Hydrogeology 7-5 7.2.1 Methodology 7-5 7.2.2 Hydrogeology in the Existing Environment 7-5 7.2.2.1 Ground Water Vulnerability 7-6 7.2.2.2 Well Card 7-6 7.2.3 Potential impacts on Hydrogeology 7-6 7.3 Flooding 7-6 7.3.1 Methodology 7-7 7.3.2 Hydrology in the Existing Environment 7-7 7.3.2.1 Flooding 7-7 7.3.2.2 Proposed Scheme in terms of Flooding 7-7 7.3.3 Potential Impacts on Flooding 7-7 7.3.3.1 Impacts on Flooding 7-8 7.3.3.2 Impacts on Water Levels Upstream and Downstream of Proposed Works 7-8 8 AIR QUALITY & CLIMATE / NOISE & VIBRATION 8-1 8.1 Air Quality & Climate - Existing Environment 8-1 8.2 Noise & Vibration - Existing Environment 8-1 8.2.1 Results & Discussion 8-3 8.2.2 Noise Sensitive Receptors 8-4 8.3 Assessment of the Proposed Works 8-6 8.4 Potential Impacts 8-6 8.4.1 Air Quality & Climate 8-6 8.4.1.1 Air Quality - Dust Generation Rates 8-6 8.4.1.2 Climate 8-7 8.4.2 Noise Impact 8-7 8.4.2.1 Modification to Kilbrittain Stream 8-7 8.4.2.2 Construction of a Flood Defence at Mill Place 8-8 8.4.2.3 Construction of a Flood Defence at the Allin Institute 8-8 8.4.2.4 Construction of a Flood Defence at Bandon Weir 8-9 8.4.2.5 Construction of an Embankment at Ballylangley 8-9 8.4.2.6 Re-grading of Roads and Upgrade of Storm and Surface Water Drainage 8-9 Systems/ Construction of Culverts 8.4.2.7 Fit-put of Existing Pumping Station at Brady's Lane 8-10 8.4.2.8 HGV Movements 8-10 8.4.2.9 Sheet Piling 8-11 8.4.3 Vibration Impact 8-11 8.5 Mitigation Measures 8-12 8.5.1 Air Quality & Climate 8-12 8.5.2 Noise & Vibration 8-12 8.6 Residual Impact 8-13 8.6.1 Air Quality & Climate 8-13 8.6.2 Noise & Vibration 8-13 8.7 MONITORING 8-13 8.7.1 Air Quality & Climate 8-13 8.7.2 Noise & Vibration 8-14 9 LANDSCAPE 9-1 9.1 Introduction 9-1 9.2 Methodology 9-1 9.3 Receiving Environment 9-2 9.3.1 Landscape Character Assessment 9-2 9.3.1.1 Landscape Value and Sensitivity 9-2 9.3.1.2 Scenic Amenity, Views and Prospects 9-3 9.3.1.3 Scenic Routes and Landscapes 9-3 9.3.2 Bandon Electoral Area Local Area Plan (LAP) 2011 9-4 9.3.3 Landscape Character 9-5 9.3.3.1 Physical Unit 9-5 9.3.3.2 Landform 9-6 9.3.3.2.1 Geological Processes 9-6 9.3.3.2.2 Topography 9-6 9.3.3.2.3 Drainage 9-6 9.3.3.3 Landcover 9-6 9.3.3.4 Visual Unit 9-7 9.3.3.5 Image Unit 9-7 9.3.3.6 Landscape Sensitivity 9-7 9.4 Kilbrittain Stream 9-7 9.4.1 Landscape and Site Context 9-7 9.4.1.1 Views From the Site 9-7 9.4.1.2 Views to the Site 9-9 9.4.2 Proposed Works to Kilbrittain Stream 9-10 9.4.3 Likely and Significant Impacts and Associated Mitigation Measures 9-11 9.4.3.1 Construction Traffic, Materials and Temporary Site Buildings 9-11 9.4.3.2 Construction Noise and Activity 9-11 9.4.3.3 Disturbance to Birchvale Development during Proposed Works 9-11 9.4.3.4 Removal of Trees, Vegetation and Banks/Wall 9-12