This introductory chapter of the EIS is divided into the following sub sections and provides background information on the proposed development:

Transcription

1 1. Introduction 1.1 Introduction Greener Ideas Limited commissioned Mott MacDonald Ireland Limited to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development of a 100 MW Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) mid-merit power plant. The proposed development is located in the townland of Purcellsinch, Kilkenny City (OS Grid Reference: N & E) as shown on Figure 1.1 Site Location Plan. EIA is a process for identifying, describing and assessing the potential direct and indirect impacts of a particular development on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the document produced as a result of that process. This introductory chapter of the EIS is divided into the following sub sections and provides background information on the proposed development: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Greener Ideas Limited Company Profile 1.3 Description of 1.4 Planning History 1.5 Consultations 1.6 Preparation of EIS 1.2 Greener Ideas Limited Company Profile Greener Ideas Limited (hereafter referred to as GIL) is a joint venture company between Bord Gáis and Mountside Properties Limited. The company was established in March 2008 to develop and operate a number of OCGT projects throughout Ireland, including Kilkenny. Bord Gáis was established in 1976 and is a commercial State body operating in the energy industry. Bord Gáis is a leading energy provider, serving approximately 1 million customers including 650,000 gas users in 152 population centres in Ireland and 350,000 electricity customers. Bord Gáis is majority owned by the Irish Government. Bord Gáis Energy is responsible for pursuing and developing growth opportunities in assets in the energy markets in Ireland, their strategy to become a leading energy company. Bord Gáis Energy currently operates the 445 MW gas-fired power plant at Whitegate in Cork, 235 MW of wind generation and has a further 565 MW of wind generation in development. Mountside Properties Limited has secured planning permission for a number of OCGT power plants in Ireland and are also shareholders in the operation of the 400 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) in Tynagh, County Galway. 1-1

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3 1.3 Description of The proposed power plant will provide approximately 100 MW of electricity to the national electricity grid. The development will consist of one open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) electricity generating unit. This unit consists of a gas compressor, fuel combustor and a gas expansion turbine coupled to an electric generator. Air is compressed in the gas compressor and energy is added to the compressed air by combusting gas or liquid fuel in the combustor producing power to drive the turbine rotor. The turbine is highly efficient, clean and will provide energy to the Irish market in times of high demand. Other ancillary structures include an inlet air filter, an exhaust stack, a cooling system, a water treatment system, compressed air system, natural gas supply system, a distillate fuel oil supply system, fire protection system, wastewater collection/treatment system, generator step-up and auxiliary transformers, fuel storage tank, water storage tanks, administration building and an electrical substation. The development will also include construction of site drainage systems, a site entrance, boundary fencing, tank bunding, landscaping features and access roads. Localised refurbishment of a pumphouse and river abstraction facilities are also proposed. An application for a road opening licence will be submitted to Kilkenny County Council to facilitate pumping river water to the main development site. The layout of the proposed development is outlined in Figures 1.2, and The electrical generator will connect to a single common main transformer where the voltage will be increased to 110 kv. Electrical power will then be exported from the plant s main transformer to Kilkenny 110 kv sub-station where the electricity will be exported to the national electricity grid. Natural gas, supplied from the Bord Gáis Eireann (BGE) network, will be the primary fuel source for the facility. In order to comply with Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) Decision Paper Secondary Fuel Obligations on Licensed Generation Capacity in the Republic of Ireland (January 2009), low sulphur diesel oil will be used as a backup fuel in the event of interruption to the natural gas supply. It is expected that 72 hours (3 days) maximum running capacity of diesel will be stored on site (approximately 1,610m 3 ) in a bunded tank to meet this requirement. Subject to securing the necessary planning approval the construction phase is expected to commence in The construction to commercial operation phase is expected to last approximately 14 months. The plant is scheduled to be operational in An Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (IPPC) will be required for the operation of the proposed power plant and an application for same has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (EPA ref: P ). This application is currently being assessed by the EPA. The IPPC licence will stipulate appropriate levels for all environmental emissions from the plant (e.g. noise, air and wastewater discharges). A more detailed description of the site, principal plant components, processes and materials is provided in Chapter 3 Description of. 1.4 Planning History Original Planning Application (December 2007) In December 2007, Mountside Properties Limited submitted a planning application for the development of a 100 MW mid-merit power station at Purcellsinch, Kilkenny (Kilkenny County Council Reference 07/2164). The development consisted of a gas turbine hall, maintenance bay, 20 metre exhaust stack, 20 metre air vent, an air cooler, water cooler, power control module, main transformer, auxiliary transformer, bunded fuel oil tank, raw water tank, water treatment system, firewater system, tanker unloading area, office/workshop, access road and associated site development works. 1-2

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7 An Environmental Report accompanied the planning application and contained information on the proposed technology as well as a summary of the potential impacts on the human environment, landscape and visual, flora and fauna, geology, soils and hydrogeology, surface water, air quality, climate, noise and material assets (including archaeology, traffic and transport and utilities). Planning permission was granted by Kilkenny County Council in July Subsequent appeals against Kilkenny County Council s decision to grant planning permission were made to An Bord Pleanála (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL ). An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission in February The reasons and considerations were given as follows (subject to 13 No. planning conditions):..having regard to the relative proximity of the site to a high pressure gas supply and to its location within an established industrial estate, adjoining a municipal sewage treatment facility, it is considered that the proposed development (which comprises an activity requiring an IPPC license) would be compatible with the Industrial / Technology Park zoning designation for the area, as set out in the current Kilkenny City and Environs Development Plan. Furthermore, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions...the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, would not endanger the health or safety of persons in the vicinity and would be acceptable on environmental grounds. The proposed development would, therefore, accord with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Copies of the original Kilkenny County Council and An Bord Pleanála planning permissions and associated conditions are contained in Appendix A Original Planning Permissions Second Planning Application (November 2010) Planning Application 10/627 Mott MacDonald Ireland Limited were appointed by GIL as Owner s Engineer and instructed to assess the permitted layout in the context of ensuring the design was the most efficient possible for operational and maintenance purposes. Having reviewed the permitted design and assessed the technical characteristics of the chosen power plant technology, Mott MacDonald Ireland revised the site layout. Various design iterations were considered as part of the design process. The final revised layout was the subject of a new planning application which was submitted to Kilkenny County Council on the 5 th November 2010 (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627). The main differences between the revised layout and the layout permitted in the original planning application submitted by Mountside Properties were as follows: The gas turbine was located more centrally within the site. The siting of the gas turbine at this location ensured more efficient access for maintenance than the location originally approved; Ancillary gas turbine plant not previously included in the original planning permission was included in the revised application and was located within the turbine island area. This plant included the following: Substation control building (6 metres height, 12.6 metres length); 110kV substation (5 metres height, 20 metres length); Low voltage (LV) substation (4.5 metres height, 12.6 metres length); Emissions control building (4.5 metres height, 5 metres length); 1-3

8 Gas compressor building (5 metres height, 13 metres length); Air compressor building (5 metres height, 6 metres length); and Emergency diesel generator (2.8 metres height, 4 metres length). In the original planning permission the gas turbine was located within a housing enclosure. This enclosure was approximately 12.2 metres in height and 42 metres in length. In the revised application the gas turbine was located within its own acoustic enclosure; Dimensions for the exhaust stack height, air vent stack, cooling tower area, raw water tank, and administration building were revised as follows: A new exhaust stack height of 26 metres was determined through detailed air dispersion modelling. The width of the stack was 3.6 metres. In the original Mountside Properties Limited planning permission the stack height was 20 metres and the width 4 metres; The air vent stack was reduced in height from 20 metres to 15 metres; The area reserved for the cooling tower was reduced from 340m² to 146m² with the height of the cooling tower retained at 8.3 metres; The power plant required a larger volume of raw water so a more substantial raw water storage tank was required on site. The raw water supply demand was significantly more than outlined in the original application (90m³/hr v 20m³/hr). The height of the new raw water tank was 19 metres; and A two-storey administration building was proposed instead of a single storey building. This building was proposed to serve as a workshop, stores and control building. There were minor material amendments to the size and scale of other plant structures including the water treatment building, gas turbine modular control room, fuel oil unloading bay, fire pump station, car parking and heat exchanger; Gas and electrical compounds were included as part of the revised application. These compounds were originally to be the subject of separate applications by Bord Gáis and EirGrid respectively. GIL considered that including both the gas and electrical compounds in a single planning application to Kilkenny County Council would facilitate the complete assessment of the full extent of the development proposed; and Inclusion of river water abstraction and the reuse of treated wastewater from the Purcellsinch Wastewater Treatment Plant within the scope of the planning application. It is also important to note that the main principal elements of the proposal remained the same as the original permitted development, notably: The site boundary for the main power plant development area was unchanged; The gas turbine technology (i.e. open-cycle gas turbine technology) was unchanged, the output of the proposed power plant remained at 100 MW; The land use planning policy of Kilkenny County Council remained unchanged. The site was still zoned Industrial Technology Park which includes public service installations such as power plants 1-4

9 as developments open for consideration. Both An Bord Pleanála and Kilkenny County Council had previously considered that the proposed development in this location is acceptable; Predicted environmental emissions/ambient concentrations relating to noise and air quality were within the regulatory threshold limits. It should be noted emission limit values are specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licensing regime. This licence will stipulate appropriate levels and operational control/monitoring requirements for all environmental emissions; No direct discharges to watercourses were proposed. All process and domestic wastewater would be discharged to the foul sewer in the IDA Business and Technology Park. Surface water would be discharged to the surface water drainage system in the IDA Business and Technology Park; The visual impact was considered neutral in the context of the permitted layout and also given the existing industrial development already present within the area; and No access was proposed to the site from the Sion Road during either the construction or operational phases of development. All traffic to the site would be through the IDA Business and Technology Park Request for Environmental Impact Statement On the 6 th January 2011 Kilkenny County Council requested that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be submitted stating the following: Article 103(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations states that where a planning application for sub threshold development is not accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement and the Planning Authority considers that the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, it shall, by notice in writing request the applicant to submit an EIS. Having regard to (i) the material differences between the proposed development and the permitted development of the site P.07/2164, (ii) the characteristics of the proposed development, (iii) the location of the proposed development and nature of surrounding uses, and (iv) the characteristics of the potential impacts, it is considered that the proposed development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment and will require a Environmental Impact Statement. Notice under Article 103(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations is hereby served. In the accompanying Planner s Report to the request, it was noted that the following technical issues associated with the new planning application necessitated the requirement for an EIS: There was a four fold increase in the water demand for the current proposal over the original application; There were additional components to the revised application, i.e. the gas and electrical compounds; There was uncertainty in relation to water supply for the proposed operation the power plant; The was potential for impacts on the groundwater regime of the area and potential adverse impacts on the River Barrow and River Nore Candidate Special Area of Conservation (csac); There was potential atmospheric impacts associated with the use of wastewater from the Purcellsinch Wastewater Treatment Plant as a coolant in the operation of the power plant; 1-5

10 Concerns were raised by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the Screening for Appropriate Assessment Report; and Concerns were raised by Kilkenny County Council on some of the technical issues noted by objectors in the original planning application by Mountside Properties which not been addressed in the revised application. Kilkenny County Council s Planner s Report and the statutory consultee responses to the revised planning application are contained in Appendix B KCC Planners Report and Statutory Consultee Responses. The EIS was received by Kilkenny County Council on the 12 th December On 10 th February 2012 Kilkenny County Council contacted Mott MacDonald Ireland to advise that a typographical error had been identified on the Site Notice. As such the planning application was invalidated This Planning Application (October 2012) This EIS has been completed to support a new planning application to Kilkenny County Council. The principal design characteristics of the power plant remains unchanged from the application considered under Kilkenny County Council planning register 10/627. As part of pre-application consultations Kilkenny County Council provided a copy of each of the statutory consultee responses to the most recent planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627). These responses are also included in Appendix B. Details of consolidated consultee responses to this application (during both the original planning application and RFI consultation periods) are listed in Table 1.1 which also references the appropriate Chapter of the EIS where there comments are addressed. Table 1.1: Statutory Consultee Responses Statutory Consultee Issues Raised EIS Chapter Section Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) Requested the following: Proposals for the collection and storage of contaminated firewater and the impact of osmotic issues and F:M ratios on the operation of Purcellsinch Wastewater Treatment Plant Kilkenny County Council Roads Design Office Kilkenny County Council Environment Section Clarification on raw water tank details. Inclusion in EIS text of the River Nores designation as salmonid water under S of 1988 the European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, EIS should include provision for alarm facilities on petrol interceptors. Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) should reference Inland Fisheries Ireland as a statutory consultee. 1-6 Chapter 3 Description of Appendix H Preliminary Construction Environmental Management Plan Recommended planning conditions Confirmed that the site had been inspected and there was no Chapter 6 Human Beings objection to the proposed development on the basis of the Land Use and Material submitted information Assets Advised that there were no objections to the proposed development. Also requested that planning conditions should include the following: The operational phase of development should be carried out in accordance with the IPPC Licensing regime. Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 8 Noise & Vibration 2.2 Various

11 Statutory Consultee Issues Raised EIS Chapter Section The Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and methodology for same should be agreed with Kilkenny Appendix H Preliminary Construction County Council prior to the commencement of construction. Environmental Management Plan Details of bunding and drainage. Chapter 3 Description of 3.9 All noise, air emissions and odours should not result in significant impairment of, or significant interference with amenities or the environment beyond the site. Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 8 Noise & Vibration 11.8 Various Kilkenny County Council Parks Section Requested that GIL should submit the following: Tree and Hedgerow Survey. Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual Various Details of fencing for landscaping works. Detailed Landscaping Plan. Maintenance and Management Plan. Methodology for works with potential to impact on Root Protection Areas (RPSs) of a number of trees. Details of a bond. Appendix T Tree and Hedgerow Survey Planning Application Landscape Drawings No: Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual Planning Application Landscape Drawings No s: , 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306. Appendix U Maintenance, Management and Specification Plan Appendix T Tree and Hedgerow Survey Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual Various Kilkenny County Council Water Services Section Landscaping Plan for the Pumphouse site. Requested provision of the following: A detailed hydrogeological report indicating the potential of onsite groundwater supply. Appendix V Landscape Budget Costs Planning Application Landscape Drawings No: Chapter 12 Soils, Geology and Hydrogeology An assessment of potential public health and odour issues that may arise from using a grey water supply from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Identify the characteristics and strength of all wastewater to be discharged to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Evidence of statutory consents to permit a sustainable water supply. Details of third party agreements and permissions required to ensure a sustainable water supply. Appendix R Section 10 and 23 Notice Response Chapter 15 Health and Safety Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 3 Description of

12 Statutory Consultee Issues Raised EIS Chapter Section Details of infrastructural works on third party lands. A full breakdown of the volume of water required from each individual source. Appendix F IDA Land Ownership Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 3 Description of Kilkenny County Council Fire and Rescue Service Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Location of connection (if any) to public water mains and evidence that this supply can deliver the volume required for development. Advised that there were no objections to the proposed development and included a list of recommended planning conditions. EIS should include more detail on public health issues associated with the use of wastewater from the Wastewater Treatment Plant and in particular regarding potential pathogens and possible odours. Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 3 Description of Appendix B KCC Planners Report and Statutory Consultee Responses Chapter 15 Health and Safety Development Application Unit (DAU)(formerly part of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government now within the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)(DAHG) Heritage and Planning Division (DEHLG now within DAHG) An Taisce Advised that the Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening was not adequate as it was not clear whether the proposed groundwater abstraction will have a significant effect or not on the River Barrow and Nore csac Stated possibility that sub surface materials may be encountered during the construction phase of development. The need for the power plant is questioned given the surplus in capacity in the Irish energy sector Appendix G.1 Specifications for Demineralisation Water Treatment Appendix G.2 Specification for Make Up Water for the Cooling Towers Appendix G.3 Additional Raw Water Treatment Details Appendix G.4 Bord na Mona Water Quality Analysis Appendix N.1 Stage 1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment Appendix N.2 Natura Impact Statement Chapter 14 Archaeology, Architectural Heritage and Cultural Heritage Chapter 2 Justification for Consultations Historical Consultations on 2010 Planning Application A pre-application meeting was held with Kilkenny County Council on the 26 th August 2010 to discuss the planning history of the site and the rationale for the new planning application. A second meeting was held with Kilkenny County Council on the 19 th January 2011 to discuss the request for EIS and the technical scope of this document. Kilkenny County Council agreed that these meetings and the availability of current and historical consultee responses to the proposed power plant development constituted adequate EIA 1-8

13 scoping. A final meeting was held on the 19 th October 2011 to discuss progress on the project since the time of the RFI and GILs programme for submitting the EIS. A consultation meeting was also held with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on the 4 th February 2011 to discuss IFI comments on GIL s planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627) as well as proposals for the use of a water abstraction from the River Nore. Further and letter correspondence was undertaken in October and November 2011 in respect of incorporating IFI mitigation measures into the power plant design. Mott MacDonald Ireland also met with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) on the 13 th October 2011 to discuss proposals for a water abstraction from the River Nore Consultations on this Planning Application A pre-application meeting was held with Kilkenny County Council on the 22 nd February 2012 to discuss the new planning application. Kilkenny County Council provided Mott MacDonald Ireland with a copy of the statutory consultee responses to the most recent planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627) and the technical scope of the revised planning application was discussed. It was agreed that this meeting and the provision of the consultee responses (as well as the public availability of historical consultee responses on the proposed development) constituted appropriate EIS scoping for the new planning application. A final meeting was held with Kilkenny County Council on the 19 th September 2012 to advise of the new planning application. Telephone consultations were also undertaken with the following consultees to ensure that their comments on the proposed development are considered in this EIS: National Parks and Wildlife Services, 20/03/12 (Conservation Ranger), 22/03/12 (District Conservation Officer), 28/03/12 (Divisional Ecologist); Health and Safety Executive, 12/03/12 (Environmental Health Officer); Kilkenny County Council Water Services Department 3/04/12 (Senior Engineer); and Kilkenny County Council Park Department 01/03/12 (Parks Officer). GIL has considered all statutory consultee responses to the original planning application by Mountside Properties (Kilkenny County Council Reference 07/2164), submissions to An Bord Pleanála as part of the original application (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL ) and submissions to the most recent planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627) and has addressed the matters raised within this EIS Local Consultations There were a total of 28 objectors to the original planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 07/2164), submitted by Mountside Properties to Kilkenny County Council. These concerns are addressed in detail in specific sections of the EIS, as detailed in Table 1.2 Original Objector Concerns: Table 1.2: Original Objector Concerns Original Objector Concern Provision of technical information on the proposed power plant Health and safety EIS Chapter All EIS Chapters and Technical Appendices Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 15 Health and Safety 1-9

14 Original Objector Concern Risk of fire and explosion Property devaluation Details on noise, atmospheric and water emissions Impact on residential amenity Potential impacts on flora and fauna Potential impact on groundwater Potential for ground contamination Visual impact EIS Chapter Appendix I Major Accident Risk Assessment Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 15 Health and Safety Appendix I Major Accident Risk Assessment Chapter 7 Human Beings Socio Economics Chapter 8 Noise & Vibration Chapter 15 Health and Safety Chapter 6 Human Beings Land Use and Material Assets Chapter 8 Noise & Vibration Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual Chapter 10 Flora and Fauna, Appendix N.1 Stage 1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment Appendix N.2 Natura Impact Statement Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 12 Soils, Geology & Hydrogeology Appendix R Section 10 and 23 Notice Response Chapter 12 Soils, Geology & Hydrogeology Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual GIL wrote to each of the 28 objectors in November 2010 providing information on the forthcoming new planning application (subsequently identified as Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627). This letter was accompanied by a brochure containing information on the following: Greener Ideas Limited the company; Objectives of the power plant; Why a new planning application is required; The need for the proposed power plant; Power plant technology and processes; and Local environmental impacts. Contact details and opportunities to meet with the GIL Project Team were also provided. A copy of this correspondence is included in Appendix C Local Consultations. In addition, GIL set up a project specific website for the proposed power plant and advised all objectors of same which is available at This website also contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which is contained in Appendix D of this EIS. There were a total of thirteen objections to the most recent planning application (Kilkenny County Council Reference 10/627). The concerns raised in the objections were similar in nature to the original application and included additional concerns which are detailed in Table 1.3 Additional Objector Concerns below. This table also includes reference to the relevant sections of the EIS where these concerns are discussed in detail. 1-10

15 Table 1.3: Objector Concerns The need for an EIS Additional Objector Concerns Lack of information regarding alternative sites Construction phase disruption to neighbouring commercial properties Unproven gas turbine technology Property devaluation Suitability of Kilkenny for a power plant Planning and zoning Impact on residential amenity Odour Risk of major accidents Lack of information regarding water supply and potential impacts on groundwater Structural damage to neighbouring commercial properties EIS Chapter Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Justification for Chapter 3 Description of Appendix H Preliminary Construction Environmental Management Plan Chapter 2 Justification for Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 7 Human Beings Socio Economics Chapter 2 Justification for Chapter 4 Planning and Policy Context Chapter 4 Planning and Policy Context Chapter 6 Human Beings Land Use and Material Assets Chapter 6 Human Beings Land Use and Material Assets Chapter 7 Human Beings Socio-economics Chapter 8 Noise & Vibration Chapter 13 Landscape & Visual Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 3 Description of Chapter 15 Health and Safety Appendix I Major Accident Risk Assessment Chapter 3 Description of 1.6 Preparation of the EIS Structure of the EIS Chapter 12 Soils, Geology & Hydrogeology Chapter 12 Soils, Geology & Hydrogeology The structure of this EIS is presented in Table 1.4. Table 1.4: Structure of EIS Chapter No EIS Chapter Title 1 Introduction 2 Need for 3 Description of 4 Planning and Policy Context 5 EIA Methodology 6 Human Beings Land Use and Material Assets 7 Human Beings Socio Economic 8 Noise & Vibration 9 Air Quality 10 Flora and Fauna 11 Water 12 Soils, Geology and Hydrogeology 1-11

16 Chapter No EIS Chapter Title 13 Landscape and Visual 14 Archaeology, Architecture and Cultural Heritage 15 Health and Safety 16 Interactions of the Foregoing Consultants This EIS was prepared by Mott MacDonald Ireland Limited. In addition, the following subconsultants were engaged to undertake specialist technical assessments: Brady Shipman Martin Landscape and Visual; Kilkenny Archaeology Archaeology; Whitewater Specialist Water Treatment Advice; Ecofact Environmental Consultants; and Tíros Planning Advice and Assessment Difficulties Encountered No significant difficulties were encountered in the course of the EIA that could not be appropriately addressed in the design development process or in this environmental impact assessment. 1-12