Oweninny Wind Farm Development

Transcription

1 Oweninny Wind Farm Development Oweninny Power Limited (OPL) Response to An Bord Pleanála Further Information Request Assessment of Alternative Option Phase 1 and Phase 2 only Document No.: QS R Date: 15/10/2015 ESB International, Stephen Court, 18/21 St Stephen s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. Phone +353 (0) Copyright ESB International Limited, all rights reserved.

2 File Reference: Client / Recipient: Project Title: Report Title: Report No.: QS R Oweninny Power Limited (OPL) Oweninny Wind Farm Development Assessment of Alternative Option Phase 1 and 2 only QS R Revision No.: 000 Prepared by: Jake Kinsella Date:15/10/2015 Title: Professional Engineer Verified by: Paddy Kavanagh Date: 1510/2015 Title: Planning and Environment Senior Team leader Approved by: Neil Quinn Date: 15/10/2015 Title: Pre-Development Group Manager Copyright ESB International Limited All rights reserved. No part of this work may be modified, reproduced or copied in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or used for any purpose other than its designated purpose, without the written permission of ESBI Engineering & Facility Management Ltd., trading as ESB International. Template Used: T ESBI Report Template Change History of Report Date New Revision Author Summary of Change 09/10/ PL Legal Comments on Introduction incorporated Review and update of Cumulative Impacts in each Section 2

3 Contents 1 INTRODUCTION SCOPE General Overview Phase 1 and Phase 2 Development Proposed Phase 1 and Phase 2 development Changes to Cumulative Impact Projects METHODOLOGY ORAL HEARING INFORMATION CONTRIBUTORS CONSULTATION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND THE DEVELOPERS THE SITE Changes to general description compared to original application PLANNING HISTORY DESCRIPTION OF PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2 SCHEME Scheme Components Wind Turbines Method of Operation Locations Transformers Site entrance Access Tracks Crane stands Electrical Substation Meteorological masts Overhead Transmission Lines and Underground Cables Visitor Centre Temporary Site Compound Batching Plant 2-18 i

4 Wastewater treatment facilities Borrow pit Bord Gáis Network Water supply Electricity supply River and stream crossings MATERIAL QUANTITIES PEAT STABILITY RISK ASSESSMENT INDICATIVE PROJECT PHASING Phasing OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND DECOMMISSIONING Operation and Maintenance Project Lifetime Wind Farm Operation Decommissioning Options & Removal of Development Costs of Decommissioning MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OTHER DEVELOPMENTS GRID CONNECTION PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION INTRODUCTION PROJECT PHASING Indicative Phasing PROJECT CONSTRUCTION Scope Schedule Construction Plant and Machinery Construction and Environmental Management Plan Site Management TEMPORARY SITE FACILITIES Contractor s Compound Temporary Concrete Batching Plant 3-5 ii

5 3.4.3 Other temporary facilities Emissions and emission control Dust emissions Water Waste Materials Noise Decommissioning Control of Oils & Fuel PUBLIC ROADS TURBINE ACCESS AND CRANEPADS Access tracks Cranepads WIND TURBINES Turbine Bases Turbine Installation Commissioning ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) BUILDING VISITOR CENTRE METEOROLOGICAL MASTS SITE DRAINAGE ASSOCIATED WORKS Tree Felling Borrow Pit Material import Fill and aggregate Concrete Steel Miscellaneous CONSTRUCTION WASTE REINSTATEMENT MITIGATION OF IMPACTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN 3-25 iii

6 4 ALTERNATIVES Alternative Electricity Generation Benefits of Renewable Energy Project Context Scenario Worldwide Irish Scenario Other Renewable Energy Resources Role and Benefits of Wind Energy ALTERNATIVE SITES Context Site Suitability Wind Speed Size and Topography of Site Other Factors Renewable Energy Strategy Previous Assessments of Site Suitability Mayo County Council An Bord Pleanála Summary ALTERNATIVE CONFIGURATIONS AND LAYOUTS General Approach Alternative turbine heights Approved and Proposed Layout Approved Layout Development of Proposed Layout Field Survey influence on the design Scoping Exercise influence on design Communication signal corridors Impact of Trees Final wind farm design Micrositing Proposed Arrangement Other Components Electrical Substation 4-18 iv

7 Meteorological Masts kv overhead Transmission Lines Summary Planning (Wind Energy) Guidelines POLICY & PLANNING INTRODUCTION ENERGY POLICY EUROPEAN CONTEXT White Paper on Renewables Green Paper on Security of Energy Supply Renewable Energy Directives 2001 & European Commission Energy Roadmap Updates on EU Policy and Commitments Climate Change Summary ENERGY POLICY NATIONAL CONTEXT Policy Evolution National Development Plan Renewable Energy Development Energy White Paper Update on the Energy White paper of 2007 the Green Paper National Climate Change Strategy Strategy for Renewable Energy, National Renewable Energy Action Plan NREAP First and Second Progress Report Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING AND POLICY Regional Planning Guidelines Planning Policy - Mayo County Development Plan Mayo County Development Plan Development Policies and Objectives County Landscape Policy 5-20 v

8 5.4.5 Mayo Renewable Energy Strategy Strategic Environmental Assessment Draft Renewable Energy Strategy County Mayo CONCLUSIONS HUMAN BEINGS INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Population, Employment and Socio-economics State population Mayo Population Population in District Electoral Divisions at Oweninny site Socio-economics Summary Public Attitudes Health and Safety Electromagnetic Fields Ice shedding Shadow Flicker Noise POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION PHASE Population, Employment and Socio-economics Local Level National Level Avoidance of imported fossil fuels Cumulative Impacts Population, Employment and socio economics Public Attitude to Wind Farms Ireland Britain & Northern Ireland Community Benefit 6-14 vi

9 6.4.4 Health & Safety Electromagnetic Radiation Structural Integrity of Turbines: Hazard from Falling Ice Summary: Other Issues MITIGATION General Health & Safety Electromagnetic Radiation Structural Integrity of Turbines: Hazards from Falling Ice CONCLUSION NOISE INTRODUCTION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY Background Noise and Wind Speed Monitoring Turbine Noise Prediction Modelling Corrections for Existing Wind Farm Noise RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Summary background noise IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Sources of Noise Construction Noise Operational Noise Impact Method of Assessment and Noise Limits Predicted Noise Predicted Operational Noise Predicted Cumulative Impacts Summary of noise impacts CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Cumulative Impact of Oweninny and Corvoderry Cumulative Impact with other projects 7-23 vii

10 7.5.3 Decommissioning Phase MITIGATION Construction phase Operational phase Decommissioning CONCLUSIONS GLOSSARY AND DEFINED TERMS SHADOW FLICKER INTRODUCTION RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Predicted Impact Assessment CUMULATIVE IMPACTS MITIGATION CONCLUSIONS TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY INTRODUCTION Locational and General Information SURVEY METHODS AND DATA COLLATION Habitats and Vegetation Bird Surveys Summer bird surveys Winter bird surveys Autumn bird surveys Bat Survey Otter Survey Survey route distance & survey timing Other Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles Criteria for Evaluation of Ecological Resources and Impact Assessment RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Sites Designated for Nature Conservation 9-13 viii

11 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Protection Areas (SPA) Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) Proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pnha) Statutory Nature Reserves National Parks Habitats, Vegetation and Flora Description of habitats on site Vegetation descriptions at construction areas Turbines and tracks Sub-stations Borrow pit and gravel storage area Peat deposition area Powerline routes Otters and Other Terrestrial Mammals Otters Badger Pine Marten Irish Hare Deer Fox Others Bats Desk study results Bat field survey results Amphibians and Reptiles Birds Breeding and summering birds Wintering birds Autumn birds Birds of conservation importance Evaluation Of Conservation Importance Of Site Habitats and flora 9-67 ix

12 Fauna Birds IMPACT ASSESSMENT Characteristics of the Development Loss of Habitats Changes to Habitats as a Result of Works Habitats affected directly by construction works Changes to habitats during operation phase Potential Hydrological Impacts on Flush Systems Potential Pollution of Watercourses Potential Impacts from Peat Slippage Potential Impacts on Birds of Conservation Importance Impacts on Annex I and/or Red Listed bird species Impacts on Amber Listed species Potential Impacts on Terrestrial Mammals Otter Badger Other mammal species Potential Impacts on Bats Adjudged likely impact of the proposed development on bats Potential Impacts on Amphibians and Reptiles Potential Impacts on Sites Designated for Nature Conservation European Sites Other designated Sites Proposed Natural Heritage Areas Statutory Nature Reserves National Parks MITIGATION MEASURES 9-91 x

13 9.6.1 Habitat Avoidance Sensitive Design to Maintain Habitat Integrity Measures Specific for Protection of Bellacorick Iron Flush SAC Access restrictions Hydrological monitoring Vegetation monitoring Measures to Maintain Bog Remnants Measures to Reduce and Prevent Water Pollution during Construction Works Measures to Reduce and Prevent Water Pollution during Tree Felling Measures to Maintain Peat Stability Mitigation Measure for Areas of Insignificant Risk Mitigation Measures for Areas of Significant Risk 9-96 Design mitigation measures 9-96 Construction mitigation measures Construction control measures Substantial Risk Mitigation Measures 9-98 Design mitigation measures Construction mitigation measures Construction control measures Peat Stability Risk Conclusions and Recommendations Measures for Construction of Overhead Power Lines Substation No. 1 line Substation No. 2 line Habitat Management and Enhancement Re-establishment and promotion of wetland habitats xi

14 Removal of self-seeded conifers and Rhododendron Removal of pine trees Removal of Rhododendron Measures for Sensitive Breeding Birds Measures Applicable to All Breeding Birds Monitoring for Birds during Operation Phase Measures for Otters Measures for Badgers Measures for Bats Trees Lighting restrictions Bridges Vegetation-free buffer zone Measures for Common Frog Project Ecologist Cumulative Impacts Cumulative Impacts with Other Wind Farms Cumulative impacts on habitats Cumulative impacts on birds Meteorological Mast Power Line Projects Substation Project Power Plants Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) for County Mayo, Oweninny Cutaway Bog Rehabilitation Programme Forestry Peat Harvesting Agriculture Overview of In-combination Effects CONCLUSION xii

15 10 WATER QUALITY, FISHERIES AND AQUATIC ECOLOGY INTRODUCTION Relevant legislation Hydrology of the site Approach and Methodology Electrofishing Stream Invertebrate Sampling Biological Water Quality Assessment Criteria RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT General Catchment Information Inland Fisheries Ireland Oweninny Report Fishery Value Electrofishing surveys Inland Fisheries Ireland Surveys Electrofishing survey Electrofishing Summary EPA Biological analyses Aquafact Biological analyses Ecological Importance and Designated areas POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Construction Phase Impacts Pollution of Streams with Suspended Solids Pollution with Nutrients Decomposition of Brash after Forestry Clearfelling Construction - Pollution with Nutrients due to Ground Disturbance and Clearfelling Operations Nutrients Adsorbed or Chemically Bound to Eroded Suspended Solids Construction - Pollution with Other Substances Potential Operational Impacts Long-Term Aquatic Effects Pollution with Surface Runoff from Completed Development xiii

16 Permanent Loss of Habitat and Obstruction to Upstream Movement of Aquatic Fauna Due to Culverting, Track Construction & Upgrading Hydrological impacts Decommissioning phase MITIGATION Construction Phase Mitigation - Reduction and Prevention of Suspended Solids Pollution General Recommendations Construction Phase Mitigation - Forestry Clearfelling Construction Phase Mitigation - Pollution of Watercourses with Nutrients Construction Phase Mitigation - Pollution of Watercourses with nutrient from Repository areas Construction Phase Mitigation - Turbine Foundations, Cable Trenches and Upgrade of Tracks Construction Phase Mitigation General Management of Pollution Operational Phase Mitigation - Wastewater treatment system Operational Phase Mitigation - Habitat Loss Operational Phase Mitigation - Obstruction to Movement of Aquatic Fauna Operational Phase Mitigation - Hydrological Impacts Procedures, Monitoring and Maintenance Residual Impacts post mitigation CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Wind Farms Corvoderry Wind Farm Development Dooleeg, Bellacorick Wind Farm Tawnanasool Wind Farm xiv

17 Potential future development of Oweninny Phase Meteorological Mast Overhead Power Lines Substation Project Power Plants Grid 25/Grid West Forestry CONCLUSION LANDSCAPE BASIS OF VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Introduction METHODOLOGY Introduction Zone of Visual Influence Visibility Design Guidelines Survey Methods Definition of Visual Impact Location of photomontages Summary RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Site Context Landscape Character Physical characteristics (Topography, Landform) Social (Land use) Experiential (Scale and exposure) Visual Planning Context (Refer to Figure 11.1) Landscape Character County Mayo Principle Policy Area: Areas designated for ecological importance Protected views and prospects xv

18 Walking routes Cycling Routes Céide Fields Ballycroy National Park Proposed Nephin Wild Project Renewable Energy Development CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSAL The Proposal Spatial Layout Characteristics Relationship to Site, Topography and Landscape IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Introduction Zones of Theoretical Visibility (Refer to Figures 11.4 & 11.5) Principal Views (Refer to Figure 11.6) Landscape and Visual Effects (Refer to Figure 11.7) Cumulative effects Wind Farms Meteorological Mast Substation development Transmission line developments Grid West Cumulative effects Conclusion Effects of warning lights Summary of Landscape and Visual Effects Summary of effects on viewpoints Visual Effects Landscape Effects Effects on Natural Heritage Areas and Natura 2000 sites Effects on Scenic Routes and Protected Views xvi

19 Effects on Walking Routes Effects on Cycling Routes Effects on Céide Fields Effects on Ballycroy National Park Effects on the proposed Nephin Wild Project Summary of Effects on Designated Areas Effects on Built-Up Areas Effects on Roads within the study area Connection to the National Grid MITIGATION Sitting, Design and Layout Comparison of alternative turbine heights Design of Site Access Roads Colour Planting Decommissioning CONCLUSIONS AIR QUALITY & CLIMATE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Air Quality Legislative Context Baseline Air Quality Atmospheric Emissions Legislative Context Greenhouse Gas Emissions Other Emissions Local Emission Sources and Receptors IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Construction Phase impacts Atmospheric Emissions Air Quality Impact of Air emissions on Protected Areas12-13 xvii

20 Operational phase impacts General Loss of Forestry MITIGATION Cumulative Impacts Wind Farms Cumulative Benefits to greenhouse gas reduction from Wind Farm Developments Cumulative impacts on air quality Wind farms Meteorological Mast Uprate of the Existing Bellacorick to Castlebar 110 kv Overhead Line (planning reference P14/410) Uprate of the Existing Bellacorick to Moy 110 kv Overhead Line (planning reference P15/45) Uprate of the Existing Bellacorick to Bangor Erris 38 kv Overhead Line (planning reference PL15/611) Substation Project Power Plants Grid 25/Grid West CONCLUSION SOILS & GEOLOGY INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Soils Bedrock Groundwater Geological Heritage and Resources Borrow Pit and Peat Repository Ground Investigation and Slope Stability Ground Investigation Peat and Slope Stability 13-6 xviii

21 13.3 POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Construction Phase General Operational Phase Decommissioning phase MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS Construction Mitigation General Soil Management Materials and Fuels Water and Effluents Transmission Lines and HDD Geoheritage Slope Stability Operational Mitigation Decommissioning Mitigation Cumulative Impacts Wind Farms Corvoderry Wind Farm Dooleeg, Bellacorick Wind Farm Tawnanasool Wind Farm Potential future development of Oweninny Phase Meteorological Mast Uprate of the Existing Bellacorick to Castlebar 110 kv Overhead Line (planning reference P14/410) Uprate of the Existing Bellacorick to Moy 110 kv Overhead Line (planning reference P15/45) Substation Project Power Plants CONCLUSIONS TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT INTRODUCTION 14-1 xix

22 14.2 TURBINE COMPONENT HAUL ROUTE ASSESSMENT Methodology Alternatives reviewed Potential haul route options Assessment of Potential Routes TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT Methodology Receiving Environment Traffic Volumes Traffic Counts Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Counter Mulranny Project Appraisal Guidelines (AADT Estimation) Existing Road Capacity Public Transport Accident Record Proposed Site Access Site Access Road Safety Audit Trip Generation and Distribution Construction Phase IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Future Background Traffic Flows Project Construction Miscellaneous Construction Vehicles Concrete Foundations and Piles Track Construction & Turbine Hardstands Abnormal Loads Electrical Equipment & Building Materials Cranes Worst Case Traffic Scenarios Assessment of Potential Traffic Routes Wind Turbine Components xx

23 Assessment of Construction Impacts (Extreme Worst Case Scenario) Project Operation Wind Farm Maintenance Road Safety Visitor Centre traffic Project Decommissioning MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS Delivery of Wind Turbine Components Maximising use of existing ground conditions and existing on site tracks Potential Reduction in the traffic movements On-site borrow pit On site Concrete Batching Plant General Construction Traffic Traffic Management Plan Landtake Access points CUMULATIVE IMPACTS General Wind Farm Developments Potential future development of Oweninny Phase kV Overhead Line Upgrade CONCLUSION FORESTRY INTRODUCTION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Forest Management Plans Local Context Sustainable Forest Management Effect of Trees 15-5 xxi

24 Forest Management at Oweninny Tree Felling Methodology IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Timber harvesting Replanting Potential Site Impacts Change in Local Hydrology Water quality - nutrient enrichment Water quality - increase in suspended matter Loss (or Change) of Habitat Noise Disturbance During Felling Increase of Extraction Road Traffic CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Wind Farms Corvoderry Wind Farm Dooleeg Wind turbine Tawnanasool Wind Farm Potential future development of Oweninny Phase Overhead Line Projects Bellacorick to Castlebar 110kV OHL Uprate Bellacorick to Moy 110kV OHL Uprate Bellacorick to Bangor Erris 38 kv OHL Uprate Meteorological Mast at Sheskin Grid West MITIGATION CONCLUSIONS MATERIAL ASSETS INTRODUCTION TOURISM & AMENITY Approach and methodology 16-1 xxii

25 Receiving Environment General Local Impact of the Development General Cumulative Impacts Local Interest Mitigation Conclusions ENERGY SUPPLY Receiving Environment Impact of the Development Cumulative impacts Potential future development of Oweninny Phase Mitigation Conclusions AIR NAVIGATION Receiving Environment Impact of the Development Mitigation Conclusions TELEVISION and COMMUNICATIONS SIGNALS Receiving Environment Impact of the Development Mitigation Cumulative impacts Conclusion WIND FARMS AND PROPERTY PRICES CONCLUSIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY 17-1 xxiii

26 Desk Study Field Inspection Assessment Methodology RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Local History Settlement History Archaeology Results from previous documented relevant archaeological reports Reported archaeological artefacts Summary of Archaeological Heritage Architectural Heritage IMPACTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT Construction Phase Operational Phase Do-Nothing Scenario MITIGATION MEASURES Construction Phase Operational Phase PREDICTED IMPACTS Construction Phase Operational Phase Worst Case scenario CUMULATIVE IMPACTS CONCLUSION IRON FLUSH HYDROLOGICAL AND HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY NPWS and An Taisce consultation process Sources of information DESK STUDY REVIEW Rainfall & evaporation 18-3 xxiv

27 Regional and Local Hydrology Geology Hydrogeology Review of previous investigation findings IRON FLUSH HYDROGEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION Field Investigations Vegetation survey Drainage Window Sampling, Peat Augering and Water Level Monitoring Groundwater & peat water level monitoring installations Water Levels Hydrochemistry RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT BELLACORICK IRON FLUSH Introduction Geology Hydrology Hydro-geology Hydrochemistry Surface Water Input (i.e. rainfall) Shallow Ground Water (peat iron accumulation theory) Discrete Deep Groundwater upwells (iron rich bedrock groundwater) Flush Surface Water Catchment & Groundwater Recharge Area Summary Hydro-geological Conceptual Model IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT - BELLACORICK IRON FLUSH Introduction Components of development which could impact on the iron flush xxv

28 Description of Borrow Pit Area Disruption of Groundwater Flow Paths Towards the Iron Flush Reduction in Groundwater Recharge to the Iron Flush Impact on Groundwater Levels in the Vicinity of the Iron Flush Potential Release of Hydrocarbons & other Chemicals Alteration of Surface Water Drainage in the Vicinity of the Iron Flush Potential Hydrochemical Effects on the Flush due to Introducing Concrete Piles MITIGATION MEASURES BELLACORICK IRON FLUSH Disruption of Groundwater Flow Paths Towards the Iron Flush Reduction in Groundwater Recharge to the Iron Flush Impact on Groundwater Levels in the Vicinity of the Iron Flush Potential Release of Hydrocarbons & other Chemicals Alteration of Surface Water Drainage in the Vicinity of the Iron Flush Potential Hydrochemical Effects on the Flush due to the Introducing Concrete Piles CONCLUSIONS ON BELLACORICK IRON FLUSH WIDER HYDROLOGICAL STUDY Introduction Schedule and methodology WIDER AREA HYDROLOGY & HYDROGEOLOGY Locations assessed CONCLUSION ON WIDER AREA Cumulative Impacts xxvi

29 19 HYDROLOGY & SEDIMENT INTRODUCTION RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Site Characterization Water Balance Flooding Cutaway Bog Rehabilitation Sensitive Receptors POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT Working in Cutaway Peatland Windfarm Activities MITIGATION Approach Water Quantity Sediment Control Settlement Lagoons and Ponds Swales Check Dams Access Tracks Turbines, Substations and Buildings Hardstanding Borrow pit Peat Repository Batching plant Tree Felling Other Construction Settlement Control Measures MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE DURING CONSTRUCTION Monitoring Operational Phase Decommissioning Phase CUMULATIVE IMPACTS xxvii

30 Wind Farms Corvoderry Wind Farm Development Dooleeg, Bellacorick Wind Farm Tawnanasool Wind Farm Potential future development of Oweninny Phase Meteorological Mast Overhead Power Lines Substation Project Power Plants CONCLUSIONS INDIRECT AND INTERACTION OF IMPACTS INTRODUCTION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY INDIRECT IMPACTS (Secondary Impacts) Economic Road Maintenance Noise Air and Climate Indirect impact from mitigation INTERACTIONS Human Beings / Noise Human Beings / Landscape Human Beings / Roads & Traffic Human Beings / Material Assets Ecology / Landscape Geology and Soils/Water Geology and Soils/Ecology Geology & Soils/Ecology Aquatic Ecology / Water Forestry /Ecology Forestry /Water Quality Forestry/Air and Climate 20-9 xxviii

31 Landscape / Material Assets Air & Climate / Roads & Traffic Geology & Soils / Cultural Heritage EPA GUIDANCE Potential to connect to Grid West CONCLUSIONS xxix

32 Table of figures Figure 1-1: Oweninny Site Location Map Figure 2-1: Site Layout Figure 2-2: Typical turbine components (ESB Curryfree wind farm) Figure 2-3: Typical Wind Turbine Nacelle (Courtesy of Nordex) Figure 2-4: Access locations to Oweninny site off the N Figure 2-5: Typical tower structure Figure 2-6: Borrow pit and gravel storage area Figure 2-7: Oweninny Visitor Centre- Site Plan Figure 2-8: Oweninny Visitor Centre Elevation Figure 2-9: Contractors typical site compound layout Figure 2-10: Typical batching plant layout Figure 2-11: Project indicative phasing Figure 2-12: Location of other projects near Oweninny Figure 4-1: Trend in Wind Turbine Sizes Figure 4-2: Growth of Wind Energy in Ireland Figure 4-3: Average wind velocity at hub height across the EU Figure 4-4: Oweninny Initial Constraints Map Figure 4-5: Planning approved and proposed wind farm layout Figure 4-6: Proposed wind farm layout issued for Scoping Report Figure 4-7: Communication signal corridors with final proposed layout Figure 4-8: Final Constraints Map Figure 4-9: Alternative 110 kv Overhead Line Routes Figure 5-1: Greenhouse gas emissions (including international aviation and excluding LULUCF) trend, EU-28, Figure 5-2: County Mayo Renewable Energy Wind Map (Reproduced from the County Mayo Renewable Energy Strategy) Figure 6-1: District Electoral Divisions at Oweninny Figure 6-2: Investment Contributions Figure 6-3: Irish Wind Jobs by Category Figure 6-4: Favourability to More Wind Farms Figure 7-1: Wind Farm layout with Noise Sensitive Locations Figure 7-2: Representative Noise Monitoring Locations xxx

33 Figure 7-3: Predicted long term wind speed and direction at Mast 50m Figure 7-4: Predicted long term wind speed and direction at Mast 50m Figure 7-5: Predicted long term wind speed and direction at Mast 50m Figure 7-6: Predicted Noise Level Contour Map with Siemens SWT wind turbines Oweninny only Figure 7-7: Predicted Noise Level Contour Map with Siemens SWT wind turbines Oweninny and Corvoderry Figure 8-1: Potential Shadow Flicker Receptors at Oweninny for Turbines with 112 m Rotor Diameters Figure 8-2: Potential Shadow Flicker Receptors at Oweninny for Turbines with Rotor Diameters of 120 m Figure 9-1: Habitat and vegetation map Figure 9-2: Bog Remnant locations Figure 9-3: Bird survey transects Figure 9-4: Bird survey vantage point locations Figure 9-5: Otter survey routes Figure 9-6: Designated and protected areas within 15 km Figure 9-7: Distribution of selected breeding birds Figure 9-8: Hen Harrier winter roost locations Figure 9-9: Hen Harrier winter flight lines to winter roost Figure 9-10: Hen Harrier departing flight lines from winter roost Figure 10-1: Oweninny Rivers Figure 10-2: A3 Oweninny site and main rivers Figure 10-3: Electrofishing survey locations Figure 10-4: EPA Biological Assessment Sites Figure 10-5: Aquafact Water Monitoring sites Figure 10-6: FPM Records on Deel river Figure 10-7: Lough Dahybaun Catchment Figure 11-1: Landscape designations Figure 11-2: Landscape character Figure 11-3: NHA Figure 11-4: ZTV 120m xxxi

34 Figure 11-5: ZTV Blade Tip 176m Figure 11-6: Visual Impact Figure 11-7: Nature of Visbility Tip Height Figure 12-1: Air quality Zones Figure 12-2: Air quality monitoring locations Figure 12-3: Greenhouse gas emissions in 2013 by Sector Figure 12-4: Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland Figure 13-1: A3 Soil Formation Figure 13-2: Ground water vulnerability Figure 13-3: Bedrock Formation Figure 13-4: Groundwater Resources Figure 14-1: Oweninny County Roads Figure 14-2: Oweninny Traffic Count Locations Figure 14-3: Oweninny Site Access Figure 14-4: Turbine Blade in transportation Figure 15-1: Forest Plantations Figure 15-2: Felling Areas Figure 16-1: Failte Ireland Survey of tourist attitudes to wind farms Figure 16-2: Fáilte Ireland Wind farm influence on decision to visit Ireland (Fáilte Ireland, Visitor Attitudes on the Environment - Wind Farms, 2008/ No 3) Figure 16-3: Tourist Centres near Oweninny Figure 16-4: Annual Energy Demand Figure 16-5: Communication Links with original proposed layout Figure 16-6: Communication Links with layout adjusted Figure 17-1: Cultural Heritage Locations Figure 18-1: Site Location Map Figure 18-2: Regional Hydrology Map Figure 18-3: Local Soils Map Figure 18-4: Mapped Subsoils Figure 18-5: Bellacorick Iron Flush Drainage and Vegetation Map Figure 18-6: Bellacorick Iron Flush Local Drainage Map Figure 18-7: Bellacorick Iron Flush Peat Depth Map Figure 18-8: Bellacorick Iron Flush Site Investigation Network xxxii

35 Figure 18-9: Bellacorick Iron Flush Hydrochemistry Map Figure 18-10: Bellacorick Iron Flush Durov Hydrochemistry Plot Figure 18-11: Bellacorick Iron Flush Hydrogeological Cross Section A Figure 18-12: Bellacorick Iron Flush Hydrogeological Cross Section B Figure 18-13: Bellacorick Iron Flush Groundwater Contour Plot Figure 18-14: Bellacorick Iron Flush Regional Groundwater Catchment Figure 18-15: Bellacorick Iron Flush Groundwater Recharge Area Figure 18-16: Spring Location Map Wider Hydrological Area Figure 18-17: Eastern Flush Location Map Figure 18-18: Formoyle Flush Catchment Figure 19-1: Oweninny Site and Main River Catchments Figure 19-2: Oweninny Shaded Relief Map Figure 19-3: Water level recession curve Figure 19-4: Sub Catchments Oweninny Wind Farm Figure 19-5: Typical Local Drainage Layout Figure 19-6: Lough Dahybaun Catchment Figure 19-7: Freshwater Pearl Mussel Catchment Figure 19-8: Peat Repository Area Figure 19-9: Batching Plant Drainage Layout Table of Tables Table 1.1: Oweninny wind farm Phase 1 and Phase 2 project townlands Table 2.1: Candidate Wind Turbines* Table 2.2: Locations of Turbines Table 2.3: Electrical Substation Locations (Centre point) Table 2.4: Meteorological Mast Table 2.5: Borrow Pit Location Table 2.6: Estimates of material quantities Table 3.1: Indicative Project Phasing Table 3.2: Construction Schedule and Nominal Time Scales Table 3.3: Estimated Typical Construction Plant and Equipment* xxxiii

36 Table 3.4: Construction Waste and their Sources Table 4.1: Global Deployment of Wind Power Table 4.2: Fuel Mix for All-Ireland Electricity Generation Table 4.3: Planning Applications for Wind Farms Republic of Ireland Table 4.4: Wind Classification Table 4.5: Wind turbine locations in Phase 1 and Phase 2 identified by IPCC as potential issues Table 4.6: Suitability of 110 kv Overhead line route Table 4.7: Evaluation of potential Line Routes from Substation 1 against Assessment Criteria Table 4.8: Evaluation of potential Line Routes from Substation 2 against Assessment Criteria Table 5.1: National Renewable Energy Targets Table 5.2: National 2020 target and estimated trajectory of energy from renewable sources in heating and cooling, electricity and transport Table 6.1: Population Change Table 6.2: Number of Persons in Employment by Industry - Co. Mayo Table 6.3: Distance of neighbouring houses to OHL and substation locations Table 8.1: Potential Shadow Flicker Occurrence for turbines with Rotor Diameters of 112 m and Hub Heights of 120 m Table 8.2: Potential Shadow Flicker Occurrence for Turbines with Rotor Diameters of 120 m and Hub Heights of 116 m Table 9.1: Summer bird survey periods Table 9.2: Vantage point locations Table 9.3: Winter bird survey periods Table 9.4: Autumn bird survey periods Table 9.5: Approximate length of survey route for otter Table 9.6: Impact significance criteria Table 9.7:. Summary of habitat types found on site. Classification is after Fossitt (2000). Where relevant, the corresponding Annex 1 habitat of the EU Habitats Directive is given Table 9.8: Typical species list for grassland on old railway tracks Table 9.9: Typical species list for dry heath habitat Table 9.10: Substantial bog remnants Table 9.11: Typical species list for lowland blanket bog habitat xxxiv

37 Table 9.12: Typical species list for cutover bog habitat Table 9.13: Typical species list for rich fen habitat Table 9.14: Distance from nearest bog remnants to construction area Table 9.15: Details of bare peat cover and vegetation associated with powerline structures leading away from Substation No Table 9.16: Details of bare peat cover and vegetation associated with powerline structures leading away from Substation No Table 9.17: Adjudged local status of Irish bat species at Oweninny site Table 9.18: Breeding status of species recorded within Oweninny wind farm during 2010, 2011 and 2012 breeding seasons. Red and Amber listed species (after Lynas et al. 2007) & Annex I species of the EU Birds Directive are highlighted Table 9.19: Winter occurrences of species recorded on Transect sections 1-11 (7.3 km) within Oweninny wind farm during winters 2011/12 and 2012/13. Red and Amber listed species are highlighted (after Lynas et al. 2007) Table 9.20: Autumn occurrences of species recorded on Transect sections 1-11 (7.3 km) within Oweninny wind farm during October 2011 and August to October Red and Amber listed species are highlighted (after Lynas et al ) Table 9.21: Bird species of conservation importance recorded on site, Table 9.22: Whooper Swan records Table 9.23: Summary of Hen Harrier activity at roost, winters 2011/12 and 2012/ Table 9.24: Hen Harrier arrival and departure routes at winter roost site, winters 2011/12 and 2012/ Table 9.25: Record of Golden Plover Table 9.26: Skylark Record Table 9.27: Legal status of protected fauna encountered or considered likely to occur within the study area Table 9.28: Distance from nearest bog remnants to construction area Table 9.29: Peat Stability Risk Assessment Risk Rating Table 9.30: Result of PSRA Table 9.31: Survey target species Table 10.1: Location co-ordinates semi quantitative electrofishing Table 10.2: Duration of electrofishing times at each site studied Table 10.3: Location co-ordinates for kick-sampling stations and water sampling site in Lough Dahybaun xxxv

38 Table 10.4: Biotic Index of Water Quality Table 10.5: Results of the electrofishing survey Sheskin, Oweninny and Owenmore River Table 10.6: Salmon capture rates, minimum density estimates and capture rates per m 2 per min, separate calculations for first run and second run fishings Table 10.7: Length frequency distributions of salmon captured at each site (>0+ salmon highlighted in red) Table 10.8: Length frequency distribution of brown trout captured at all sites during the survey Table 10.9: EPA Biological Monitoring Data Table 10.10: Q-value result for each station Table Results of analyses on a sample collected in L. Dahybaun, January, All values as mg/l Table 11.1: Definition of magnitude / degrees of visual effects resulting from the proposal Table 11.2: Criteria for the assessment of magnitude of effects on landscape character Table 11.3 List of Landscape Character Units (LCU) fully or partially contained within the study area Table 11.4 List of Principle Policy Areas (PPA) fully or partially contained within the study area Table 11.5 List of Natura 2000 (csac and SPA) sites within the 30km study area Table 11.6 List of Natural Heritage Areas within the 30km study area Table 11.7 County Mayo - List of Scenic Routes and Highly Scenic Views within the study area Table 11.8 County Sligo - List of Scenic Routes within the study area Table 11.9: Definitions to determine cumulative effects on landscape and visual effects Table Summary of landscape, visual and cumulative effects as illustrated in Photomontages Table 11.11: List of Scenic Routes within the study area Table 11.12: List of Highly Scenic Views within the study area Table 12.1: Summary of air quality assessment in Zone D Table 12.2: EPA 2014 Air Quality Bulletin for monitoring stations in County Mayo xxxvi

39 Table 12.3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland (in Mt of C0 2 equivalent) Table 12.4: Table 12.2: Annual Air Emissions Table 12.5: Approximate Annual Equivalent Air Emissions Table 13.1: Groundwater Vulnerability Classification Table 13.2: Groundwater Resource Protection Matrix Table 14.1: Potential Turbine Component Haul Routes Table 14.2: Forecast N59 Future Year AADT Table 14.3: Typical Wind Turbine Components* Table 14.4: Forecast Traffic Generation Scenarios - All Vehicle Movements Table 14.5: Peak Daily HGV Traffic Generation Scenarios (No Borrow Pit No Concrete Batching Plant) Table 14.6: Peak Daily HGV Traffic Generation Scenarios (Including Borrow Pit Not Including Concrete Batching Plant) Table 14.7: Traffic Distribution Potential (Excluding Borrow Pit) Table 14.8: Traffic Distribution Potential (Including Borrow Pit) Table 14.9: Forecast Capacity in AADT during construction period (Extreme Worst Case Scenario of Original EIS) Table 14.10: Forecast Capacity in AADT West of Site During Construction Period (85th Percentile Scenario C with and without Borrow Pit) Table 14.11: Forecast Capacity in AADT East of Site During Construction Period (85th Percentile Scenario C with and without Borrow Pit) Table 14.12: Forecast Capacity in AADT West of Site During Construction Period (Average Scenario D with and without Borrow Pit) Table 14.13: Forecast Capacity in AADT East of Site During Construction Period (Average Scenario D with and without Borrow Pit) Table 14.14: Forecast Capacity in AADT West of Site During Construction Period (Average Scenario D with and without Borrow Pit) Table 14.15: Forecast Capacity in AADT East of Site During Construction Period (Average Scenario D with and without Borrow Pit) Table 15-1: Areas by Management Objectives for Shannetra Forest Table 15-2: Planting year and area Table 15-3: Coillte felling schedule Table 16-1: Overseas Visits (Thousands) to Ireland Table 16-2: Response to question as to whether wind farms spoil the look of the countryside xxxvii

40 Table 16-3: Electricity System Records Table 16-4: Transmission Demand Forecast (MW) Table 17-1: Description of Potential impacts Table 17-2: List of archaeological monuments within overall study area Table 17-3: Site CH Table 17-4: Site CH Table 17-5: Site CH Table 17-6: Site CH Table 17-7: Site CH Table 17-8: Site CH Table 17-9: CH Table 17-10: Site CH Table 17-11: Site CH Table 17-12: Reported Archaeological Artefacts Table 17-13: Site CH Table 17-14: Site CH Table 17-15: Site CH Table 17-16: Site CH Table 17-17: Site CH Table 17-18: Site CH Table 17-19: Site CH Table 17-20:Site CH Table 17-21: Site CH Table 17-22: Site CH Table 17-23: Site CH Table 17-24: Site C Table 17-25: Site Table 17-26: Site Table 17-27: Site Table 18-1: Summary of Subsoil Water Level Monitoring Data ( ) Table 18-2: Results of Rising Head Tests (EDA, 2003) Table 18-3: Summary of Site Investigation Methods Table 18-4: Total Flush Discharge Measurements from D xxxviii