Environmental Impact Study

Conservation Services Ltd. carried out the freshwater assessment along the proposed route. The proposed LSRR Phase II will have a potential impact on six freshwater streams in the catchment of the River Shannon Estuary. The proposed development will also impact on Bunlicky Lake, a small man-made lake in the grounds of the Irish Cement. Biological assessment including assessment of water quality and fish habitat was carried out at or close to each potential stream impact location. In addition, the suitability of the stream habitat downstream of each potential impact point was assessed for different trout life stages. Fish stocks were assessed at the potential impact points where practicable.

Biological assessment of water quality indicates that all six watercourses are at least moderately polluted, with three being heavily polluted. No salmonid fish were found. Five of the watercourses were assessed as having no habitat suitable for trout. In Watercourse 6 (flowing to the Ballinacurra Creek Estuary) 200m approx. of poor quality trout spawning and nursery habitat was identified 500m approx. downstream of the proposed development. Lack of any adult trout habitat and culverting make this stream unsuitable for a sustainable trout population. Bunlicky Lake was found to have a diverse flora and fauna, including a few rare and relatively rare species. Bunlicky Lake was classified as of regional importance.

The principal potential impacts of the proposed new road development on freshwater invertebrate fauna, flora, fish and habitats were identified as follows:

1. Pollution of waterbodies with suspended solids due to runoff of soil from construction areas, or due to disturbance of fine subsurface substrates in the course of in-stream construction and excavation.

2. Pollution of waterbodies with other substances such as fuels, lubricants, waste concrete, waste water from site toilet and wash facilities, etc.

3. Pollution of waterbodies with contaminated water draining from the new road during its operation.

4. Permanent loss of lake habitat where the new road is constructed across/under Bunlicky Lake.

5. Changes in the structure of the plant and animal communities in Bunlicky Lake due to suspended solids, and provision of extra hard surfaces to which zebra mussels will attach.

6. Spread of zebra mussels to other waterbodies by transport of early life stages on machinery, etc., which have been in contact with the lake water.

The crossings of streams by the proposed development will not involve any significant loss of freshwater stream habitat nor obstruct movement of salmonid fish.

The recommended mitigation for freshwater sites impacted by the LSRR Phase II road scheme is:

· Strict control of erosion and sediment generation and other pollutants associated with the construction process should be implemented where works are to take place close to or in streams/lake.
· Where possible filter drains (or other drainage system which will produce similar properties) should be used to reduce pollutants in runoff from the proposed road.
· The rock fill (or similar) used for any infilling of Bunlicky Lake should be a type which will result in the minimum of suspended solids contamination. Sediment curtains will be used in the lake to prevent any contamination.
· To prevent the transfer of aquatic organisms, particularly the pest species Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) to other catchments, all equipment which is in contact with the water of Bunlicky Lake, particularly equipment which can contain water, must be cleaned and disinfected before being moved to other areas.