Appropriate Assessment Report

Name of project or plan:

Name and location of Natura 2000 site

It would be helpful for a map or plan to

be provided:

Proposed offshore site investigation works and

various surveys, between Portmarnock and Ireland’s

Eye and off the North Dublin Coast at Loughshinny

as part of the offshore site investigations for the

purpose of designing a marine outfall for the Greater

Dublin Drainage Project. (FS 006292)

Baldoyle Bay SAC (Site Code 000199)

Baldoyle Bay SPA Site Code ( 004016)

Ireland’s Eye SPA (Site Code 004117)

Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC (Site Code

003000)

In terms of the proposed GI Works one of the

Borehole locations is on the northern boundary of

the Baldoyle Bay SAC and app 1.5km north of the

Baldoyle Bay SPA and four of the borehole locations

are contained within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island

SAC, while the remaining borehole locations are

situated in a 3 km stretch between these designations

along the proposed marine outfall route

In terms of the proposed Underwater noise survey

the survey area overlaps app 15 km2 of the Rockabill

to Dalkey Island SAC ,covers all Ireland’s Eye SAC

and SPA(marine areas) and bounds the eastern

fringe of the Baldoyle Bay SAC for a distance of app

6 km and at one point comes within 500m of the

Baldoyle Bay SPA .

The reef bathymetry survey area is contained fully

within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC and

bounds Ireland’s Eye SAC and SPA

The reef assessment survey area is contained fully

within the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC (since it

relates to a reef study of this SAC) and bounds

Ireland’s Eye SAC and SPA

Indicative sediment and benthos sampling locations

are shown on Drawing No 3210901/FSL/002 and it

can be seen that there are app 46 such point locations

situated throughout the study area. Approximately

30 of these are situated within the Rockabill to

Dalkey Island SAC and some of the remaining

sampling points are in close proximity to the

Baldoyle Bay SAC and Ireland’s Eye SPA and SAC

as shown on said Drawing.

In terms of the proposed Archaeological Dive

survey, this follows the proposed route of the Marine

Outfall and approximately 1.4 km (0.42km2) of this

will overlap with the Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC

and this same area is within 0.5 km of the Ireland’s

Eye SPA and SAC with the westernmost fringe of the

survey area coming within app 200 m of the

northern boundary of the Baldoyle Bay SAC and app

1.5km north of the Baldoyle Bay SPA

Baldoyle Bay SAC

Baldoyle Bay is designated for a number of habitats

that it supports which include mudflats and sand

flats, salicornia, Atlantic salt meadows, and

Mediterranean salt meadows.

Baldoyle Bay SAC extends from just below

Portmarnock village to the west pier at Howth in Co.

Dublin. It is a tidal estuarine bay protected from the

open sea by a large sand-dune system. Two small

rivers, the Mayne and the Sluice, flow into the bay.

The site is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

selected for the following habitats and/or species

listed on Annex I / II of the E.U. Habitats Directive

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by

seawater at low tide

Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud

and sand

Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-

Puccinellietalia maritimae)

Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia

maritimi

Large areas of intertidal flats are exposed at low tide

at this site. These are mostly sands but grade to

muds in the inner sheltered parts of the estuary.

Extensive areas of Common Cord-grass (Spartina

anglica) occur in the inner estuary. Both the Narrow-

leaved Eelgrass (Zostera angustifolia) and the Dwarf

Eelgrass (Z. noltii) are also found here. During

summer, the sandflats of the sheltered areas are

covered by mats of green algae (Enteromorpha spp.

and Ulva lactuca).

The sediments have a typical macrofauna, with

Lugworm (Arenicola marina) dominating the sandy

flats. The tubeworm Lanice conchilega is present in

high densities at the low tide mark and the small

gastropod Hydrobia ulvae occurs in the muddy

areas, along with the crustacean Corophium

volutator.

Areas of saltmarsh occur near Portmarnock Bridge

and at Portmarnock Point, with narrow strips along

other parts of the estuary. Species such as glassworts

(Salicornia spp.), Sea-purslane (Halimione

portulacoides), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) and

Sea Rush (Juncus maritimus) are found here.

Portmarnock Spit formerly had a well-developed

sand dune system but this has been largely replaced

by golf courses and is mostly excluded from the site.

A few dune hills are still intact at Portmarnock Point,

and there are small dune hills east of Cush Point and

below the Claremont Hotel. These are mostly

dominated by Marram (Ammophila arenaria),

though Lyme-grass (Leymus arenarius) is also

found.

The site includes a brackish marsh along the Mayne

River. Soils here have a high organic content and are

poorly drained, and some pools occur. Rushes

(Juncus spp.) and salt tolerant species such as

Common Scurvygrass (Cochleria officinalis) and

Greater Sea-spurrey (Spergularia media) are typical

of this area. Knotted Hedge-parsley (Torilis nodosa),

a scarce plant in eastern Ireland, has been recorded

here, along with Brackish Water-crowfoot

(Ranunculus baudotti), a species of brackish pools

and ditches which has declined in most places due to

habitat loss. Two plant species, legally protected

under the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, occur in the

Mayne marsh, Borrer's Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia

fasciculata) and Meadow Barley (Hordeum

secalinum).

Baldoyle Bay is an important bird site for wintering

waterfowl and the inner part of the estuary is a

Special Protection Area under the E.U. Birds

Directive as well as being a Statutory Nature

Reserve.

Baldoyle Bay is a fine example of an estuarine

system. It contains four habitats listed on Annex I of

the E.U. Habitats Directive, and supports two legally

protected plant species. The site is also an important

bird area and part of it is a Special Protection Area

under the E.U. Birds Directive, as well as being a

Statutory Nature Reserve. It supports internationally

important numbers of Brent Goose and nationally

important numbers of six other bird species,

including two Annex I Birds Directive species.

The Conservation Objectives1 for the Baldoyle Bay

SAC are:

To maintain the favourable conservation condition of

the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for

which the SAC has been selected:

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by

seawater at low tide

Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud

and sand

Atlantic salt meadows

(Glauco‐Puccinellietalia maritimae)

Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia

maritimi)

Baldoyle Bay SPA Baldoyle Bay extends from just below Portmarnock

village to the west pier at Howth, Co. Dublin. It is a

tidal estuarine bay protected from the open sea by a

large sanddune system. Two small rivers, the Mayne

and the Sluice, flow into the inner part of the estuary.

Large areas of intertidal flats are exposed at low tide.

These are mostly sands but grade to muds in the

inner sheltered parts of the estuary.

Baldoyle Bay is of high ornithological importance for

wintering waterfowl, providing good quality feeding

areas and roost sites for an excellent diversity of

waterfowl species. It supports an internationally

important population of Pale-bellied Brent Geese

and has a further seven species with nationally

important populations Great Crested Grebe

Shelduck), Pintail, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover

Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit. The occurrence

of Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit is of

1 NPWS (2012) Conservation Objectives: Baldoyle Bay SAC 000199. Version 1.0. National Parks and Wildlife

Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

particular note as these species are listed on Annex I

of the E.U. Birds Directive. Other species which

occur in significant numbers include Teal, Mallard

Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, Lapwing , Knot

Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank,

Greenshank and Turnstone. Regular breeding birds

include Shelduck, Mallard and Ringed Plover. In

autumn, passage migrants such as Curlew

Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper

are regular in small numbers.

Baldoyle Bay SPA is of high conservation

importance, with an internationally important

population of Brent Geese and nationally important

populations of a further seven species, including two

which are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds

Directive. The inner estuarine section is a Statutory

Nature Reserve and is also designated as awetland

of international importance under the Ramsar

Convention.

The Conservation Objectives of the Baldoyle SPA

are2 to maintain the favourable condition of the

wetland habitat and the favourable condition of the

bird species listed below within the SPA

Light-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla

hrota)

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Wetlands

Irelands Eye SPA

Ireland's Eye is an uninhabited island located about

1.5 km north of Howth in Co.Dublin. The island has

an area of c.24 ha above the high tide mark. A tall

stack, which is completely cut off from the main

island at mid to high tide, occurs at the eastern side

of the cliffs. A sandy beach, backed by low sand hills,

2 NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Baldoyle Bay SPA 004016. Version 1. National Parks

and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

occurs at Carrigeen Bay on the western shore, while

a shingle beach extends from Carrigeen to Thulla

Rocks. Elsewhere the island is covered by glacial

drift. A lowlying, sparsely vegetated islet, known as

Thulla, occurs a little to the south of the island, and

an extensive area of bedrock shore (heavily covered

by brown seaweeds) is exposed at low tide between

Thulla and the main island. There are no

watercourses or springs on the island, though two

small rainwater ponds form during winter in the

North-west and north-east sectors. A substantial area

of the sea to the north and east of the island, where

seabirds socialise and feed, is included in the site.

The drift soils support a plant community of Bracken

(Pteridium aquilinum) and various grasses,

especially Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), along with

Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Common

Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Pennywort

(Umbilicus rupestris). The localised Spring Squill

(Scilla verna) is a feature of the flora. The cliff

maritime flora includes Rock Spurrey (Spergularia

rupicola), Sea Stork’s-bill (Erodium maritimum),

Rock Samphire (Crithmum martimum), Golden

Samphire (Inula crithmoides) and Sea Lavender

(Limonium binervosum). The small area of shingle

vegetation supports two Red Data Book plant

species, Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) and Henbane

(Hyoscyamus niger). The seabird populations

exercise a strong influence on the vegetation over

much of the island and in places only those plants

which can survive liberal spraying with guano

manage to survive. Hogweed (Heracleum

sphondylium), Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Slender

Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus) are common in such

areas.

Ireland's Eye has important populations of breeding

seabirds. In 1999 the following were counted: Fulmar

70 pairs; Gannet 142 pairs, Cormorant 306 pairs;

Shag 32 pairs, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 pair;

Herring Gull c.250 pairs; Great Black-backed Gull

c.100 pairs; Kittiwake 941 pairs; Guillemot 2,191

individuals; Razorbill 522 individuals. In 2001 the

following were counted: Gannet 202 pairs;

Cormorant 438 pairs; Shag 39 pairs; Great Black-

backed Gull 110 pairs; Kittiwake 1024 pairs;

Guillemot 2948 individuals; Razorbill 686+

individuals. Puffin was formerly common, but

nowadays not more than 20 individuals occur. Black

Guillemot also breeds, with 15 individuals recorded

in 1998. Manx Shearwater has bred in the past.

The Gannet, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Great Black-

backed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill

populations are of national importance. When the

Cormorant population is considered as part of a

larger grouping with the colonies on nearby Lambay

and St. Patrick’s Island, this population is of

international importance. The

Gannet colony is of particular note as it is one of five

in the country and the only one on the east coast. It is

also notable that it has only been established as

recently as the late 1980s.

Several pairs each of Shelduck, Oystercatcher and

Ringed Plover breed, while the island is a traditional

site for Peregrine Falcon, a species listed on Annex I

of the EU Birds Directive. In winter small numbers of

Greylag and Pale-bellied Brent Geese graze on the

island and it is used as a roost site by gulls and some

waders.

Ireland’s Eye is now one of the best monitored sites

in the country, with the breeding seabirds having

been systematically censused using standard

methods almost annually since 1990 (and also in

1986). Prior to that, census data are available for

1969/70 from the Operation Seafarer project. The

present status of most of the breeding seabirds on

Ireland’s Eye appears favourable. The principal

direct threat to the nesting birds is potential

disturbance from visitors to the island. While the

present level of disturbance does not appear to be

having adverse impacts on the majority of the

breeding birds (most of which are on relatively

inaccessible cliffs), regulation and management of

visitors to the island may be necessary in the future.

Brown rats are long established on the island but

their recent status is not well known. It is likely,

however, that the presence of rats may be a factor in

keeping the Puffin population at a low level.

This relatively small island is of high ornithological

importance, with seven seabird species having

populations of national importance. The regular

presence of a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcon is

also of note.

The Conservation Objectives3 for the Ireland’s Eye

SPA are:

To maintain or restore the favourable conservation

condition of the bird species listed as Special

Conservation Interests for this SPA:

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [breeding ]

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) [breeding ]

Kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla) [breeding ]

Guillemot ( Uria aalge) [breeding ]

Razorbill(Alca torda) [breeding ]

Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC

This site includes a range of dynamic inshore and

coastal waters in the western Irish Sea. These include

sandy and muddy seabed, reefs, sandbanks and

islands. This site extends southwards, in a strip

approximately 7 km wide and 40 km in length, from

Rockabill, running adjacent to Howth Head, and

crosses Dublin Bay to Frazer Bank in south county

Dublin. The site encompasses Dalkey, Muglins and

Rockabill islands.

The area selected for designation represents a key

habitat for the Annex II species harbour porpoise,

within the Irish Sea. Population survey data show

that porpoise occurrence within the site boundary

meets suitable reference values for other designated

sites in Ireland. The species occurs year-round

within the site and comparatively high group sizes

have been recorded. Porpoises with young (i.e.

calves) are observed at favourable, typical reference

values for the species. Casual and effort-related

sighting rates from coastal observation stations are

significant for the east coast of Ireland and the latter

appear to be relatively stable across all seasons. The

selected site contains a wide array of habitats

believed to be important for harbour porpoise

including inshore shallow sand and mud-banks and

rocky reefs scoured by strong current flow. The site

3 NPWS (2011) Conservation objectives for Ireland's Eye SPA [004117]. Generic Version 4.0.

Department of Arts Heritige and the Gaeltecht

also supports Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and

Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), for which terrestrial

haul-out sites occur in immediate proximity to the

site. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) has

also occasionally been recorded in the area. A

number of other marine mammals have been

recorded in this area including minke, fin and killer

whales and Risso’s and common dolphins.

Reef habitat is uncommon along the eastern

seaboard of Ireland due to prevailing geology and

hydrographical conditions. Expansive surveys of the

Irish coast have indicated that the greatest resource

of this habitat within the Irish Sea is found fringing

offshore islands which are concentrated along the

Dublin coast. A detailed survey of selected suitable

islands has shown areas with typical biodiversity for

this habitat both intertidally and subtidally. Species

recorded in the intertidal included Fucus spiralis,

Fucus serratus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Ascophyllum

nodosum, Semibalanus balanoides and Necora

puber. Subtidally, a wide range of species include

Laminaria hyperborea, Flustra folicacea, Alaria

esculenta, Halidrys siliquosa, Pomatocereos

triqueter, Alcyonium digitatum, Metridium senile,

Caryophyllia smithii, Tubularia indivisa, Mytilus

edulis, Gibbula umbilcalis, Asterias rubens, and

Echinus esculentus. These Reefs are subject to strong

tidal currents with an abundant supply of suspended

matter resulting in good representation of filter

feeding fauna such as sponges, anemones and

echinoderms.

This site is of conservation importance for reefs,

listed on Annex I, and Harbour Porpoise, listed on

Annex II, of the E.U. Habitats Directive.

The Conservation Objectives4 for the Rockabill to

Dalkey Island c SAC are:

To maintain or restore the favourable conservation

status of habitats and species of community interest

for which the SAC has been selected:

4 4 NPWS (2013) Conservation Objectives: Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC 003000.

Version 1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage

Reefs

Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena

Description of the project or plan The offshore investigation works/surveys will include for

the following (see also Map No 32102901-FSL-002 in

terms of locations for various survey/SI elements)

Marine Ground Investigations(GI)

The marine GI works will extend across the study area of

the proposed marine outfall which lies south of

Portmarnock and north of Ireland’s Eye (ref Figure 1 in

Appendix A in ‘’Supporting Information Report’) The

marine GI will comprise of the collection of sediment and

bedrock cores in order to provide a greater

understanding of the benthic and bedrock character

along the proposed dredging route. It is proposed to

create a total of 12 No 150mm diameter boreholes on the

seabed along the alignment of the proposed outfall area.

The proposed works will comprise of 12 locations where

vibrocoring will be used to collect 11 sediment profiles to

a depth of 5m.The locations will then involve the use of

cable percussion boreholes that will be further

progressed by rotary core drilling to obtain bedrock

cores. The location of the boreholes and vibrocores are

shown in Figure 2(ref Appendix A in ‘’Supporting

Information Report’) and in Table 3.1 Soft sediment

samples will be taken by using a cable percussion

operated core, hard rock samples will be taken with a

rotary core and the sediment core profile by use of a

vibrocore so three drilling rig types will be required on

board the chosen drill vessel to accommodate these

techniques. The drill rig vessel will be towed into position

over the proposed sample locations using a tug boat. The

extendable legs will be deployed into the

foreshore/seabed for stabilisation. The only movement of

the vessel housing the drilling rigs will be between

sampling locations.

More details in relation to the proposed Vibrocores,

Cable percussion boreholes, Rotary Cored Boreholes and

In-situ Testing techniques is outlined in S3.2.1-3.2.4

respectively in ‘’Supporting Information Report’’ It is

anticipated that the proposed GI works will commence in

August 2015 and last for 6 months (weather dependent)

Bathymetry Survey,

The survey will be completed over a 4 month period

commencing in June 2015 and will consist of a side scan

sonar survey. The survey area is shown in Figure 2 (ref

Appendix A in Appropriate Assessment Screening Report)

This survey will not require any equipment to be erected

on the foreshore. All surveys will be conducted using

equipment mounted on or towed by the survey vessel.

Underwater Noise and Vibration survey

Due to the requirement to work within the Rockabill to

Dalkey Island SAC –designated for Harbour porpoise- to

construct the marine outfall, the NPWS requested an

assessment of the potential impact due to underwater

noise and in particular potential impact for harbour

porpoise. Therefore it is proposed to undertake

underwater noise monitoring within the study area. The

monitoring will likely require a week long monitoring

period to ascertain a baseline noise level. Noise

monitoring will be conducted from boats using noise

recording equipment which will be hand held from a boat

or secured to the vessel. This survey will involve both

underwater noise and particle velocity measurements at

sensitive locations within the study area. This survey will

not require any equipment to be erected on the

foreshore. All surveys will be conducted using equipment

mounted on or towed by the survey vessel. The survey

area is shown in Figure 2 (ref Appendix A in Appropriate

Assessment Screening Report)

Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC Reef Habitat Survey

This survey will consist of habitat mapping using acoustic

sampling, scientific divers and comprehensive drop down

high resolution still photography. These techniques will

be used either singularly or in combination, the following

survey methods are proposed:

Mapping of sub-littoral reef complexes using

multi-beam echo sounds for app 1.8km along the

NE Coastline from LWM to 200m offshore

Ground truthing of reef structures and habitat

changes using seabed photographs

Detailed habitat mapping using divers

The likely effect from this survey method is the noise

associated with multi-beam echo which is likely to be in

the range of 92-98 KHz. Both the ground truthing and

habitat mapping by divers may have the potential to

cause localised disturbance to marine mammals

The survey will commence in June 2015 and last for 4

months. The survey area is shown in Figure 2 (ref

Appendix A in Appropriate Assessment Screening Report)

Surface sediments and benthos sampling

In order to inform the hydrodynamic model ,suspended

sediment samples are proposed to be undertaken on an

extended study area from Lambay to Howth( see Figure 4

in Appendix A in ‘’Supporting Information Report’

’Samples will be taken by use of a sampling tube at (i)

just below surface,(ii) mid-water column depth (iii) just

above the seabed.

Benthos sampling is anticipated to include samples of the

seabed will be acquired using a grab sampler, with

duplicated replicates processed for macro-invertebrate

benthos larger than 500u M at each location.

The surface sediment survey is expected to commence in

June 2015 for duration of app 2 weeks

Marine Archaeological Dive Survey

The survey will consist of observational dives throughout

the study area (following the route of the proposed

marine outfall) by scientific divers. This will not involve

any equipment on the foreshore and this dive survey is

expected to commence in August 2015 and last for 1

month.

The survey footprint extends from the foreshore

seaward occupying an area that measures 750M N-S and

5km long (E-W)-see Map No 32102901/FSL/002

Though not specifically stated it would appear that the

proposed dive survey will help to inform further in

relation to the information provided in the ‘’Marine

Archaeological Assessment’’ –which accompanied the

Foreshore Licence Application- and will follow on from

some of the archaeological management and monitoring

recommendations made therein in terms of ‘’Pre

Construction Measures’’ and ‘’Construction Phase

Measures’’ (as presented in Section 6.0

‘’Recommendations’’). It may also be required on follow

on from a meeting between the Applicants and NMS

section of DAHG which took place on 30/7/2013 which

‘’discussed requirements for further archaeological

testing prior to the submission of the planning

application’’ – ref ‘’Correspondence Summary Table 4.1’’.

Is the project or plan directly connected

with or necessary to the management of

the site (provide details)?

No.

Are there other projects or plans that

together with the project or plan being

assessed could affect the site (provide

details)?

1 FURTHER SURVEY OPERATIONS

Further non-intrusive marine mammal and tide

and current surveys off the north Dublin coast of

Loughshinny-Portmarnock (the subject of an

earlier S3.3 Foreshore Licence Application) will

be running in parallel with these Site

Investigations and further surveys. All of these

surveys are of short duration, localised and

would only take up a miniscule footprint area in

terms of the overall areas designated.

Significant “in combination” effects are not

considered likely.

2 POTENTIAL NEW DEVELOPMENTS ALONG

ADJACENT COASTLINE

Sustainable Urban Development Systems (SUDS)

for all surface water discharges from new

developments is an objective of the Fingal Co

Development Plan 2011-2017 which will ensure

sustainable surface water discharges to coastal

waters from future development.

There is no likelihood for in-combination effects to

coastal habitats from sewage effluent because the

implementation of the GDDS will adhere to the

requirements of the WFD to achieve ‘’Good Water

Quality Status’ in all protected areas by 2015.

3 PROPOSED WWTP AT CLONSHAUGH AND

MARINE OUTFALL

All Marine Investigative Surveys will be completed in

advance of any works commencing on the Marine Outfall

and Clonshaugh WWTP .The proposed off-shore pipeline

required to service the proposed Clonshaugh WWTP

under GDD will be subject to its own AA. Porpoises are

likely to be habituated to the noise generated from existing

fishing and shipping routes in the locality. No significant in-

combination effects are likely.

Describe how the project or plan (alone

or in combination) is likely to affect the

Natura 2000 site.

Sediment release from drilling and coring operations associated with GI Works may impact on habitats(including reef communities ) through smothering

Potential for accidental spills from marine GI Works or leaching of drilling fluids into the water column ,has potential to impact on habitats (including reef communities)

Noise and vibration associated with the drilling and coring operations (associated with the GI Works) and operations for the bathymetric surveys has potential to impact on birds and may result in the temporary displacement of the harbour porpoise from breeding grounds.

Noise associated with vessel movements to service the various surveys and sediment sampling operations may impact on bird populations

Access to intertidal borehole may require overland access to haul alternative plant to its location which may damage intertidal habitats from trampling and use of vehicles

Explain why these effects are not

considered significant.

While sediment release is likely to occur as a result of the

investigative drilling operations, impacts will be minimal

and localised. The sediments in the vicinity of the GI

Works are mobile sands and therefore sediments released

through drilling operations are unlikely to be discernible

above the natural variation in the area. Therefore no

impact is predicted from sediment release to SAC Sites.

The operation of the equipment required for the drilling

and vibrocoring work is likely to result in low-level air-

borne noise disturbance but is unlikely to be discernible to

the bird breeding populations owing to the distance of the

works from SPA sites. The noise and vibrations

associated with the GI Works and bathymetric surveys

does not have the potential to impact on sub tidal and

intertidal reef communities or habitats within any of the

SAC sites.

The adoption of best practice methods for all marine

survey and GI works, adherence to relevant pollution

prevention guidelines, adoption of strict environmental

controls and the presence of the MMO on site will

minimise the risk of any harmful fluids such as fuels,

chemicals and/or oils entering the water column through

accidental spills or leakage .The potential impact to SAC

and SPA sites from pollution/accidental spillages is

therefore not considered to be significant.

It is considered highly unlikely that the marine GI works

will cause death to any marine mammals as

drilling/vibrocoring operations operate at a lower reported

auditory range for all species. The use of Multi-beam

Echo-sounder(MBES) for the bathymetric surveys has the

potential to result in short term disturbance to harbour

porpoise through displacement from areas such as

feeding and breeding grounds .The ‘’Risk Management

Strategy’’ has been developed to address noise impacts to

harbour porpoise and a set of mitigation measures is

outlined at S 6.0 .It is considered that with the adoption of

these mitigation measures and full compliance with

measures set out in “Guidance to Manage the Risk to

Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish

Waters” (January 2014) the noise associated with marine

survey works is unlikely to result in significant impact to

the harbour porpoise.

Some of the marine survey works fall within the Rockabill

to Dalkey Island SAC, however direct loss of reef

communities is not predicted as all drilling works will be

undertaken approximately 0.6km from sub tidal

communities and approximately 0.8km from the inter-tidal

reef community. The bathymetric surveys are non-

intrusive surveys which will not impact on the reef

communities.

There is no shipping lanes around the proposed marine

survey works, however boat movements are common (i.e.

trawlers, pleasure/leisure and sail/motor boats operating

from Howth and Malahide) The additional presence of

plant and vessels required for the GI Works and Surveys

should not increase noise levels in this regard. There will

be a requirement for survey vessels to travel to and from

monitoring points on a regular basis to service the

monitoring stations; these may generate some marine

traffic noise. It is considered that with the adoption of the

mitigation measures as set out in the Appropriate

Assessment Statement and the NPWS document

“Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from

Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters” (January 2014)

the noise associated with the GI Works and marine

survey works are unlikely to result in significant impact on

the features of interest of the sites, with negligible impact

to harbour porpoise. Furthermore porpoises are likely to

be habituated to the noise generated from existing

fishing and shipping routes in the locality. Impacts on

bird species from the noise associated with the survey

vessels is not considered likely as it is consistent with

normal marine traffic noise in the area.

The surveys are non-intrusive and do not involve the

placement of any structures on the foreshore. While there

is app 45 no sediment/benthos sampling points spread

throughout the entire survey area these are in effect fixed

points taking up miniscule areas on the sea bed therefore

they will only take up a miniscule footprint area in the

context of the overall areas of the designated sites.

The proposed GI Works and survey operations will result

in a very small area of interaction with the seabed The

impact from altered hydrology will be minimal and

insignificant.

The impacts of the works will be temporary and localised.

The works will not result in habitat loss, there will not be

significant disturbance to key species and there will be no

habitat or species fragmentation within the SAC’s or

SPA’s. The integrity of the sites will not be affected.

There will be no direct discharge of pollutants into the

environment during the works and water quality will not be

affected.

While Access to one intertidal borehole may require overland access to haul alternative plant to its location the impact on the underlying seabed will be temporary and localised and in terms of the overall Baldoyle Bay SAC the

footprint area actually impacted is infinitesimal. With a recovery of the habitat anticipated post GI Works the impact to the designated area can be considered minor-insignificant.

On the basis of the above it is considered that there will be

no significant adverse effects as a result of the proposed

offshore site investigation works and various surveys,

between Portmarnock and Ireland’s Eye and off the North

Dublin Coast at Loughshinny on the ‘qualifying interests’

or the ‘conservation objectives’ of the Baldoyle Bay SAC

(Site Code 000199), Balydoyle Bay SPA (Site Code

004016), Ireland’s Eye SPA (Site Code 004117) and

Rockabill to Dalkey Island c SAC (Site Code 003000)

Who carried out the assessment? Department of Environment, Community and Local

Government and the Marine Licensing Vetting Committee,

21st April 2015.