This Chapter has drawn
from a report prepared by RPS Environmental Sciences (RPS Environmental
Sciences 2001) and assesses the impacts on flora, fauna and fisheries for the
alternative route options.
This report provides an
assessment of the potential impacts of the route options under consideration on
features of ecological importance. Due
to restrictions on land access it was not possible to undertake field survey
work along the entire length of the proposed route options. Initially restrictions on field survey work
were the result of Foot and Mouth disease guidelines implemented in order to
prevent the spread of the disease in the Republic of Ireland. Latterly, restrictions have resulted from an
ongoing dispute between the Irish Farmers Association and the National Roads
Authority, which has resulted in landowners denying access to farmland to
undertake survey work for proposed road projects. However, each of the sites identified in the Constraints Report
as being of ecological interest, and located along any of the routes, were
surveyed to Phase 1 habitat survey standard as recommended for a Route Selection
Report in the NRA Project Guidelines.
When it was not possible to access the land to undertake this assessment
(due to the reasons outlined above) the habitats of the sites were evaluated on
the basis of a combination of aerial photography, public access area surveys
and walk over surveys near key sites.
Where there was any doubt over the importance of a particular site, for
the purposes of determining the level of impact, the site was assigned a higher
potential value.
The assessment of impacts
on ecology due to the proposed route options included the following;
1. ·
A review of areas of ecological
constraint identified during preparation of an Ecological Constraints report
(McCarthy Hyder Tobin, 2001).
2. ·
A review of aerial photographs of the
study area.
3. ·
A review of published materials.
4. ·
Consultation with statutory and
non-statutory groups (Appendix 8)
5. ·
Identification of areas of
semi-natural habitat along the proposed route corridors from public access
areas and vantage points.
6. ·
Phase 1 and/or river crossing surveys
in instances where permission to access land was granted by landowners.
As a result of the above
assessment by RPS Environmental Sciences, boundaries of some of the sites
previously identified for the Constraints Study were modified and some new
sites of Ecological Constraint were identified and added. The evaluation of sites was made according
to the classification given in Appendix 8, and
covers both ecologically valuable sites and fisheries waters. Scientific names of plants and animals
mentioned in the text are listed in Appendix 8
as are the groups and individuals contacted together with a summary of their
responses (Appendix 8). Information or comments given by the
consultees are included in the text where appropriate.
In assessing impacts, the
following significance criteria have been used:
|
Significance Criteria |
|
|
Severe adverse impact |
Permanent impacts on a site of international
importance, such as SAC, EC designated Salmonid fishery or SPA. Permanent impacts on a large part of a
proposed NHA. Mitigation will either
be ineffective or take considerable time to become effective. |
|
Major adverse impact |
Loss in productivity of an EC designated salmonid
fishery; Temporary impacts on a large part of a site of international
importance. Permanent impacts on a
small part of a nationally important site or on a large part of a high local
value ecological site. Permanent
effects on protected habitats or species. Mitigation measures, though
applicable, are unlikely to fully compensate for the effect. |
|
Moderate adverse impact |
Temporary loss of productivity of an EC
designated fishery. Permanent impacts
on local fisheries. Temporary impacts
on a small part of a site of international importance. Temporary impacts on a large part of a nationally
important site. Permanent impacts on
a small part of a high local value ecological site and on a large part of a
low value ecological site. Temporary
effects on protected habitats or species.
Mitigation may partially ameliorate the potential impacts. |
|
Minor adverse impact |
Temporary impacts on local fisheries. Temporary impacts on a small part of a
nationally important site or on a large part of a high local value site.
Permanent impacts on a small part of a low local value site. Reduction in the value of ecological
resources, habitats or species of local importance such as may occur through
the severance of linear habitats, which form links between sites. Impacts can be effectively mitigated
against. |
|
No impact |
No significant impact on areas of nature
conservation value or species interest. |
|
Minor beneficial impact |
Improvement afforded to any sites of nature
conservation importance or areas that support species of nature conservation
value. Improvements through the extension
and enlargement of existing sites, the implementation of a management plan
and introduction of enhancement measures for wildlife, or through measures to
prevent undesirable trends or processes.
|
There are six designated
sites within, or in close proximity to, the study area.
7. ·
The Gearagh – cSAC, SPA, Nature
Reserve, Ramsar Site, Biogenetic Reserve, Wildfowl Sanctuary, pNHA
(International Importance)
8. ·
St Gobnet’s Wood – cSAC, pNHA
(International Importance)
9. ·
Glashgarriff River – pNHA (National
Importance)
10.
· Lough Gal – pNHA (National Importance)
11.
· Prohus Wood – pNHA (National Importance)
12.
· Boylegrove Wood – pNHA (National Importance)
pSAC: proposed Special
Area of Conservation (under EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC)
SPA: Special Protected
Area (EU Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC)
pNHA: proposed Natural
Heritage Area
Further details of these
designated sites are presented in Appendix 8. The implications of these designations are
presented in the Constraints Report.
The Irish NGO’s
(non-government organisations) propose that nationally, a further 621 sites
should be considered for designation as SAC’s (special areas of
conservation). Within the study area
three sites are listed (Dwyer, 2000); these are;
13.
· A Lesser Horseshoe Bat roost located in a
souterrain at Dunisky near Macroom (W368682),
14.
· The River Bride (for Atlantic Salmon), and
15.
· The River Lee (for Atlantic Salmon).
There are a number of
woodland sites within the study corridor that are semi-natural with the species
composition being native. Some of these areas may correspond to the Habitats
Directive Annex 1 type ‘Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the
British Isles’ and as such may be of national/international importance. The significance of the sites would,
therefore, depend upon how their habitat quality compares to the average
habitat quality of similar sites in the local area and with representative
examples of the Annex 1 habitat.
Woodlands of particular note within the study corridor that may
correspond to the above mentioned annexe habitats are Areas 30a, 20a, 1b and
57a, of which areas 1b, 20a and 30a have the potential to be designated as
Special Areas of Conservation or Natural Heritage Areas (see fig 8.1).
There are two areas of
potential fen type habitat in the south of the study corridor. These sites are not recorded in the Irish
Fen Inventory prepared by the Irish Peatland Conservation Committee (Crushell,
2001). Due to access problems neither
of these areas could be surveyed in detail.
They are however, potentially of high conservation importance and may be
of regional/national importance.
Without more detailed survey it would not be possible to say if this
area corresponded to an Annexed habitat.
However, peat-forming fens are limited in extent in Ireland and are of
conservation importance (Fossitt 2000).
There is also a large
roost of Pipistrelle Bats (Cork Bat Group 2001) which may be of sufficient size
to warrant its designation as a Natural Heritage Area. Also BirdWatch Ireland
contend that the Sullane Delta and the Dunisky Culvert, considered as part of
the Inishcarra wetland system, should also be incorporated within the Gearagh
SPA, due to the internationally important numbers of wintering birds supported
by the Reservoir. In addition, due to
its nationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders, ‘The Gearagh
and the Inishcarra Reservoir’, is identified by BirdLife International as an
Important Bird Area (Republic of Ireland IBA no:084; Heath et al., 2000).
Consultation with Dúchas
database for Rare and Protected Plant Species noted sixteen records of rare
plants from within the study area.
These records are presented in Appendix 8.
A number of species, which
are listed on Annex II of the EU ‘Habitats Directive’, are present within the
study area. Freshwater Pearl Mussel has been found in many of the rivers west
of Macroom; including the Sullane, Toon, Lee, Foherish and Laney. The Sea
Lamprey has been recorded from the main channel of the Lee and is known to
spawn in the Bride, Dripsey and Sullane. Ammocoete larvae have been found in
the Bride and it is likely that all three species of lamprey occur in this
river (i.e. including River Lamprey and Brook Lamprey).
Otters (an Annex 1 species
under the Habitats Directive) are known to occur within many of the streams and
rivers throughout the study area. The mosaic of fields, hedgerows and woodland
blocks contained within the study area provide suitable habitat for badgers
(protected under the Wildlife Act 1976, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000).
Plant species recorded
within the area are listed in Appendix 8.
These records involve nine species, Mudwort, Heath Cudweed, lanceolate
Spleenwort, Killarney Fern, Small Cudweed, Lesser Snapdragon, Sharp-leaved
Fuellen Bird Cherry and Corncockle. All
of these are listed in the Irish Red Data Book, 1 Vascular Plants (Curtis and
McGough., 1998), and the first six are also protected under the Flora (Protection)
Order. Notable bird species occurring
within the area as identified by Birdwatch Ireland are listed in Appendix 8.
Eight species of bat are
known to occur in the Macroom to Ballincollig area (Cork Bat Group 2001). The species and known roost sites are listed
in Appendix 8. Of these species, the Lesser Horseshoe Bat is an Annex II
Species, under the EC Habitats Directive 1992.
There are two particularly notable bat colonies in this area, one colony
of Lesser Horseshoe at Dunisky, and a very large colony of Soprano Pipistrelles
(approx 1,500 individuals) in the vicinity of Rooves Beg. Bat species are
protected under the Wildlife Act 1976, and also under the Bern Convention 1982.
The study corridor is
located within a wider landscape that is dominated by low-intensity farmland to
the west of Macroom, with higher-intensity farmland to the east of
Macroom. The area to the west of
Macroom has large areas of semi-natural habitat consisting of rough, upland
grazing with many rocky outcrops and areas of broadleaved woodland. To the east of Macroom the landscape
consists of more intensive pastureland with arable areas. Such farmland
comprises habitats of very low ecological value, which have been subject to a
higher degree of modification by human activities such that they no longer
retain any significant natural character.
Therefore any remnant areas of semi-natural habitat can be considered to
be of potential ecological value. Semi-natural habitats are defined as “habitats that have been modified by human
activity from their original state but with vegetation composed of native
species, similar in structure to natural types and with native animal
communities” (JNCC, 1995).
The survey of areas of
semi-natural habitat was undertaken by a combination of; survey from public
roads and pathways, some on-site survey work and review of aerial
photographs. A full Phase I habitat
survey was not possible due to the restrictions on land access earlier discussed,
but where there was any doubt over the importance of a particular site, for the
purposes of determining the level of impact, the site was assigned a higher
potential value.
Areas of semi-natural
habitat identified during the field survey were classified as areas of
ecological constraint (AECs) with the following exceptions:
16.
· watercourses; these are assessed separately.
17.
· hedgerows and other linear habitats; these are very
widespread within the route corridor and are affected by all routes.
A special case arises with
old plantations of broadleaved and mixed woodlands dominated by non-native
species. While such habitats do not
conform strictly to the definition of a semi-natural habitat, they may nevertheless
be of significant ecological value, in particular, for birds and mammals. Relatively unmanaged old plantation
woodlands with an understorey comprising native shrub species and a diverse
ground flora may therefore merit classification as areas of ecological
constraint. Old plantations of
broadleaved and mixed woodlands also represent important landscape elements
within the study area, and are of value as amenity woodlands.
Areas of ecological
constraint are presented in Figure 8.1, Appendix 8.
Due to access restrictions limiting ecology surveys, habitat evaluation
is largely based on habitat quality rather than the occurrence of rare
species. However, where there is
information indicating the occurrence of rare species, or where the habitat
conditions are suitable for the occurrence of rare species, this information is
taken into account, and some sites are hence described as being of “potentially
high value”. This criteria was also used
to describe sites where there was insufficient information to assess areas as
being of high value. Areas that could
not be accessed but appeared to be of no more than low value are noted as being
“probably of no greater than low value”.
Habitat quality was evaluated with reference to the Ratcliffe criteria
(JNCC 1995): in particular the ‘size’, rarity’, ‘diversity’ and ‘naturalness’
criteria.
The points at which the
routes cross the Lee Reservoir and River Bride were surveyed to determine the
potential impacts on the water body.
Bankside habitats were surveyed and an assessment of the ecological
interest in the area was made.
Locations of crossing points are shown in Figure
8.1. Details of surveys are
included within Appendix 8.
The Lee Reservoir is
described by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board (SWRFB) as a year round
coarse fishery with Bream and Rudd the main species in the lower reservoir and Pike
in the upper. Brown Trout and Salmon are fished in the remaining stretch of
river. In general detailed
river/habitat mapping does not exist for watercourses within the study area,
although it can be assumed that the majority of waters are of value either as
angling, spawning or nursery waters for game fish.
The angling and
spawning/nursery importance of watercourses within the study area, are outlined
in Appendix 8. The Lee, Bride, Sullane,
Foherish, Laney and the tributaries of these rivers are all considered as
significant in terms of fisheries habitat by the SWRFB. The River Bride and the tributaries of this
river are of particular importance as migration within this catchment is
unaffected by the dam at Inishcarra.
The SWRFB consider infrastructure projects such as the proposed N22
Ballincollig to Ballyvourney road scheme as having the potential to
significantly impact on fisheries resources if they are not carried out in an
environmentally sensitive manner.
Stream size can be
misleading in regard to fish presence. A significant amount of fish rearing
occurs in very small channels and seasonal streams. These sites may not be recognised as fish habitat; consequently
their importance to fish is sometimes overlooked. The fact that some minor or
seasonal watercourses do not appear always to contain fish should not be taken
as meaning they do not act as a habitat for aquatic plants and
macroinvertebrates, which as drift form a significant part of the food supply
to the downstream fishery.
It should be noted that
the River Lee is an EC designated salmonid water under the EC (Quality of
Salmonid Waters) Regulations of 1988 (SI 293 of 1988) implementing the
Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC).
The stretch of river designated under these Regulations is from its
source to the Cork City waterworks at Lee Road, and is understood to include
the Carrigadrohid and Inishcarra reservoirs along its length (CCC pers
comm). Whilst the River Bride is not an
EC designated Salmonid Fishery, it has been identified by SWRFB to be of
greater importance for salmonids than the River Lee. It is the only Salmonid river in the study area that is not
affected by the dam on the Inishcarra Reservoir. The section of the River Bride within the study area contains
relatively high quality habitat, including salmonid spawning habitat. Because of the significance placed on this
river by SWRFB, it will be taken to be an EC designated Salmonid Fishery when
considering the significance of impacts.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one site of low ecological value, area 1a, which is a large area of scrub,
rock outcrop and rough grazing that is locally common.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one oak woodland site of high ecological value, area 1b, which may
correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. The impact would result in direct loss of
habitat and would cause fragmentation of this woodland into two blocks. This section also has an impact on a small
part of one site of low ecological value, area 1a, which is a large area of
scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that is locally common.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of one oak woodland site of high ecological value, area 1b, which may
correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. The impact would result in direct loss of
habitat. This section also has an impact
on a large part of one site of low ecological value, area 9 and small parts of
two sites of low ecological value, areas 1a and 6, all three of which are areas
of scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that are locally common.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one oak woodland site of high ecological value, area 30a, which may
correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. The impact would result in direct loss of
habitat and would cause fragmentation of this woodland into two blocks. This section also has an impact on a small
part of five sites of low ecological value, areas 9, 19, 21, 30b and 30c. Areas 9, 19 and 21 are areas of scrub, rock
outcrop and rough grazing that are locally common. Areas 30b and 30c are mainly willow woodland, a habitat that is
also locally common.
Major Adverse Impact. This section impacts upon a large part of
one site of potentially high ecological value, area 32a, which is an area of
semi-natural marshy grassland along the course of the River Laney. This section also has an impact on a small
part of one site of low ecological value, area 32b, which consists of three
small blocks of coniferous plantation woodland.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section impacts upon a small part of
eight sites of low ecological value, areas 58, 60a, 60b, 60f, 68, 69, 76a and
76b. Areas 60a, 60b, 68, 76a and 76b
are broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland and parkland; areas 58 and 69 are
scrub and grassland and area 60f is a large coniferous plantation woodland.
There does not appear to be any habitat of
conservation interest in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Inniscarra
crossing point, although the area of scrub east of the crossing on the south
shore may be of local importance. Any
impacts on the River Lee EC designated Salmonid fishery are expected, if they
occur, to be restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be
temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of two areas of low ecological value, areas 78 and 79. Area 78 is semi-improved grassland and area
79 is an area of broadleaved woodland.
This section of the Green route crosses the River
Bride at Ovens, at which point it is approximately 8m in width, the banks of
which are wooded (broadleaved woodland).
The woodland and the river are of local conservation value only,
although Otters are known to use this area.
Any impacts on the River Bride salmonid fishery are expected, if they
occur, to be restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be
temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one site of low ecological value, area 1a, which is a large area of scrub,
rock outcrop and rough grazing that is locally common.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one oak woodland site of high ecological value, area 1b, which may
correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. The impact would result in direct loss of
habitat and would cause fragmentation of this woodland into two blocks. This section also has an impact on a small
part of one site of low ecological value, area 1a, which is a large area of
scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that is locally common.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of one oak woodland site of high ecological value, area 1b, which may
correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. The impact would result in direct loss of
habitat. This section also has a small
impact on two sites of low ecological value, areas 1a and 5, both of which are
large areas of scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that are locally common.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of two sites of low ecological value, areas 5 and 17, both of which are large
areas of scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that are locally common.
Minor Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of two areas of low ecological value, areas 29 and 30c, both of which are
woodland blocks. Area 29 though not
entered during the field survey, appears to be a broadleaved plantation, and area
30c is riparian willow woodland that is common in the study area.
No Impact. This section has no impact on the identified sites of ecological
value.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This site has an impact on a small part of
one site of high ecological value, area 40d, well developed riparian woodland
along the River Sullane east of Macroom, and also impacts on a large part of
one site of low ecological value, area 40a, an area of grassland, which is
prone to regular inundation from fluctuating water levels in the adjacent
reservoir.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of three sites of low ecological value, areas 40a, 40b and 82 and an impact on
a small part of three sites of low ecological value, areas 39d, 40c and
40f. Areas 40a and 40b are areas of
grassland bordering Carrigadrohid reservoir, which are prone to regular
inundation by fluctuating water levels in the reservoir, and areas 40c and 40f
are areas of willow woodland associated with these. Area 39d is also an area of grassland bordering the
reservoir. Area 82 is also an area of
grassland which may contain some semi-natural habitat.
The area of the proposed crossing point of the
Carrigadrohid Reservoir (at Farranvarrigane) is suitable for Otter, and a
nearby bridge (Bealahaglashlin) may be suitable for roosting bats. High numbers of Curlew were recorded feeding
and roosting 1km to the west of the crossing point. Although the area for the proposed crossing has semi-natural
grassland and large trees of local interest, no habitats or species of high
conservation value were recorded at the site.
Any impacts on the River Lee EC designated Salmonid fishery are
expected, if they occur, to be restricted to the construction phase, and would
hence be temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of one site of high ecological value, area 52a, an area of marshy grassland
near the Buingea River. This section
also has an impact on small areas of two sites of low ecological value, areas
55g and 55i, small areas of broadleaved woodland.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of one site of high ecological value, area 71k, a large area of broadleaved
woodland. The section also has an
impact on a small part of four sites of low ecological value, areas 55d, 74d,
74e and 74g. Area 55d is riparian
woodland along the River Bride; 74d is a mixed area of wet semi-natural habitats
and areas 74e and 74g are coniferous plantation woodland. In addition, the
route runs alongside the River Bride for part of its length, and might affect
the productivity of this river, which whilst not officially designated as a
salmonid fishery under the Freshwater Fisheries Directive is considered by
SWRFB to be the most significant river for salmonids in the region. Any impacts
on the River Bride salmonid fishery are expected, if they occur, to be
restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of two sites of low ecological value, areas 81b and 88. Area 81b is a linear strip of broadleaved
woodland along a road; area 88 is a quarry site with some disused areas.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of one site of low ecological value, area 81a, riparian ash and alder woodland
along the River Bride.
The Yellow route crosses the River Bride at Ovens,
at which point the river is variable in width (5-10m), and is fast flowing,
over boulders and exposed bedrock, with rapids and gravel islands. The banks are wooded, forming a near
complete canopy across the river. The
river is suitable for Otter and Kingfisher, and the area has high potential for
bats. The river itself and the
associated woodland may be of relatively high conservation value, particularly
given the significance of the river for salmonid fish. Any impacts on the River Bride salmonid
fishery are expected, if they occur, to be restricted to the construction
phase, and would hence be temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of a site of high ecological value, area 40d, a well developed riparian
corridor along the Sullane River.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one site which is of potentially high ecological value, area 42f and a small
part of another site of potentially high ecological value, area 42e, both of
which are sections of broadleaved woodland within a much larger coniferous
woodland block. This section also has
an impact on large parts of three sites of low ecological value, areas 42a, 61c
and 84. Area 42a is a large area of
coniferous plantation woodland; area 61c is riparian alder and willow woodland
along the River Kame and area 84 consists of two small ponds, one of which lies
directly on the route footprint. This
section also impacts on a small part of two sites of low ecological value,
areas 42b and 62. Area 42b was not
visited, but appears from aerial photographs to be an area of semi-natural or
marshy grassland and a small broadleaved woodland. Area 62 is a coniferous plantation woodland.
The habitat on the north side of the proposed
Inniscarra Reservoir crossing point is composed of improved and semi-improved
grassland, and dense scrub. The habitat
on the southern shore is made up of scrub and trees (Oak, Birch, Rowan and
Willow). There are no habitats or
species of conservation importance at this reservoir crossing. Any impacts on the River Lee EC designated
Salmonid fishery are expected, if they occur, to be restricted to the
construction phase, and would hence be temporary.
Minor Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of three sites of low ecological value, areas 61d, 67 and 70. Areas 61d and 70 are riparian alder and
willow woodlands; area 67 is a stream valley with a mix of semi-natural habitats.
Major Adverse Impact. This section impacts on a large part of one
site of high ecological value, area 55f which is a coniferous plantation
woodland with areas of deciduous woodland within it. This section also has an impact on a large part of two sites of
low ecological value, areas 40e and 50b and a small part of one site of low
ecological value, area 50c. Area 40e is
marshy grassland, willow woodland and a pond bordering the lakeshore; areas 50b
and 50c are grassland with some woodland in 50b.
Woodland situated on the southern shore of the
Carrigadrohid Reservoir at the crossing point of the Blue route may be of high
conservation value, but covers a very small area. The area provides suitable habitat for Badger and Otter. Otherwise, no habitats or species of
conservation value are present. Any
impacts on the River Lee EC designated Salmonid fishery are expected, if they
occur, to be restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be
temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one site of low ecological value, area 55a, and on a small part of one site
of low ecological value, area 55b. Area
55a is parkland, with large trees; area 55b is a stand of large oak trees.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a large part
of one site of high ecological value, area 73, which is marshy grassland. The section also has an impact on a large
part of two sites of low ecological value, areas 71a and 71d, both of which are
areas of marshy grassland. The section
also has an impact on a small part of five sites of low ecological value, areas
55d, 71c, 71e, 74d and 74f. Area 55d
and 74f are Alder and oak riparian woodlands along the River Bride; 71c is an
area of large trees around a farm; 71e is a coniferous plantation woodland; 74d
is a line of large deciduous trees.
This section of the Blue route crosses the River
Bride twice. The crossing at Crookstown
is in a broad and flat area which is used for arable land and intensive cattle
pasture almost to the banks of the river, with only a narrow riparian corridor
of Ash, Alder and Hawthorn. Although the area probably provides suitable
habitat for Otter, the area is otherwise of little conservation value.
The route also crosses the Bride at Kilcrea, at
which point the river is up to 6m wide, with banks of 3-4m in height. The crossing point is within an area of
arable fields, but on the eastern bank is an unused narrow strip of land. North of the crossing is an area of Spruce,
Fir, Ash and Blackthorn scrub. South of the crossing point is dense and marshy
grassland, the vegetation of which includes; tall grasses, Meadowsweet, Purple-loosestrife,
Yellow Iris and Bracken. The area provides suitable breeding habitat for
Kingfisher (observed during survey), and is also suitable for Otter and perhaps
Badger, but otherwise is probably only of local conservation value.
In addition, the route might affect the
productivity of this river, which whilst not officially designated as a
salmonid fishery under the Freshwater Fisheries Directive is considered by
SWRFB to be the most significant river for salmonids in the region. Any impacts on the River Bride salmonid
fishery are expected, if they occur, to be restricted to the construction
phase, and would hence be temporary.
Major Adverse Impact. This section has an impact on a small part
of three sites of low ecological value, areas 81a, 81c and 88. In addition, the
route runs alongside the River Bride for part of its length, and might affect
the productivity of this river, which whilst not officially designated as a
salmonid fishery under the Freshwater Fisheries Directive is considered by
SWRFB to be the most significant river for salmonids in the region. Any impacts
on the River Bride salmonid fishery are expected, if they occur, to be
restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be temporary.
Major Adverse Impact. This section, which links the Green route
option to the Yellow route option between nodes 4 and 5 has an impact on a
large part of a small oak woodland site, area 20c, which is potentially of high
ecological value, and may correspond to the Annex 1 habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak
Woodland’. This section also has an
impact on a large part of two sites of low ecological value, areas 18 and
20b. Area 18 is a large area of
scattered woodland, and area 20b is a small wet willow woodland. This section also has an impact on a small
part of three sites of low ecological value, areas 9, 19 and 22a, all three of
which are areas of scrub, rock outcrop and rough grazing that are locally
common.
Major Adverse Impact. This link section runs from node 9 on the green
route to node 13 on the red route. This
section has an impact on a small part of one site of high ecological value,
area 57a, an area of broadleaved woodland.
The section also has an impact on a large part of one site of low
ecological value, area 57b, an area of scattered broadleaved woodland and a
small part of four sites of low ecological value, areas 57d, 58, 61c and
62. Area 57d is a strip of broadleaved
woodland on the reservoir shore; 58 is an area of mixed semi-natural habitats;
61c is a riparian woodland along the River Kame and 62 is a coniferous
plantation woodland.
The habitat on the northern shore of the Inniscarra
Reservoir crossing is mainly woodland and associated vegetation, including
Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Hazel, Ash Oak, Bramble, Buddlea and Broom. On the southern shore, to the west of the
crossing, it is composed of broadleaved woodland with improved grassland to the
east. The sections of broadleaved
woodland are possibly of high conservation value and are likely to provide cover
for Otters and species of Bat. Any
impacts on the River Lee EC designated Salmonid fishery are expected, if they
occur, to be restricted to the construction phase, and would hence be
temporary.
Moderate Adverse Impact. This link section runs from node 8 on the
yellow route to node 10 on the blue route.
It has an impact on a small part of one site of high ecological value,
area 55f, a coniferous plantation woodland with areas of broadleaved woodland
within it. This section also has an
impact on a large part of one site of low ecological value, area 52b and on a
small part of one site of low ecological value, area 50e. Area 50e is a large eutrophic pool isolated
from the reservoir by a causeway. Area
52b is an area of mixed, semi-natural, wetland habitats.
No Impact. This link section runs between node 12 on the yellow route and
node 12a on the blue route. This section has no impact on the identified sites
of ecological value.
In addition to direct landtake, roads can have a
variety of secondary impacts arising from factors such as: disturbance during
construction, hydrological impacts, habitat fragmentation, noise impacts, air
quality impacts, etc. (see PAA; 1993; DMRB; 2000, ERM; 1996, Forman and
Alexander, 1998; and Spellerberg, 1998). Potential secondary impacts can
therefore be significant and the areas of high value or potentially high value
that may be affected by secondary impacts are outlined below, with specific
reference to areas that are designated areas within the study corridor or are
potentially of regional importance.
Neither Glashagarriff River pNHA nor Lough Gal pNHA
will be directly impacted, but the Green Route Option would be within 300
metres of the southern boundary of both of these designated sites. Secondary
impacts are unlikely to be significant due to the distance involved but there
is some possibility of hydrological effects on Lough Gal pNHA, which is a
low-lying wetland site.
The Yellow Route Option, west of Macroom, runs
within 100m of Prohus Wood pNHA. The
option could, potentially, have noise impacts on breeding birds and/or air
pollution impacts on the woodland.
The Blue Route footprint runs within 100m of Area
71b. It was not possible to survey this
site, but from a distance it appeared to be river valley fen. Such habitat
would be susceptible to changes in the hydrology of the area.
Area 20a is broadleaved woodland, which due to the
extent of quality habitat, may be of regional importance. The Green/Link1/Yellow Route Option (via
nodes 4 to 5) would be within 100metres of this woodland. The option could, potentially, have noise
impacts on breeding birds and/or air pollution impacts on the woodland.
Where smaller rivers and streams are crossed,
bridges would be preferable to culverts, which can act as a barrier to the
movement of migratory fish and otters.
Avoidance of damage to overhanging trees would maintain the shading
effect and protect suitable habitat for otters, bats and riparian birds.
During the construction stage temporary impacts
would be mitigated by protecting adjacent areas. Compensatory planting of appropriate
native species would partially ameliorate the loss of mature trees, although it
may take many years for effective replacement of lost habitat. Planting would also compensate for loss of
cover for mammals and birds protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 and other
relevant legislation.
Maintenance of wildlife corridors and crossing
points (e.g. provision of wildlife underpasses) would be considered in the
detailed design of the scheme.
Specific mitigation measures relating to specific
species will be identified following detailed surveys, for plants, mammals,
birds etc to be undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment on
the preferred route.
Based on available ecological
data, including potential impacts on designated sites; other semi-natural
habitats; watercourses; flora and fauna, the following route options are
recommended.
To the west of Macroom the
preferred route is the Yellow, and the Green route is the least preferred. The
Yellow route west of Macroom passes within 100m of Prohus Wood pNHA, and the
selection of the Yellow route as the preferred option has been determined in
part by the fact that it avoids the pNHA.
If this option is selected, measures should be taken to avoid or
minimise secondary impacts on Prohus Wood pNHA. In addition it is of concern that all of the routes have a major
impact on site 1b (Cascade Wood), which is of high ecological value and may
correspond to the Annex I habitat ‘Old Sessile Oak Woodland’. An alternative
route between nodes 2 and 3 has been considered to remove or lessen the impact
on this area, but was not considered viable (refer Chapter 16 Road Alignment).
To the east of Macroom,
the preferred option is the Green route, followed by the Red route and the
Green/Link/Red route. The Yellow, Blue
and Yellow/Link/Blue routes are least preferred due to impacts on the River
Bride and its associated, Areas of Ecological Constraint. The SWRFB have stated that due to the importance
of the River Bride for salmonids, they would prefer that the road scheme avoid
that river, due to the potential impact on the river from silt rich run-off
during the construction phase (SWRFB pers comm). Of the southern routes in the Bride Valley, the Yellow route
would be preferred, since it would be expected to have the least impact on the
River Bride. The Blue and Yellow/Link4 route would be least preferred, as they
would have the highest expected impact on the River Bride, and a higher overall
ecological impact.
The limitations of this
assessment should be considered when interpreting its findings. As the assessment is based upon limited
field survey work, the classification of habitats may change following detailed
field survey work yet to be undertaken.
Bern Convention. (1982) Convention on the Conservation of
European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
Cork Bat Group. (2001). Bat Survey of the Lee Valley County
Cork. July 2001
Crushell, P. (2000). Irish
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Council, Dublin.
Curtis, T.G.F and McGough,
H.N. (1988). Vascular Plants. The Irish
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Dwyer, R.B. (2000).
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List. A Report prepared for An Taisce, BirdWatch Ireland, Coastwatch Ireland,
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ERM (Environmental
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Conservation. English Nature Research
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92/43/EEC
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Directive 79/409/EEC
Flora (Protection) Order
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Alexander, L.E. (1998). Roads and their
major ecological effects. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics
29, 207-231.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001). A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The
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Heath et al. (2000). Republic of Ireland IBA no:084
JNCC (Joint Nature
Conservation Committee) (1995). Guidelines
for the Selection of Biological SSSIs. Joint Nature Conservation Committee,
Peterborough, UK.
Freshwater Fish Directive
(78/659/EEC)
McCarthy Hyder Tobin
(2001). N22
Ballyvourney-Macroom-Ballincollig Road Project. Constraints Study Report.
GD454/RT/03.
National Roads Authority
(2000), National Roads Project Management Guidelines.
PAA (Penny Anderson
Asociates) (1993) Roads and Nature
Conservation: Guidance on Impacts, Mitigation and Enhancement. English Nature, Peterborough, UK.
RPS Environmental Sciences
(2001). N22 Ballincollig to
Ballyvourney Road Scheme Ecology Route option assessment. Unpublished report
Spellerberg, I.F.
(1998). Ecological effects of roads and
traffic: a literature review. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters 7,
317-333.
Wildlife Act (1976)
Wildlife (Amendment) Act
(2000)