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Statutory consultation on proposed works by the OPW as required under Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended.
Ref: 01/2021 LIMERICK CITY AND ENVIRONS FLOOD RELIEF SCHEME Ground Investigation (GI) Works for the Coonagh, Polefield and Ballynaclogh OPW Arterial Drainage Schemes
The OPW (as the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, as amended.
As part of the Limerick City and Environs Flood Relief Scheme, the OPW has identified a requirement to undertake ground investigation works at certain embankments that form part of the following certified drainage schemes:
As part of the Limerick City and Environs Flood Relief Scheme, further additional ground investigation works at locations separate from the certified drainage scheme embankment locations listed above, will occur and this will be pursued through a separate environmental consent process:
The GI works are to assess the make-up and condition of the existing flood defence embankments to ascertain their potential performance should the Upper Shannon Estuary or Limerick Dock experience a significant future flood event. The objective of the GI works is to establish ground conditions under and adjacent to the embankments and to understand the composition of the embankments. The GI sites are primarily located within or adjacent to existing flood embankments within the Coonagh, Polefield and Ballynaclogh drainage schemes on the edge of the Upper Shannon Estuary, Limerick Dock and tributaries of the River Shannon, and in proximity to open fields or residential and industrial areas.
The proposed preliminary GI works will consist of the following:
In accordance with Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, the OPW is now required to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed works, alone and in combination with other plans and projects, on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.
An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and a Natura Impact Statement have been prepared in respect of these proposed works and are provided below.
The OPW now invites submissions and observations from the public relating to the likely significant effects of the proposed works on the following European Sites, if carried out:
The OPW shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during this public consultation when arriving at a decision. The OPW will also consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Public consultation forms an important part of advancing the consideration of the environmental impacts associated with these works and allows the involvement of the public in developing a better outcome for the associated SACs and SPAs.
Submissions will be accepted from Friday 26th November 2021 to Friday 7th January 2022, up to 5pm. Submissions will not be accepted outside the consultation period.
You can make a submission online by using this online form:
Alternatively, please email your submission to nis@opw.ie
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Individual responses to submissions will not be provided however all submissions and feedback will be considered before the final decision is made.
Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Please also note that we may publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.
We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.