Noordhoek Survey B.V. On behalf of
Geo-UK
Portmarnock
Nearshore and Cable Landfall Survey
Environmental Review Report
May 2011
Volume 1: Environmental Review (CS0307/R4/V1)
Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
Coastal Surveys
Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd Coastal Surveys
For
Noordhoek Survey B.V.
On behalf of
Geo-UK
Portmarnock
Nearshore and Cable Landfall Survey
Environmental Review Report
May 2011
Volume 1: Environmental Review (CS0307/R4/V1)
Prepared By:
Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
Gill Lock (Principal Environmental Consultant) Orion House
Parc Crescent
Checked By: .............................................................. Waterton Industrial Estate
Mark O’Donovan (Project Manager) Bridgend
South Wales
Authorised By: .............................................................. CF31 3XB
Malcolm Houston (Managing Director) Tel: 01656 673673
Fax: 01656 673674
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
Contents
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... i
1 Background to Project .............................................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Overview of Permitting for Proposed Cable Landfall .................................................... 1
1.3 Consultation .................................................................................................................. 2
1.4 Structure of Report........................................................................................................ 2
1.4.1 Environmental Review Methodology ....................................................................... 3
1.4.2 Assessment Criteria................................................................................................. 3
2 Project Description .................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Cable Route Selection Overview .................................................................................. 6
2.2 Project Overview ........................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Cable Installation .......................................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Overview of Installation ........................................................................................... 7
2.3.2 Portmarnock Cable Landfall Construction Details ................................................... 7
2.3.3 Offshore Cable Installation ...................................................................................... 8
2.4 Operation and Decommissioning Phase....................................................................... 9
3 Portmarnock Landfall Site Baseline ...................................................................... 10
3.1 Designated Sites ......................................................................................................... 10
3.1.1 Designated Sites and their Features ..................................................................... 11
3.1.2 Initial Screening of Designated Features............................................................... 12
3.2 Intertidal Area.............................................................................................................. 15
3.2.1 Upper Beach Area ................................................................................................. 15
3.2.2 North Beach Habitat .............................................................................................. 16
3.2.3 Main Beach Habitat ............................................................................................... 16
3.3 Offshore Benthic Ecology ........................................................................................... 17
3.4 Marine Mammals ........................................................................................................ 18
3.5 Fish, Commercial Fisheries and Recreational Fishing................................................ 19
3.5.1 Commercial Fisheries ............................................................................................ 19
3.5.2 Spawning Grounds and Nurseries ......................................................................... 23
3.5.3 Recreational Fisheries ........................................................................................... 24
3.5.4 Fish Overview ........................................................................................................ 24
3.6 Landscape and Tourism ............................................................................................. 24
4 Assessment of Potential Impacts and Mitigation ................................................. 26
4.1 Construction Impacts and Mitigation ........................................................................... 26
4.1.1 Designated Sites.................................................................................................... 26
4.1.2 Upper Beach .......................................................................................................... 27
4.1.3 Intertidal Area ........................................................................................................ 27
4.1.4 Offshore Benthic Ecology ...................................................................................... 27
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Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
4.1.5 Marine Mammals ................................................................................................... 28
4.1.6 Fish, Commercial Fisheries and Recreational Fishing .......................................... 28
4.1.7 Landscape and Tourism ........................................................................................ 29
4.2 Operation Impacts and Mitigation ............................................................................... 29
4.3 Decommissioning Impacts and Mitigation................................................................... 30
5 Summary of Assessment and Mitigation .............................................................. 31
6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 38
7 References ............................................................................................................... 39
List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Overview of Proposed Cable Route
Figure 3.1 Location of SPAs and cSACs in relation to Portmarnock
Figure 3.2 Plan View of Portmarnock Beach (N)
Figure 3.3 Overview of Species Recorded on Portmarnock Beach (end of report)
Figure 3.4 Extract of Seabed Habitats off Portmarnock from EUSeaMap
Figure 3.5 Scallop, crab, whelk fishing grounds chart
Figure 3.6 Bottom Longline VMS Data
Figure 3.7 VMS data for Beam Trawl 2007 – 2008
Figure 3.8 VMS data for Otter Trawl 2008
Figure 3.9 Historic Nephrops Trawl Grounds
Figure 3.10 Landscape Character and Protect Areas
List of Photos
Photo 2.1 Portmarnock Approximate Beach Manhole Location
Photo 2.2 Porth Dafarch Approximate Beach Manhole Location
Photo 2.3 Portmarnock Beach Interface
Photo 3.1 View of north Portmarnock Beach
Photo 3.2 Upper Beach Manhole
Photo 3.3 North Beach Area
Photo 3.4 Fine filamentous algae
Photo 3.5 Brittle Star
Photo 3.6 Broken shells on raised sand areas
Photo 3.7 Fishing off Velvet Strand
Photo 3.8 Horse Exercising on Beach
List of Tables
Table 1.1 Potential Value of Ecological Receptors (Adapted from IEEM, 2010)
Table 1.2 Assessing the Magnitude of Each Impact on an Ecological Receptor
Table 1.3 Ecological Impact Significance
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Table 3.1 Habitats Regulations Assessment: Key Stages
Table 3.2 Designated Sites near Portmarnock and Summary of Key Features
Table 3.3 Summary and Initial Screening of Features of Natura 2000 sites
Table 3.4 Summary of Marine Mammals in Irish Sea
Table 3.5 Summary of Fish Spawning and Nursery Grounds off Portmarnock
Appendices
Appendix 1 Summary of Consultation Responses
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Executive Summary
Geo Networks Ltd propose to install a high quality fibre optic cable across the Irish Sea. The cable will
be repeater-less with the shortest sub-sea section, giving the most reliable and lowest latency solution.
The cable will link Portmarnock, north of Dublin to Porth Dafarch on Holy Island, Anglesey.
The fibre optic cable will be a 96 fibre bundle with a diameter of 3cm. It will be double armour protected
and steel clamps will be used for additional protection giving an overall cable diameter of 5cm. The
beach manhole chamber is to be located in an amenity grassed area beside a low stonewall adjacent to
the main R106 coast road. The intertidal cable route will follow predominantly sandy substrate. It will be
placed on the beach and buried to a depth of 2m wherever possible from a Beach Manhole to low water
mark, and to a depth of 1m from the low water mark to the 12m contour and beyond. The onshore
manhole and cable laying work is anticipated to take about 3-5 days. The offshore cable laying will take
approximately 16 - 20 days for the entire route.
Portmarnock Overview
Portmarnock beach, otherwise known as Velvet Strand, is a large sandy beach which extends some
5km in a north south direction along a peninsula towards the port of Dublin. The access point to the
beach is at its northern end, from the R106 coast road. Here there is on-road parking and a public car
park within immediate walking distance. The main beach sits at a lower level than the upper beach area
and is accessed via a short concrete road leading to a slipway. The top of the slip is blocked to non-
emergency vehicles by a pair of metal gates. The upper beach comprises a grassed area which has
vertical timbers adjoining the lower beach boundary. The grassed area extends from the slipway, along
the top of the beach for a distance of approximately 380m, to some fenced sand dunes. A tarmac
footpath runs the length of the grassed area, before turning inland at the sand dunes. The footpath is
also bisected halfway along with an access to the main public car park. At the northern boundary of the
beach are bathing steps which lead down to the edge of a rocky shore. The rocky shore runs
northwards around the coast towards Malahide Estuary.
The beach is designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive and, after two previous successive
years of good water quality, it regained the coveted Blue Flag Award. In terms of ecology, although the
beach and the landfall location itself are not designated, the adjacent coast either side of Portmarnock
has a number of designated candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and Special Protection
Area (SPA) sites.
The intertidal and subtidal ecology of the area is strongly influenced by the sandy substrate, with
polychaete worms (ragworm and lugworms) and bivalve shells such as cockles and razors shells being
recorded. As would be expected, the rocky area at the north of the beach, which forms the southern
extend of Malahide cSAC, shows greater species diversity and abundance. In terms of fish and
commercial fisheries, the area off Portmarnock extending northward is identified as spawning and
nursery grounds for a number of key commercial species. With regard to fishing activity, the main one
off Portmarnock beach appears to be suction dredging for Cockles or Razor Shells, which is undertaken
by local boats. The Irish Sea as a whole is important for other fishing practices such as otter trawling
and beam trawling, but the main areas of activity appear to be to the north of the cable route.
Finally, there is a wide range of marine mammal species recorded around the Irish Coast. In addition to
this Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) is found at Lambay Island cSAC which is approximately
8km off Portmarnock’s coast.
Assessment of Effect As identified above, the proposed cable landfall area is not located within any internationally designated site and no direct impact to any protected habitat or species is envisaged. In terms of indirect effects, there exists the potential to disturb birds of the SPAs or their food source, and there is potential for indirect effects on the rocky shore which marks the southern extent of Malahide Estuary cSAC. As discussed above there is one Annex II species, namely Atlantic Grey Seal which breeds on Lambay Island and therefore this species, and other marine mammals, may be potentially affected by offshore works.
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In terms of indirect disturbance to birds the proposed land based works will be short in duration. In addition, the northern end of Velvet Strand, where the works is located, is the main beach access area and as such subject to increased recreational use. Birds of the SPA using this area would be expected to be acclimatised to a certain degree of noise and disturbance. As a result, it is assessed that the short duration of construction noise and activity should be within the birds tolerance range and no indirect impact is anticipated.
In terms of potential effects from the cable laying vessel on the breeding seabird’s food source (fish) the
works will be short in duration 16 - 20 days for the entire cable route (Ireland-Wales). There will be
some localised disturbance to the seabed and surrounding area from ploughing, but this will be minimal
compared to current fishing practices off the beach. As such no indirect impacts on the birds are
anticipated.
For Atlantic Grey Seal and other marine mammals offshore, the cable laying vessels will be slow
moving with minimal underwater moving parts. The activity would be similar to laying lobster pots and
has been assessed as a lesser risk to marine mammals compared with, for instance, trawling. As such
the potential impact to marine mammals during cable installation is assessed to be neutral and therefore
there should be no impact overall.
The manhole and some cable trenching on the upper beach is to be located in the grassed area. With good construction practices; minimising damage to the surrounding grassed area; and re-seeding of any damaged areas, there should be no long term impact. In terms of the upper beach interface, if conditions permit the option of a trenchless technology such as moling would be considered. Notwithstanding this discussions would be held with the Local Council in advance of the work, and the timbers would be reinstated to their existing condition.
On the sandy shore the cable will be laid and buried during low tide, thereby minimising indirect impacts
through suspended solids on the rocky shore habitat some 250m to the north. The trench will be
approximately 0.5m wide down the length of the sandy beach. This will result in a localised impact on
the ecology, however, the excavated sand will be backfilled and therefore any marine fauna such as
ragworms and lugworms will be able to re-colonise the area. Overall, sandy habitat species tend to be
more robust and able to recover more rapidly from temporary impacts. It is therefore assessed that the
direct and indirect impacts from the cable laying will be minor as they will be short term, temporary and
localised and the impact is assessed to be Insignificant.
Offshore there will be minor localised impacts to marine ecology along the cable route through sediment
disturbance during trenching. However, many of the benthic species exposed by the works would be
expected to rebury themselves and therefore survive the temporary event. In terms of suspended
sediments, there will be a localised increase in suspended sediments as ploughing and cable laying
takes place. Suspended sediments will be carried varying distances depending on particle size and the
tidal state, eventually re-settling on the seabed. In terms of indirect impact this is assessed to be of
minor significance due to the small amount of sediments anticipated to be disturbed. Overall the cable
laying activity should be significantly less disruptive in terms of direct and indirect impacts when
compared to cockle and razor shell fishing practices and as such the overall indirect impact on local
benthos is assessed to be insignificant.
No direct impact to fish is envisaged as the cable laying vessel will be slow moving enabling fish to
move away from both the area of disturbance and localised increased levels of suspended sediments.
Once the cable laying vessel has passed over an area the fish will be able to move back.
In terms of fish spawning/nurseries grounds the proposed cable laying works will only affect a narrow
area of seabed and the works will be short in duration. Although there may be direct and indirect
impacts to spawning or juvenile fish, the impact from the cable laying vessel will be much less than that
experienced from current fishing practices in the area. The magnitude of potential impact on fish
spawning/nursery grounds during cable laying is assessed to be within the range normally experienced
offshore and therefore there should be no impact.
As the cable laying vessel will not be able to move off its given route during cable laying, good
communication will be required in advance to ensure that there is no interaction between fishing vessels
and the cable vessel. The works will be confined to a narrow corridor and with an appropriate safety
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distance suction dredging for shellfish could be able to continue. Due to the short duration of work (3-4
days), the magnitude of potential impact on commercial fishing during cable laying is assessed as minor
to neutral, giving an overall assessment of minor adverse to insignificant impact.
The manhole area on the upper beach will be fenced for health and safety reasons and the siting of the
compound will be positioned to avoid the footpaths and minimise disturbance to users of the area. Care
will be taken to minimise damage to the surrounding grassed area, however, if any grassed areas are
damaged, re-seeding will be undertaken on completion.
For health and safety reasons, access to the working area on the beach will also be restricted when the
cable is being laid and buried and then taken onto the offshore vessel. This is only like to be for a short
period (approximately 2 days). Notwithstanding this in order to minimise disruption and disturbance to
local users and visitors during construction it would be proposed to undertaken the works outside of the
bathing season (mid May to September) and school holiday period. If possible weekends would also be
avoided for the beach cable laying, but these works will be influenced by the timing of the offshore
works and weather. Discussions would be held in advance with the Local Councils concerning the
onshore works. If the works are timed to be outside the main tourist season and avoid holidays, the
short-term temporary impact on landscape and tourism during the construction phase is assessed to be
Minor to Neutral resulting in a short term minor adverse impact to no impact.
Once operational the proposed cable has a theoretical design life of 25-40 years. There will be no
surface structure associated with the manhole and the cable will be buried along the route. The
proposed cable system is short length fibre optic cables without repeaters, and as such there would be
no associated electric or magnetic fields. Under normal operating conditions there should be no impact
from the operation of the cable. If maintenance work is required this would result in similar effects to
those identified for installation.
Decommissioning of the cable would be reviewed nearer the time and the most appropriate option,
including leaving in-situ would be considered.
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1 Background to Project
1.1 Introduction Geo Networks Ltd proposes to install a high quality fibre optic cable between Anglesey, North
Wales and Dublin, Ireland. The proposal will introduce dedicated high quality data networking
services using superior fibre materials which will help develop a truly enabling infrastructure for
the UK and Irish economies.
This cable will be repeater-less with the shortest subsea section, providing the most reliable and
lowest latency solution and allowing the most direct route from London to Dublin. The cable will
link Portmarnock, north of Dublin to Holy Island on Anglesey, landing the cable at Porth Dafarch
(Figure 1.1).
Figure 1.1 Overview of Proposed Cable Route
To limit disruption the proposed route will closely follow, with adequate clearance, the existing BT
Eircom cable BT-TE 1. This cable was installed in 1988 and taken out of service in 2007.
At the landfall locations the proposed cable would be connected to a new beach manhole
(underground structure) to ensure separation from existing cables at both landfall sites. In order
to minimise potential impacts the construction and installation of the cable will be very similar to
previous telecommunication cable system projects and once installed should not result in any
impact to the environment.
This report will present an environmental review of the landfall site at Portmarnock, Ireland out to
12 nautical miles (nm) from shore. The aim of the report is to identify any key potential issues
associated with the works and propose mitigation measures, where appropriate. The information
contained within this report will be submitted in support of the application for the relevant
consents as discussed in the following section. Similar information with regard to the permitting of
the cable landfall at Porth Dafarch can be found in Titan Environmental Surveys report
CS0307/R3/V1.
1.2 Overview of Permitting for Proposed Cable Landfall
In the Republic of Ireland following on from the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea
(Amendment) Act 2009, responsibility for certain foreshore functions has transferred to the
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with effect from 15 January 2010.
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The Foreshore Acts 1933-2005 require that a lease or licence must be obtained from the Minister
for undertaking any works or placing structures or material on, or for the occupation of or removal
of material from, State owned foreshore which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The
Minister has absolute discretion to accept or reject a proposal to use state-owned foreshore.
The foreshore is the seabed and shore below the line of high water of ordinary or medium tides
and extends outwards to the limit of twelve nautical miles (approximately 22.24 kilometres).
The Foreshore Acts can be cited collectively as the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005 and comprises
the following:
• Foreshore Act 1933
• Foreshore (Amendment) Act, 1992
• Section 5 of the Fisheries and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 1998
• Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Part 5)
• Maritime Safety Act 2005 No. 11 (Part 6)
• Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009
• Consolidated Foreshore Acts (Unofficial)
In terms of the land based components discussions will be held with Fingal County Council and if
required a planning application will be submitted for the cable entry onto the beach and the beach
manhole.
1.3 Consultation
As part of the standard application processing procedure, the Department Environment, Heritage
and Local Government (DEHLG) Foreshore Unit would consult with a range of statutory
consultees including the relevant local planning authority (Fingal County Council). However, to
ensure that all key stakeholders are informed of the project and to ensure that any potential
issues are identified at an early stage and addressed, consultation has been undertaken. The
consultation commenced during the development of the project and site survey phase.
Consultation will be maintained throughout the consenting process and construction of the
project. The key consultees that have been contacted during this project are presented below and
a summary of their responses is given in Appendix 1.
� DEHLG - Underwater Archaeology
� DEHLG - Engineering Division
� DEHLG - Foreshore Unit
� Federation of Irish Fishermen
� Irish Wildlife Trust
� Marine Survey Office
� Marine Institute of Ireland
1.4 Structure of Report
The content of the environmental review report has been based on comments received during the
initial consultation and professional judgement. The main issues identified with the project are
linked to the ecology associated with the designations in the vicinity of the landfall and fishing
activity offshore. The environmental review report has been structured in the following way:
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1. Introduction – A brief project summary has been provided, the permitting requirements and
the objective of environmental report. Information has also been given on the early cable
route desk study consultation as well as additional consultation associated with the project to
date. Finally the assessment methods used to determine the potential impacts of the project
are presented.
2. Project Description – A brief overview has been provided of the cable route selection process
and the proposed route corridor between the two landfall points. Information is then given on
the proposed cable laying methods, proposed timescales for undertaking the work, and future
operation, maintenance and decommissioning requirements.
3. Baseline at Portmarnock – The baseline situation includes a review of the key ecological
designations in the area; determination of the ecological baseline of intertidal route corridor
and surrounding beach; an overview of offshore ecology extending out to 12nm, marine
mammals and commercial fisheries. In addition to this information on other issues such as
landscape and tourism within the local area is provided.
4. Assessment of Impacts – An assessment of potential effects during construction,
operation/maintenance and decommissioning has been undertaken. Where appropriate,
mitigation measures have been provided.
5. Summary – the results of the assessment within the environmental review report and
mitigation measures proposed have been summarised in tabular format.
6. Conclusion – the overall conclusion of the report have been presented.
1.4.1 Environmental Review Methodology
The environmental review has been based on:
• a review of existing available literature,
• Information from Geo Networks UK,
• Internet data search,
• feedback from consultation, and
• site walkover survey of the landfall location undertaken on 24-25th March 2011.
For each target subject area baseline conditions have been identified which include key
designations appropriate to the area and the findings of site survey. Subsequent to this the
potential impacts of the cable installation process have been identified and where appropriate
mitigation measure proposed. A summary of the findings of the assessment is provided in tabular
format.
1.4.2 Assessment Criteria
To assess the impacts of the proposed cable route on the inter-tidal and subtidal flora and fauna,
guidelines of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) 2010 have been
used. The method firstly determines the value of the receiving receptor (site/feature/species) and
secondly, the magnitude of the potential impact on the receptor, in order to provide an overall
impact score and therefore, the predicted impact significance. The value of each receptor of
nature conservation interest has been based on the biodiversity evaluation methods identified in
the Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the Britain and Ireland, Marine and Coastal
(IEEM, 2010). Table 1.1 shows examples of how the nature conservation value of a variety of
site/feature/species is determined.
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Table 1.1 Potential Value of Ecological Receptors (Adapted from IEEM, 2010)
Level of Value Examples
International (Very High)
• An internationally designated site or candidate site (SPA (Special Protection Area), pSPA (potential Special Protection Area), SAC (Special Area of Conservation), cSAC (candidate Special Area of Conservation), pSAC (possible Special Area of Conservation), Ramsar site, Biogenetic Reserve) or an area which the country agency has determined meets the published selection criteria for such designation, irrespective of whether or not it has yet been notified.
• Internationally significant and viable areas of a habitat type listed in Annexe 1 of the
Habitats Directive.
• Regularly occurring, globally threatened species (i.e. IUCN Red listed) or species
listed on Annex 1 of the Berne Convention.
• Regularly occurring populations of internationally important species that are rare or
threatened in the UK/Ireland or of uncertain conservation status.
• A regularly occurring, nationally significant population/number of any internationally important species.
National (High)
• A nationally designated site (SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), Natural Heritage Area (NHA), NNR (National Nature Reserve), MNR (Marine Nature Reserve)) or a discrete area, which the country conservation agency has determined meets the published selection criteria for national designation (e.g. SSSI selection guidelines) irrespective of whether or not it has yet been notified.
Regional/ County (Medium)
• Viable areas of key habitat identified in the Regional/County BAP or smaller areas of such habitat which are essential to maintain the viability of a larger whole;
• Viable areas of key habitat identified as being of Regional value in the appropriate Natural Area profile;
• Any regularly occurring significant population that is listed in a Local Red Data Book
(RDB).
• Significant populations of a regionally/county important species.
District / Borough (Low)
• Areas of habitat identified in a sub-County (District/Borough) BAP or in the relevant Natural Area profile;
• District sites that the designating authority has determined meet the published ecological selection criteria for designation, including Local Nature Reserves selected on District/Borough ecological criteria (District sites, where they exist, will often have been identified in local plans);
• Sites/features that are scarce within the District/Borough or which appreciably enrich the District/Borough habitat resource;
Parish/Local (Negligible)
• Areas of habitat considered to appreciably enrich the habitat resource within the context of the Parish, e.g. species-rich hedgerows.
• No site designation.
• Species present are common and widespread.
N.B Where species or habitats occur in more than one category above, the highest value is applicable.
The potential impact on the receptor is assessed giving consideration to the following aspects:
• Positive or negative - Is the impact likely to be good or bad for the feature/species?
• Magnitude - What size' or ‘amount’ of an impact is there?
• Extent - The extent of the impact (that is the full area over which the impact occurs).
• Duration - The duration over which the impact is expected to last prior to recovery or replacement of the feature.
• Reversibility - is it irreversible (permanent) impact from which recovery is not possible or is it reversible (temporary) impact one from which spontaneous recovery is possible.
• Timing and frequency - Some changes may only cause an impact if they happen to coincide with critical life-stages or seasons. The frequency of how often the activity/impact will happen.
The magnitude of the potential impact is then assessed for each receptor using the categories set
out in Table 1.2 below.
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Table 1.2 Assessing the Magnitude of Each Impact on an Ecological Receptor
Impact description Criteria
Major Negative
The change is likely to cause a permanent adverse effect on the integrity of an ecological receptor. The proposed development will have effects which would adversely impact on the integrity of a site (at regional to international level).
Intermediate Negative
The proposed development will not adversely impact upon the integrity of a site, but the effect on the site is likely to be significant in terms of its ecological objectives (e.g. key attributes of a site will be altered, but not so much as to result in a change in the site’s evaluation).
The proposed development will have permanent and severe impacts upon undesignated habitats of county importance.
The proposed development will result in changes in the distribution of a legally protected species, but not affect its population status or conservation status but the population will become more vulnerable.
Minor Negative Neither of the above applies, although some negative impact to a designated site or undesignated habitat of regional / county importance is evident.
The proposed development will have permanent and severe impacts upon undesignated habitats of local / negligible importance.
The proposed development will have an adverse affect on a legally protected species but with no significant reduction in conservation status.
Neutral Although it is not always possible to state categorically that there will be no impact on a receptor the term neutral will be used where the level of exposure is considered to be less than the tolerance of the receptor, therefore an impact is unlikely.
Or there will be no impact at all on that habitat or species/faunal group.
Positive The change is likely to benefit the receptor in terms of its conservation status, but not so far as to achieve favourable conservation status.
Based on the value of the receptor and the predicted magnitude of the potential impact, the
significance of an impact can then be determined according to Table 1.3. Residual impact is the
significance of impact considered after mitigation measures have been taken into account.
Table 1.3 Ecological Impact Significance
Nature
Conservation
Value
Magnitude of Potential Impact
Major
Negative
Intermediate
Negative
Minor
Negative
Neutral Positive
International/
Very High
Very Major
Adverse
Major Adverse Moderate to
Minor Adverse
No Impact
Major - minor
Beneficial
National/ High Very Major
Adverse
Major Adverse Minor Adverse No Impact
Major - minor
Beneficial
Regional/
Medium
Moderate
Adverse
Moderate –
Minor Adverse
Minor Adverse No Impact
Moderate
Beneficial
District/ Low Minor
Adverse
Minor Adverse Minor Adverse No Impact
Minor Beneficial
Local/Negligible Minor/
Insignificant
Insignificant
Insignificant No Impact Insignificant
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2 Project Description
2.1 Cable Route Selection Overview In order to ensure that the potential effects of the installation of the proposed cable route on
surrounding environment are minimised, a phased approach has been undertaken. The phased
approach initially entailed a detailed baseline desk based assessment and route selection study.
The desk based assessment looked at a range of issues including bathymetry, seismicity,
topography, geological setting, fishing, shipping and anchorage, dumping, dredging, existing
cables and pipelines, conservation areas, military activities, charted obstructions and wrecks,
marine archaeology and marine exploitation. The results of the baseline assessment (Global
Marine Systems Ltd, 2009) were used to identify appropriate landfall locations and a route
corridor for the cable. The report also highlighted any key issues along the route which would
require further investigation.
Subsequent to the desk based assessment, offshore and intertidal survey work was undertaken
in March 2011. The offshore work included Side Scan Sonar, Sub Bottom Profiler and swath
Bathymetry, Burial Assessment Survey using 2m Cone Penetration Tests, seabed cores at 4km
intervals and Magnetometer tests along a 500m corridor of the cable route. Intertidal works
comprised ecological survey, topographical survey and sand depth penetration tests to determine
the best route to achieve the required cable burial depth. In addition to this a detailed
archaeological assessment was undertaken across all areas likely to be affected by the proposed
works. The results of the survey will be used to finely align the cable to achieve the desired burial
depth and minimise potential impacts on the surrounding environment.
2.2 Project Overview As discussed previously it is proposed to lay a high quality fibre optic cable between Portmarnock
near Dublin, Ireland and Anglesey, North Wales. The fibre optic cable will be a 96 fibre bundle
with a diameter of 3cm. The cable will be double armour protected and steel clamps will also be
used for additional cable protection giving an overall cable diameter of 5cm.
The two landfall locations have been selected due to their good beach conditions which will allow
suitable burial for the cable and good accessibility for installation works.
The Portmarnock land fall location is at the north end of Velvet Strand, a 5km long sandy beach.
The northern end of the beach is accessed via the R106, Strand Road. In the locality of the
landfall there is a public car park, on road parking, public toilets, concrete steps and bathing area
as well as a gated concrete slipway to the foreshore. On the far side of the road there is
residential housing and a small local shop and eating places. The beach manhole is to be located
in an amenity grassed area adjacent to a low lying stone wall between the beach and main road
(Photo 2.1).
Photo 2.1 Portmarnock Approximate Beach Manhole Location
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 7
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
The Porth Dafarch landfall site is a more rural location situated beside the B4545 coastal road,
approximately 2.5km from Trearddur Bay. The beach is accessed down a parallel concrete road
which runs down to and ends just beyond the top of a small slipway onto the beach. There is
informal road side parking at the top of the concrete access road or down its side. The beach
manhole is to be located to the west of the beach slipway (Photo 2.2). Coastal improvement
works were being undertaken at the beach during the site during the visit in March 2011. The
works included the construction of public toilet block and bicycle parking. Further details of the
Porth Dafarch site and the proposed works can be found in Titan Environmental Surveys report
CS0307/R3/V1.
The wider cable route has been selected to broadly follow the existing but decommissioned BT-
TE1 cable (with suitable separation buffer). During its operation the BT-TE 1 cable had a good
fault history indicating that following a similar route was a good option. Small alterations to the
provisional route were made to provide greater separation from the Kish Basin oil concession
licence areas, and to improve the encounter with seabed gradients west of Holy Island. In March
2011 offshore bathymetric and onshore topographical survey was undertaken along a route
corridor of 250m either side of the centre line. The results of the surveys have then been used to
refine the route alignment such that the optimum route in terms of minimising potential impacts
and gaining the required burial depth has been achieved.
The total length of the proposed route from Portmarnock to Porth Dafarch is 116.5km.
2.3 Cable Installation
2.3.1 Overview of Installation
The cable laying activities will commence at Portmarnock, with a pre-laid shore end. The cable
will then be laid across the Irish Sea to Porth Dafarch where a direct shore end lay is planned
from the main-lay vessel.
The works will comprise the simultaneous lay and burial of the cable to a depth of 2m (wherever
possible) from Beach Manhole to low water mark, and to a depth of 1m from the low water mark
to the 12m contour. If the desired burial depth cannot be achieved additional cable protection will
be provided. To give flexibility during installation, at each beach landfall end, a minimum of 40
metres of cable will be looped in the slack pit which will be installed between the Beach Man Hole
and the low water mark.
2.3.2 Portmarnock Cable Landfall Construction Details
The beach manhole chamber is to be located in an amenity grassed area adjacent to a low stonewall bordering the main R106 coast road. Discussions will be held with the local Council to ensure that all requirements are put in place to minimise disruptions to users of the area prior to works commencing. The working area will be approximately the size of a mobile truck / container.
Photo 2.2 Porth Dafarch Approximate Beach Manhole Location
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 8
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
The working area will be barricaded using appropriate warning signs and safety barriers and existing services located and marked for avoidance.
The excavated chamber will be approximately 900mm
deep, 1m wide by 800mm. Where required the sides of
the chamber will be temporarily shored to prevent fall of
materials. The manhole works will comprise the
formation of a concrete base with a brickwork surround,
fitted with a level frame cover. Once constructed the
area around the chamber will be backfilled and
reinstated to previous conditions and the area left clean
and tidy.
The cable ducting will then be laid from the beach
manhole across the grassed area to the top of the
beach. At the grassed bank-beach interface there is a
distinct drop in height with the area being supported by
upright timbers. Some of these timbers are displaced
(Photo 2.3). In terms of laying the cable from the
grassed area to the beach two options would be review
with the local Council – either open cut with
reinstatement of the area and timbers or the use of a
trenchless technology such as moling. Photo 2.3 Portmarnock Beach Interface
A pre-laid shore end is planned at Portmarnock and a direct shore end at Porth Dafarch from the
main-lay vessel. Both shore ends will be fitted with articulated pipe from the Beach Manhole to
the Low Water Mark. At low water the cable will be laid along the foreshore to the Low Water
Mark (LWM) and buried. The cable trench will be approximately 2m deep by 0.5m wide. The
trench will be dug by an excavator and articulated pipe will be placed in the trench for additional
protection. Once the cable is installed inside the trench it will be back filled using the excavated
material and the beach working corridor will be graded back to its original condition. On
completion of the cable installation phase, the beach equipment and any waste materials will be
removed from the site and the area will be restored to as close to its original condition as is
reasonably possible.
It is anticipated that construction of the beach manhole will take approximately 2-3 days and the
trench section to the LWM approximately 1-2 days. In the event that beach works remain
uncompleted before nightfall, suitable security and low level illumination will be provided.
2.3.3 Offshore Cable Installation
The proposed main offshore cable lay installation activity is anticipated to take around 16 to 20
days. The works will proceed once all the required consents are in place.
A pre-lay grapnel run to remove any seabed hazards such as ropes fishing gear and other debris
will be carried out as close as is reasonably practicable to commencement of offshore installation
operations. The whole route shall be covered along the cable route centreline with the exception
of protected areas particularly those near (250m) in-service cables and pipelines.
The main cable section is proposed to be laid and buried as a continuous operation by plough.
Ploughing operations are planned to commence at approximately the 13m contour with a target
1m burial depth. The plough provides readings to verify depth of burial and shall allow minimum
pull trenchless burial with limited sediment disturbance. This will afford the best cable protection
in all conditions identified. The plough will be fully remote controlled including depth, cutting
control, hydraulic steering and stabilisation enabling operation in hard and soft conditions down to
5kPa and at speeds up to 1m/s.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 9
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
2.4 Operation and Decommissioning Phase The proposed cable has a theoretical design life of 25-40 years. Under normal circumstances, the
cable will operate without any subsea works or routine maintenance. Should the cable be
damaged or develop a physical fault, marine repair work would be required. Generally this would
require a cable ship to grapnel and pull onboard the cable to allow cutting, insertion of a new
cable section and jointing operations. This would be undertaken onboard the vessel over a 1-3
day period.
Once beyond its operating life, given the inert nature of the cable, leaving it in place once out of
service will have the least environmental impact compared to removing it. However, depending
on the legislative requirements at the time, environmental and economic factors,
decommissioning options in the future would be reviewed and these may include, leaving in situ,
recovery and/or dismantling.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 10
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
3 Portmarnock Landfall Site Baseline This Chapter sets the scene in terms of the baseline situation at the Portmarnock landfall site,
extending to 12nm offshore. The area has been reviewed in terms of onshore and offshore
ecology including statutorily protected habitats and species, benthic ecology, marine mammals
and fisheries. Information on other issues such as landscape and tourism is also presented. The
assessment of potential impacts during construction, operation and decommissioning is given in
Chapter 4 with an overall summary presented in Chapter 5.
3.1 Designated Sites Portmarnock is located on the west coast of Ireland approximately 15km from the centre of
Dublin. Although the beach and the landfall location itself are not designated, the coastal area
either side is important in terms of habitat and ecology. As such there are a number of
international and national designations which have been put in place to protect it. In terms of
international designations there are a number of candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)
and Special Protection Area (SPA) in the vicinity. Candidate SAC are designated under the
Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) which was transposed into Irish law in 1997 as the European
Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. 94 of 1997). SPAs are designated under
the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). Collectively the sites are referred to as Natura 2000 sites.
For Natura 2000 sites, the process by which the impacts of a project are assessed against the
conservation objectives of a European site is known as Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).
The HRA determines whether there will be any likely significant effects (LSE) on any European
site and, if so, whether these effects will result in an adverse effect on its integrity. The European
Commission guidance details a four-stage process (see table below) for HRA, although not all
stages are necessarily required:
Table 3.1 Habitats Regulations Assessment: Key Stages
Stage 1 Screening for likely significant effect
• Identify international sites within the influence of the plan agreed with the Statutory Body the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
• Examine conservation objectives of the interest feature(s) (where available).
• Review plan policies and proposals and consider potential effects on European sites (magnitude, duration, location, extent).
• Examine other plans and programmes that could contribute to ‘in combination’ effects.
• If no effects likely – report no significant effect (taking advice from NPWS as necessary).
• If effects are judged likely or uncertainty exists – the precautionary principle applies proceed to stage 2
Stage 2
Appropriate Assessment
• Complete additional scoping work including the collation of further information on sites as necessary to evaluate impact in light of conservation objectives.
• Agree scope and method of AA with NPWS.
• Consider how plan ‘in combination’ with other plans and programmes will interact when implemented (the Appropriate Assessment).
• Consider how effect on integrity of site could be avoided by changes to plan and the consideration of alternatives.
• Develop mitigation measures (including timescale and mechanisms).
• Report outcomes of AA including mitigation measures, consult with NPWS and wider [public] stakeholders as necessary.
• If plan will not significantly effect European site proceed without further reference to Habitats Regs.
• If effects or uncertainty remain following the consideration of alternatives and development of mitigations proceed to stage 3
Stage 3
Assessment of alternative solutions
• Consider alternative solutions, delete from plan or modify.
• Consider if priority species/ habitats remain affected.
Stage 4
Procedures where Significant effect on integrity of International site remains
• Identify ‘imperative reasons of overriding public interest’ (IROPI) economic, social, environmental, human health, public safety.
• Notify Irish Government.
• Develop and secure compensatory measures.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 11
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
In terms of projects taking place outside, but in close proximity to a Natura 2000 site, as is the
case with this project, these might also be subject to appropriate assessment if it is considered
that the project may impact on the conservation interests of the site. The decision on the need for
further assessment is made by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of EHLG.
At a national level, National Heritage Areas (NHA) provide the mechanism for wildlife protection
within the Republic of Ireland. This is the basic legislative wildlife conservation tool enabling
designation and therefore protection of areas considered important for habitats or species of
plants and animals. To date, 75 raised bogs have been given legal protection. In addition, there
are 630 proposed NHAs (pNHAs), which were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995, but
have not since been statutorily proposed or designated. All of the marine based internationally
designated sites in proximity to Portmarnock are also pNHAs.
An initial review and assessment has been undertaken of the features of the internationally
designated sites near to the cable landfall point.
3.1.1 Designated Sites and their Features
There are six cSACs and six SPAs in the vicinity of Portmarnock: Table 3.2 below, summaries the
designated sites and their key features. Figure 3.1 shows the location of the cSAC and SPAs in
relation to the cable route corridor.
Table 3.2 Designated Sites near Portmarnock and Summary of Key Features Site Reason for Selection
Baldoyle Bay cSAC Baldoyle Bay SPA
Baldoyle Bay SAC is protected from the sea by a large dune system and features four habitats listed under the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC): Salicornia and Other Annuals Colonising Mud and Sand (H1310), Atlantic salt meadows (H1330), Mediterranean salt meadows (H1410) and Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide (H1140).
Baldoyle Bay SPA - The inner section of Baldoyle Bay behind the peninsula is an important site for wintering waterfowl and is designated a SPA for internationally important populations of Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Branta bernicla). Nationally important populations of six waterfowl species are also present, including Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) and Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria), both of which are further protected under Annex I of the EC Birds Directive.
Malahide Estuary cSAC
The outer part of Malahide Estuary (H1130) is mostly cut off from the sea by a large sand spit, and drains almost completely at low tide, exposing sand and mud flats. There is a large bed of Eelgrass (Zostera noltii and Z. angustifolium) in the north section of the outer estuary, along with Tassel Weed (Ruppia maritima) and extensive mats of green algae (Enteromorpha spp., Ulva lactuca). The site includes a fine area of rocky shore south-east of Malahide and extending towards Portmarnock. This represents the only continuous section through the fossiliferous Lower Carboniferous rocks in the Dublin Basin, and is the type locality for several species of fossil coral.
Broadmeadow/ Swords Estuary SPA
This site is of high importance for wintering waterfowl and supports a particularly good diversity of species. It has an internationally important population of Brent Goose (956) or 4.8% of the national total.
Ireland’s Eye cSAC Ireland’s Eye SPA
Irelands Eye is designated as a cSAC for the presence of coastal vegetated shingle, an Annex I habitat, which is present above a sand beach at Carrigeen Bay. Two Irish Red Data Book species are present, sea kale (Crambe maritima) and henbane (Hyoscyamus niger).
Ireland's Eye SPA has important populations of breeding seabirds. Gannet (Morus bassanus) (only colony on the east coast), Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Guillemot (Uria aalge) and Razorbill (Alca torda) 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, it is of international importance.
Lambay Island SAC Lambay Island SPA
Lambay Island has a good example of Vegetated Sea Cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic Coasts (H1230), a habitat listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. The site supports the only colony of Atlantic Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) (Annex II species) on the east coast. Although a long established breeding site for this species, it remains relatively small (45-60 individuals) probably because of the restricted area suitable for breeding.
Lambay Island SPA is designated for its internationally important assemblage of breeding seabirds. The most numerous species is the Guillemot, with almost 52,000 individuals on the cliffs. Other species include Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Puffins (Fratercula arctica), and small numbers of Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) also breed. There is a small colony (<100 pairs) of the nocturnal Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) on the island and up to 20 pairs of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) have bred in recent years. The cliffs also support a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus), a species listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 12
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
Site Reason for Selection Rogerstown Estuary cSAC
Rogerstown Estuary cSAC
Rogerstown Estuary cSAC has been designated as it is a good example of an estuarine system, with all typical habitats represented, including several listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive.
The site is also designated as a SPA as it supports an internationally important population of Brent Goose and a further 14 species in numbers of national importance.
Howth Head cSAC Howth Head Coast SPA
Howth Head is a rocky headland situated on the northern side of Dublin Bay. The peninsula is composed of Cambrian slates and quartzites, joined to the mainland by a post glacial raised beach. Limestone occurs on the north-west side while glacial drift is deposited against the cliffs in places. Howth Head contains Vegetated Sea Cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic Coasts (H1230) and dry heaths, two habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive.
This site is of high ornithological importance, with four seabird species having populations of national importance. The cliffs also support a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons, a species listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.
Figure 3.1 Location of SPAs and cSACs in relation to Portmarnock
3.1.2 Initial Screening of Designated Features
The proposed project is not located within any Natura 2000 sites, however there is still potential
for indirect impacts from the proposed works. As the designated sites cover a wide range of
features and area of coast, many of the key features may not occur in the immediate vicinity of
proposed works and certainly not within a potential impact zone. In order to initially screen the
proposed project key features of the cSAC and SPA sites identified above are presented in Table
3.3. Subsequent to this an initial screening of the feature has been undertaken in relation to its
potential to be affected by the proposed project and the need for further assessment. For ease of
reference, those which will be further assessed are highlighted in grey. Those which have been
screened out will not be assessed further, although for completeness, the initial screening details
have been included in the Summary Tables (Chapter 5).
Portmarnock and indicative cable route
Lambay Island
Ireland’s Eye
Rogerstown Estuary
Malahide Estuary Broadmeadow Swords Estuary
Baldoyle Bay
Howth Head
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
13
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Table 3.3 Summary and Initial Screening of Features of Natura 2000 sites
Annex 1 habitats that are primary reason for
site selection / Other Relevant Features
Initial review of potential to be affected by project
Further
assessment?
Baldoyle Bay cSAC
H131
0 -
Salic
orn
ia a
nd O
ther
Annu
als
Colo
nis
ing
M
ud a
nd S
an
d
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
his
habitat.
The c
able
within
the inte
rtid
al are
a w
ill b
e b
uri
ed a
t lo
w w
ate
r th
ere
by g
en
era
ting m
inim
al suspen
ded s
olid
s.
No indir
ect
impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
H133
0 -
Atlantic s
alt m
eadow
s
T
here
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
his
habitat.
The c
able
within
the inte
rtid
al are
a w
ill b
e b
uri
ed a
t lo
w w
ate
r th
ere
by g
en
era
ting m
inim
al suspen
ded s
olid
s.
No indir
ect
impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
H141
0 -
Mediterr
anean s
alt m
ea
dow
s
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
his
habitat.
The c
able
within
the inte
rtid
al are
a w
ill b
e b
uri
ed a
t lo
w w
ate
r th
ere
by g
en
era
ting m
inim
al suspen
ded s
olid
s.
No indir
ect
impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
H114
0 -
Mudflats
and sandflats
not
covere
d by
seaw
ate
r at
low
tid
e
There
will
be
no
dir
ect
impact
on t
he
habitat.
Th
e c
able
within
the inte
rtid
al
are
a w
ill b
e b
uri
ed a
t lo
w w
ate
r and t
here
fore
gen
era
ting m
inim
al suspended s
olid
s.
No indir
ect im
pact
anticip
ate
d.
No
Baldoyle Bay SPA
Inte
rnationally
im
port
ant
po
pu
lations
of
Pale
-belli
ed B
rent
Geese (
Bra
nta
be
rnic
la).
T
here
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he S
PA
as t
he S
PA
is l
ocate
d b
ehin
d t
he p
enin
sula
in B
ald
oyle
Estu
ary
. T
he b
irds w
ill u
se t
he w
ide a
rea a
nd t
here
fore
furt
her
assessm
ent
of
pote
ntial
indir
ect
impa
ct
has b
ee
n
und
ert
aken.
Yes
Malahide Estuary cSAC
H113
0 –
Estu
ari
es
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he e
stu
ary
habitat
whic
h i
s a
ppro
xim
ate
ly 1
.3km
to t
he n
ort
h.
The c
able
w
ithin
th
e in
tert
idal
are
a w
ill b
e buri
ed at
low
w
ate
r th
ere
by gen
era
ting m
inim
al
suspen
de
d solid
s.
No
indir
ect
impact anticip
ate
d.
No
Fin
e a
rea o
f ro
cky s
hore
south
-east
of
Mala
hid
e
and e
xte
ndin
g t
ow
ard
s P
ort
marn
ock.
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
his
habitat
within
the c
SA
C.
Due t
o t
he p
roxim
ity o
f th
e r
ocky s
hore
are
a,
appro
xim
ate
ly 2
50m
to t
he n
ort
h,
an a
ssessm
ent
has b
een m
ad
e o
f pote
ntial in
dir
ect
impacts
.
Yes
Broadmeadow/ Swords Estuary SPA
Inte
rnationally
im
port
ant
po
pula
tion
of
Bre
nt
Geese.
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he S
PA
whic
h i
s l
ocate
d a
pp
roxim
ate
ly 1
.3km
to t
he n
ort
h.
As t
he b
irds
will
use t
he w
ider
are
a,
furt
her
assessm
ent
of
pote
ntial in
dir
ect im
pact
has b
een u
ndert
aken.
Yes
Ireland’s Eye cSAC
H122
0
- P
ere
nnia
l ve
geta
tio
n
of
Sto
ny
ba
nks
(Coasta
l vegeta
ted s
hin
gle
).
Pro
posed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
Irish R
ed D
ata
Books S
pecie
s -
Sea k
ale
(C
ram
be
m
ari
tim
e)
and H
enba
ne (
Hy
os
cy
am
us
nig
er)
. P
roposed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
Ireland’s Eye SPA
Irela
nd's
E
ye S
PA
has im
port
ant
pop
ula
tions of
bre
edin
g s
eabir
ds.
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he S
PA
whic
h i
s l
ocate
d a
ppro
xim
ate
ly 5
km
fro
m t
he s
ite.
The S
PA
is
locate
d o
ffshore
to
the
south
ea
st
and a
s t
he b
irds w
ill u
se t
he
wid
er
are
a,
furt
her
assessm
ent
of
pote
ntial
indir
ect
impact has b
een u
ndert
aken.
Yes
Lambay Island cSAC
H123
0 -
Ve
geta
ted S
ea C
liffs
of
the A
tlantic a
nd
B
altic
Coasts
P
roposed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
Atlantic G
rey S
eals
(A
nnex I
I specie
s (
1364)
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he c
SA
C,
but
seals
move a
rou
nd o
ffshore
. F
urt
her
assessm
ent
has b
een
und
ert
aken o
f th
is s
pecie
s a
nd m
ari
ne m
am
mals
as a
whole
.
Yes
Lambay Island SPA
SP
A is d
esig
nate
d f
or
its inte
rnationally
im
port
ant
for
its b
reedin
g s
eabir
ds.
There
will
be
no
dir
ect
impact
on t
he
SP
A w
hic
h i
s l
ocate
d o
ffshore
som
e 8
km
to
the
nort
heast
of
the
site.
Indir
ect
impacts
are
not
anticip
ate
d d
ue t
o t
he d
ista
nce.
No
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
14
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ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
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ort
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n E
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nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Annex 1 habitats that are primary reason for
site selection / Other Relevant Features
Initial review of potential to be affected by project
Further
assessment?
Rogerstown Estuary cSAC
Rogers
tow
n E
stu
ary
cS
AC
has b
ee
n d
esig
nate
d
as it is
a g
ood e
xam
ple
of
an e
stu
ari
ne s
yste
m.
Pro
posed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
Rogerstown Estuary SPA
SP
A as it support
s an in
tern
ationally
im
port
ant
pop
ula
tion o
f B
rent
Geese.
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he S
PA
. T
he S
PA
is m
ore
dis
tant
to t
he p
roposed
cable
ro
ute
tha
n o
ther
sites.
If im
pacts
are
identified f
or
the c
loser
sites then f
urt
her
assessm
ent
will
be u
nd
ert
aken.
No
Howth Head cSAC
H123
0 -
Ve
geta
ted S
ea C
liffs
of
the A
tlantic a
nd
B
altic
Coasts
. P
roposed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
H403
0 –
Euro
pea
n D
ry H
eath
s.
P
roposed w
ork
s is d
ista
nt
and there
fore
no d
irect
or
indir
ect im
pact
on h
abitat
anticip
ate
d.
No
Howth Head Coast SPA
This
site is o
f hig
h o
rnitholo
gic
al im
port
ance,
with
fo
ur
seabir
d
specie
s
havin
g
popula
tions
of
national
imp
ort
ance.
The
clif
fs
als
o
support
a
bre
edin
g
pair
of
Pere
gri
ne
Fa
lcons,
a
specie
s
liste
d o
n A
nne
x I
of
the E
U B
irds D
irective.
There
will
be n
o d
irect
impact
on t
he S
PA
. T
he S
PA
is m
ore
dis
tant
to t
he p
roposed
cable
ro
ute
tha
n o
ther
sites.
If im
pacts
are
identified f
or
the c
loser
sites then f
urt
her
assessm
ent
will
be u
nd
ert
aken.
No
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 15
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3.2 Intertidal Area A site visit was undertaken on the 24 – 25
th March 2011 to assess the cable landfall at
Portmarnock. The walkover survey looked at the upper beach area where the manhole is to be
located and the intertidal area which will be directly and potentially indirectly affected by the
proposed works.
Portmarnock beach, otherwise known as Velvet Strand, is a large sandy beach which extends
some 5km in a north south direction along a peninsula towards the port of Dublin. The beach is
located off the R106 coast road, with on-road parking and a public car park within immediate
walking distance. The main beach sits at a lower level than the coast road and is accessed via a
short concrete road leading to a slipway. The top of the slip is blocked to non-emergency vehicles
by a pair of metal gates.
To the north, the beach is bounded by a rocky shore which forms the southern extent of Malahide
Estuary cSAC. At this location the upper shore has been modified to include access steps to the
beach adjacent to the public conveniences, wide concrete steps for sunbathing and a viewing
platform (Photo 3.1). The remainder of the beach comprises mixed sand with occasional bedrock
outcrop on the upper shore. These distinct areas of beach habitat are discussed further below.
The proposed cable route would be to the south of the two existing cables which are buried
across the beach (Figure 3.2).
Photo 3.1 View of north Portmarnock Beach Figure 3.2 Plan View of Portmarnock Beach (N)
3.2.1 Upper Beach Area
The manhole chamber is to be located in the upper beach area adjacent to the main R106 coast
road in amenity grass beside a low stonewall. The grassed area extends from the slipway which
accesses the beach at the north end, along the top of the beach for a distance of approximately
380m. A tarmac footpath runs from the R106 along
the entire length of the grassed area. It is bisected
halfway along by another footpath which accesses a
public car park by the main road (Figure 3.3). The
grassed area ends in fenced off sand dunes habitat,
which forms part of a proposed SAC. The grassed
area is set at approximately 1.2m above the main
beach and there are a series of heavy timbers which
act as a sea defence (Photo 2.3). Plant species
noted growing along this interface include Sea Beet
(Beta vulgaris) and Scentless Mayweed
(Tripleurospermum maritimum).
. Photo 3.2 Upper Beach Manhole
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3.2.2 North Beach Habitat
Along the northern boundary of the study area, the upper beach section (immediately below the
concrete bathing steps) is sandy with low lying rock outcrops. This is the southern most limit of
Malahide cSAC, and further around the coast to the north the beach becomes more consistent
rocky shore. In this southern limit of the rocky
shore the outcrops support Enteromorpha
intestinallis, barnacles, occasional areas of
Porphyra sp and a varying abundance of
juvenile fucoid species.
With progression down the intertidal zone
there is less abundance of seaweed and
increased coverage of barnacles, limpets
(Patellla vulgata) and juvenile common
mussels (Mytilus edulis). In some areas,
juvenile mussels have trapped clumps of sand
and shells in their byssal threads. Seaweeds
included Ceramium rubrum, Scytosiphon
lomentaria and Chondrus crispus. Photo 3.3 North Beach Area
Approximately 150m down the shore the rocky
area is bisected by a slightly raised sandy area
which continues south along the beach.
Arenicola (Lug worm) casts and Razor Shell
holes were evident in the sand. Below the
sandy section further low lying rock outcrops
with small sandy pools occur. Species present
included Common Periwinkle (Litorina litorea),
Dog Whelk (Nucellus lapillus), Limpet (P.
vulgata) and mixed patches of seed and adult
mussels. Seaweed noted included mature
Fucus serratus, and a dense covering of a fine
filamentous red aglae within and around the
edges of small sandy rock pools.
Photo 3.4 Fine filamentous algae
Beyond the area of rock outcrop the beach is sandy with evidence of polychaete worms such as
the Lugworm (Arenicola marina) and Sand Mason (Lanice conchilega) and the bivalve Razor
Shell (Ensis sp). Washed up on the shore were cockle shells, Kelp (Laminaria saccharina) and
the Heart Urchin, Sea Potato (Echinocardium cordatum).
3.2.3 Main Beach Habitat
The main beach and the route of the proposed cable comprised fine to medium sand. At the top
of the beach occasional small rock outcrops occur and within the adjacent sand there were
frequent small pebbles and broken shells. Below this, the beach level dips and then rises slightly
to form one of two low lying sand areas which run in
a north-south direction. The raised sand areas
support deposits of broken shells with occasional
small pebbles. Species were sparse on the rocks of
the upper beach with only juvenile Enteromorpha
intestinallis and Cladophora being noted at the time
of survey. The sandy area running down to the low
tide mark had a good distribution of worms such as
Arenicola sp, Lanice conchilega, the Ragworm
(Hediste diversicolor) and Pectinaria sp. There was
also evidence of Razor Shells (Ensis spp) in the
sand and other species including Brittle Stars
(Ophiuroidea) and dead Sea Potatoes, Crabs and
Kelp. Photo 3.5 Brittle Star
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There was a diverse range of broken shells on the slightly
raised sand areas including Razor Shell (Ensis spp), a range of
cockle species (family Cardiidae), Tellinidae species and
Mytilus. The high numbers of broken shells observed is likely to
be associated with the offshore commercial fishing activity (see
Section 3.5).
Overall the species found on Portmarnock beach were as would
be expected for a sandy beach with rocky headland. The beach
as a whole is not protected by site designation and none of the
species found were considered of conservation importance. The
rocky shore area to the north of the sands falls within Malahide
cSAC. Based on Table 1.1, the beach manhole has been
assessed as Negligible conservation value; the sandy intertidal
area is assessed as (District) Low Conservation value and the
rocky shore area at northern extreme has been assessed as
High Conservation value.
Photo 3.6 Broken shells on raised sand areas
3.3 Offshore Benthic Ecology Information on the broad scale benthic ecology in the Irish Sea can be found through the
interactive web mapping tool EUSeaMap on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
web site. Figure 3.4 below is an extract from the seabed map for the area off Portmarnock. The
map shows the approximate cable route and the habitat types which are associated with the
substrate present.
Figure 3.4 Extract of Seabed Habitats off Portmarnock from EUSeaMap
It is proposed to bury the cable at a depth of approximately 1m to give protection (from activities
such as trawling). As such the cable route selected has been based upon the presence of
appropriate sediment. From Figure 3.4 it can be seen that the proposed cable route emerges
from Portmarnock beach across the infralittoral Zone (beige). On the EUSeaMap the specific
habitat is unidentified, but based on the site visit is has been identified as mixed sediments. Key
features of this habitat are the presence of shallow mixed (heterogeneous) sediments in fully
marine or near fully marine conditions, supporting various animal-dominated communities, with
relatively low proportions of seaweeds. This habitat can range from well mixed muddy gravelly
sands to very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles and pebbles embedded in mud, sand or
gravel. Due to the quite variable nature of the sediment type, a widely variable array of
communities may be found, including those dominated by bivalves, polychaetes and file shells.
The proposed cable route heads in a north east direction passing through infralittoral fine sand
(A5.23) and then deep circalittoral mud (A5.37). Habitat A5.23 is defined as clean sands which
occur in shallow water, either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets. The
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habitat typically lacks a significant seaweed component and is characterised by robust fauna,
particularly amphipods (Bathyporeia) and robust polychaetes including Nephtys cirrosa and
Lanice conchilega.
Habitat A5.37 is a mud and cohesive sandy mud in the offshore circalittoral zone, typically below
50-70m. A variety of faunal communities may develop, depending upon the level of silt/clay and
organic matter in the sediment. Communities are typically dominated by polychaetes but often
with high numbers of bivalves such as Thyasira spp., echinoderms and foraminifera.
The route then heads in a south easterly direction towards Holy Island passing into habitat A5.27.
This is an offshore (deep) circalittoral habitat with fine sands or non-cohesive muddy sands. Very
little data is available on these habitats however they are likely to be more stable than their
shallower counterparts and characterised by a diverse range of polychaetes, amphipods, bivalves
and echinoderms.
Overall the cable route follows a sandy corridor characterised by common species such as
polychaete worms, bivalves, crustaceans and echinoderms. The offshore benthic ecology has
been assessed as of Local/Negligible value based on Table 1.1.
3.4 Marine Mammals There are a number of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise) which can be seen off the
coast of Ireland. All the species of cetaceans are given protection under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and they are also listed on
Annex IV (Animal and Plant Species of Community Interest in Need of Strict Protection) of the EC
Habitats Directive.
Information on the species observed and their current status can be found in Status of EU
Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland (2008). This report identifies all the species recorded
throughout Ireland and broadly shows where they have been recorded. Table 3.4 below presents
information on cetaceans recorded in the general area offshore of Portmarnock and their current
status. Table 3.4 Summary of Marine Mammals in Irish Sea
Marine Mammal Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) is found widely on Irish coastlines in the breeding season but its range throughout the rest of the year is largely unknown. Local populations in Ireland, form part of a larger population inhabiting the north-east Atlantic as in western Europe. Lambay Island supports the only colony of Grey Seals on the east coast of Ireland.
Range – unknown Population – good Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
The Common (Harbour) Seal (Phoca vitulina) - found widely on Irish
coastlines mainly using inter-tidal rocky shores, sand and mud bars within sheltered bays, coves and estuaries. Most abundant on the west coast from Donegal to West Cork. The main threats are continued by-catch in fishing gear, occasional illegal culling, competition for prey resources with fisheries and disturbance at key breeding and moulting haul-out sites.
Range – unknown Population – good Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
Humped Back Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have been observed off all Irish coasts, mainly in late summer, autumn and winter. The western seaboard of Ireland is known to be an important migratory corridor for large baleen whales including Blue, Fin and Humpback Whales.
Range – unknown Population – unknown Habitat – unknown Future Prospects - unknown
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates) can be seen inshore from all Irish
coasts, though mainly along the west and south coast. The main threats to this species are similar to those for other cetaceans. This includes by-catch in fishing gear, pollution of the marine environment and habitat degradation.
Range – good Population – unknown Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) are found in all Irish waters and mainly off the west, south-west and south coasts of Ireland. They are the most frequently sighted cetacean species and the number of Common Dolphins seen increases noticeably during autumn and winter along the south coast.
Range – good Population – unknown Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) are widespread and abundant around the entire Irish coast, feeding mainly on small fish caught near the seabed. They are very small and shy of boats, making them difficult to spot.
Range – good Population – Good Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
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Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) have been seen all around the coast of Ireland. They are generally seen close to land, either singly or in small groups. They have been recorded off the continental shelf and over offshore banks, as well as entering harbours and estuaries on a number of occasions. Inshore sightings of killer whales tend to increase during late summer and autumn.
Range – unknown Population – unknown Habitat – unknown Future Prospects - unknown
Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) have been recorded in Irish waters at all times of the year. They are regularly seen off the south and west coasts both inshore and out to sea, usually within the extent of the continental shelf. They also occur regularly in the Irish Sea.
Range – unknown Population – unknown Habitat – unknown Future Prospects - unknown
White Sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) is not very common in Irish
waters, mainly recorded in spring and summer off the north and north-west coasts of Ireland. Sightings have also been made offshore in the Irish Channel.
Range – good Population – unknown Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleeoalba) are rarely seen in Irish waters, but may be under recorded due to their superficial resemblance to Common Dolphins. They are one of the most frequently stranded dolphin species in Ireland, with strandings mainly occurring on the north and west coasts.
Range – unknown Population – unknown Habitat – unknown Future Prospects - unknown
The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is the most frequently recorded baleen whale in Irish waters. It occurs along the entire Irish coastline though mainly off the south and west coasts, typically between May and October. An abundance estimate around 2007 for Irish coastal waters is 2,222 individuals.
Range – good Population – unknown Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are usually seen alone or in loosely
associated groups of up to 8 individuals, although over 20 have been seen together off the south coast of Ireland in summer. Acoustic detections have estimated that between 300 - 500 Fin Whales migrate through Irish waters annually.
Range – good Population – unknown Habitat – good Future Prospects - good
As discussed previously the Atlantic Grey Seal at Lambay Island is an Annex II species, and in
addition to these there is the potential for other marine mammals to occur in the sea off
Portmarnock. Marine mammals have therefore been identified as Very High/International value,
based on Table 1.1.
3.5 Fish, Commercial Fisheries and Recreational Fishing Knowledge of the offshore fish and shellfish species in an area can be gained through looking at
commercial and recreational fishing data. Information on commercial fisheries for around
Portmarnock has been extracted from a specialist fisheries report prepared for the Cable Route
Desk Study (Appendix E, NRC, 2009). Information on nursery and spawning grounds have been
obtained from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK Offshore Energy Strategic
Environmental Assessment, Future Leasing for Offshore Wind Farms and Licensing for Offshore
Oil & Gas and Gas Storage report produced in January 2009. Data on recreational fisheries has
been obtained from the internet.
3.5.1 Commercial Fisheries
Overview The Irish Sea as a whole is extensively fished by vessels of many nationalities, using a variety of
methods such as potting, scallop dredging, beam trawling and otter trawling. However, the
commercial fishing conducted within 12nm of shore is usually undertaken by smaller (<15m) local
fishing boats from the UK.
There are a wide variety of inshore fisheries around the margins of the Irish Sea. The inshore
(<6nm) waters are managed by the UK in agreement with Irish Government. Some of these
fisheries operate under annual total allowable catches (TACs) and are monitored for catch and
effort, but many are not actively managed and are open access with no statistical reporting of
effort or catch. Offshore fisheries are managed by ICES (the Irish Sea is ICES sub-area VIIa for
management purposes) under international agreements between a number of European
countries that allow access to waters 6nm offshore. These fisheries are managed under overall
and individual annual quotas. Overall fishing effort and catch in the region has declined
moderately from historical levels, even though larger modern fishing vessels have, for the most
part, replaced older less powerful vessels.
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Inshore waters, within 12nm of the coast, are often the most productive areas for fish and
shellfish. Many species of fish and shellfish are limited in their distribution to the shallow
productive waters close to the coast. These areas can also be important spawning and nursery
grounds for species that spend most of their life cycle in deeper waters offshore. For these
reasons it is the coastal waters which are the most sensitive to disturbance. Further discussion of
nursery and spawning areas can be found in Section 3.5.2. Fishing Practices
Scallop dredging (including the fisheries for King Scallop (Pecten maximus) and Queen Scallop
(Aequipecten opercularis)) is mainly centred around the Isle of Man and south of the proposed
cable route off the east coast of Ireland (Figure 3.5). Vessel monitoring system (VMS) data shows
some scallop dredging taking place off the north east coast of Lambay Island, and within 6nm of
the shoreline further to the north. A known scallop bed is located mid-way between Dublin and
Anglesey just north of the cable route, with a portion of the bed intersecting the proposed cable.
Recent VMS data does not show significant dredging in this area, but the amount of current and
future dredging effort likely to occur in this bed is unknown.
Historical whelk pot fishing grounds are present along the coast near Dublin, but to the south of
the proposed cable route (Figure 3.5). VMS data (Appendix E, Cable route Report) shows Whelk
pot fishing activity predominantly on the Welsh side of the Irish Sea beyond 12nm. The exact
number of vessels involved in the whelk pot fishery is unknown but there are probably less than
20 boats involved off Dublin.
Crab pot fishing for velvet crab occurs off the coast of Ireland along the proposed cable landing
near Dublin (Figure 3.5). Fishing effort occurs within 6 nm (11 km of shore). The exact number of
vessels involved in the crab pot fishery is unknown but there are probably less than 30 boats
involved overall.
Figure 3.5 Scallop, crab, whelk fishing grounds chart
Lobster pot fishing occurs along the coast near Dublin, within 6nm. The exact number of vessels
involved in the lobster pot fishery off the landing is unknown but there are probably less than 30
boats involved off Dublin.
Bottom Longline is used by smaller (<10m) inshore fishing vessels. Bottom longline sections are
typically 100m or more in length, and 5 to 10 sections may be fished in a set. Most inshore
longline rigs are about 500m in length with 500 hooks. VMS data records of bottom longline from
2007 and 2008 shows the majority of effort in the northern Irish Sea, with minor effort through the
central portion of the Irish Sea (Figure 3.6).
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Figure 3.6 Bottom Longline VMS Data
A number of demersal and pelagic species support commercial fisheries off the UK and Ireland in
the Irish Sea. Plaice and Sole are an important demersal species for otter trawl, beam and
inshore gillnet fisheries and are widely distributed throughout the area at depths of 80m or less.
These species are fished for particularly in the winter months between October and April. Dover
Sole (commonly caught at depths of 40m or more) is another important target species of beam
and otter trawl fisheries and taken as bycatch in scallop/mussel dredges in the area. It is found
throughout the Irish and Celtic seas with major fishing grounds found in the northern Irish Sea
and Liverpool Bay. Atlantic cod are found and actively fished throughout the Irish Sea and are
targeted by otter trawl, beam trawl, longline, gillnet and jig fisheries, although recent overfishing
has resulted in limited cod fishing and seasonal closure areas to protect spawning fish and
drifting eggs.
Beam trawling effort is widespread throughout the Irish Sea (Figure 3.7). Fishing effort is
concentrated off Cumbrian, Lancashire, and north Wales during the spring. High fishing effort
occurs west of Liverpool and in Morecambe Bay.
Figure 3.7 VMS data for Beam Trawl 2007 – 2008
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The VMS data indicates that otter trawling is widespread throughout the Irish Sea but greater north of the Llyn Peninsula (Figure 3.8). There is seasonal concentration of fishing effort between April and December on the Nephrops grounds off the west coast of the Isle of Man to the northeast Irish coast. VMS otter trawl data reflects otter trawl effort in concordance with the historical fishing grounds (Figure 3.8 and 3.9).
Figure 3.8 VMS data for Otter Trawl 2008
Figure 3.9 Historic Nephrops Trawl Grounds
On average 15,000 to 20,000 hours of bottom trawling for Nephrops occurs each year in the
eastern Irish Sea off the Isle of Man and 200,000 hours in the western Irish Sea between the Isle
of Man and the eastern coast of Ireland. ICES reports up to 25% of the seabed in some northern
Irish Sea statistical reporting blocks is covered each year by otter trawling. A seasonal closure of
most mobile bottom contact fishing gear in a cod spawning and egg drift area off northeast coast
of Ireland occurs each year from mid-February through April.
There is also a small local fishery in the shallow water for razor shells and cockles. Suction
dredges are used in shallow inshore waters to catch cockles and in a few areas, razor shells.
They work on the principle of fluidising the surface sediments that are guided by a blade to a
suction head where the sand and animals are pumped to the surface for grid sorting. Cockle
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dredges generally remove the top 10cm of sediment; razor shells live much deeper and
specialised dredges have been developed which dig down 60cm or more.
There are reported to be up to 6 vessels (9 to 10m long)
which use vacuums to suck up razor shells in 5m or less
of water. Newspaper articles from around 2006 indicate
that there was conflict surrounding the razor fishery and
occasional unlicensed vessels. Councillors made calls to
have fishing banned off Velvet Strand as it was causing
serious environmental damage to the beach, with the
unwanted species caught up in the dredging process
being washed up on the beach. During the site visit in
March 2011 six boats were observed offshore of the
Velvet Strand between Lambay Island and Irelands Eye.
Two were actively fishing and four were at anchor. Photo 3.7 Fishing off Velvet Strand
3.5.2 Spawning Grounds and Nurseries
Spawning and nursery areas are important, as large groups of fish will gather to co-ordinate
spawning at certain times of the year. In terms of nurseries, juvenile fish are vulnerable to
predators and harsh conditions in the open water. As such it is usual for juvenile fish to stay in
sheltered nursery grounds which provide an abundance of food. At nursery and spawning
grounds, fish aggregate in large numbers and so are particularly vulnerable to disturbance.
The Energy and Department of Climate Change Offshore SEA (2009) baseline appendices
identifies the spawning and nursery grounds for 13 key commercial fish species including
Nephrops (a shellfish) around the UK and Irish coast. The areas indicated are broad in their
overview and are identified as areas where spawning may occur. Table 3.5 below summaries
the species which are may spawn or have nurseries offshore of Portmarnock. The extent of the
overall spawning/nursery ground is also given. Table3.5 Summary of Fish Spawning and Nursery Grounds off Portmarnock Fish Species Spawning - Extent of Grounds Spawning season Nursery
Sprat The entire Irish Sea and around the UK coastal waters as a whole.
May and August N/A
Cod Coastal area from Newcastle in north to Dublin
January to April Just south of Belfast to Wicklow in South.
Plaice Coastal area from Newcastle in north to Dublin.
January to March Coastal area from Newcastle in north to Dublin.
Sole Coastal area from approx. Dundalk to Dublin.
March to May N/A
Nephrops From northern Scotland to approx 20 miles south of Dublin.
Eggs hatch spring or summer
From northern Scotland to approx 20 miles south of Dublin.
Lemon Sole From Newcastle in north to around southern tip Ireland.
April to September From Newcastle in north to around southern tip Ireland.
Whiting Newcastle in north to Dublin. February to June Newcastle in north to Dublin.
Haddock N/A February to May Belfast to approx 20 miles south of Dublin.
Herring N/A Varied depending on species.
Newcastle in north to just north of Dublin.
As can be seen the waters off the east coast of Ireland are important in terms of fish spawning
grounds and nurseries. There are a number of key fish species which have the proposed landfall
point as the southern extent of their grounds.
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3.5.3 Recreational Fisheries
Although there seems to be a diverse range of commercial fish species offshore, Velvet Strand
itself does not appear to be particularly noted for recreational fishing. This may in part be due to
the fact that it is an extensive sandy beach with limited rock outcrop only at its northern extent.
Fish species that are reported to be caught are the occasional bass and flounder from the rocks
to the north of the beach around the Martello Tower. Along the Strand itself distance casting will
produce Dogfish and occasional Codling and Whiting in the autumn.
Further around the coast boats can be chartered from Malahide to fish offshore. Here Cod, Ray,
Whiting, Tope, Spurdog, Pollack, Mackerel, Coalfish, Dabs and Plaice can be caught. Malahide is
also reported to be a prime bait gathering location and has extensive lugworm beds, whilst
ragworm, mussel, clam and cockles can also be gathered locally.
3.5.4 Fish Overview
The information gathered on commercial fisheries, recreational fishing and nurseries show that
the main focus of interest is commercial fisheries with a number of commercial fish having
spawning and nursery grounds offshore. The main fishing activity for commercial species appears
to be further offshore to the north or around the Isle of Mann. Notwithstanding this there is an
active local fishery for Razor shells and Cockles.
In terms of recreational fishing this appears to be limited close to the shore, and fishing further
offshore yield a better range of species.
Overall the fish and fisheries off Portmarnock have been identified as Regional/County value
based on Table 1.1.
3.6 Landscape and Tourism Fingal County Council Development Plan 2005 - 2011 was reviewed in terms of landscape and protected areas in the vicinity of the cable landfall point. The relevant information extracted from their interactive map is shown on Figure 3.10 below.
Figure 3.10 Landscape Character and Protect Areas
The Fingal Development Plan 2005 – 2011 identifies the area around the cable landfall point as located with a “Coastal” Landscape Character Area. Baldoyle Estuary, located behind Velvet Strand Peninsula, is identified as “Estuary”. The main objective of both Character Areas is the protection and enhancement of high amenity areas. As can be seen from Figure 3.10, the Coastal Landscape Character unit extends from Portmarnock town itself along the sandy
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 25
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
peninsula. As such the landscape views will vary from coastal town to a more remote and secluded aspect. The Development Plan is being updated with the 2011-2017 Plan, and this Draft Plan identifies that the area is at risk from coastal flooding.
In terms of tourism, Dublin is about the sixth most popular city to visit and in 2007 it had almost
4.5 million overseas tourists. Portmarnock, is a dormitory town to Dublin, and with its extensive
beach and aviation history, it is also a popular destination for both overseas and more local
people to visit. Portmarnock village itself comprises a single main street, with small local shops,
one of the two local Roman Catholic churches and other facilities such as the Portmarnock Golf
Club and Velvet Strand beach.
Velvet Strand is designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive and is sampled at fortnightly
intervals during the bathing season (mid May to September). Although the beach usually
achieves the mandatory standards of the Directive, it has a mixed history in terms of water
quality. The beach achieved the more stringent Blue Flag award in 1991 and since then the
water quality deteriorated. In 2010, after two previous successive years of good water quality, the
beach regained the coveted Blue Flag Award. Access to the beach is from the north end where
there is plenty of road side parking, a large public car park and a local bus route. The southern
section of Velvet Strand Peninsula is taken up by Portmarnock Golf course.
There is a wide range of activities which take place at the beach including:
• Sun bathing and swimming
• Power walking
• Running
• Beach Volleyball Tournaments
• Kite surfing
• Wind surfing
• Dog walkers (kept on leash in Reserved
Bathing Area June to August).
• Horses/Horse and trap (not permitted
June to August; weekend and public
holidays from 11am to 8pm).
Photo 3.8 Horse Exercising on Beach
In terms of landscape in the immediate vicinity of the proposed works, this is identified as
County/Low value and tourism in the area has been identified as of Regional/Medium value.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 26
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
4 Assessment of Potential Impacts and Mitigation
4.1 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The following sections assess the potential effects of the construction of the beach manhole and
the installation of the cable in the intertidal and subtidal area to 12nm. The results of the initial
screening and the assessment are summarised in Tables within Chapter 5.
4.1.1 Designated Sites
As discussed in Section 3.1 there are a number of internationally designated sites near to the
cable landfall location and although there will be no direct impact on any of the site features, there
is potential for indirect impacts. Preliminary screening of the various site features in Table 3.3
identified that potential indirect impacts could occur on the birds of the closest SPAs, namely
Baldoyle Bay, Broadmeadow/Swords Estuary, Irelands Eye and Lambay Island. In terms of the
cSACs, the southerly limit of the rocky shore of Malahide headland is located about 250m from
the cable route. Although not an Annex I habitat, the rocky shore around the Malahide headland
is noted for its ecology. This is discussed further within Section 4.1.3. Intertidal Area. Finally, as
Atlantic Grey Seal, an Annex II species, breed on Lambay Island and will frequent the offshore
area, there is potential for indirect impacts.
Birds of SPA
The various SPAs around Portmarnock/Velvet Strand have been designated for internationally
important populations of Brent Geese or for breeding sea birds. Although the construction of the
manhole and cable laying will not directly affect the SPA or its habitat, the birds will visit the wider
area and therefore there may be potential for disturbance during construction works.
Notwithstanding this the Portmarnock/ Velvet Strand area as a whole is popular for visitors and
therefore the birds will be acclimatised to intermitted disturbance in terms of traffic noise, people,
horses and dogs. In addition to this the proposed location of the cable route and manhole is at the
north end of the beach where the main public access and road/parking is located. As such the
background levels of disturbance from visitors will be greater in this area.
The proposed works will comprise the construction of a beach manhole in amenity grass and the
laying and burial of a cable in the sandy intertidal area. The works at the landing site as a whole
will take approximately 5 days in total. With the short duration of work and the existing
background disturbance levels in the area, the impact on the birds from the SPAs visiting the area
is assessed to be Neutral (within the tolerance level of the birds) and therefore No Impact is
anticipated.
In terms of potential effects from the cable laying vessel on the breeding seabird’s food source,
namely fish, the offshore cable laying process will also be short in duration 16 - 20 days for the
entire cable route. The cable laying method will result in some localised disturbance to the
seabed and surrounding area, but this will be minimal compared to current fishing practices off
the beach. As such the potential indirect impacts are assessed to be Neutral and therefore No
Impact overall is anticipated.
Atlantic Grey Seal
As identified in Table 3.2, Lambay Island supports the only colony of Atlantic Grey Seals
(Halichoerus grypus) (Annex II species) on the east coast of Ireland. The proposed intertidal
works is approximately 8km distant from the island and as such there will be no direct impact on
the breeding seal colony.
In terms of indirect effects, all marine mammal species are afforded strict protection from
interference and deliberate harm by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations
1997 and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 1976 & 2000. For offshore work, strict rules have to be
observed when approaching marine mammals. The potential indirect effects of the proposed
offshore cable laying will be discussed in Section 4.1.5, Marine Mammals.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 27
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
4.1.2 Upper Beach
The proposed works for the beach manhole and laying the cable to the beach interface will be in
the amenity grassed area of the upper beach, which is of low conservation value. During
construction there will be a short (2-3 days) localised impact on the habitat, but once works are
completed the area will be reinstated. Good construction practice will be employed in particular in
terms of storage and handling of fuels and temporary storage of materials. Care will be taken to
minimise damage to the surrounding grassed area and if any grassed areas are damaged re-
seeding will be undertaken on completion.
The transition from the amenity grassed area to the top of the sandy beach requires a drop in
height of about 1.2m, and crossing of vertical timbers which act as the upper beach coastal
protection (Photo 2.3). This section of cable could be laid by open cut, however if conditions
permit the option of a trenchless technology such as moling would be considered. Whichever
technique is used, discussions would be held with the Local Council in advance of the work, and
the timbers would be reinstated to their existing condition. Overall, due to the short duration of
work and the Local/Low conservation value of the habitat the significance is assessed as No
Impact based on Table 1.3.
4.1.3 Intertidal Area
The proposed works are not within any cSAC, and therefore there will be no direct impact on the
habitat. The rocky shore area which is approximately 250m to the north of the cable landfall is
within Malahide cSAC and as such potential indirect impacts have been assessed.
The cable on the intertidal section of Portmarnock/Velvet Strand beach will be laid on the shore
and buried at low water. The final route to be chosen will try and achieve a sand depth as close to
2m as possible. On the lower section of beach this will be easily achievable. On the upper most
section of the beach, careful routing will be required to avoid shallow bedrock. Should constraints
be put upon the route due to the existing buried cables, and a minimal depth of sand is not
achievable, some bedrock beneath the sand may require rock breaking. If required, the method to
undertake this work would be discussed and agreed in advance with the Council such that local
impacts are minimised.
The trench area affected by the cable will be approximately 0.5m wide down the length of the
intertidal area to low water springs, and as such there will be a direct localised impact on the
ecology in this area. However, the sand excavated will be backfilled and therefore any marine
fauna such as Ragworms, Lugworms and Razor Shells will be able to re-colonise the area. Sandy
habitats, due to the more mobile nature of sediment, tend to have species which are more robust
and able to recover more rapidly from temporary impacts. Overall it is assessed that the direct
impacts from the cable laying will be Minor as they will be short term, temporary and localised.
As such the impact is assessed to be Insignificant.
In terms of indirect effects, as the trench will be excavated, the cable laid and backfilled at low
water, the potential impact from suspended solids on the surrounding area will be significantly
reduced. With the distance of the rocky shore of the cSAC from the proposed works (+250m), and
the natural background levels of suspended solids as a result of wave action and offshore fishing
activities, the indirect effect on the rocky area is assessed to be within the natural tolerance of the
habitat and therefore No Impact is anticipated.
4.1.4 Offshore Benthic Ecology
The offshore cable route will follow the sandy substrate and where possible be buried to a depth
of 1m. The cable laying will be undertaken using specialist equipment which will plough the cable
into the ground in one movement. In this way the area directly affected is minimised, as there is
no need to excavate an underwater free standing trench. There will be a Minor localised impact
on the marine ecology along the route, but many of the species will in fact survive being turned in
the sediment and should just re-establish themselves in the sediment. The overall direct impact
on local benthos is assessed to be Insignificant.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 28
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
In terms of suspended sediments, there will be a localised increase in sediments as the ploughing
and cable laying takes place. The sediments will be carried varying distances depending on their
size and the tidal state and they will eventually settle on the seabed. In terms of indirect impact
this is assessed to be of Minor significance due to the small amount of sediments that are
anticipated to be disturbed. Overall the cable laying activity should be significantly less disruptive
in terms of direct and indirect impacts when compared to cockle and razor shell fishing practices.
The overall indirect impact on local benthos is assessed to be Insignificant.
4.1.5 Marine Mammals
In the case of marine mammals there is potential for direct or indirect impact from the offshore
cable laying work. The potential impacts can be broadly classified as increased disturbance from
marine vessel during cable laying through:
• Noise
• Visual disturbance, and
• Interaction with vessels/cable.
In terms of increased noise/ visual disturbance during the cable laying phase, the actual duration
of cable laying will be short-term, taking approximately 16 to 20 days along the entire route to
Ireland. The presence of the cable laying vessel should be no more disturbing than other fishing
vessels which operate off the coast.
With respect to potential interaction with the cable laying gear, the cable laying vessels will be
slow moving with minimal underwater moving parts. The activity would be akin to laying lobster
pots and would be assessed as a lesser risk to marine mammals compared with, for instance,
trawling. As such the potential impact to marine mammals during cable installation is assessed to
be Neutral and therefore there should be No Impact overall.
Notwithstanding the above, a member of the ships staff shall be a trained marine mammal
observer (MMO) and they will monitor for marine mammals. In addition to this the vessel shall be
fully compliant with international safety standards as specified by the SOLAS convention and all
relevant local and national regulations.
4.1.6 Fish, Commercial Fisheries and Recreational Fishing
As discussed above the laying of the offshore cable is short in duration and will take
approximately 16- 20 days in total, with the work within 12nm taking about 3-4 days.
In terms of direct impact to fish, the vessel will be slow moving and therefore fish will easily be
able to move away from the area. Fish will also be able to avoid the temporary localised increase
in suspended sediments which will occur during cable laying. Once the cable laying vessel has
passed over an area the fish will be able to move back. In reality the ploughing process will turn
over the sediment and may in fact bring some worm species to the surface which will be an easy
food source for the fish. The magnitude of potential impact on fish during cable laying is assessed
as Neutral giving an overall assessment of No Impact.
In terms of fish spawning grounds and nurseries, Section 3.5.2 confirmed that the waters off the
east coast of Ireland are important in terms of fish spawning grounds and nurseries. A number of
these key fish species have the proposed landfall point as the southern extent of their grounds.
The proposed cable laying works will only affect a narrow area of seabed and the works will be
short in duration. Although there may be direct and indirect impacts to spawning or juvenile fish,
the impact from the cable laying vessel will be much less than that experienced from current
fishing practices in the area. The magnitude of potential impact on fish spawning and nursery
ground during cable laying is therefore assessed as Neutral giving an overall assessment of No
Impact.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 29
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
With respect to commercial fishing, as identified in Section 3.5.1 the majority of trawling occurs
further north along the coast or offshore. There are however, a number of vessels which fish for
Cockles and Razor Shells immediately offshore of the beach.
During installation the cable laying vessel will not be able to move off its given route and therefore
good communication will be required in advance to ensure that there is no interaction between
fishing vessels and the cable vessel. The works will be confined to a narrow corridor and with an
appropriate safety distance suction dredging for shellfish could be able to continue. With the short
duration of work (3-4 days), the magnitude of potential impact on commercial fishing during cable
laying is assessed as Minor to Neutral, giving an overall assessment of Minor Adverse to
Insignificant Impact.
With respect to recreational fishing, the main areas appear to be offshore or from rocky beaches.
A notice to mariners will be issued so that any vessels will be aware of the proposed short
duration works. As such the magnitude of impact on recreation fishing is assessed Neutral giving
No Impact overall.
4.1.7 Landscape and Tourism
As discussed in Section 3.6 Portmarnock beach/Velvet Strand is located in a Coastal Landscape
Character area and is a popular spot for local people as well as tourists. The proposed manhole
works will take about 2-3 days with the cable laying across the beach being an additional 2 days.
The beach manhole area of works will be fenced for health and safety reasons and the siting of
the compound will be positioned to avoid the footpaths and minimise disturbance to users of the
area. Care will be taken to minimise damage to the surrounding grassed area. There will be no
“landscaping works” associated with the manhole chamber, however, if any grassed areas are
damaged, re-seeding will be undertaken on completion.
Access to the working area on the beach will also need to be restricted when the cable is being
laid and buried and then taken onto the offshore vessel. This is only like to be for a short period
(approximately 2 days). Notwithstanding this in order to minimise disruption and disturbance to
local users and visitors during construction it would be proposed to undertaken the works outside
of the bathing season (mid May to September) and school holiday period. If possible weekends
would also be avoided for the beach cable laying, but these works will be influenced by the timing
of the offshore works and weather. Notwithstanding the above discussions would be held in
advance with the Local Councils concerning the onshore works.
If the works are time to be outside the main tourist season and avoid holidays, the short-term
temporary impact on landscape and tourism during the construction phase is assessed to be
Minor to Neutral which based on Table 1.3 would result in Minor Adverse Impact to No
Impact.
4.2 Operation Impacts and Mitigation Once operational the proposed cable has a theoretical design life of 25-40 years. There will be no
surface structure associated with the manhole. The intertidal cable will be buried to a depth of
approximately 2m and offshore around 1m if possible. Under normal circumstances, the cable will
operate without any sub-sea works or routine maintenance. Should the cable be damaged or
develop a physical fault, marine repair work would be required. Generally this would require a
cable ship to grapnel and pull onboard the cable to allow cutting and the insertion of a new cable
section and jointing operations. This would be undertaken on board the vessel over a 1-3 day
period.
In terms of potential operational impacts under normal operating conditions, as the cable is buried
there should be no direct effect to the any of the species or habitats discussed previously, nor to
commercial or recreational fisheries, marine mammals, landscape or tourism aspects of the area. Should maintenance be required on the cable, this would be short in duration and should result
lesser impact than that previously identified for the installation phase. However, depending on the
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 30
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
location of the maintenance work, appropriate discussion would be undertaken with consultees
and any mitigation requirements would be identified.
With respect to indirect effects, potential Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) has been considered.
COWRIE (July 2005) (Collaborative Offshore Wind Energy Research in to the Environment)
commissioned a report to review current available information on the potential effects of sub-sea
power cables on sensitive marine organisms. Their findings concluded that most modern long
distance telecommunication cables consist of optical fibres rather than wires. Such cables may
require a power supply to signal amplifiers (repeaters) which boost the signal at various points
along their length. These would have the potential to generate some EMF.
Some recent telecommunication cables use optical amplification without the need for the
electrical regenerator in the repeater. This system with short length fibre optic cables and without
repeaters would have no associated electric or magnetic fields. The Portmarnock - Porth Dafarch
cable will be repeater-less and as such no EMF should be associated with it. There will therefore
be No Impact on the marine mammals or sensitive fish species from the cable.
4.3 Decommissioning Impacts and Mitigation Once beyond its operating lifespan, the inert nature of the cable means that leaving it in place will
have the least environmental impact compared to removing it. However, depending on the
legislative requirements at the time, environmental and economic factors, decommissioning
options in the future would be reviewed. These may include, leaving in-situ, recovery and/or
dismantling. Should recovery and dismantling be the preferred way forward, consultation would
be undertaken with the appropriate statutory consultees, the environmental conditions would be
reviewed and appropriate mitigation measures would be put in place during works.
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
31
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
5 S
umm
ary
of A
sses
smen
t and
Miti
gatio
n
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
Baldoyle Bay cSAC
H1
31
0 -
Sa
lico
rnia
an
d O
the
r A
nn
uals
Colo
nis
ing
Mu
d a
nd
S
an
d
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
is h
ab
ita
t. T
he
ca
ble
with
in t
he
in
tert
ida
l a
rea
will
be
bu
rie
d a
t lo
w
wa
ter
the
reb
y g
ene
ratin
g m
inim
al su
sp
end
ed
so
lids.
No Indirect Impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
H1
33
0 -
Atla
ntic s
alt m
ea
do
ws
T
he
re w
ill b
e No Direct Impact
on
th
is h
ab
ita
t. T
he
ca
ble
with
in t
he
in
tert
ida
l a
rea
will
be
bu
rie
d a
t lo
w
wa
ter
the
reb
y g
ene
ratin
g m
inim
al su
sp
end
ed
so
lids.
No Indirect Impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
H1
41
0
- M
ed
ite
rra
ne
an
sa
lt
me
ado
ws
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
is h
ab
ita
t. T
he
ca
ble
with
in t
he
in
tert
ida
l a
rea
will
be
bu
rie
d a
t lo
w
wa
ter
the
reb
y g
ene
ratin
g m
inim
al su
sp
end
ed
so
lids.
No Indirect Impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
H1
14
0
- M
ud
fla
ts
and
sa
ndfla
ts
not
co
ve
red
by
se
aw
ate
r a
t lo
w t
ide
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
is h
ab
ita
t. T
he
ca
ble
with
in t
he
in
tert
ida
l a
rea
will
be
bu
rie
d a
t lo
w
wa
ter
the
reb
y g
ene
ratin
g m
inim
al su
sp
end
ed
so
lids.
No Indirect Impact
anticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Ba
ldo
yle
Ba
y S
PA
Inte
rna
tion
ally
im
po
rta
nt
po
pula
tio
ns o
f P
ale
-be
llie
d
Bre
nt
Ge
ese
(B
ran
ta b
ern
icla
).
No Direct Impact
on
S
PA
. In
te
rms
of
po
ten
tial
ind
ire
ct
impa
ct
thro
ugh
dis
turb
an
ce
, w
ith
th
e s
ho
rt
du
ratio
n
of
wo
rk
an
d
the
exis
tin
g
ba
ckg
rou
nd
dis
turb
an
ce
le
ve
ls in
th
e a
rea
, th
e im
pa
ct
on
th
e
bir
ds
fro
m
the
S
PA
s
is
asse
sse
d
to
be
Neutral
(with
in t
he
to
lera
nce
le
ve
l o
f th
e b
irds)
an
d t
he
refo
re
no indirect impact
is a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Malahide Estuary cSAC
H1
13
0 –
Estu
arie
s
Th
ere
w
ill
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
e
estu
ary
ha
bita
t w
hic
h i
s a
pp
roxim
ate
ly 1
.3km
to
th
e n
ort
h.
Th
e c
ab
le w
ith
in t
he
in
tert
ida
l a
rea
will
be
bu
rie
d a
t
low
w
ate
r th
ere
by
gen
era
ting
m
inim
al
su
spe
nde
d
so
lids. W
ith
th
is a
nd
th
e d
ista
nce
to
the
re
ce
pto
r, No
Indirect Impact
is a
nticip
ate
d.
Inte
rtid
al cab
le s
ection
bu
rie
d a
t lo
w w
ate
r to
re
du
ce
pro
duction
of susp
en
de
d s
olid
s.
No
ne
N
on
e p
rop
ose
d
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
32
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
Fin
e a
rea
of
rocky s
ho
re
so
uth
-east
of M
ala
hid
e a
nd
e
xte
nd
ing
to
wa
rds
Po
rtm
arn
ock.
Th
ere
will
be No Direct Impact
on t
he r
ocky s
ho
re
ha
bita
t w
hic
h is a
pp
roxim
ate
ly 2
50
m to
th
e n
ort
h.
As
the
cab
le tr
en
ch
w
ill b
e e
xca
va
ted
, th
e ca
ble
la
id
an
d b
ackfille
d a
t lo
w w
ate
r th
e p
ote
ntia
l im
pact
from
su
sp
en
de
d so
lids o
n th
e su
rro
un
din
g a
rea
w
ill b
e
sig
nific
an
tly r
ed
uce
d.
With t
he d
ista
nce
of
the
rocky
sh
ore
o
f th
e
cS
AC
fr
om
th
e
pro
pose
d
wo
rks
(+2
50m
),
an
d
the
na
tura
l b
ackg
roun
d
leve
ls
of
su
sp
en
de
d solid
s a
s a
re
su
lt o
f w
ave
a
ctio
n a
nd
off
sho
re f
ish
ing
activitie
s,
the
in
dire
ct
imp
act
on
th
e
rocky a
reas is
a
ssessed
to
b
e w
ith
in th
e n
atu
ral
tole
ran
ce o
f th
e h
ab
ita
t a
nd
th
ere
fore
No Indirect
Impact
is a
nticip
ate
d.
Bu
ria
l o
f ca
ble
in
inte
rtid
al a
rea
du
rin
g lo
w w
ate
r.
No
ne
N
on
e p
rop
ose
d
Broadmeadow/ Swords Estuary SPA
Inte
rna
tion
ally
im
po
rta
nt
po
pula
tio
n o
f B
ren
t G
ee
se
. No Direct Impact
on
S
PA
. In
te
rms
of
po
ten
tial
ind
ire
ct
impa
ct
thro
ugh
dis
turb
an
ce
, w
ith
th
e s
ho
rt
du
ratio
n
of
wo
rk
an
d
the
exis
tin
g
ba
ckg
rou
nd
dis
turb
an
ce
le
ve
ls in
th
e a
rea
, th
e im
pa
ct
on
th
e
bir
ds
fro
m
the
S
PA
s
is
asse
sse
d
to
be
Neutral
(with
in t
he
to
lera
nce
le
ve
l o
f th
e b
irds)
an
d t
he
refo
re
No Indirect Impact
is a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Ireland’s Eye cSAC
H1
22
0 -
Pe
renn
ial
ve
ge
tation
of
Sto
ny
ba
nks
(Co
asta
l ve
ge
tate
d s
hin
gle
).
Pro
po
se
d w
ork
s i
s d
ista
nt
and
th
ere
fore
No Direct
or Indirect Impact
on h
abita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Iris
h R
ed
Da
ta B
ooks S
pe
cie
s
- S
ea
kale
(C
ram
be
ma
riti
me
) a
nd
H
en
ban
e
(Hy
os
cy
am
us
n
ige
r).
Pro
po
se
d w
ork
s i
s d
ista
nt
and
th
ere
fore
No Direct
or Indirect Impact
on h
abita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Ireland’s Eye SPA
Ire
land
's E
ye
SP
A h
as
imp
ort
an
t p
opu
latio
ns o
f b
ree
din
g s
eab
irds.
No Direct Impact
on
S
PA
. In
te
rms
of
po
ten
tial
ind
ire
ct
imp
act
thro
ug
h d
istu
rba
nce t
o t
he
bir
ds,
with
the
sh
ort
d
ura
tion
of
wo
rk
and
th
e
exis
tin
g
ba
ckg
rou
nd
d
istu
rba
nce
le
ve
ls
in
the
a
rea
, th
e
imp
act
on
th
e b
irds f
rom
th
e S
PA
s is a
sse
sse
d to
be
Neutral
(with
in t
he
to
lera
nce
le
ve
l o
f th
e b
irds)
an
d
the
refo
re No Indirect Impact
is a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
33
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
In
term
s
of
po
ten
tia
l in
dir
ect
eff
ects
on
th
e
foo
d
so
urc
e (
fish
), t
he
ca
ble
la
yin
g m
eth
od w
ill r
esu
lt i
n
so
me
lo
calis
ed
d
istu
rba
nce
to
the
se
ab
ed
an
d
su
rro
un
din
g a
rea
, b
ut
this
will
be
min
ima
l com
pa
red
to c
urr
en
t fish
ing
pra
ctice
s o
ff t
he b
each
. A
s s
uch
the
p
ote
ntia
l in
dir
ect
imp
acts
a
re a
sse
sse
d to
b
e
Neutral
an
d t
he
refo
re No Indirect Impact
ove
rall
is
an
ticip
ate
d.
Lambay Island cSAC
H1
23
0 -
Ve
ge
tate
d S
ea
Clif
fs
of
the
Atlan
tic a
nd
Ba
ltic
C
oa
sts
Pro
po
se
d
wo
rks
is
dis
tan
t a
nd
No Direct or
Indirect Impact
on
ha
bita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Atla
ntic G
rey S
eals
T
he
p
rop
osed
w
ork
s is
8km
d
ista
nt
from
L
am
ba
y
Isla
nd
an
d a
s s
uch
th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
e b
ree
din
g s
ea
l co
lon
y.
Assessm
ent
of
eff
ects
on
A
tla
ntic G
rey S
ea
l o
ffsho
re is
dis
cussed
w
ith
in
Ma
rin
e M
am
ma
ls.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Lambay Island SPA
Ire
land
's E
ye
SP
A h
as
imp
ort
an
t p
opu
latio
ns o
f b
ree
din
g s
eab
irds.
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
e S
PA
wh
ich
is
locate
d o
ffsho
re s
om
e 8
km
to
th
e n
ort
hea
st
of
the
site
. In
dir
ect
imp
acts
are
not
an
ticip
ate
d d
ue
to
th
e
dis
tan
ce
.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Rogerstown Estuary cSAC
De
sig
na
ted
as it is
a g
oo
d
exa
mp
le o
f a
n e
stu
ari
ne
syste
m.
Pro
po
se
d w
ork
s i
s d
ista
nt
and
th
ere
fore
No Direct
or Indirect Impact
on h
abita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Rogerstown Estuary SPA
SP
A a
s it
sup
po
rts a
n
inte
rna
tio
na
lly im
po
rtan
t p
op
ula
tio
n o
f B
ren
t G
ee
se
.
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
e S
PA
. In
dire
ct
imp
acts
are
no
t a
nticip
ate
d d
ue
to
the
dis
tan
ce
.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Howth Head cSAC
H1
23
0 -
Ve
ge
tate
d S
ea
Clif
fs
of
the
Atlan
tic a
nd
Ba
ltic
C
oa
sts
.
Pro
po
se
d
wo
rks
is
dis
tan
t a
nd
No Direct or
Indirect Impact
on
ha
bita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
H4
03
0
–
Eu
rop
ea
n
Dry
H
ea
ths.
Pro
po
se
d w
ork
s i
s d
ista
nt
and
th
ere
fore
No Direct
or Indirect Impact
on h
abita
t a
nticip
ate
d.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
34
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
Howth Head SPA
Fo
ur
se
abir
d s
pecie
s h
ave
p
op
ula
tio
ns o
f na
tio
nal
imp
ort
ance
. C
liffs
su
ppo
rt a
b
ree
din
g p
air
of
Pe
reg
rin
e
Fa
lco
ns.
Th
ere
will
be
No Direct Impact
on
th
e S
PA
. In
dire
ct
imp
acts
are
no
t a
nticip
ate
d d
ue
to
the
dis
tan
ce
.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Other features
Up
pe
r B
each
Are
a
Th
e co
nstr
uctio
n o
f th
e b
each
m
an
hole
, tr
enchin
g
on
th
e a
men
ity g
rasse
d a
rea
, a
ccessin
g t
he s
ho
re
at
the
ra
ise
d
be
ach
in
terf
ace
a
nd
sto
rag
e
of
ma
teria
ls ha
s th
e po
ten
tia
l to
cau
se
a
te
mp
ora
ry
an
d Minor
Impact
to t
his
are
a o
f L
oca
l le
ve
l.
Em
plo
y g
oo
d c
on
str
uctio
n p
ractice
in
pa
rtic
ula
r in
term
s o
f sto
rag
e a
nd
ha
ndlin
g o
f fu
els
, te
mpo
rary
sto
rag
e
of
ma
teri
als
.
Ca
re
take
n
to
min
imis
e
da
mag
e t
o th
e s
urr
oun
din
g g
rasse
d a
rea
. R
e-s
ee
d
an
y d
am
ag
ed
are
as.
Fe
nce
w
ork
a
rea
fo
r he
alth
a
nd
sa
fety
re
aso
ns.
Pro
vis
ion
of
ap
pro
pri
ate
se
cu
rity
if
an
y t
rench
/ho
le
left
op
en
ove
rnig
ht.
If c
on
ditio
ns p
erm
it,
a t
rench
less t
echn
olo
gy w
ou
ld
be
con
sid
ere
d f
or
the
be
ach
inte
rfa
ce
. D
iscussio
ns
wo
uld
be
held
with
th
e L
ocal C
ou
ncil
in a
dva
nce
of
the
be
ach
in
terf
ace
wo
rk,
and
th
e t
imb
ers
wo
uld
be
re
insta
ted t
o th
eir
exis
tin
g c
on
ditio
n.
No
ne
N
on
e p
rop
ose
d
Inte
rtid
al A
rea
On
th
e
bea
ch
the
p
ropo
se
d
cab
le
tre
nch
(ap
pro
xim
ate
ly 0
.5m
w
ide
dow
n th
e le
ng
th o
f th
e
sa
nd
y section
o
f be
ach
) w
ill
resu
lt
in
a
loca
lised
eco
log
ical
impa
ct.
T
he
sa
nd
e
xca
va
ted
w
ill
be
ba
ckfille
d a
nd
th
ere
fore
an
y m
ari
ne
fa
un
a w
ill be
ab
le t
o r
e-c
olo
nis
e t
he
are
a.
With
th
e w
ork
s b
ein
g
un
de
rta
ken
a
t lo
w w
ate
r, susp
end
ed solid
w
ill b
e
ke
pt
to a
min
imum
th
ere
by m
ain
tain
ing
th
em
with
in
na
tura
l b
ackg
roun
d
leve
ls.
Ove
rall
the
dir
ect
and
ind
ire
ct
imp
acts
fro
m t
he
ca
ble
la
yin
g w
ill b
e Minor
to Neutral
as t
he
y w
ill b
e s
ho
rt t
erm
, te
mp
ora
ry a
nd
localis
ed
. A
s
su
ch
the
im
pact
is
assessed
to
be
Insignificant
to No Impact.
Ca
ble
o
n
inte
rtid
al
sho
re
are
a
to
be
la
id
an
d
bu
ried
at
low
wa
ter.
Ba
ckfill
tre
nch w
ith
exca
va
ted
sa
nd a
nd r
ein
sta
te b
ea
ch
alo
ng
cab
le r
ou
te.
No
ne
N
on
e p
rop
os
ed
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
35
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
Off
sh
ore
Be
nth
ic E
colo
gy
Th
ere
w
ill
be
a
m
ino
r lo
calis
ed
sh
ort
du
ratio
n,
tem
po
rary
im
pa
ct
on
th
e m
arin
e e
colo
gy a
lon
g t
he
ca
ble
ro
ute
. M
an
y
be
nth
ic
spe
cie
s
wo
uld
b
e
exp
ecte
d to
su
rviv
e b
ein
g tu
rne
d in
th
e se
dim
en
t
an
d w
ill j
ust
re-b
ury
th
em
se
lve
s.
Th
e o
ve
rall
dir
ect
imp
act is
asse
sse
d t
o b
e Insignificant.
Th
ere
w
ill
be
a
lo
ca
lise
d
incre
ase
in
susp
en
ded
se
dim
en
ts
as
plo
ugh
ing
and
ca
ble
la
yin
g
take
s
pla
ce
. In
te
rms o
f in
dir
ect
impa
ct
this
is a
sse
sse
d t
o
be
of
min
or
sig
nific
ance
du
e t
o t
he
sm
all
vo
lum
e o
f
se
dim
en
t a
nticip
ate
d to
b
e d
istu
rbe
d a
nd
th
e fa
ct
tha
t ca
ble
la
yin
g a
ctivity sh
ou
ld b
e l
ess d
isru
ptive
wh
en
co
mp
are
d
to
loca
l fish
ing
p
ractice
s.
Th
e
ove
rall
ind
ire
ct
imp
act
on
lo
cal
be
nth
os i
s a
sse
ssed
to b
e Insignificant.
No
ne
N
on
e
No
ne
pro
pose
d
Ma
rin
e M
am
ma
ls
Ca
ble
la
yin
g w
ill t
ake
ap
pro
xim
ate
ly 1
6 t
o 2
0 d
ays
alo
ng
th
e e
ntire
ro
ute
betw
ee
n I
rela
nd
an
d W
ale
s
an
d a
s su
ch
dis
turb
ance
in
te
rms o
f no
ise
/vis
ua
l
imp
act
will
be
sh
ort
-te
rm.
Th
e p
resen
ce
of
the
ca
ble
layin
g
ve
sse
l sh
ould
b
e
no
mo
re
dis
turb
ing
th
at
oth
er
fish
ing
ve
sse
ls w
hic
h o
pe
rate
in
th
e im
med
iate
are
a.
In t
erm
s o
f p
ote
ntia
l in
tera
ction
with
th
e c
ab
le la
yin
g
ge
ar,
th
e v
esse
ls w
ill b
e s
low
mo
vin
g w
ith
min
imal
un
de
rwa
ter
mo
vin
g
pa
rts.
Th
e
activity
wo
uld
be
sim
ilar
to a
ve
sse
l la
yin
g l
ob
ste
r p
ots
an
d h
as b
een
asse
sse
d
as
a
lesse
r risk
to
ma
rin
e
mam
ma
ls
co
mp
are
d w
ith
, fo
r in
sta
nce
, tr
aw
ling
. A
s s
uch t
he
po
ten
tia
l im
pact
to m
ari
ne
m
am
ma
ls d
urin
g cab
le
insta
llation
is a
sse
ssed
to b
e Neutral
an
d t
he
refo
re
the
re s
hou
ld b
e No Impact
ove
rall.
A m
em
be
r o
f th
e sh
ips sta
ff sh
all
be
a
tr
ain
ed
ma
rine
m
am
ma
l o
bse
rve
r (M
MO
) a
nd
th
ey
will
mo
nito
r fo
r m
ari
ne m
am
ma
ls.
Ve
sse
l sh
all
be
fu
lly com
plia
nt
with
in
tern
ation
al
sa
fety
sta
nd
ard
s
as
spe
cifie
d
by
the
S
OL
AS
co
nve
ntio
n
an
d
all
rele
va
nt
loca
l a
nd
na
tio
na
l
reg
ula
tion
s.
No
ne
N
on
e
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
36
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
Fis
h, C
om
me
rcia
l F
ish
eries,
Re
cre
atio
na
l fishin
g
Th
ere
sh
ould
be
n
o dir
ect
imp
act
to fish,
as th
e
ve
sse
l w
ill b
e s
low
mo
vin
g a
nd
fis
h w
ill b
e a
ble
to
mo
ve
aw
ay f
rom
th
e a
rea
. F
ish
will
als
o b
e a
ble
to
avo
id
the
te
mpo
rary
lo
ca
lise
d
incre
ase
in
su
sp
en
de
d s
ed
imen
ts d
uri
ng
ca
ble
la
yin
g.
On
ce
th
e
ca
ble
la
yin
g v
esse
l h
as p
assed
ove
r a
n a
rea
th
e fis
h
will
be
able
to
mo
ve
back r
esultin
g in
No Impact.
In te
rms o
f fish
sp
aw
nin
g g
rou
nds a
nd
n
urs
erie
s,
the
p
rop
ose
d c
ab
le l
ayin
g w
ork
s w
ill o
nly
a
ffect
a
na
rro
w a
rea
of
se
ab
ed
an
d t
he
wo
rks w
ill b
e s
ho
rt in
du
ratio
n.
Altho
ug
h t
he
re m
ay b
e d
ire
ct
and
ind
irect
imp
acts
to
spa
wn
ing
or
juve
nile
fis
h,
the
im
pact
from
the
ca
ble
la
yin
g v
essel
will
be
mu
ch
le
ss t
ha
n t
ha
t
exp
eri
en
ce
d
fro
m
cu
rre
nt
fish
ing
p
ractice
s
in
the
are
a.
Th
e
mag
nitu
de
o
f p
ote
ntial
imp
act
on
fish
sp
aw
nin
g a
nd
nu
rse
ry g
rou
nd d
uri
ng
ca
ble
la
yin
g is
the
refo
re
asse
sse
d
as Neutral
giv
ing
an
o
ve
rall
asse
ssm
en
t o
f No Impact.
With
re
spe
ct
to
com
me
rcia
l fishin
g,
du
rin
g
insta
llation
th
e c
able
la
yin
g v
essel w
ill n
ot
be
able
to
mo
ve
o
ff
its
giv
en
ro
ute
a
nd
th
ere
fore
go
od
co
mm
unic
ation
will
be
re
quir
ed
to e
nsu
re t
hat
the
re
is no
in
tera
ctio
n b
etw
ee
n fish
ing ve
sse
ls a
nd
th
e
ca
ble
ve
sse
l. T
he
wo
rks w
ill b
e c
on
fin
ed
to
a n
arr
ow
co
rrid
or
an
d
with
a
n
ap
pro
pri
ate
sa
fety
d
ista
nce
su
ctio
n d
red
gin
g fo
r sh
ellf
ish cou
ld con
tinu
e.
With
the
sh
ort
d
ura
tio
n
an
d
sm
all
are
a
of
wo
rk,
the
ma
gnitud
e o
f p
ote
ntia
l im
pact
on
com
me
rcia
l fish
ing
du
ring
cab
le
layin
g
is
asse
sse
d
as Minor
to
Neutral,
g
ivin
g
an
o
ve
rall
assessm
ent
of Minor
Adverse t
o Insignificant Impact.
A
no
tice
to
m
arin
ers
w
ill
be
issue
d
so
th
at
an
y
recre
ation
al
ve
sse
ls w
ill b
e a
wa
re o
f th
e p
rop
ose
d
sh
ort
du
ratio
n w
ork
s.
Go
od
co
mm
un
ica
tion
w
ith
lo
ca
l fishe
rmen
a
nd
no
tice
to m
arin
ers
in
ad
van
ce o
f o
ffsh
ore
wo
rks.
Ve
sse
l sh
all
be
fu
lly com
plia
nt
with
in
tern
ation
al
sa
fety
sta
nd
ard
s
as
spe
cifie
d
by
the
S
OL
AS
co
nve
ntio
n
an
d
all
rele
va
nt
loca
l a
nd
na
tio
na
l
reg
ula
tion
s.
Minor Adverse
to Insignificant
Impact
is
an
ticip
ate
d
on
the
com
me
rcia
l
fishe
ries.
No
ne
Por
tmar
nock
Nea
r S
hore
and
Cab
le L
andf
all S
urve
y
P
age
37
Env
ironm
enta
l Rev
iew
Rep
ort
Tita
n E
nviro
nmen
tal S
urve
ys L
td
Ecological receptor
Impact
Proposed mitigation
Residual impact
Compensation and
enhancement measures
La
ndscap
e a
nd
To
urism
Access t
o t
he
wo
rkin
g a
rea a
rou
nd t
he m
an
hole
an
d
alo
ng
th
e cab
le ro
ute
w
ill b
e re
str
icte
d w
he
n it is
be
ing la
id a
nd
bu
ried
. T
he
se
w
ork
s w
ill b
e fo
r a
sh
ort
pe
rio
d (
ap
pro
xim
ate
ly 5
da
ys).
If t
he
wo
rks a
re t
ime
to
be
ou
tsid
e t
he
main
tou
rist
se
aso
n,
avo
id
ho
lida
ys
and
po
ssib
ly
we
eke
nd
s
(de
pe
nd
ing
o
n
we
ath
er
an
d
off
sh
ore
tim
ing
) th
e
sh
ort
-te
rm
tem
po
rary
im
pa
ct
on
la
nd
sca
pe
a
nd
tou
rism
du
rin
g t
he
co
nstr
uction
ph
ase
is a
ssessed
to b
e Minor to Neutral
wh
ich
wo
uld
re
su
lt in
Minor
Adverse
Impact
to No Impact.
Tim
e
pro
posed
w
ork
s
to
be
o
uts
ide
b
ath
ing
se
aso
n
(mid
M
ay
to
Se
pte
mb
er)
an
d
holid
ays.
Avo
id w
ee
ke
nds if
possib
le.
Po
sitio
n
be
ach
m
an
hole
w
ork
s
to
avo
id
inte
rfe
rence
with
th
e t
arm
ac f
oo
tpa
th.
Dis
cussio
ns
to
be
h
eld
in
a
dva
nce
w
ith
th
e
Lo
cal
Co
un
cils
co
nce
rnin
g th
e w
ork
s.
Em
plo
y g
oo
d c
on
str
uctio
n p
ractice
an
d f
en
ce
wo
rk
are
a fo
r h
ea
lth
a
nd safe
ty re
aso
ns.
Pro
vis
ion
o
f
ap
pro
pri
ate
secu
rity
if a
ny tr
en
ch/h
ole
le
ft op
en
ove
rnig
ht.
Min
or
sh
ort
du
ratio
n
an
d
tem
po
rary
dis
turb
an
ce
fo
r
be
ach
use
rs.
No
ne
Operation and Decommissioning
All
rece
pto
rs
Op
era
tion
al
desig
n l
ife
is 2
5-4
0 y
ea
rs.
Th
ere
will
be
no
su
rfa
ce
str
uctu
re a
sso
cia
ted
w
ith
th
e m
an
ho
le.
Th
e
inte
rtid
al
ca
ble
w
ill
be
b
uri
ed
to
a
d
ep
th
of
ap
pro
xim
ate
ly
2m
a
nd
o
ffsh
ore
a
roun
d
1m
if
po
ssib
le.
Un
de
r n
orm
al
cir
cu
msta
nce
s,
the
ca
ble
will
o
pe
rate
w
ith
ou
t an
y su
b-s
ea
w
ork
s o
r ro
utine
ma
inte
nan
ce
. If
ma
inte
na
nce w
ork
is
re
qu
ired
th
is
wo
uld
re
su
lt i
n s
imila
r e
ffe
cts
to
th
ose
id
en
tified
fo
r
insta
llation
.
Th
e
pro
po
sed
ca
ble
syste
m
is
sh
ort
le
ng
th
fib
re
op
tic c
able
s,
with
ou
t re
pe
ate
rs.
As s
uch
th
ere
wo
uld
be
no
asso
cia
ted
ele
ctr
ic o
r m
ag
ne
tic f
ield
s a
nd
no
imp
act o
n t
he
ma
rine
eco
log
y o
ffsho
re.
De
co
mm
issio
nin
g o
f th
e c
able
wo
uld
be
re
vie
we
d a
t
the
a
pp
rop
riate
tim
e
an
d
the
m
ost
ap
pro
pri
ate
op
tion
, in
clu
din
g
lea
vin
g
in-s
itu
wo
uld
b
e
co
nsid
ere
d.
Un
de
rtake
app
rop
ria
te c
onsu
lta
tion
in
ad
va
nce
of
an
y m
ain
ten
an
ce
/ de
com
mis
sio
nin
g w
ork
s.
Imp
act
an
d m
itig
atio
n to
be r
evie
we
d a
t tim
e o
f w
ork
s.
To
be
re
vie
we
d.
No
ne
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 38
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
6 Conclusion
The route selection process has been undertaken to identify the least sensitive alignment for the
cable. In addition, the plough and lay deployment technique which is to be used is considered to
offer the fastest and least destructive method of undertaking the work. Seasonal timing, as well
as a work schedule to coincide with tides, will also mitigate potential localised impact.
Sensitive ecological receptors including designated sites are present within the vicinity of the
landfall works and careful construction practices are proposed to ensure avoidable impacts do
not take place. Consideration of timing with regard to recreational use of the beach will also be
an important factor in minimising disruption to the area, as will good communication to minimise
disruption to offshore commercial fisheries in the area.
Overall the laying of a proposed fibre-optic cable at Portmarnock near Dublin, Ireland does not
appear to be constrained by ecological, landscape or tourism factors. In part this is due to the
small diameter size of the cable as well as its inherently inert properties. With mitigation, the
temporary disturbance of the dynamic coastal environment by the proposals is considered to
comprise an insignificant impact.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 39
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
7 References
Coastal Monitoring Project 2004-2006 A Report to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. 2009 By Tim Ryle, Anne Murray, Kieran Connolly & Melinda Swann Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1992) Cowrie (July 2005) Electromagnetic Fields Review, The potential effects of electromagnetic fields generated by sub-sea power cables associated with offshore wind farm developments on electrically and magnetically sensitive marine organisms – a review. (COWRIE-EM FIELD 2-06-2004) Department of Energy and Climate Change. UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment, Future Leasing for Offshore Wind Farms and Licensing for Offshore Oil & Gas and Gas Storage, Jan 2009. Appendix 3 – Environmental Baseline Fingal County Council Development Plan 2005 – 2011 Fingal County Council Draft Development Plan 20011 – 2017 Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009 Global Marine Systems Ltd (2009) Dublin to Anglesey Proposed Subsea Cable System Cable Route Desk Study, December 2009. Prepared by Global Marine Systems Ltd For Geo Networks Ltd http://www.fishinginireland.info/sea/east/dublin/index.htm http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5040 http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in Britain and Ireland, Marine and Coastal (2010) National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2008) report on The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland Natural Resources Consultants, Inc (NRC) 2009, Major Bottom Contact Fisheries Along the Proposed Cable Route From Dublin to Anglesey. Appendix E of Dublin to Anglesey Proposed Subsea Cable System Cable Route Desk Study (December 2009)
The Food and Environment Protection Act, 1985
Telecommunications Act, 1984
Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd, Porth Dafarch Nearshore and Cable Landfall Survey
Environmental Review Report April 2011 (CS0307/R3/V1). United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Section 112, Article 79, Para 5.
Portmarnock Near Shore and Cable Landfall Survey Page 40
Environmental Review Report Titan Environmental Surveys Ltd
Figures
Figure 3.3 Overview of Species Recorded on Portmarnock Beach
Appendix 1 Summary of Consultation Responses
Conta
ct
Date
/Subje
ct
Response
The C
om
mis
sio
ner
of
Iris
h
Lig
hts
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge 1
ca
ble
lett
er
No o
bje
ctions w
ith p
lans to c
om
ple
te s
urv
ey.
Aw
aitin
g r
esp
onse
Depart
ment of
Agricu
lture
F
isheries a
nd F
ood (
se
a f
ish
contr
ol div
isio
n)
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
The
y w
ill b
e c
on
tacte
d thro
ugh t
he f
ore
shore
lic
ence p
rocess a
nd w
ait t
o
form
ally
respo
nd t
hen.
DE
HLG
– F
ore
shore
Un
it
Apri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
Pro
vid
ed u
pda
te o
n lia
ison w
ith I
rish S
takehold
ers
.
DE
HLG
– F
ore
shore
Un
it
10
th M
ay 2
011
F
ollo
w u
p m
eeting t
o d
iscu
ss p
roje
ct pro
gre
ss a
nd d
raft
info
rmation in
support
of
perm
it.
DE
HLG
– E
ng
ine
ering
Div
isio
n
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Thank y
ou f
or
keepin
g th
e D
epart
ment in
form
ed in r
ela
tio
n to
the
Mari
ne
Surv
ey f
or
this
case. In
rela
tion
to t
he lett
er
att
ached I
would
sug
gest th
at a
ll fo
rmal com
munic
ations to
this
De
part
ment should
be s
ent to
th
e F
ore
shore
U
nit,
as th
ey w
ill b
e r
espo
nsib
le f
or
adm
inis
tering
th
is F
ore
shore
Lic
ence
App
licatio
n a
nd a
lso th
e c
o-o
rdin
atio
n o
f yo
ur
req
uest fo
r P
re A
pp
lica
tio
n
Consultation(
in t
his
case it
is lik
ely
th
at b
oth
Fore
shore
Unit a
nd E
ngin
eeri
ng
In
specto
rate
a
nd p
ossib
ly o
ther
ke
y inte
rnal C
onsu
lte
es w
ou
ld a
tten
d a
t an
y
requeste
d p
re a
pp
lica
tio
n m
eetings).
DE
HLG
– U
nderw
ate
r A
rchaeo
log
y
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Would
be h
ap
py t
o m
eet up
to d
iscuss the p
roje
ct a
nd its
arc
haeo
log
ical
implic
atio
ns. It w
ould
be ide
al to
ha
ve
yo
ur
pro
ject arc
haeo
log
ist/
arc
haeo
log
ical co
nsultant
in a
ttend
ance a
t th
e m
eetin
g to h
elp
sort
out a
ny
issue th
at m
ay a
rise.
DE
HLG
– N
atio
nal P
ark
s a
nd
Wild
life S
erv
ice
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
No r
esponse
to d
ate
.
DE
HLG
– F
ish
eries
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
No r
esponse
to d
ate
.
Easte
rn R
eg
ion
al F
isheri
es B
oard
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
No o
bje
ctions w
ith p
lans to c
om
ple
te s
urv
ey.
Federa
tion
of
Iris
h F
ish
erm
en
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
No r
esponse
to d
ate
. A
wa
itin
g r
esp
onse
Iris
h W
ildlif
e T
rust
Apri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Aw
aitin
g r
esp
onse
Aw
aitin
g r
esp
onse
Iris
h M
ari
ne F
edera
tio
n
Apri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
No r
esponse
to d
ate
.
Iris
h S
ea f
isheri
es b
oard
– B
ord
Ia
scaig
h M
hara
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
No r
esponse
to d
ate
.
Marin
e S
urv
ey O
ffic
e
Apri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
Did
not th
ink that th
e p
rop
osed s
urv
ey w
as the c
oncern
of
the M
ari
ne S
urv
ey
Off
ice.
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Ple
ase c
ontin
ue t
o k
eep u
s info
rmed. E
specia
lly in r
ela
tion
to v
essels
to b
e
utilis
ed
in
the
pro
ject
wh
ich m
ay r
equ
ire s
urv
ey a
nd issue o
f cert
ific
ation b
y
this
off
ice.
Marin
e Institu
te o
f Ir
ela
nd
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Seem
ed p
ositiv
e in t
ele
ph
one th
at th
ere
would
beno o
bje
ctions w
ith p
lans to
com
ple
te s
urv
ey.
Aw
aitin
g w
ritten
response
. N
o r
esponse
to d
ate
Nationa
l P
ark
s a
nd W
ildlif
e
Serv
ice –
DE
HLG
A
pri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
No r
esponse
to d
ate
Nationa
l M
onum
ents
Serv
ice
Apri
l 2
010/S
urv
ey
No r
esponse
to d
ate
Sea F
isheri
es P
rote
ctio
n
Auth
ority
M
arc
h 2
010/S
urv
ey
16/0
3/2
011 –
Sta
ge
1 c
ab
le lett
er
Aw
aitin
g r
esp
onse t
o e
mail.
A
wa
itin
g r
esp
onse.