APPENDIX I NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT

Transcription

1 APPENDIX I NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED MULKEAR VIEW DEVELOPMENT NEWPORT, CO. TIPPERARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE 6(3) OF THE EU HABITATS DIRECTIVE for: Tipperary County Council Limerick Rd, Knockanpierce, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary by: CAAS Ltd. 1st Floor, Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 JUNE 2018

2 Appendix I Background information on European sites considered in the Natura Impact Statement This appendix presents background information relating to all European sites that are considered in the Natura Impact Statement. The data is presented in a series of tables below as follows: Table 1 List of European Sites within the Proposed Project boundary; including the Qualifying features (Qualifying Interests or Special Conservation Interests) and Site Vulnerability/Sensitivity... 1 Table 2: List of all Qualifying Interests of SACs that have undergone Assessment including Summaries of Current Threats and Sensitivity to effects... 3 Table 3 List of all Special Conservation Interest of SPAs that have undergone Assessment including Summaries of Current Threats and Sensitivity to effects... 7 CAAS for Tipperary County Council i

3 Table 1 List of European Sites within the Proposed Project boundary; including the Qualifying features (Qualifying Interests or Special Conservation Interests) and Site Vulnerability/Sensitivity Name Site Code Distance (Km) Lower River Partially Shannon Within/ SAC Directly Adjacent Slievefelim to Silvermines Mountains SPA Clare Glen SAC Glenstal Wood SAC Keeper Hill SAC Qualifying Interests / Special Conservation Interests 3 [Habitats Directive codes] Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time [1110] Estuaries [1130] Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140] Coastal lagoons [1150] Large shallow inlets and bays [1160] Reefs [1170] Perennial vegetation of stony banks [1220] Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts [1230] Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand [1310] Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330] Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410] Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation [3260] Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) [6410] Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) [91E0] Margaritifera margaritifera (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) [1029] Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey) [1095] Lampetra planeri (Brook Lamprey) [1096] Lampetra fluviatilis (River Lamprey) [1099] Salmo salar (Salmon) [1106] Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) [1349] Lutra lutra (Otter) [1355] Additional Site Vulnerabilities/Threats The River Feale is a designated Salmonid Water under the E.U. Freshwater Fish Directive. The Shannon is used for commercial angling, oyster farming, boating and shooting. Some of these may pose threats to the birds and dolphins through disturbance. Specific threats to the dolphins include underwater acoustic disturbance, entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with fast moving craft Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) [A082] No Site-specific threats identified by the NPWS Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles [91A0] No Site-Specific threats identified by the NPWS Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) [1421] Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) [1421] No Site-specific threats identified by the NPWS Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] Blanket bogs (* if active bog) [7130] The site is almost entirely surrounded by coniferous forest plantations and this remains the greatest threat. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 1

4 Slievefelim to Silvermines Mountains SPA Slieve Bernagh Bog SAC Lough Derg (Shannon) SPA Glenomra Wood SAC Silvermines Monutains West SAC Bolingbrook Hill SAC Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) [A082] Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] European dry heaths [4030] Blanket bogs (* if active bog) [7130] No site-specific threats identified by the NPWS Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [A017] No Site-specific threats identified by the NPWS. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) [A061] Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) [A067] Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) [A193] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles [91A0] The site is grazed by cattle, especially the northern sector. Parts of the wood clear-felled in recent years are showing fairly rapid natural regeneration Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] European dry heaths [4030] Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae [6130] Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] European dry heaths [4030] Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe) [6230] The vegetation at this site is in good condition, with low grazing pressure throughout and no signs of over-grazing. One fifth of the site was burned in 2003 and there is evidence of former burning in another fifth. Former peatcutting has occurred on the summit plateau and parts of the northern slopes. Afforestation, which is widespread to the east of the site, remains the greatest threat. Agricultural improvement and afforestation are the main threats to the site. Much of the surrounding land is extensively planted with conifers. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 2

5 Table 2: List of all Qualifying Interests of SACs that have undergone Assessment including Summaries of Current Threats and Sensitivity to effects Qualifying Interests Current threats to Qualifying Interests Sensitivity of Qualifying Interests Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior Inappropriate grazing levels; invasive species; and clearance for agriculture or felling for timber Surface and groundwater dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological changes. Changes in management. Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco- Puccinellietalia maritimae Blanket bog (active only) Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae Coastal lagoons Estuaries European Dry Heaths Overgrazing; erosion; invasive species, particularly common cordgrass (Spartina anglica); infilling and reclamation. Land reclamation, peat extraction; afforestation; erosion and landslides triggered by human activity; drainage; burning and infrastructural development. Household dumping, overgrazing and trampling, erosion and abandonment to coarse vegetation as toxixity declines through leaching. Drainage for agricultural and safety reasons; natural siltation; Water pollution in the form of excessive nutrient enrichment Pollution and fishing/aquaculture related activities affect habitat quality. Afforestation, overburning, over-grazing, under-grazing and bracken invasion. Marine and groundwater dependent. Medium sensitivity to hydrological change. Changes in salinity and tidal regime. Overgrazing, erosion and accretion Surface and groundwater dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological changes. Inappropriate management. This habitat is sensitive to trampling and direct land use/management practices such as grazing. Surface, ground and marine water dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological changes. Highly sensitive to pollution. Changes in salinity and tidal regime Alteractions in hydrological condition or characteristics, as well as coastal development works. Moderately sensitive to hydrological change. Changes in management. Changes in nutrient status Lampetra fluviatilis (River Lamprey) No significant pressures. Surface water dependent Highly sensitive to hydrological change. Lampetra planeri Channel maintenance, barriers, passage obstruction, gross pollution and specific pollutants. Surface water dependent Highly sensitive to hydrological change. Large shallow inlets and bays Fishing and aquaculture Surface and marine water dependent. Low sensitivity to hydrological changes. Aquaculture, fishing and pollution. Lutra lutra Decrease in water quality: Use of pesticides; fertilization; vegetation removal; professional fishing (including lobster pots and fyke nets); Surface and marine water dependent. Moderately sensitive to hydrological change. Sensitivity to pollution. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 3

6 Qualifying Interests Current threats to Qualifying Interests Sensitivity of Qualifying Interests hunting; poisoning; sand and gravel extraction; mechanical removal of peat; urbanised areas; human habitation; continuous urbanization; drainage; management of aquatic and bank vegetation for drainage purposes; and canalization or modifying structures of inland water course. Margaritifera margaritifera Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clavey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix Poor substrate quality due to increased growth of algal and macrophyte vegetation as a result of severe nutrient enrichment, as well as physical siltation. Over-grazing by cattle or sheep; infilling and reclamation. Ecologically unsuitable grazing levels. Agricultural intensification; drainage; abandonment of pastoral systems Succession to scrub, abandoment of pastoral system and abandonment of mowing. Aquaculture, fishing, bait digging, removal of fauna, reclamation of land, coastal protection works and invasive species, particularly cord-grass; hard coastal defence structures; sea-level rise. Reclamation, afforestation and burning; overstocking; invasion by non-heath species; exposure of peat to severe erosion. Surface water dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological change. Very highly sensitive to pollution. Marine and groundwater dependent. Medium sensitivity to hydrological change. Changes in salinity and tidal regime. Coastal development and reclamation. Changes in management. Changes in nutrient or base status. Introduction of alien species. Surface and groundwater dependent. Moderately sensitive to hydrological change. Changes in management. Changes in nutrient status. Marine water dependent. Low sensitivity to hydrological changes. Coastal development, trampling from recreational activity and gravel removal. Surface and marine water dependent. Moderately sensitive to hydrological change. Moderate sensitivity to pollution. Changes to salinity and tidal regime. Coastal development Surface and groundwater dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological changes. Inappropriate management. Northern Atlantic wet heats with Erica tetralix Reclamation, afforestation and burning; overstocking; invasion by non-heath species; exposure of peat to severe erosion. Surface and groundwater dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological changes. Inappropriate management CAAS for Tipperay County Council 4

7 Qualifying Interests Current threats to Qualifying Interests Sensitivity of Qualifying Interests Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles The introduction of alien species; sub-optimal grazing patterns; general forestry management; increases in Changes in management. Changes in nutrient or base status. Introduction of alien species. urbanisation and human habitation adjacent to oak woodlands; and the construction of communication networks through the woodland. Perennial vegetation of stony banks Perennial vegetation of stony banks Disruption of the sediment supply, owing to the interruption of the coastal processes, caused by developments such as car parks and coastal defence structures including rock armour and sea walls. The removal of gravel. Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey) Obstructions to movement; pollution Surface water dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological change Reefs Professional fishing; taking for fauna; taking for flora; water Sensitive to disturbance and pollution. pollution; climate change; and change in species composition. Rhinolophus hipposideros Loss of suitable summer and winter roosting sites; loss of commuting routes linking roosts to foraging sites, and loss of suitable foraging sites. Disturbance. Changes in Management. Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand Salmo salar Invasive Species; erosion and accretion Numerous threats impact upon this species. Some of these include: cultivation, pesticides; fertilization; pollution; water pollution; biocenotic evolution; accumulation of organic material; eutrophication; over-fishing; forest related pressures; parasites. Current pressures and future threats are unlikely to significantly impact the habitat. Forestry planting, agricultural improvement. Marine water dependent. Medium sensitivity to hydrological change. Changes in salinity and tidal regime. Infilling, reclamation, invasive species Surface water dependent. Highly sensitive to hydrological change. Sandbanks which are slightly covered by Sensitive to direct disturbances sea water all the time Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on Sensitive to direct disturbances, and siliceous substrates in mountain areas hydrological conditions. (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) Habitat loss, collecting, habitat management Sensitive to direct disturbances or alterations to watercourses and woodland cover. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 5

8 Qualifying Interests Current threats to Qualifying Interests Sensitivity of Qualifying Interests Tursiops truncates (Common Bottlenose Food availability Overfishing and noise/vibration disturbances. Dolphin) Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts Erosion; grazing; recreational pressures; development of golf courses and housing; dumping; cutting of peat; coastal protection works; climate change Coastal development. Erosion, over-grazing and recreation Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation Nutrient and organic losses from agriculture and municipal and industrial discharges. Decline in high quality rivers. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 6

9 Table 3 List of all Special Conservation Interest of SPAs that have undergone Assessment including Summaries of Current Threats and Sensitivity to effects Special Conservation Interests Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [A017] Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) [A061] Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) [A067] Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) [A193] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [A017] Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) [A061] Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) [A082] Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] Vulnerabilities of Special Conservation Interests Bird species are particularly vulnerable to direct disturbance due to noise and/or vibration. These effects are localised and disturbance effects are foreseen to be negligible at distances beyond 2km. Direct habitat loss is a serious concern for bird species, as well as the reduction in habitat quality. Habitat degradation could occur through effects such as local enrichment due to agricultural practices or damage to habitat through activities such as trampling. Prey species diversity and availability is a key element of species conservation. Community dynamics and ecosystem functionality are complex concepts and require site specific information. The site synopsis and conservation objectives for the SPA s identified within the ZOI were used to identify any specific prey sensitivies. Availability of nesting/roosting habitat. Vegetation composition, structure and functionality. Sensitivity and threats vary on a site to site basis. Direct land take is a common vulnerability to all sites; as well as significant water quality effects. The conservation objective of all SPA s designated for Wetland and Waterbirds [A999] is to maintain the favourable conservation condition of the wetland habitat as a resource for the regularly-occurring migratory waterbirds that utilise it. CAAS for Tipperay County Council 7