APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT SCREENING OF Proposed works at Bettystown/Laytown, Co. Meath In accordance with the requirements of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) Prepared April 2016 by: Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd. Sillogue Kilberry Navan Co. Meath 046 9062021/087 7573121 [email protected] OSI License No.:EN0064509 Executive Summary The storm surge at the start of January 2014 caused a large degree of damage along the urbanised coast line to the existing coastal protection infrastructure which extends just over 3km from the Nanny estuary at Laytown to the entrance at Bettystown on the east coast. The works will involve the placement of rock armour along a section of beach (c. 75m) at Laytown/Bettystown where severe damage to the existing coastal protection system of gabions was incurred during storms of January 2014. It is proposed to remove the existing damaged gabions and to replace the existing coastal protection structure with a revetment using rock armour as the analysis indicated that rock armour is the only long-term solution to coastal erosion at this site. The site is within 15 km of three Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), and five Special Protection Areas (SPA). The repair works are within/immediately adjacent to the River Nanny Shore and Estuary SPA. Applying the Precautionary Principle and in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, Appropriate Assessment screening of the works is therefore required. Appropriate Assessment screening having identified that there is no potential for significant impacts of the proposed works on the Natura 2000 network (given the implementation of best codes of practice), a Stage II Appropriate Assessment and the preparation of a Natura Impact Statement is not necessary in this instance. Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd. Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 FERS Ltd. company background .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 The aim of this report ............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 An outline of the Appropriate Assessment process ............................................................... 2 1.4 Methodology for Appropriate Assessment............................................................................. 3 1.4.1 Stage (1) Screening ......................................................................................................... 3 1.4.2 Stage (2) Appropriate Assessment .................................................................................. 3 1.4.3 Stage (3) Assessment of Alternative Solutions ............................................................... 3 1.4.4 Stage (4) Assessment where Adverse Impacts Remain .................................................. 4 1.5 Consultations .......................................................................................................................... 5 2 Screening ........................................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Description .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1 Description of plan .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1.2 Description of existing conditions at site ...................................................................... 19 2.1.3 Description of scope ..................................................................................................... 21 2.2 Identification of Natura 2000 sites potentially impacted upon by the development .......... 22 2.3 Description of Natura 2000 sites potentially impacted upon by the proposed works, including the qualifying interests, vulnerabilities and conservation status ..................................... 25 2.3.1 Clogher Head SAC.......................................................................................................... 25 2.3.2 Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC ....................................................................................... 27 2.3.3 River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC ......................................................................... 35 2.3.4 Rockabill SPA ................................................................................................................. 40 2.3.5 Boyne Estuary SPA ........................................................................................................ 41 2.3.6 Skerries Islands SPA....................................................................................................... 44 2.3.7 River Nanny Estuary and Shore SPA .............................................................................. 46 2.3.8 The River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA .................................................................. 48 2.4 Identification and evaluation of likely significant effect ....................................................... 50 2.4.1 Description of source-pathway-receptor linkages. ....................................................... 50 2.4.2 Potential Direct, Indirect or Secondary Impacts ........................................................... 51 2.4.3 Potential cumulative impacts in association with other plans ..................................... 54 2.4.4 “Do nothing” scenario ................................................................................................... 55 2.4.5 Gauging of Impacts on Natura 2000 sites – Integrity of site checklist .......................... 55 2.5 Conclusions of screening....................................................................................................... 56 3 References and Bibliography: ...................................................................................................... 57 Forest, Environmental Research and Services Ltd. 1 Introduction 1.1 FERS Ltd. company background Forest, Environmental Research and Services have been conducting ecological surveys and research since the company’s formation in 2005 by Dr Patrick Moran and Dr Kevin Black. Dr. Moran, the principal ecologist with FERS, has a 1st class honours degree in Environmental Biology (UCD), a Ph.D. in Ecology (UCD), a Diploma in EIA and SEA management (UCD) and has recently been awarded a M.Sc. in Geographical Information Systems (University of Ulster, Coleraine). He has in excess of 15 years of experience in carrying out ecological surveys on both an academic and a professional basis. Dr Emma Reeves, senior ecologist with FERS has an honours degree in Botany, and a Ph.D. in Botany. Dr Reeves has almost 10 years of experience in undertaking ecological surveys on an academic and professional basis. Dr Sarah Ryan, senior ecologist with FERS has a B.Sc. (double Hons) in Biology and Statistics (NUI Maynooth), a Diploma in EIA and SEA Management (UCD) and a Ph.D. in botany (UCD). Dr Ryan has almost 10 years of experience in undertaking ecological surveys on an academic and professional basis. FERS client list includes National Parks and Wildlife Service, Teagasc, An Bord Pleanála, Various County Councils, the Heritage Council, University College Dublin, the Environmental Protection Agency, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, the Office of Public Works, Coillte and Drogheda Port Company in addition to numerous private individuals and companies. 1.2 The aim of this report This Appropriate Assessment screening report has been prepared in compliance with Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland – Guidance for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG 2009, February 2010) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (DoEHLG 2011) in order to assess the potential impact of proposed works by Meath Co. Council to repair coastal defences at Laytown/Bettystown, Co. Meath, on the Natura 2000 network. The proposed works will be carried out within/adjacent to a Special Area of Protection and within 15 km of three SACs and five SPAs and, therefore, require Appropriate Assessment under article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. This report provides the information required in order to establish whether or not this development is likely to have a potential impact on any Natura 2000 sites within the study area, 1 in the context of their conservation objectives and specifically on the habitats and species for which the sites have been designated. 1.3 An outline of the Appropriate Assessment process The “Habitats Directive” (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna) is the main legislative instrument for the protection and conservation of biodiversity within the European Union and lists certain habitats and species that must be protected within wildlife conservation areas, considered to be important at a European as well as at a national level. A “Special Conservation Area” or SAC is a designation under the Habitats Directive. The “Birds Directive” (Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds) provides for a network of sites in all member states to protect birds at their breeding, feeding, roosting and wintering areas. This directive identifies species that are rare, in danger of extinction