SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

Transcription

1 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. EnvironmentaImpact Statement a SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND REMEDIAL MEASURES Boyd na M&a, Technica Services Page 29 EPA Export :17:11:51

2 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. 3.1 HIJMAN BEINGS Introduction Human beings are one of the most important eements of the environment to be considered. One of the principa concerns in the execution of a deveopment is that the oca popuation experiences no significant diminution in the quaity of ife as a resut of the deveopment on either a temporary or permanent basis. A the effects of a deveopment on the environment may impinge upon human beings. Any signific&t impact on the status of humans that may be potentiay caused by a deveopment proposa must, therefore, be comprehensivey addressed. Air quaity, water quaity, noise and andscape impact directy whie fora, fauna and road traffic impact indirecty Existing Environment The existing site is ocated within an industria estate, ocated in south west Dubin city. The nearest private dweings to the site are ocated approximatey 150 m to the east of the site, though due to the numerous other industria premises ocated between the residentia dweings and the existing site, the site is not visibe from the residentia house Impacts on Human Beings (1) Noise Noise is an identified form of air poution and uncontroed it can cause nuisance or a deterioration of amenities and the quaity of human ife. The potentia impact of the waste baing faciity on noise eves within the area is described in Section 3.7: Noise. In summary, it is concuded that the noise eves from on-site activities wi not significanty increase ambient noise eves. Specificay, it is concuded that noise eves at the nearest sensitive ocation (occupied residentia premises) wi not significanty deviate from the current background daytime noise eves. (2) Traffic A desk based traffic impact assessment was conducted in order to assess the potentia impacts of additiona traffic movements generated during operation of the waste baing faciity (refer to Section 3.8: Traffic). The proposed change in operations wi initiay resut in an increase in the number of traffic from 74 movements per day to 130 movements per day. Traffic impact assessment resuts indicate that the waste baing faciity wi not have a detrimenta impact on the road network within the industria estate. Bard na M&a, Technica Services Page 30 EPA Export :17:11:51

3 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. (3) Human Heath A variety of air poutants have known or suspected harmfu effects on human heath and on the environment. In many urban areas these poutants have primariy been the products of combustion from power generation or from motor vehice traffic. The primary potentia air poutants derived from the proposed deveopment are detaied in Section 3.6. Traffic derived primary poutants incude suphur dioxide (SOz), particuate matter, ead, oxides of nitrogen (NO,), carbon monoxide (CO) and voatie organic compounds (VOCs). The objective of air poution contro is to prevent adverse responses by a receptor categories (human, anima, pant) exposed to the atmosphere. The adverse responses have characteristic response times - short-term (seconds or minutes), intermediate-term (hours or days) and ongterm (months or years). Poutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NOz), suphur dioxide (SO$ and carbon monoxide (CO) can have potentia heath impacts. NO;! is a respiratory irritant, which may exacerbate asthma and possiby increase susceptibiity to infections. CO reduces the capacity of the bood to carry oxygen around the body at eves >9.9 mg/m3 (8 hour average) and this may increase the risk of probems in those with angina and disease of the coronary arteries. At high eves, SO2 is a strong irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes, producing narrowing of the airways and stimuating coughing. Whie the effects are generay transient and easiy reversibe in heathy peope, the consequences can be more serious for peope who suffer from weakened cardio-respiratory systems. (4) Site Structure / Land Use Any potentia impacts of the proposed activities of the waste baing faciity on the existing structura and and usage of the area are not considered significant. The overa character of the existing site andscape is that of reativey ow ying and in an urban industriaised setting. The andscape of the area wi remain argey unchanged with the existing topographic features. Therefore the change in and usage within the site is not considered a significant impact and is not regarded as important to the area as a whoe. The ayout of the site has been designed and wi be operated in such a way as to infict minimum visua intrusion outside the boundary of the site. A deveopments wi take pace within the conditions of the panning permission granted by South Dubin County Counci. This review is requesting a change of waste treatment activity and an increase in the voume of waste accepted on site. As such the existing and use wi not change, and it is not proposed to construct any further infrastructure on the site. Bord na M6na, Technica Services Page 31 EPA Export :17:11:51

4 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Foowing cessation of the waste baing faciity, site restoration wi commence in ine with an aftercare management pan specific to the site. Therefore any potentia impacts of the waste baing faciity on the existing structura and and usage of the area are considered insignificant. (5) Socio-Economic The deveopment wi have, athough imited, varied socia and economic effects. These effects may be categorised as foows: Primary Socio-Economic Effects. These effects are directy reated to the waste baing faciity itsef such as changes in oca popuation/job creation. The job creation benefits are secondary to the deveopment, as it is the service provided by the deveopment that wi benefit the oca and regiona community. The function of the Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. baing faciity wi be to compact the voume of waste being diverted to andfi, as we as reducing the impact of wind bown itter at these faciities. The benefits of this activity are obvious with regard to the voume of waste that is directed to andfi. It is considered ikey that the proposed deveopment wi have minima impacts on the existing popuation structure of the area. Secondary Socio-Economic Effects. These incude those effects, which arise as a resut of services required (e.g. Water Suppy, etc.) by the operation of a faciity. Eectricity Suppy Eectricity demands exerted by the faciity wi be negigibe, with use restricted to administration, and pant usage. Water Usage It is anticipated that the existing daiy water requirement for the site wi be consistent with the voume used in the existing faciity which is deemed minima, and wi be sourced from the counci mains. Process water wi be restricted to use by the rotary atomisers and for vehice washings on site, therefore, processing reated water demands wi be ow. Teecommunications The teecommunications requirement of the faciity teecommunications network under stress. shoud not pace the current Bard na M&a, Technica Services Page 32 EPA Export :17:11:51

5 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Fou Sewage System It is anticipated that there wi be no additiona stress paced on the oca fou water sewer network. (6) Environmenta Nuisances As with any faciity that deas with waste, some environmenta nuisances can occur within the site, and within the environs. Due to the distance between the nearest residence and the waste baing faciity (approximatey 150 m), the impact from nuisances is deemed minima. However some specific measures have been adopted to combat the effect of these nuisances which are detaied beow. Aeroso contro As it is not proposed to accept iquid wastes on site, it deemed that the production of aerosos on site wi not occur. Therefore there is no need for aeroso contro at this time Bird contro Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. currenty have a Environmenta Management System deveoped for the existing site. This system incorporates a bird contro system. Waste handing procedures on site ensure that a waste is exposed ony within the waste processing buiding and a stored waste is hed within seaed containers and therefore not a source of food for savaging birds. Dust contro A procedure has been deveoped for the controing of dust on site. Waste handing operations on the site ensure that a tipping of waste occurs within the waste processing buiding, and therefore on-site dust generation is restricted to the movement of traffic on site, which is considered to be minima. Continua checks sha be undertaken by the faciity manager to ensure that there is no excessive generation of dust on site. Fire contro The site is fitted with two hydrants, which are connected to the water mains, and fire rees and extinguishers are strategicay paced within the waste processing buiding. Fire fighting equipment is maintained on a reguar basis. Fire fighting training and awareness has been given to a members of staff on site. Management at the site has deveoped a emergency response procedure for the faciity, that detais responsibiity in the event of a fire or emergency event. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 33 EPA Export :17:11:51

6 Uxigen Environmenta Ltd. Litter contro Waste handing procedures impemented at the site, the current storage practices empoyed, and the strict practice of sorting of waste within the buiding ony, ensure that waste is never eft in the open air uncovered, and as such the potentia for itter escape is minima. A daiy itter patro of the site perimeter and access road is undertaken, where any wind bown itter is removed and returned to site. Litter patros are currenty undertaken within the vicinity of the site. Odour contro Due to the waste handing procedures, the storage of waste in seaed/covered containers and the sorting of the waste within a buiding it is anticipated that the potentia impact of odour on the nearest residence is minima. Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. have instaed four rotary atomisers within the waste processing buiding which wi reduce the impact of odour at this faciity. Roads contro Access to the faciity is via a busy industria estate road. The potentia impact of the faciity on the roads wi be through the generation of mud and dust. The access road is currenty routiney inspected by site personne, and wi be swept and washed down shoud the need arise. Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. have a number of road sweepers which are based at the waste faciity ocated in the adjacent I3aymount Industria Estate. One of these vehices can be used in the event that an excess of mud or dust generation on the Robinhood Road. This wi minimise the impact of the faciity on the oca road network. Trafc contro The site is finished with a hard standing area, which is sufficient to dea with the traffic voumes expected at the faciity. The access road is of good quaity and state of repair. It is anticipated that there wi be approximatey 130 traffic movements a day. It is anticipated that the waste baing faciity wi not have an additiona impact on the oca com.munity. Vermin contro Pest contro measures that are undertaken at the faciity incude the setting of poison by an independent speciaist pest contro company throughout the site. Fy nuisance is minimised by the rapid remova of degradabe waste off-site, the washing of the foor within the buiding with disinfectant and the covering of a stored waste on site. Bord na A&ha, Technica Services Page 34 EPA Export :17:11:51

7 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd FLORA & FAUNA Introduction This chapter assesses the potentia impacts of the proposed change in the existing on-site waste activities and the increase in the quantity of waste accepted at the faciity on the habitats of fora and fauna. This approach and methodoogy of the survey was undertaken in accordance with the EPA Guideines on the Information to be contained in s (2002). a The habitats present are described in their current status and an evauation of the conservation vaue is aso given. Vegetation and fauna surveys were undertaken in order to estabish if any sensitive or protected species were present; and to determine the potentia impacts on adjoining ands and/or any designated ands ocated adjacent to the proposed deveopment. In compiing this chapter, due regard was given to reevant egisation pertaining to fora and fauna assessment. This incuded : Widife Act, 1976,. EC Counci Directive on the Conservation of wid birds (Birds Directive ). European Communities (Conservation of Wid Birds) Reguations, 1985 to 1999 m EC Counci Directive on the Conservation of Natura Habitats of Wid Fauna and Fora (Habitats Directive ) 1 European Communities (Natura Habitats) Reguations, 1997 n Widife (Amendment) Act, m And reevant protection Orders, Description of the Receiving Environment 0 The existing waste faciity consists of a terrain for the most part fat and consisting entirey of hardstand finished with concrete. Surface water run-off from the site discharges into the Robinhood stream via an on-site sit trap and oi interceptor, which fows in the County Counci underground surface water network adjacent to the site. The Robinhood stream discharges into the Camac River, which has been designated a samonid river. As the site is covered entirey with hardstand, there is no fora present on the site. Fauna adjacent to the site woud be imited to a few urban birds such as rook (Cow~sfrz,oie~,s), backbird (Turdus merua), robin (Evithacus rubecua), and woodpigeon (CoumbapaZumbus). Bord na M6na, Technica Services Page 35 EPA Export :17:11:51

8 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd Conservation Vaue and Designated Areas Nature conservation within the Repubic. of Ireand Nature conservation in the Repubic of Ireand is been governed by the Widife Act 1976 and the Widife (Amendment) Act The basic nationa designation for widife is the Natura Heritage Area (NHA), which have been in force in Ireand since the initia designation in However it was not unti the enactment of the Widife (Amendment) Act, 2000 that NHAs were be egay protected from damage. There are approx proposed NHAs in Ireand, to which the process of forma designation commenced in Nature conservation within European Commtitv Two major pieces of European egisation on nature conservation and the designation of site have adopted by a member states. This egisation is EC Counci Directive on the conservation of wid birds, 1979 (Birds Directive), and the EC Counci Directive on the Conservation of Natura Habitats of Wid Fauna and Fora, 1992 (Habitats Directive). Under the Birds Directive, Ireand is obiged to protect the habitats of birds, which are vunerabe to habitat change or to ow popuation numbers. Aspects of habitat protection incude poution, deterioration of habitat and disturbance, with identified habitats designated as Specia Protection Areas (SPA). Under the Habitats Directive habitats that have either internationa or community interest are given ega protection. This directive seeks to estabish Natura 2000, a network of protected areas throughout the European Community, through the designation of areas as Specia Areas of Conservation (SACS). Designated sites within 1Okm of proposed deveopment site Natura Heritage Areas: There are three Natura Heritage Areas within 10 km of the proposed deveopment site; which are: Tabe 3.2/: Areas of Conservation in the vicinity of the site Name Designation Site No. Liffey Vaey PNHA Grand Cana PNHA Dodder Vaey PNHA (Source: Tabe 13. IO of the Draft Deveopment Pant ) Specia Protection Areas: There are no SPAS within the vicinity of the proposed deveopment site. Distance from site 3.8 km north 1.1 km north 3.6 un south east Bord na Mdna, Technica Services Page 36 EPA Export :17:11:51

9 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Specia Areas of Conservation: There are no SACS within the vicinity of the proposed deveopment site. Conservation vaue of existiw site As there are no habitats ocated on the site, it is deemed that the conservation vaue of the site is negigibe Potentia Impacts of the Deveopment It is deemed that there wi be no impact from the deveopment a Proposed Mitigation Measure As there is no impact it is deemed that there is no need for a mitigation measure at this time. Bord na M&a, Technica Services EPA Export :17:11:51

10 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. 3.3 SOIL & GEOLOGY Introduction This section examines the type of sois and geoogy underying the site. It aso addresses the impact of the proposed deveopment on sois and geoogy Study Assessment and Methodoogy There were no intrusive ground investigations undertaken as part of this study. The site is competey covered by impervious hardstand i.e. concreted. The site is ocated within an industria business park area, and has been used for waste activities since Prior to this the ands were occupied by the County Counci, which utiised the site initiay as a pumping station for Wakinstown viage and ater as a washing depot for County Counci waste vehices. Historic quarrying activities have occurred on the ands adjoining the site, prior to the 1940 s. The extent of this quarrying is unknown and the ands were subsequenty back fied. Desk-based information on the substrata underying the proposed deveopment site was obtained through the Geoogica Survey of Ireand (GSI) and from information hed on fies within Bard na Mona Environmenta Ltd., and Oxigen Environmenta Ltd Description of the Receiving Environment Sois/Subsois Currenty, the site is covered by an impervious hardstand cover and there is no exposed soi/green area on site. As detaied above, the site is adjoining an area of historic quarrying and the site itsef may have had been subject to quarry activities in the past. As a resut of this, the subsoi beneath the site may have been aternated. Historic geoogica maps of the area, identify the natura Quaternary sediments underying the site as gacia tis which vary from oose aggregate to the firm sandy gravey cays (Dubin Ti). We cards from the Condakin region records a depth to bedrock of between 3 & 16 m beow ground eve (bg). Depth to bedrock is though to ie at ca. 4-6 metres beneath the site. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 38 EPA Export :17:11:51

11 Uxigen Environmenta Ltd. Bedrock Geoogy Pubished Geoogica data of the study area identify the bedrock geoogy as the Cap Limestones of Lower Carboniferous period, as shown in figure 3.34 overeaf. Figure 3.3/: Geoogy of Kidare - Wickow (GSI 1994) The Cap Formation formation was formed in the deep waters of the Dubin basin and are reportedy Chadian to Brigantian in age. The formation is reported as a dark grey, fine grained, graded imestones with interbedded back, poory fossiiferous shaes. The Condakin Formation, within the immediate vicinity of the site, is karistified and doomitised in certain areas. Structuray these rocks, dip at 80 towards the east/southeast with a north-south strike. There are no major fauts reported in the region. Quaity of the Subsurface The site and its immediate surrounds have been historicay used for quarrying activities, which have been subsequenty restored (backfied). The nature and extent of the quarrying activities are unknown at this time and as such there is the potentia for previous contamination of the subsurface Potentia Impacts of the Proposed Deveopment As there are no geoogica features of any significance present at or beneath the site, the proposed deveopment wi have no impact on oca geoogy. Currenty the deveopment is constructed with a hardstand cover over the entire site. There wi be no direct discharges to the subsoi as part of this deveopment and it is therefore considered that there wi be no impacts to the underying subsurface. Cean surface waters are directed into the surface water drainage system on site and discharged into the nearby waterway. Fou waters are directed into the county counci sewer system. Bard na M&a, Technica Services Page 39 EPA Export :17:11:51

12 0xigen Environmenta Ltd Mitigation Measures A wastes and ties wi be stored in fxy bunded areas in accordance with reevant environmenta guideines and recognised standards. A bunds wi be tested in accordance with the waste icence conditions. In addition, oi absorbent materias wi be kept on site in cose proximity to any fue storage tanks or bowsers during site deveopment works. The refueing of pant wi be undertaken in a designated area, which wi be fuy contained to prevent spiage into the surface water network. A wastes being deivered to or removed from site wi be oaded/unoaded within the fuy bunded waste processing buiding. Bard na M&a, Technica Services Page 40 EPA Export :17:11:51

13 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. 3.4 HYDROLOGY Introduction The site is ocated within the River Camac sub-cat&me& which is in turn ocated within the upper catchment of the River Liffey (hydrometric area no. 9). High intensity industria and commercia areas exist throughout the Camac sub-catchment, indicating ow and permeabiity and rapid run-off of surface water in the area. The cosest surface water body to the site is the Robinhood Stream (aso known as the Baymount Stream), which fows 4OOm east of the site at its cosest point to the site. This stream fows in a northery direction into the River Camac, which is ocated approximatey 600 m to the north of the faciity. The River Camac, which is aso cuverted in paces, is a tributary of the River Liffey and enters the Liffey at Heuston Station approximatey Sian east of the confuence of the Robinhood Stream and the River Camac. There is no surface water body ocated within or immediatey adjacent to the site. The ony discharge to surface water f?om the site is uncontaminated surface water, which is discharged via oca authority storm water sewer into the cuverted Robinhood Stream and consequenty the River Camac Baseine Surface Water Assessment A baseine water quaity assessment was carried out in August The objective of the baseine assessment was to assess the existing nature and quaity of surface waters in the vicinity of the waste transfer and processing faciity at Robinhood. The foowing sources of information were used in the baseine surface water assessment: 3 The nationa river quaity survey managed by the Environmenta Protection Agency (EPA). 3 Anaysis of a surface water sampe taken in the vicinity of the site for key chemica parameters. Bard na Mbna, Environmenta Consutancy Services Page 41 EPA Export :17:11:51

14 Ox&en Environmenta Ltd. Surface Water Samping Locations EPA baseine data on River Camac: The EPA (and previous predecessor agencies) has conducted chemica and bioogica surveys of the rivers of Ireand since Resuts of these surveys can be found on the EPA s website ( or fkom reevant pubications. The River Camac is the receiving water for the Robinhood Stream, which contains the discharge from the oca authority sewer serving the site. The River Camac is monitored by the EPA at a number of monitoring stations. The River Camac monitoring station at Riverside Estate Bridge (station No. 0310) is ocated approximatey 3km upstream of the entry point of the Robinhood Stream. Approximatey 1.5 ktn downstream of this discharge point is the River Camac Kyemore Road Bridge monitoring station (station no. 0400). Both chemica and bioogica rating resuts are avaiabe for the Kyemore Road Bridge, whie ony bioogica data are avaiabe for the Riverside Estate Bridge ocation. Baseine data from surface water samping of Robinhood Stream: Surface water samping of the Robinhood Stream was undertaken in the site area, with one sampe (SW-) taken downstream of the entry point of the oca authority sewer serving the site. II TABLE 3.4/ SURFACE WATER MONITORING LOCATIONS II Sampe Point Reference Location Justification SW-1 Robinhood Stream approx. 200m downstream of entry point of oca authority storm water sewer serving the site. To determine the water quaity within the Robinhood Stream downstream of the entry point of the oca authority storm sewer serving the site. I Bard na M&a, Environmenta Consutancy Sewices Page 42 EPA Export :17:11:51

15 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Chemica and Bioogica Resuts EPA resuts for River Camac: Both chemica and bioogica quaity resuts are avaiabe for the Kyemore Road Bridge monitoring station, whie ony bioogica quaity resuts are avaiabe for Riverside Estate Bridge monitoring station. Tabe 3.4/2 beow provides a summary of the chemica anaysis for the Kyemore Road Bridge station ocation, obtained from samping undertaken between 1998 and 2000 and pubished by the EPA. Tabe 3.4/3 provides bioogica quaity resuts for both ocations as pubished by the EPA. TABLE~.~/~GENERAL,CHEMICALANALYSISRESULTSFORRWERCA.MACAT KYLEMOREROADBRIDGE (0400) from1998to2000 Parameter Range of Range of Range of No. of Minimum Median Maximum sampes Vaues vaues Vaues ph (ph units) Conductivity (@S/cm) O Tota Ammonia (mg/) 203 o-0.05 O-O.24 o-o.9 Un-Ionised Ammonia (as N mg/) o o Dissoved Oxygen (mg/) Dissoved Oxygen (% Saturation) Temperature ( C) Ortho-Phosphate (mg/ as P) 219 o-0.07 O-O.23 o-o.51 TABLE 3.4/3 BIOLOGICALANALYSISRESULTS FORRIVERCAMAC(Q-RATINGS) Year Riverside Estate Bridge Kyemore Road Bridge Not samped Not samped A Q-rating of 5 indicates pristine conditions, a Q-rating of 4 indicates cean conditions, a Q-rating of 3-4 indicates sighty pouted conditions, a Q-rating of 3 or 2-3 indicates moderatey pouted conditions and a Q rating of 2, 1-2 or 1 indicates seriousy pouted conditions. Bard na M&a, Environmenta Consutancy Services Page 43 EPA Export :17:11:51

16 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Resuts from surface water samping of Robinhood Stream: A surface water sampe was coected from the Robinhood Stream using standard samping procedures and was submitted for aboratory chemica anaysis. The resuts of the anaysis are detaied in Tabes 3.4/4 to 3.4/7. TABLE 3.4/4 GENERALCHEMICALANALYSISRESULTSFOR R~BINHOODSTREAM (SW-) Parameter SW-1 Guideine Limit Vaue ph (PH units) Conductivity 25OC BOD (TCMP) rn$ COD mg/ Ammonia as N mg/ Tota Akainity as CaC03 i-g/ Choride mg/ Nitrite as N rn@ I <2 c0 >6-<9 1,000 L <St < 198 Or&o-Phosphate as P mg/ Nitrate as N mg/ TOC mg/ Suphate mg/ Fuoride mg/ co.02 co.05 I m < Note European Communities (Quaity of Samonid Waters) Reguations, SI. 293 of 1988 NoteZ European Communities (Quaity of Surface Water Intended For The Abstraction Of Drinking Water) Reguations, S.1294 of Note 3 Vaues in bod are in excess of guideine vaues - Limit vaue unavaiabe Bard na Mdna, Environmenta Consutancy Services EPA Export :17:11:52

17 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. TABLE~.~/~ METALSCAN RE~ULTSFOR ROBINHOOD STREAM (SW-) (mg/) SW-1 Guideine Limit Vaue Beryium co.02 Parameter AuIniniLm 0.20 chromium co.02 o.052 Manganese Cobat Nicke Copper Zinc Arsenic Seenium Siver Cadmium Lead I 0.04 o.052 co co.02 o co.02 co co.02 I - x0.02 o.oo52 co.02 o.ozi2 Antimony co.02 Barium Iron Boron 0.58 o.22 Mercury co TABLE 3.4/6 CATION RESULTS FOR ROBINHOOD STREAM (SW-) Parameter (mg/) SW-1 Guideine Limit Vaue sodium 18 - Magnesium Potassium 2.0 Cacium 87 TABLE 3.4/7 ORGANIC RESULTS FOR ROBINHOOD STREAM (SW-) SW-1 Guideine Limit Vaue DRO <o 50 Minera Oi C0 50 Note1 European Communities (Quaity of Samonid Waters) Reguations, SI. 293 of 1988 me2 European Communities (Quaity of Surface Water Intended For The Abstraction Of Drinking Water) Reguations, S.1294 of me Vaues in bod are in excess of guideine vaues Limit vaue unavaiabe Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 45 EPA Export :17:11:52

18 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Interpretation of Resuts The European Communities (Quaity of Samonid Waters) Reguations, SI. No. 293 of 1988 is the principa means of evauating surface water in Ireand, therefore, a comparison foows between resuts obtained and the aforementioned Reguations. In the absence of guideine imit vaues for some parameters, reference is made to the European Communities (Quaity of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water) Reguations, S.1 No. 294 of The atter has ony imited appicabiity in practice, as most streams/surface waters wi never be used for abstraction as drinking water. Therefore, the guideine imit vaues specified in the atter reguations are to be used for indicative purposes ony. EPA River Camac resuts: The resuts pubished by the EPA detaied in Tabe 3.4/2 show that some of the water sampes from the River Camac do not meet the surface water standards as detaied in European Communities (Quaity of Samonid Waters) Reguations (S.I. 293 of 1988). The range of ph and dissoved oxygen resuts incuded maximurn, minimum and median vaues outside their respective guideine vaues. The range of maximum tota arnmonia aso incuded vaues outside the imit vaue. Based on these resuts, the overa chemica quaity of the water is considered poor-medium. The most recent bioogica resuts pubished by the EPA, as detaied in Tabe 3.4/3 indicate that the river is moderatey pouted upstream (namey at the Riverside Estate Bridge), with a margina improvement in quaity at the Kyemore Road Bridge. It is noted, however, that these recent improvements in upstream water quaity foow a ong-term cassification as seriousy pouted. Resuts from surface water samping of Robinhood Stream: The surface water samping point is ocated downstream of the faciity s discharge point and the resuts are presented in Tabes 3.4/4-3.4/7. Chemica parameters associated with organic poution, namey Arnmonia (0.04 mg/) and Nitrate (1.15 mg/), were detected at concentrations beow the reevant guideine vaues; whie parameters such as Biochemica Oxygen Demand (BODs) (<2 mg/), Chemica Oxygen Demand (COD) (~10 mg/), Tota Organic Carbon (TOC) (~5 mg/), and Nitrite (~0.02 mg/) were beow the aboratory imit of detection. This woud suggest that the stream at this ocation is reativey uncontaminated. The anion (namey Choride, Suphate and Fuoride) and cation (namey Cacium, Sodium, Magnesium and Potassium) resuts were detected at ow concentrations, and were we beow their respective guideine vaues. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 46 EPA Export :17:11:52

19 binen Environmenta Ltd. The meta scan indicated that a meta parameters, with the exception of Boron, were we beow the imit vaues. The Boron (0.58 mg/) resut was ony marginay above the guideine vaue, of 0.2 mg/, a vaue derived for the quaity of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water and as noted above, used here for indicative purposes ony. Diese Range Organics and Minera Oi were not detected at concentrations above the aboratory imit of detection, again indicating that the stream at this ocation is reativey uncontaminated Potentia Impacts of the Proposed Deveopment The proposed deveopment incudes for the instaation and operation of an extended surface water drainage system as shown in Drawing D. in Appendix 2. There wi be no noticeabe increase in the voume of surface waters discharged from the site as the site is aready covered with hardstanding (concrete and asphat). Fou water, drainage water from the weighbridges, water fi-om vehice and bin washing and runoff from the baing buiding is coected separatey and discharged to the County,Counci fou water sewer system. The cean surface water drainage system is fitted with an oi interceptor and sit trap, which woud remove any potentia sit or oi from the surface water prior to discharge off-site. The oi interceptor has an automatic shut-off vave fitted which wi stop emissions to the oca surface water network if oi is detected in the run-off. Surface water discharge is monitored on a quartery basis, in compiance with the faciity s waste icence (Waste Licence Register No ). Tabes 3.4/8 and 3.4/9 beow summarise recent surface water monitoring resuts, as provided by Oxigen Environmenta. These resuts are compared with the icence imits and any exceedences are highighted in bod type. The resuts indicate that in genera, surface water emissions Tom the site are within icenced imits. Athough there were some exceedences of suspended soids in 2002 and eary 2003, by ate 2003 these had returned to beow the icence imits. One exceedence of minera oi was noted in February 2003; as the instaation of the interceptor was after this date, reoccurrences of this exceedance are not expected to occur, assuming that the interceptor is maintained in ine with best management practices. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 47 EPA Export :17:11:52

20 Oxigei Emironnrenta Ltd. 0 Tabe 3.4/S Surface Water Monitoring Resuts Parameter Licence Apri 02 Apri 02 June 02 June 02 August 02 August 02 December 02 Limits (Sampe 1) (Sampe 2) (Sampe 1) (Sampe 2) (Sampe 1) (Sampe 2) (Sampe 1) Suspended Soids (wm ph (ph units) Minera Ois (wm 5 co.2 co co.2 Ois, Fats and Grease (ingil) 10 co.33 co.33 c co.33 Tabe 3.4/9 Surface Water Monitoring Resuts Parameter Licence February Apri March 03 March 03 Juy 03 Juy 03 October December 03 Limits (Sampe 1) (Sampe 2) (Sampe 1) (Sampe 2) 03 BOD (mg/l) < K2.0 c <2 Suspended ph (ph units) Minera Ois (mg/l) co.2 co.2 Ois, Fats and Grease (iiig/l) 10 3 co.33 co.33 co co.33 co.33 Bard na M&m, Techiea Services Page 48 EPA Export :17:11:52

21 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. The potentia environmenta impacts associated with the proposed deveopment at Robinhood Industria Estate on the oca surface water regime are considered beow: Given the nature of activities on site and vehice movements required to successfuy operate the site, the potentia exists for uncontroed discharge of materias such as fues, ubricants and hydrauic fuids to the surface water drainage network. Imprudent storage and handing of such oi-based materias and waste can resut in uncontroed discharges that can significanty impact on the receiving environment. There is potentia for run-off fi-om waste to enter to the surface water drainage system and potentiay affect water quaity in the area. There is aso the potentia that in the event of a fire at the faciity, fire-fighting water that may contain contamination coud be discharged to the surface water drainage system. It is considered that with the impementation of mitigation measures detaied in Section 3.4.4, these potentia impacts are unikey to occur. It is noted that, based on monitoring resuts of surface water discharge and surface water samping in the area, the current operation of the site is not impacting adversey on water quaity in the area. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 49 EPA Export :17:11:52

22 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd Proposed Mitigation Measures Surface water discharge fiom the site comprises ony uncontaminated run-off from hard standing and roofs. The foowing mitigation measures wi be put in pace to ensure that there is no impact from site activities on the hydroogy in the area. Surface water run-off from the site is passed through a sit trap and oi/water interceptor, before entering the Robinhood Stream and subsequenty the River Camac. This ensures that surface water discharged is within the site s icensed imits and has minima potentia to impact adversey on the hydroogy in the site area. A singe diese tank is used to store.ciese for on-site equipment. This tank is bunded with a bund that conforms to the standard bunding specification (BS ) with the capacity of hoding 110% of the tank capacity. A paved area is provided around the storage tank for fue dispensing. Lubricants, gear ois and other potentiay hazardous substances wi be stored on bunded sheves or portabe bunded units within the shed to the east of the waste processing buiding. Spi kits (absorbent materias) wi be ocated at strategic positions throughout the faciity and in the unikey event of a spi, wi be empoyed to prevent any spied materia entering the surface water system. The reevant members of staff have received spi prevention and containment training. In order to manage the risk of contaminated fire-fighting water impacting on the surface water drains and the consequent potentia for impact to the hydroogy in the area, the emergency response procedures for the faciity contains provisions to protect surface water from fire-fighting water. This incudes pans for the use of absorbent booms to protect surface water drains from fire-fighting water. In addition, the risk of fire is reduced through the impementation of the site s fire prevention poicy. A baing operations wi be carried out in the main buiding, and any run-off or wash-down generated inside this buiding wi be discharged to the fou water drainage system rather than to surface water. In addition, drainage water from the weighbridge sump, jet-washing of vehice is discharged to the fou water system. Routing of water from these activities to the fou drainage system, in addition to the procedure of carrying out waste operations under cover, ensures that potentia for contamination of the surface water is reduced. During construction of the proposed entrance to the faciity, strict buiding practices sha be adhered to in order to ensure that there are no uncontroed discharges during construction. It is considered that with the mitigation measures described above, the site wi continue to operate without causing an adverse impact on surface water in the site area. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 50 EPA Export :17:11:52

23 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. a 3.5 HYDROGEOLOGY Introduction This section detais the baseine quaity of the underying groundwaters existing at the site and addresses the impact of the proposed deveopment on the underying groundwaters Study and Assessment Methodoogy Desk-based information on the underying hydrogeoogica conditions beneath the proposed deveopment site was obtained through the Geoogica Survey of Ii-eand (GSI) and from information hed on fies within Bord na Mdna Environmenta Ltd. and Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. There were no intrusive ground investigations undertaken as part of this study Description of the Receiving Environment Aquifer Cassification As detaied in section 3.3 Soi/Geoogy, the site is underain by the Cap Limestones Formation (CD). This formation has been provisionay cassified by the GSI as a Bedrock Aquifer which is moderatey productive ony in oca zones (XI). Groundwater Vunerabiitv Groundwater vunerabiity cassification are currenty being produced by the GSI for County Dubin. As part of this study, guideines pubished by the GSI for mapping vunerabiity were used to define and cassify the site. Using GSI criteria for groundwater vunerabiity the site has a high - moderate vunerabiity rating (moderate/ow permeabiity subsoi with depth to bedrock: 3-6 m bg). It shoud be noted that the site is competed covered by an impervious hardstand which provides protection to the underying subsurface and groundwater. Groundwater Leves There are no groundwater monitoring borehoes on the site and there were no intrusive investigations carried out as part of this assessment. Groundwater is reportedy fowing in a southeast to northwest direction towards nearby surface waters. The surrounding area is of an industria nature and as such in area is serviced by the County Counci mains. Bard na M&a, Technica Services Page 51 EPA Export :17:11:52

24 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd. Groundwater Duaity The site and its immediate surrounds have been historicay used for quarrying activities, which have been subsequenty restored (backfied): The nature and extent of the quarrying activities are unknown at this time and as such there is the potentia for previous contamination of the subsurface Potentia Impacts from the Proposed Deveopment There wi be no direct discharges to groundwater or any groundwater abstractions as part of the proposed deveopment. Currenty the deveopment is constructed with a hardstand cover over the entire site. There wi be no direct discharges to the groundwater as part of this deveopment and it is therefore considered that there wi be no impacts to the underying groundwaters Proposed Mitigation Measures There wi be no emissions to groundwater from the proposed deveopment. A wastes and other consumabes wi be stored in bunded areas. Potentia eachate from the handing of wastes within the buiding wi be coected within a dedicated drainage system and discharged to fou sewer. This wi minimise the potentia for indirect emissions i.e. eaks to impact on groundwater quaity. Bord na M&a, Technica Services Page 52 EPA Export :17:11:52

25 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd, 3.6 AIR Introduction To determine the baseine air quaity and subsequenty assess the potentia impact of the operationa phase of the proposed Waste Baiing Faciity deveopment, the foowing approach was taken: * Identification of the potentia poutants. Monitoring of the above poutants to assess the current baseine air quaity eves in the vicinity of the proposed deveopment. Investigation of the potentia impact to air quaity during the operation of the proposed deveopment Mitigation measures to minimise against potentia impacts Overview of Potentia Poutants Traffic derived poutants (Oxides of Suphur and Nitrogen, Voatie Organic Compounds, PM10 ) Odour, Bio-aerosos and the generation of dust are considered the main potentia poutants that may impact on the air quaity during the operation of the proposed deveopment. The emission of poutants into the atmosphere continues to be one of the greatest of a pressures on the goba environment. A major component of this pressure is traffic emissions. There are a variety of poutants, principay oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, voatie organic compounds and particuates that may be emitted to atmosphere from vehices. Of importance in this case is the generation of dust fkom the movement of vehices on the site and its impact on the air quaity. A description of the environmenta effects of each potentia poutant is provided in the foowing sections (1) to (7). (1) Suphur Dioxide (Sod SO2 is a corrosive acid gas, which combines with water vapour in the atmosphere to produce acid rain. Both wet and dry deposition has been impicated in the damage and destruction of vegetation and in the degradation of sois, buiding materias and watercourses. The principa source of this gas is power stations burning fossi fues, which contain suphur. (2) Oxides of Nitrogen (NO,) The term oxides of nitrogen refers predominatey to nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO& These oxides are formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen at the high temperatures generated by fossi fue combustion. Nitric oxide has no coour, odour, or taste and is non-toxic. In the atmosphere it is rapidy oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by reaction with ozone. Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas that has a pungent, irritating odour. It absorbs ight and contributes to the yeowbrown haze sometimes seen hanging over cities. It is one of the main components of smog. Bord na Mdna Technica Services Page 53 EPA Export :17:11:52

26 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd, Nitrogen oxides occur both naturay and from human activities. In nature, they are a resut of bacteria processes, bioogica growth and decay, ighting, as we as forest and grassand fires. Road traffic is the principa source of anthropogenic nitrogen oxides and is responsibe for approximatey haf the emissions in Europe ( h-eand s Environment- A Miennium Report EPA Apri 2000) Nitric oxide is the most common form of NOx emitted. Nitrogen dioxide accounts for ess than 10%. The amount of nitrogen dioxide emitted varies with the temperature of combustion. As the temperature increases, so does the eve of nitrogen dioxide. NO2 has a variety of environmenta impacts. At high concentrations, nitrogen dioxide is potentiay toxic to pants, injuring eaves and reducing growth which, in turn, reduces crop yied. In the presence of sunight, it reacts with hydrocarbons to produce photochemica poutants such as ozone. In addition, under specific conditions nitrogen oxides may be easiy converted to nitric acid, which is in turn removed from the atmosphere by direct deposition to the ground, or transfer to aqueous dropets (e.g. coud or rainwater), thereby contributing to acid deposition. (3) Voatie Organic Compounds NOC s) VOC s are reeased in vehice exhaust gases either as unburned fues or as combustion products, and are aso emitted by the evaporation of sovents and motor fues. Certain VOC s are important because of the roe they pay in the photochemica formation of ozone in the atmosphere. The predominant VOC s associated with transport reated activities are incuded in the measurement programme. Four compounds were chosen as indicators of poution from these sources; benzene, touene, ethybenzene and xyene (BTEX) isomers. (4 Dust Deposition Airborne particuate matter varies widey in its physica and chemica composition, source and partice size. Partices are often cassed as either primary (those emitted directy into the atmosphere) or secondary (those formed or modified in the atmosphere from condensation and growth). Particuate matter arises from both man-made and natura sources. Natura sources incude wind-bown dust, sea-sat and bioogica partices e.g. poen. Man-made sources incude arge carbon partices from incompete combustion, ash, dust partices from quarrying and construction activities and road traffic generated dust. In genera arge partices do not stay in the atmosphere for ong and are deposited cose to their source, whereas sma partices can be transported ong distances. Partices, which are deposited to ground, give rise to probems such as soiing of buidings and other materias and aso cause a genera nuisance. The Technica Instructions on Air Quaity Contro TA Luft recommended guideine vaue for dust emissions is 350 mg/m2/day. Bard na M&a Technica Services Page 54 EPA Export :17:11:52

27 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd, In terms of monthy dustfa resuts in the UK (undissoved soids measurement ony- BS1747 samping method), the foowing is often quoted: With insoube deposits, faout rates exceeding 200 mg/m2/day on a monthy average wi generay cause nuisance to residentia properties at peak periods within that month. Using the above anaogy this vaue is equivaent to approximatey 460 mg/m2/day using the VDI 2119 samping method. In ight of experience, and possiby higher pubic perceptions, many of those working in the fied have adopted much ower informa imits in the region of mg/m2/day averaged over a month (using the BS1747 samping method). This is equivaent to approximatey mg/m2/day tota dissoved and undissoved soids. The German T.A. Luft Standard (1986) recommended vaue for dust emissions is 350 mg/m2/day is based on the combined weight of dissoved and undissoved soids, measured over one month using the Bergerhoff dust gauge. The EPA in Ireand has adopted the German samping methodoogy and guideine vaue of 350 mg/m2/day. (5) PMo -- In recent years, interest has focused on the eves of particuate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ess than 10 microns (PMo) which have been shown to have heath impications at eevated eves, due to their abiity to penetrate into the trachea-bronchia system. A major manmade source of fine primary partices is combustion processes, primariy road transport and coa burning activities. However, road transport is estimated to be the singe biggest primary manmade source of PM10 in most EU countries (EPA s report entited Ireand s Environment - A Mienium Report ). Of particuar concern is diese combustion, where transport of hot exhaust vapour into a stack can ead to spontaneous nuceation of carbon particuates before emission. An estimated 30 to 70 times more particuates are emitted by diese engines than petro heed vehices equipped with cataytic converters and burning uneaded fue. Secondary partices are typicay formed when ow voatiity products are generated in the atmosphere, for exampe the oxidation of suphur dioxide to suphuric acid. The atmospheric ifetime of particuate matter is strongy reated to partice size, but may be as ong as 10 days for partices of approximatey mm in d&meter. With the genera rise in traffic, especiay in urban areas, eves are ikey to continue to increase. Significant natura sources of PM,0 partices incude re-suspension of fine soi materia in rura areas, vocanic activity, sea spray, forest fires and reactions between natura gaseous emissions. (6) Odour Odour is perceived by our brains in response to chemicas present in the air we breathe. Odour is the response that those chemicas induce. Most odours are a mixture of many chemicas that interact to produce an overa odour response (Good Practice Guide for Assessing and Managing Odour in New Zeaand. Ministry for the Environment, June 2003). Odours are normay assessed on the basis of nuisance rather than direct toxicoogica impact however offensive odours can cause poor appetite for food, owered water consumption, Bord na M&a Technica Services Page 55 EPA Export :17:11:52

28 Oxigen Environmenta Ltd, impaired respiration, nausea and vomiting and menta perturbation ( Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Disposa, Metcaf and Eddy Inc, 3rd Edition, McGraw Bi (1991)). (7) Bio-aerosos Micro-organisms (or microbes) can be defined as very sma organisms which are capabe of iving on their own. They are found a over the earth in a range of environments which incude hot springs, poar ice-caps and the intestines of animas incuding man. They are fundamentay invoved in the recycing of nutrients and are an integra part of the breakdown of organic waste. When organic materias are moved around during either the shredding, turning and screening processes, microbes (both aive and dead), spores pus various parts of ces that have broken up, are reeased into the air. Due to the sma size of the microbes they tend to remain airborne for ong periods of time forming what is caed a bio-aeroso. Bio-aerosos are of concern during waste transfer because of the potentia negative impact they may have on pubic or worker heath. Airborne micro-organisms are inhaed throughout norma everyday ife and rarey cause any i effects as the body is equipped to cope with the presence of microbes. Background eves of bacteria and fungi are highy variabe and range from -1000cfu/m3 (cm - coony forming units), athough higher vaues can be commony encountered in agricutura and forest environments. There is the possibiity of a risk to the heath of certain receptors depending on individua sensitivities from bio-aerosos. This risk may be increased when arge concentrations of these airborne micro-organisms are generated during activities invoving organic waste conducted in Waste Transfer stations. At present there are no guideine or imit vaues for bio-aeroso concentrations in Ireand or Europe. Bard na M&a Technica Services Page 56 EPA Export :17:11:52