Vermilion Exploration & Production Ireland Ltd Corrib Subsea Inspection, Maintenance and Infrastructure Renewal Surveys 2019 Natura Impact Statement 660841 June 2019 RSK GENERAL NOTES Project No.: 660841 Title: Corrib Subsea Inspection, Maintenance and Infrastructure Renewal Surveys 2019 – Natura Impact Statement Client: Vermilion Exploration & Production Ireland Limited (Vermilion) Date: 18th June 2019 Office: Bristol Status: Final Authorised by: Project Manager Date: 18-6-2019 Andrew Bendell Authorised by: Project QA Rep Date: 18-6-2019 David Watson AB DW/JN 18-6-2019 E Final For issue following regulator comments AUTHOR CHECKED DATE ISSUED POST REV PURPOSE OF ISSUE ISSUED / ELECTRONIC RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has prepared this report for the sole use of the client, showing reasonable skill and care, for the intended purposes as stated in the agreement under which this work was completed. The report may not be relied upon by any other party without the express agreement of the client and RSK. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report. Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by RSK for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested. No part of this report may be copied or duplicated without the express permission of RSK and the party for whom it was prepared. Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives of the work. This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of RSK Environment Ltd. Vermilion E&P Ireland Ltd i Corrib Subsea Inspection, Maintenance and Infrastructure Renewal Surveys 2019 – Natura Impact Screening Statement 660841 CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Purpose of this document ............................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 The stages of Appropriate Assessment .......................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Previously Assessed Activities ........................................................................................................................ 8 2.4 Alternatives ................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.5 Consideration of significance ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.6 Consideration of integrity .............................................................................................................................. 11 3 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Background – an overview of the Corrib Gas Development ......................................................................... 12 3.2 Survey of the main export pipeline, umbilical, BBGT treated surface water outfall pipeline, and infield flowlines and umbilicals ............................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1 Primary acoustic survey equipment .............................................................................................................. 13 3.3 Schedule ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Vessels.......................................................................................................................................................... 17 4 EUROPEAN SITES ............................................................................................................................................... 20 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 European sites in the vicinity of the Corrib Development .............................................................................. 20 4.3 Characteristics of European sites ................................................................................................................. 20 4.3.1 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) ......................................................................................................... 21 4.3.2 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) .................................................................................................................. 29 5 APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT SCREENING .................................................................................................... 42 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 42 5.2 Potential Impacts on European sites ............................................................................................................ 42 5.2.1 Physical presence of survey vessels and equipment ................................................................................... 42 5.2.1.1 Screening Outcome .......................................................................................................................... 44 5.2.2 Acoustic surveys and associated general vessel activity .............................................................................. 44 5.2.2.1 Propagation ...................................................................................................................................... 45 5.2.2.2 Characteristics of proposed sound sources ...................................................................................... 45 5.2.2.3 Screening Outcome .......................................................................................................................... 47 5.2.3 Routine emissions and discharges during vessel operations ....................................................................... 49 5.2.3.1 Screening Outcome .......................................................................................................................... 49 5.2.4 Accidental fuel oil spillage ............................................................................................................................. 49 5.2.4.1 Screening Outcome .......................................................................................................................... 49 5.3 AA Screening Conclusions............................................................................................................................ 50 6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN SUPPORT OF STAGE 2: APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT ................................... 51 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 51 6.2 Potential impacts on European sites ............................................................................................................. 52 6.2.1 Impacts of noise on key receptor species ..................................................................................................... 52 Vermilion Exploration & Production Ireland Ltd ii Corrib Subsea Inspection, Maintenance and Infrastructure Renewal Surveys 2019 – Natura Impact Statement 660841 6.2.1.1 Bottlenose dolphins in West Connacht SAC ..................................................................................... 52 6.2.1.2 Annex IV species in Broadhaven Bay SAC ...................................................................................... 55 6.2.1.3 Grey seals in Inishkea Islands and Duvillaun Islands SACs ............................................................. 56 6.2.1.4 Seabirds in the coastal SPAs ........................................................................................................... 58 6.2.1.5 Fish species in Glenamoy Bog Complex, Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex, Owenduff/Nephin Complex, Newport River, River Moy and Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SACs .................................................................... 60 6.2.1.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 61 6.2.2 Other potential impacts ................................................................................................................................. 61 6.2.2.1 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 61 6.3 Cumulative impacts 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