PO 3000, · Appendix E Natura 2000 Site Synopsis - National Parks and Wildlife Service ... Screening is the process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation

COMHAI NTAE SI4UGIGI-I T +353 71 91 1 11 11 e info&ligococo.ie

ARAS AN CONTAE COlS ABHAINN SLIGEACW C LL RIVERSIDE SLIGO F +353 7 1 914 11 19 w www.sligococo.ie

Administration, Environmental Licensing Programme, Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use, Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters, PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford

3rd March, 201 1

Re: Further Information for Certificates of Authorisation for Waste Water Discharges with a P.E. of less than 500-Register Numbers; A0314-01, A0318-01, A0311-01, A0350-01, A031'7-01, A0316-01, A0313-01, A0312-01, A034'7-01 , A0310-01 , A0353-01

Dear Inspector,

In accordance with Regulations 24 and 25 of the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation)

Regulations 2007 please find enclosed the additional information requested in your

correspondence of 14'h December 2010 for the following agglomerations;

' Agglomeration

Aclare & Environs

Ballinacarrow & Environs

Ballinafad & Environs

Curry & Environs 1

Dromore West & Environs

Geevagh & Environs

Monasteraden & Environs

Rockfield & Environs

-

I Drumcliff 8 Environs

Register No.

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EPA Export 08-03-2011:03:40:29

T t353 71 91 1 11 11 E infotlsligococo.ie

LlGO F +353 71 914 1119 VI www.sligococo.te

One original and one copy is provided for each agglomeration as well as one copy in

electronic searchable PDF format on CD-ROM.

Revised Non- Technical summaries are not necessary.

Please contact the undersigned if you require any further information or documentation

Yours sincerely,

Noel Haran,

AlSenior Executive Engineer,

Sligo County Council

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Sligo County Council Comhairle Chontae Shligigh

Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 (SI No. 684 of 2007)

Reg u lat ion 24 Com pl ia n ce Req u i re men ts

March 2011

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Cloonacool and Environs Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation)

Reg u I at i o ns , 2007

Licence Application

Client

Habitats Directive Article 6 - Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

Sligo County Council

DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET

Document Title

Document No.

Habitats Directive Article 6 - Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

MGWOI 44RP0006

Cloonacool and Environs Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 - Licence Application Project Title

I

DCS TOC Text List of Tables List of Figures This Document Comprises

1 1 17 1 1

No. of Appendices

6

Rev.

FOI

Status Author@) Reviewed By Approved By Office of Origin Issue Date

03/03/11 Galway M. Walshl J. Hamilton Approval

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1

2 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 3

3 APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT SCREENING ......................................................................... 4

4 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................... 17

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 .I Location of Cloonacool WWTP relative to the River Moy cSAC ............................................ 1

Figure 2.1 Four Stages of Appropriate Assessment ............................................................................... 3

APPENDICES

Appendix A

Appendix B

Potential In-Combination Effects of Other Plans and Projects

M P Site Layout Drawing and Locations of Sampling Points

Appendix C Waste Assimilative Capacity (WAC) Calculations for the River MOY

Appendix D Environmental Monitoring Results

Appendix E Natura 2000 Site Synopsis - National Parks and Wildlife Service

Appendix F Map from the Moy Water Management Unit Action Plan Showing Status of River Water Bodies and Locations of Discharge Points along its length

MSW0144RP0006 i ~ Rev. FOI

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Cloonacool and Environs Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 - Licence Application Habitats Directive Article 6 - Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

1 INTRODUCTION

Sligo County Council submitted the Cloonacool and Environs Wastewater Discharge Licence Application to the EPA on the 21'' December 2009(ref. no. A0350-01) in accordance with the requirements of the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 (SI 684, 2007).

The Cloonacool Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located on the periphery of Cloonacool village. Treated effluent is currently discharged to the River Moy. The entirety of the River Moy is designated under the River Moy candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC Site Code 002298). I

, Refer to Figure 1.1.

I

Figure 1 .I Location of Cloonacool W T P relative to the River Moy cSAC

Rev. F O I MGWOI 44RP0006 I n

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On the 14'h December 2010 the EPA issued Sligo County Council with a Regulation 25 (c) (ii) to supply additional information in relation to this application as follows:

RPS has been commissioned by Sligo County Council to prepare an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report in response to the above. The assessment was conducted in line with the following:

0 The Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 6(3),

Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland Guidance for Planning Authorities (DOEHLG 2009, rev 2010),

Waste Water Discharge Licensing- Appropriate Assessment , EPA , 2009,

Circular Letter L8/08: Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes - Protection of Natural Heritage and National Monuments, Water Services, September 2008, and

Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg (EC, 2002).

0

UGWOl44RP0006 2 Rev. FOI

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Cloonacool and Environs Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 - Licence Application Em Habitats Directive Article 6 - Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

2 METHODOLOGY

The Appropriate Assessment process potentially consists of four stages which are shown in Figure 2.1. Stages 1-2 deal with the main requirements for assessment under Article 6(3). Stage 3 may be part of the Article 6(3) Assessment or may be a necessary precursor to Stage 4. Stage 4 is the main derogation step of Article 6(4).

I f Stage 2

AA I

Figure 2.1 Four Stages of Appropriate Assessment

Screening is the process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation to the first two tests of Article 6(3):

(i)

(ii)

whether a plan or project is directly connected to or necessary for the management of the site, and whether a plan or project, alone or in combination with other plans and projects, is likely to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.

If the effects are deemed to be significant, potentially significant, or uncertain, or if the screening process becomes overly complicated, then the process must proceed to Stage 2 (AA). Screening should be undertaken without the inclusion of mitigation, unless potential impacts clearly can be avoided through the modification or redesign of the plan or project, in which case the screening process is repeated on the altered plan. The greatest level of evidence and justification will be needed in circumstances when the process ends at screening stage on grounds of no impact. This report fulfils the information necessary to enable the appropriate authority to screen the proposed development for the requirement to prepare an Appropriate Assessment.

The structure of this assessment follows the methodology as recommended in the EPA guidance note: Waste Water Discharge Licensing - Appropriate Assessment (2009) using the following format:

Stage 1 - Screening

- -

Step 1 : Management of the Site

Step 2: Description of the Project or Plan

- Step 3: Characteristics of the Site

- Step 4: Assessment of Significance

The following section addresses each of these stages of the Screening process individually.

Note: Consideration for the in-combination effects of other Plans and Projects must also be considered as part of the Appropriate Assessment Screening process. A list of those Plans and Projects relevant to this screening report are set out in Appendix A. These plans and projects are referred to and discussed within the text.

MGWOI 44RP0006 3 Rev. FOI

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3.4 STEP 4: ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This Step follows the following guidelines on Appropriate Assessment: 0 Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites: Methodological

guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg (EC, 2002), and Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland Guidance for Planning Authorities (DOEHLG 2009, rev 201 0).

0

3.4.1 Screening protocol in line with DEHLG Circular letter L8/08

Below is a flow diagram for screening water services infrastructure projects. This diagram is taken from Appendix I of the Water Services Schemes, Natural Heritage Checklist (Circular L8/08, DEHLG).

Yes

"I I yes

Are the qualifying habitats and species of the site

water dependent?

-No further action requirad r Does this plan cover all

potential receptors (habitatslspecies)

igure 3.1 Flow Diagram for Screening Water Services Infrastructure Projects


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The answers to the questions in the flow chart are as follows;

Question 1 - Answer = Yes: The Cloonacool WWTP is located within the River Moy cSAC.

Overall Conclusion: Assess Impacts

The conclusion of the screening protocol is to “ASSESS IMPACTS”. The following Screening Matrix in line with EU Commission Guidance assesses in detail, the potential impacts of the proposed development.


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4 CONCLUSION

The WWTP is discharging directly to the River Moy, which is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC).

The in-combination effects of both point and diffuse source discharges within the River Moy catchment with the Cloonacool WWTP discharge have been considered. According to the Moy Water Management Unit Action Plan, the main Moy channel is of High Status, indicating that the discharge is not having a significant effect on water quality in the River Moy cSAC, in combination with the other discharges to the Moy catchment.

Previous monitoring results (2008-2009) Monitoring results (discussed above) indicated that exceedences were recorded downstream of the discharge point for a number of parameters, when compared to the Quality of Salmonid Regulations, 1988, therefore the discharge may have been negatively affecting Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), one of the qualifying features of the Natura 2000 site. Monitoring results from 2010 indicate that the WWTP is meeting the discharge standards which may mean that the downstream water quality has improved since the last sampling event.

From the Moy Water Management Unit Action Plan the main Channel of the Moy is of Good to High Status, indicating that the discharge is not having a significant negative effect, in combination other discharges.

Therefore, a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment in not required under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive is required in this case.

MGWPl44RP0006 17 Rev. FO1

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APPENDIX A

Potential In-Combination Effects of Other Plans and Projects

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APPENDIX B

W T P Site Layout Drawing and Locations of Sampling Points

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I,

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APPENDIX C

Waste Assimilative Capacity (WAC) Calculations for the River Moy

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Assimilative Capacity

The capacity of the River Moy to assimilate the discharge from the treatment works was calculated for BOD, Ammonia and SS based on the 95%ile flow in the river, and for Orthophosphate based on the median flow in the river.

River Moy - Relevant Flows

95% Flow in the River Moy 50% Flow in the River Moy

= 0.142m3/s = 1.036mds

WWTP - Current Discharge Rate Current Discharge (1 69PE); Discharge = 0.00044mds

River Moy - Upstream Quality Data BOD 95% concentration = I.OOmg/l Ammonia 95% concentration = 0.04mg/l Orthophosphate Median concentration = 0.02mg/l Suspended Solids 95% concentration = 32.4mg/l

River Moy Assimilative Capacity

Orthophosphate Assimilative Capacity Calculation

Desian Criteria: The assimilative capacity calculation for Orthophosphate is analysed for compliance with the requirements of the 2009 Surface Waters Regulations. The requirement downstream of the WWTP site is to achieve a “High Status”, meaning a maximum Molybdate-Reactive Phosphate Median Concentration of 0.025mg/l. The upstream background levels in the November 2009 sampling showed an Orthophosphate level of 0.02 mg/l therefore it is proposed that an increase of 0.005 mg/l Orthophosphate be allowed when calculating the WAC for the river.

Cmax - Cback = 0.005 mg/l

50% Flow in River = 1.036mdsec

Assimilative CaDacitv Calculation

WACcurrent = 0.448kgIday

Allowable Orthophosphate concentration = 11.77 mg/l

Comment The WWTP is currently required to operate to a discharge standard of 2mg/l Total Phosphorous which means the actual Orthophosphate increase in the river will be significantly less than 0.005mg/l.

BOD Assimilative Capacity Calculation

Desian Criteria: BOD level in the river should not exceed 2.2mg/l and should not rise by > I mg/l. The upstream background levels in the November 2009 sampling showed a BOD level of < I .O

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mg/l therefore it is proposed that an increase of 1.2 mg/l BOD be allowed when calculating the WAC.



Assimilative Capacitv Calculation

WACcurrent= 14.77 kg/day

Allowable BOD concentration = 388.38 mg/l

Comment The WWTP is currently required to operate to a discharge standard of 25mg/l BOD.

Ammonia Assimilative Capacity Calculation

Desinn Criteria: Ammonia level should not exceed 0.09mg/l in the river. The upstream background levels in the November 2009 sampling showed an Ammonia level of 0.04 mg/l therefore it is proposed that an increase of 0.05 mg/l Ammonia be allowed when calculating the WAC.



Assimilative CaDacitv Calculation WACcurrent= 0.62 kg/day

Allowable Ammonia concentration = 16.18 mg/l

Comment The WWTP has been designed to achieve an Ammonia discharge standard of 5 mg/l.

Suspended Solids Assimilative Capacity Calculation

Desian Criteria: The upstream background levels in the November 2009 sampling showed an SS level of 32.4 mg/l which is in excess of the regulations for Salmonid Waters. It is therefore proposed that an increase of 0.15 mg/l Suspended Solids be allowed when calculating the WAC.

Cmax - Cback = 0.1 5 mg/l


Assimilative CaDacitv Calculation WACcurrent = 1.85 kg/day

Allowable Suspended Solid concentration = 48.55 mg/l

Comment The WWTP is currently required to operate to a discharge standard of 35mg/l Suspended Solid.

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APPENDIX D

Environmental Monitoring Results

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APPENDIX E

NPWS Site Synopsis for the River Moy cSAC

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SITE NAME: RIVER MOY

SITE CODE: 002298

This site comprises almost the entire freshwater element of the Moy and its tributaries including both Loughs Conn and Cullin. The system drains a catchment area of 805 sq. km. Most of the site is in Co. Mayo though parts are in west Sligo and north Roscommon. Apart from the Moy itself, other rivers included within the site are the Deel, Bar Deela, Castlehill, Addergoole, Clydagh and Manulla on the west side and the Glenree, Yellow, Strade, Gweestion, Trimogue, Sonnagh, Mullaghanoe, Owengarve, Eighnagh and Owenaher on the east side. The underlying geology is Carboniferous Limestone for the most part though Carboniferous Sandstone is presentat the extreme west of the site with Dalradian Quartzites and schists at the south west. Some of the tributaries at the east, the south of Lough Conn and all Lough Cullin are underlain by granite. There are many towns adjacent to but not within the site. These include Ballina, Crossmolina, Foxford, Swinford, Kiltimagh and Charlestown.

The site is a candidate SAC selected for alluvial wet woodlands and raised bog, both priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also a candidate SAC selected for old oak woodlands, degraded raised bog and Rhynchosporion, all habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected for the following species listed on Annex II of the same directive - Atlantic Salmon, Otter, Sea and Brook Lamprey and White-clawed Crayfish.

On the slopes and rising ground around the southern shores of Loughs Conn and Cullin, Oak woodlands are seen. Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) is the dominant tree with an understorey of Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Birch (Betula pubescens) with some Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Additional species are associated with the lakeshore such as the whitebeam (Sorbus rupicola), Aspen (Populus fremula), Silver Birch (B. pendula) and the shrubs Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus), Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus). The ground flora is usually composed of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Wood Rush (Luzula sylvatica), Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), Buckler Ferns (Dryopteris aemula and D. dilatata), Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant), Cow-wheat (Melampyrum spp.) and Bracken (Pferidium aquilinum). The rare Narrow-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanfhera longifolia), protected under the Flora Protection Order, 1999, occurs in association with the woodlands. Also found in these woodlands is the snail (Acanthinula lamellafa), associated with old natural woodlands.

On higher ground adjacent to the woodlands is blanket bog with scattered shrubs and trees on the drier areas. The rocky knolls often bear Juniper (Juniperus communis) or Gorse (Ulex europaeus), with some unusual rare herb species such as Intermediate Wintergreen (Pyrola media) and Lesser Twayblade (Listera cordata).

Within the site are a number of raised bogs including those at Kilgarriff, Gowlaun, Derrynabrock, Tawnaghbeg and Cloongoonagh. These are examples of raised bogs at the north-western edge of the spectrum and possess many of the species typical of such in Ireland, including an abundance of Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea) and the moss Campylopus atrovirens. Some of the bogs include significant areas of active raised bog habitat. Well developed pool and hummock systems with quaking mats of bog mosses (Sphagnum spp.), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) and White Beaked-sedge (Rhynchospora alba) are present. Many of the pools contain a diversity of plant species, including Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), the bog moss Sphagnum cuspidatum, Campylopus atrovirens, Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), Great Sundew (Drosera anglica) and occasional Lesser Bladderwort (Utricularia minor). Several of the hummock-forming mosses (Sphagnum fuscum and S. imbricatum) which occur here are quite rare in this region and add to the scientific interest of the bogs within the overall site.

Depressions on the bogs, pool edges and erosion channels, where the vegetation is dominated by White Beaked-sedge (Rhynchospora alba) comprise the habitat Rhynchosporion. Associated species in this habitat at the site include Bog Asphodel, Sundews, Deergrass (Scirpus cespitosus) and Carnation Sedge.

Degraded raised bog is present where the hydrology of the uncut bogs, has been affected by peat cutting and other land use activities in the surrounding area such as afforestation and associated drainage and also by the Moy arterial drainage. Species typical of the active raised bog habitat are still

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present but the relative abundance of them is different. A typical example of the degraded habitat, where drying has occurred at the edge of the high bog, contains an abundance and more uniform cover of Ling Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Carnation Sedge, Deergrass and sometimes Bogmyrtle (Myrica gale). Occurring in association with the uncut high bog are areas of wet regenerating cutover bog with species such as Common Cottongrass, bog mosses and Sundew, while on the drier areas, the vegetation is mostly dominated by Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea). Natural regeneration with peat-forming capability will be possible over time with some restorative measures.

The open water of Loughs Conn and Cullin is moderately hard with relatively low colour and good transparency. The phytpoplankton of the lake is dominated by diatoms and blue-green algae and there is evidence that the latter group is more common now than in former years. This indicates that nutrient inflow is occurring. Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus) appear to have disappeared from the lake over the same period of time. The changes in Lough Conn appear to represent an early phase in the eutrification process. Stoneworts still present include Cham aspera, C. delicatula and Nitella cf. opaca. Other plants found in the shallower portions are the pondweeds. Where there is a peat influence Intermediate Bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia) is characteristic while Water Lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna) often grows in sand. Narrow reedbeds and patches of Yellow Water-lily (Nuphar lutea) occur in some of the bays.

Drainage of the Moy in the 60s lowered the level of the lakes, exposing wide areas of stony shoreline and wet grassland, which are liable to flooding in winter. This increased the habitat diversity of the shoreline and created a number of marginal wetlands, including fens and marshes. Plant species of note in the lake-margin include Heath Cudweed (Omalotheca sylvatica), Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and Irish Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes romanzofiana). These three species are listed on the Irish Red Data list and are protected under the Flora Protection Order 1999.

Other habitats present within the site include wet grassland dominated by Rushes (Juncus spp.) grading into species-rich marsh in which sedges are common. Among the other species found in this habitat are Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Soft Rush (Juncus effusus).

Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) scrub and pockets of wet woodland dominated by Alder (Alnus glutinosa) have become established in places throughout the site. Ash (fraxinus excelsior) and Birch (Betula pubescens) are common in the latter and the ground flora is typical of wet woodland with Meadowsweet (filipendula ulmaria), Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Yellow Iris, Horsetail (Equisetum spp.) and occasional tussocks of Greater Tussock-sedge (Carex paniculata).

Small pockets of conifer plantation, close to the lakes and along the strip both sides of the rivers, are included in the site.

The Moy system is one of Ireland’s premier salmon waters and it also encompasses two of Ireland’s best lake trout fisheries in Loughs Conn and Cullin. Although the Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is still fished commercially in Ireland, it is considered to be endangered ‘or locally threatened elsewhere in Europe and is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The Moy is a most productive catchment in salmon terms and this can be attributed to its being a fingered system with a multiplicity of 1st to 51‘~ order tributaries which are large enough to support salmonids e 2 years of age while at the same time being too small to support significant adult trout numbers and are therefore highly productive in salmonid nursery terms.

Salmon run the Moy every month of the year. Both multi-sea-winter fish and grilse are present. The salmon fishing season is 1st February to 30th September. The peak of the spring fishing is in April and the grilse begin running in early May. The average weight of the spring fish is 9 Ib and the grilse range from about 3-7 Ib. In general spring fish are found more frequently in the rivers at the western extent of the Moy system.

The Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus), an interesting relict species from the last ice age, which is listed as threatened in the Irish Red Data Book has been recorded from Lough Conn and in only a few other lakes in Ireland. The latest reports suggest that it may now have disappeared from the site.

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I

Loughs Conn and Cullin are one of the few breeding sites for Common Scoter in Ireland. Breeding has occurred on Lough Conn since about the 1940s when about 20-30 pairs were known. A census in 1983 recorded 29 pairs. Breeding was first proved on Lough Cullin in 1983 when 24 pairs were

Afforestation has occurred in the past around the shores of Loughs Conn and Cullin. The coniferous trees are due for harvesting shortly. It is proposed to replant with native tree species in this area. Forestry is also present along many of the tributaries and in particular along the headwaters of the Deel. Forestry poses a threat in that sedimentation and acidification occurs. Sedimentation can cover

in the 60s. Water levels have been reduced since that time. This is particularly evident along the shores of Loughs Conn and Cullin and in the canal-like appearance of some river stretches. Ongoing maintenance dredging is carried out along stretches of the river system where the gradient is low. This

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I the gravel beds resulting in a loss of suitable spawning grounds. The Moy has been arterially dredged

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1 is extremely destructive to salmonid habitat in the area.

The site supports populations of several species listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, and habitats listed on Annex I of this directive, as well as examples of other important habitats. The presence of a fine example of broad-leaved woodland in this part of the country increases the overall habitat diversity and adds to the ecological value of the site as does the presence of the range of nationally rare and Red Data Book plant and animal species.

16.05.2005

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APPENDIX F

Map from the Moy Water Management Unit Action Plan Showing Status of River Water Bodies and Locations of

Discharge Points along its length

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Documents

PO 3000, · Appendix E Natura 2000 Site Synopsis - National Parks and Wildlife Service ... Screening is the process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation