Coniha 1 RLe Choncae bch ga'zman Wexford County Council County Hall Wexford TelO53 9176500 Fax 053 9143406 ernail [email protected]Administration, Environmental Licensing Programme. Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use, Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters, PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. Date 241h November 201 0 protection AaencY RE: Regulation 25(c) Compliance for Ballyhine Waste Water Discharge Certificate of Authorisation. Dear Ms Stafford, I am to refer to your letter of the 2Sth of October 2010 regarding the above. 1. Please see attached Screening and Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment in accordance with circular L8/08, for the Ballyhine Agglomeration. 2. As per the non-technical summary of the application for Certificate of Authorisation for the Agglomeration. The Ballyhine agglomeration consists of two housing estates and 12 individual houses, as follows: a) Pike view housing estate consists of IO houses served by a package treatment plant with a capacity of 60 Pe which discharges to percolation via GWI (GWI previously referred to in the application as SWI). b) Ballyhine Lane housing estate consists of 10 houses served by a Septic tank which also discharge to percolation via GWI. c) Ballyhine Lane houses consists of 12 individual houses all served by individual septic tanks, and discharging to percolation via GWI also. All of the above parts of the agglomeration discharge to the same percolation area via GWI, in addition to this there is an emergency overflow from the percolation area SW2 which discharges to a stream adjacent to Ballyhine Lane which in turn discharges to the Keeloges stream a tributary of the River Slaney. 100 Years of Community Service C6ad bliuin ag tabhairt seirbhise doli yhobal For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:38
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RE: Regulation 25(c) Compliance for Ballyhine Waste Water Discharge Certificate of Authorisation.
Dear Ms Stafford,
I am to refer to your letter of the 2Sth of October 2010 regarding the above.
1. Please see attached Screening and Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment in accordance with circular L8/08, for the Ballyhine Agglomeration.
2. As per the non-technical summary of the application for Certificate of Authorisation for the Agglomeration. The Ballyhine agglomeration consists of two housing estates and 12 individual houses, as follows: a) Pike view housing estate consists of IO houses served by a package treatment plant with a capacity of 60 Pe which discharges to percolation via GWI (GWI previously referred to in the application as SWI). b) Ballyhine Lane housing estate consists of 10 houses served by a Septic tank which also discharge to percolation via GWI. c) Ballyhine Lane houses consists of 12 individual houses all served by individual septic tanks, and discharging to percolation via GWI also.
All of the above parts of the agglomeration discharge to the same percolation area via GWI, in addition to this there is an emergency overflow from the percolation area SW2 which discharges to a stream adjacent to Ballyhine Lane which in turn discharges to the Keeloges stream a tributary of the River Slaney.
100 Years of Community Service C6ad bliuin ag tabhairt seirbhise doli yhobal
The estimate dry weather discharge from the development is 96Pe x 165 I/h/day = to 15.84 cubic meters per day or an average of 110.88 cubic meters per week. No consideration is given for holiday seasons or local festivals as there is no holiday homes in the agglomeration and no facilities for festivals to take place.
a) As outlined in section C1 of the application, Pike View housing estate of 10 houses is served by secondary treatment by means of an activated sludge process with a capacity to treatment effluent from 60Pe before discharging to percolation area via GWI.
b) Ballyhine Lane estate of 10 houses is served by a communal septic tank with a capacity for 60Pe and provides only primary treatment before discharging to percolation area via GW 1.
c) Ballyhine Lane has a further 12 individual houses served by there own individual domestic septic tanks. All of which discharge to percolation area via GW 1.
National grid reference for discharges GWI and SW2, GWI, Easting 297974 : Northing 122064 SW2, Easting 297985 : Northing 122062.
Primary Discharge GWI (referred to in application as S W l ) discharges to ground via percolation. And Secondary Discharge SW2, is an emergency overflow from the percolation area which discharge to surface water.
A PDF hardcopy copy of attachments and electronic copy of this letter and attachment on CD are enclosed with this letter.
Please contact the undersigned if anything further is required.
Yours faithfully,
Leonard Poole Executive Engineer Sewage Operations Office
100 Years of Cornniuniry Service Ckad bliain ag tabhairt seirbhise don phobal
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EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:38
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EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:38
Wexford County Council Revised Appiopriate Assessment for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-1 Ballyhine and Environs
Table of contents
Management of Site ............................................................................................... 2
Assessment of Significance ................................................................................. 6
Qualifying Interests ........ ............................ ............................ 7
Fauna ........................................................................................................................ 10 Wildfowl .................................................................................................................. 11 Site Conservation Objectives ............................................................................ 12 Background data .................................................................................................... 13 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 17
Appendix .................................... ............................................... 34 N P W S Site Synopsis ............................................................................................ 34
40 Section 4s - 19 Private Companies, 3 Construction Companies
Lodge, 7 Property Development Companies(l), Golf & Leisure
Resort,2 Hotels, Car Sales, Architects, 2 Financial Consultancy
Community Centre, Building Contractor, School.
4 IPPC- Metal Manufacturing Company, Engineering Company, Pis
Farm, Manufacturers.
2 WTP ' s - Wexford Treatment Works and Kilmallock Treatmen-
Works.
2 EPA Licensed Waste Facilities
At Risk WWTPs (refer to Action Table):
Castlebridge WWTP
Piercetown WWTP
andMurrintown - JP Park
Ballyhine
Wexford
Ballymurn
Rosslare Strand WWTP
Galbal ly, Wexford
Ballaghkeen - Hse Est
Tagoat
2 Section 4s are at risk due to lack of assimilative capacity for BO[
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EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:39
Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-01 Bdllyhine and Enviions
Quarries,
Landfills
Agriculture
On-site
systems
For est ry
Dangerous
substances
Abstractionr L
nd nutrients
'PPC - not at risk
-here are 9 quarries, no mines and 1 landfill but no waterbodies a'
isk.
-he majority of the area of the WMU is at risk from Agriculture
-here are 6579 septic tanks in this WMU, 2324 are at risk.
do waterbodies at risk from forestry
do waterbodies at risk from Dangerous Substances.
waterbody at risk due to Channelisation - S€-12_851(River Sor
)rainage District, pre 1945 channelisation)
2 abstractions - 3 waterbodies at risk - SE-12-2334, SE-12-2501
;nd SE-12-3
Conclusion
The assessment of direct impact resulting from Ballyhine WWTP from WFD
plan is addressed above based on the additional outlined details,
With regard to cumulative impact ( pressure point) outlined in WFD plan,
assessment for Ballyhine and taking following points
o Distance from discharges to area of designation
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for AOZh0-01 Uallyhine and Environs
o That submitted agglomeration only covers area that is serviced by
public collection network and not one off nor cluster developments in
region of Ballyhine, which are served by private on site treatment
with associated discharges
o The intensive nature of agricultural activity in region.
I t is assessed that the region of Ballyhine is posing a potential f o r
cumulative impacts on areas of designation.
While the discharges GW1 and S W 2 are deemed not to be the prime source
of cumulative impacts, the discharge can not be ruled out with regard to
cumulative impact potential for water quality of designated areas.
Mitba tion Measures
While there is no assessed direct impact resulting for development, there is
a potential for cumulative impacts on the nature conservation site, arising
from development
The first direct mitigation measure as outlined above limited to public
collection system to current loading to prevent any reduction in current
position.
The Second direct mitigation measure in place is the ultimate removal of
both discharge GW1 and S W 2 and transfer of wastewater loading to
Wexford WWTP f o r treatment and ultimate discharge
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Wexford County Council Revi5ed Appropriate Assessment for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
The removal and transfer of waste water load from submitted Ballyhine
agglomeration, forms part of the proposal to extend Wexford collection
system to Taghmon.
This scheme is included in the W S I 2010-2012 programme, the scheme is
currently at advanced contract document stage, and subject to the receipt
of timely approvals and funding from DOEHLG, it is currently believe that
construction of scheme will commence in Q4 of 2012 and be completed by
Q4 2013..
Additional mitigation measures with regards to cumulative effects have been
are outlined below, based on WFD Slaney WMU Action Plan
The implementation of the WFD Slaney Estuary WMU action plan will not
only insure that there is no increase in direct impacts, but will additional
insure that cumulative impacts are reduced, including those potential impacts
arising from Ballyhine Agglomeration
I n addition the introduction and implementation of the Wexford Pollution
reduction programme, will aid and insure that designated shellfish waters
will be improved and restored to compliant status
SELECTEO ACTION PROGRAMME
NB All relevant basic measures, general supplementary measures and SEA mitigotion measures
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Wexfbrd County Council Revised Appropriate Assessinen1 for A0260-01 Ballvhine and Envlrons
oint
'ources
iiffuse
POINT SOURCE:
WWTP - Refer t o table below
INDUSTRY - Examine the terms of discharge authorisations to determine whethe
they require review for the purpose of compliance with water body objectives includin!
protected area objectives and environmental quality standards.
AGRICULTURE - Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and Enforcement.
ourcesON-SITE SYSTEMS - Inspection of on-site systems in at-risk areas to ensure tha
treatment systems are adequate and maintained to prevent pollution o f water2
Consider connection t o municipal sewerage systems based on inspections and economi,
tests.
Ither
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MORPHOLOGY - SE-12-851 will require Channelisation Investigation to
determine impact o f drainage works.
OTHER: Protection of drinking water, abstraction control and future licensing.
Measures included in Shellfish Pollution Reduction Programmes under the
Shellfish Directive.
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! I L I
a
3 5
a
3 5 C
c 2 a a, 2 a .- -
a
3 5 C
c 2 a,
a, 2 a ._ -
Ti
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EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:39
N'rxford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
Effect of mitigation measures
Protected habitats
Old Oak woodlands
A s it is assessed that there is no potential for direct impact by the
discharge from the Ballyhine Agglomeration on this habitat, the proposed
mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will not occur and
that cumulative impact will be reduced.
Floatinq River Veqetation
As it is assessed that there is no potential for direct / cumulative impact
predicted on this habitat or its supported species..
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Alluvial wet woodlands
A s it is predicted that there is no potential for direct impact on neither this
habitat nor its dependant species as a result of the Ballyhine Agglomeration
discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
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Wexford Count) Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for AO?hO-0 I Ballyhine dnd Environs
Tidal Mudflats
A s it is predicted that there is no predicted potential direct impact on this
habitat or its dependant species as a result of the Ballyhine Agglomeration
discharges.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Protected Fauna
Lamprey species (Brook, Sea and River),
A s it is predicted that there is no potential for direct impact on this species
resulting from the Ballyhine discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Salmon (Salmo salar)
A s it is predicted that there is no potential for direct
species resulting from the Ballyhine discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
impact on this
Twaite Shad (Alosa fellas fallax)
A s it is predicted that there is no potential for direct impact on this species
resulting from the Ballyhine discharge.
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Acsessinent for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Fresh Pearl mussel (Marqaritisfera marqaritisfera)
As it is predicted that there is no potential for direct impact on this species
resulting from the Ballyhine discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Otter (Lutra lutra)
As it is predicted that there is no potential for direct impact on this species
resulting from the Ballyhine discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Irish Red Book species
Irish Hare (1 epus timidus hihernicus), Badger (Me fes me fes) and Dauben ton S
Bat (Myo tis me fes)
As these species are terrestrial, therefore there is no potential for impact
from the Ballyhine agglomeration discharge.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-0 I Ballyhine and Environs
Additionally, the species Frog (Rena temporaria) is a fresh water species
and, while a measured reduction in water quality may impact on this species,
as discharge GW1 is to ground and as there is no predicted impacts
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
Wifdfo wl
While there is no direct / cumulative impact predicted on wildfowl species of
designated area from Ballyhine discharge GW1.
The proposed mitigation measures will insure that future direct impact will
not occur and that cumulative impact shall be reduced.
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Wexford County Council Revmd Appropriate Assessment fur A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
Appendix
NPWS Site Synopsis
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-0 I Ballyhine and Environs
This site coittprisizs the fitshwater stretches of the Slaney as far i1s tlx Wicklmv Mo~~ntains: a nunilw of tributaries the larger of which include the Bsnn. Boro, Glashn. Cldy, Deny. Brreen. Dou;las and Cariigower Rivers: tla estuar); at Ferrycarrig and Wexford HarZ,our. Tlle site flows through the counties of Wicklow. Wexford and Carlow. Towns along ttw site hut not in it :ire Baltinglass, Hacketstown, Tinahely. Tullo\v, Buncldy. Camolitl, Enniscorthy and Wexford. The river is up to 100 111 wide in places and is tidal at the southern end front Edermine Bridge helaw bmiscoffhy. In tla upper and central regions almost as far ns t11e conlltence with the Derq River t la geoloa consists of granite. Ahove Kilcarry Bridge. the Slaiay has cut a gorge into the granite plain. The Derv and Bann Rivers ar\: hounded by a narrow line of uplands which coresponds to schist outcrops. Where these tributaries cut through this belt of h:ud rocks t l a y have caved deep gorges. mom than two miles long at Tinahely and Sllillelagh. South of Kildavin the Slnney flow through an wen of Ordovician slates and grits.
The site is ii candidate SAC selected for alluvial wet woodlands, a priolity hcihitnt 011
Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected as a candidate SAC for floating river vegetation. estuaries. tidal mudflats and old oak woodlands. a l l hahitats listed on Annex 1 ofthe E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is further selected for the following species listed 011 Annex II of the same directive - Sea Lcimpq. River Lamprey, Brook hniprey, Frzsliwater Pearl Mussel. Twaite Shod. Atlantic Salnton and Otter.
Floating river vegetation is found along mi~ch of the fizshwater st~etcltes within the site. Species present here include Pond Water-crowfoot t Rnnrtr~cithrs prltotrrs). Water-crowfoot ( R m i t r t c i t l i r b spp. ). C‘mdian Pondweed (Elodea ccrrrcrderi.sis ), Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potmiogeti)ri rinr~1r1.~ j, Water Milfoil (Myriopliyllirni spp. b. Coninion Cluh-rush (Scirprts lircrtstris). Water-stanvort (Cdlitriclie spp.!. Hemlock Waterdropwort. Fine-leaved Water- dropwon (Orricrrirhr ccqimrico). Common Duckweed (LPnrnrr mimir~, Yellow Water-lily (Nt tp l tco . I i t t ~ o ) . Unhranclwd Burweed (Spnrgnriiiiin mirr.siini) and the Ilwss ForltirifJ/i.5 mitipyrrtico. Two rare aquatic plant spcies liave lwen recorded in this site: Short-leaved Water-stxwort (Cci//irric/w rrroimt(i 1. :I very rare. sinall aquatic herb found nowhere else in Ireland and Opposite-leaved Pondweed (Grorrrlrrridio c f m s c r ~ . a species that is legally protected under the Flora Protection Order, 1999.
Good ex~mples of wet \r-oodland are found associated with Macniine ni:irslws. a l o ~ ~ g hanks of the S h e y sild its tributaries and within reed swamps. Grey Willow (,’%JI~.X cirierrrr) scnih and pockets of wet \ v d l a n d dominated hy Alder tAlfitis ,~htbioso) have heconie estahlished in places. Ash 1 Fnt.virws e ~ c d s i ~ i r t and Birch (Bprtikr pti/i~.s~-rn~) are contnwn in the latter and tla ground flora is typical of wet w x d l a n d with h4e;idowsweet ~Fi/Iprmi~r/o irhm~ricc). Angelicil (.4ri,y~lita r y / ~ . ~ s t r i s ) . Yellmv Iris. Horsetail (Eqititcrrirrr spp.! and occasionril tt~ssocks of Greater Tussul-k-sedge (C-<r,cv /‘trr~icrtlcrnr I. nwsr wocdlarids have h e n descrilwl as two types: OIY is quite eutrophic. is dominated hy Willow and is strhject to a tidal influence. The
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EPA Export 27-07-2013:00:27:39
Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessmcnl Ihr All?60-01 Bdllyhine and Environs
otlwr is flushed or spring-fed s1ibjei-t to \\f;iterlog~ing hut not to tloodinp ; ad is dominated by Alder aiid Ash.
Old oak woodlands are lvs t represented at Tonunnfinnoge though patches ;ire premit throu~hout tlw site. At Tomnafinnoge the wcxxl i a dnrninated by !natltte, widely spaced Sessile Oak 1 Q i w r w s pe~rrc7tu I , u-hich were planted around 1700. with some fuither planting i n 1810. There is no\v a \;arkcl age structure with m:erinature. mature and young trees: tlw open canopy permits light to reach the forest fkwr and encourages natural regeneration of Oak. As well :IS Oak. the wooil includes the orrcaGmal Beech (Frrps sy/iriticci 1. Birch (Btstrr/di sp. 1, Rowan (Sorhfts crrrcrrpnrio I and Scots Pine (Piirrrs sy/wstris).
The shrub layer is \r~elldeseloprd with H i d f Coryhs n r . t ~ l l ~ r r u 7 ~ and Holly (Ilex ccyrtjfb/irrrti) occurring. The grotnnd layer consists of Great Wood-rush (Lrr:rc/n sylwrticcr) and B i l l u q (Vcrccinirrm niynilfris:). with SOIW Bracken t P r c v i d i r r n i q i r i l i i t r r r n j aiid Brainbles iRrrbrrs .frrrric.u.iw a g . ). Herbaceous species in the ground layer include Primrose (friiiurkr i.tr/gciris). W~ml-sorrel ( 0 . ~ 7 c r l i r ocrtos~l/ir). Cointnoii Cowwheat ( , k f ~ / m i i p ~ r r r t t i / ~ r ~ r r e i i . ~ f ) and Bluebell iH~~rc. i ,rr /zoick.r riotl-srripfci). Many of the frees c'my an epiphytic flora of ~liosses. klypocly Fern i ~ o f y p d f ' f f r r f iw/,q7r~).
atid lichens SUCh as L'srrro c'oriioso, Eririiici prrftrrlJfri. &7ontcr/iftcr Spp. alld Poririe/icr spp.
Tomaaftnnoge Wood is a reiiiniint ofthe ancient Shillelagh Oak woods, and i t appears that woodland has always k e n present 011 the site. In the past. the wood WRS inanaged as a Hazel coppice with Oak standards, n coin111on forin of woodland niaiiagement in England hut not widely practised in Ireland. The ilnportance of tlw woodland lies in the size of the trees. their capacity to regenerate. their genetic continuity with ancient woodland and their historic internst. The nearest comparable stands are at Abheyleix. Co. Laois aid Portlaw. Co. Wareiford.
Below Enniscorthy there are several areas ofn.uodl;tnd with a mixed canopy of Oak Beech. Sycainore (Aeer p s ~ u ~ ~ p / a t o i ~ r r s ) . Ash and pnerally a good diverse growid flora. Near tlw mouth of the river at Ferrycarrig is a steep south facing slope covered with Oak woodland. Holly and H,wel are the mnin species in the shrub layer and a species-rich ground flora Qpical of this type of Oak \vooilland has :ihundant ferns - D r ~ e J ~ P r i s p l i . ~ - n I r r s . Po/ystic/iirm srtfirrrnr. Phy//ir is st.o/~pninrirriii - and Inosses - Thridiiiiri teiirurrisc~ii ffm. h f t r ;if itr /i~~rir~r~iz, Errryiichirirrz pr~w/irn.yirnr.
North of Bunclody. the riser valley still has a number of drq' woudlands though these have mostly k e n inanased hy the estates with the introduction of Beech and occasional conifers. The steeper sides are cowivd in a thick scrirb from \\.hich taller trees proti-ude. At the southern end of the site. tlw Red Data Book species Yellow Arclmngel (Loiriinstrrritz gcrkewbcfoulun) occurs. Three inore Red Data Book species have a h been iecorded from tlw site: Basil Thyme (.8tl~~lllJS crnwtsis Blue Fleah:ine tEriyrori rrccri and Small Cudweed (Fi/o,qo ririrtirim). A nationally rare species Summer Snowtlake (Lcw-ojrni oartirrrnr) is also found withill the site.
h,lised woodlnnds 0zc11r nt Carrickduff and Coolnphuca i n Bunclody. Oak trees. which nuke up tlw genter part ofthe canopy. were originally pl;lnted and at the present time are not
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. 8 . Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
regenerating actively. In titw. if permitted. tlw ~voodlruid will prohahly go to Beech. A fair iiumtvr of Yew tT~i.vic hc i cc - c i fo~ trees hu\:e irlso reached :I large size and these. topther with Holly give to the site the aspect o f a south-western Oak wmd.
The site is considered tu contain ;I very g o d exaritple of the extreme uppr reaches of an estunry. Tidal reedbeds with wet wclcldland are presetit i n plsces. The fringing t ~ e d communities support Sea Club-rush (Scirpis mzrifimri.~), Grey Clnkrush (S. tcJ~~erfre7e~tKl~:fcJtri I ;Uld : ~h~~~d: i t i t ~@lllllloli Reed (fhrcr,qmifc3s c7rrstro/is 1. Other spxies occurring are Bulrush (Typlicr Lrti fol ic i ) . Reed Canary grass (Phikrri.r crrrri:diirric,rci) and Branched Bur-reed (Spe~r~y~n~irrni erpc-fum). The reed-swamp is exte n s i w around Macmine. wlwte the river widens and there are islands with swatnp and tnarsh vegetation.
Further south o f hkcinine are exponses of intertidal riiudflats and snndflnts and shingly shore often fringed with a itatrow hand of salt marsh and hrackish vegetation. Narrow shingle beaches up to IO m wide occur i u places along the river banks and ale exposed at low tide. Upslope the shingle is sometiines colonised by Snltrnarsh Rush (Jiititw ,gzrcrrdi). Townsend's Cord-grass ( S p 7 d n n towtsencfii). Common Saltmarsh-grass (Pirccirrdlicr t twrifho). Sea Aster (Aster tripo/ircrri ). Hemlock Water-dropwoit (Ornciirfhz c.rtn'cifci and Himalayan Balsani (Iity~e7tietis ,y/ondii/(fi.r(r).
Wexford Hruhonr is an extensive. shallow estuary which dries out considerably at low tide exposing large expanses of niudflats and sandllats. The hahow is largely sheltered hy the Raven Point to the north and Rosslare Point in the south.
Other habitats present within tlw site include spxies-rich marsh in which sedges such as Cnre..r disfichn, Ci7re.v ripnrhz and Ccirrs imicoricr are cot>inmti. Atnolig the other species found i n this habitat are Yellow Iris (Iris psrridnc~ortr.r). Water Mint (A4enthn nqrroficci). Purple Loosestrife (L??lirrtrti S d I C ~ J f ' i t i ) arid Soft Rush (Jfrricrts @iisrrs). Extensive lnarshes occur to the west of Caskbridge associated with the tidal areas of the River Sow.
The site supports populatiotis of several species listed on Annex II of tlw ELI Habitats Directive including the three Lampreys - Sea Lamprey (fztromyzotr t~cnritirts), River Lamprey (~iinpefmflrti~icrti/i.s) and Brook hmptey (.!.m?rpfrct p/citw-i). Otter (Liitrcr /rrfrrr t. Sahnull (Sn/mo m/tr). small numbers of Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Mnrprir$pro nurr,ycmrit+vn) and in the tidal stretches. Twaite Shad ( A / ~ ~ r r ~ i l / r ~ ~ , ~ ~ / / u . ~ ) . A survey ofthe Derreen River i n 1995 estiiiiated the population of Freshwater Pearl Mussel at about ?.OOO individuals. This is 3 significmt population, especially i n the context of eastern Ireland. l l w Slaney is primarily a spring mlmon fishery aiid is regxded as one of the top rivers i n Ireland for exly spring fishing. The upper Slaney and tributary headwntea are very important for spawning.
The site supports important tiumhers o f hirds i n winter. Little Egret are found annually slang the river. This bird is only IIOW beginning to gain a foothold in Ireland and the south-east appnrs to he its stronghold. Nationally itnportant tiurnhers of Black-tailed Gnd\vit, Teal. Tufted Duck. Mute Swan. Little Grebe and Black-headed Gull are found along the estuarine stretch o f the river. The m a n of the maximum counts over four winters (199498 I along the stretch between Enniscotthy aiid Ferrycarri$ is: Little Egret (6). Golden Plover (61. Wipon ( 1 3 9 ~ T e a l ( J 2 9 ) . Mallard(26S~.Tufted Duck(I71). L?prvin~i603). Shelduck(l6). Black- tailed Godwit (93). Curlew (81 1. Red-breasted Merganser (1 1 ), Black-headed Gull (7030). Goldeneye (15). Oystercatcher ( 191, Redshank (65). Lrsser Black-hxked Gull (7'7). Herring
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment for A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environs
, '* .
Gull f 179,. Common Gull 4671. Grey Heron 139). Mute S~van (259) and Little G r e k (17) Wexford Hurhour prwiikks extensitze feeding grounds for wding hirds arid Little Terns, which are listed on Annex I oftlw E.U. Birds Directive have hred here in tk past.
The Reed Warbler. which is :I scarce breedirig species i n Irelnntl. is ttgularly found i n Macmine Marshes but it is not known whetlwr or not it breeds in the site. The Dipper also occurs 01% the river. This is a declining species nationally.
The site suppotts tmny of the tnanimnl species occurtiog i n Ireland. Those which are listed in the Irish Red Data Book include Pine Marten. Badger. Itish Hare arid Deuhenton's Bat. Common Frog iRmn tcwrp~roria). mothrr Red Data B w k species. also occurs within the site.
Agriculture is the main fatidu . Arable crops are impott;uil. Itnpro~wl grassland and siIage account for much of tlw rem der. The spreading of slurry arid fertiliser poses a threat to the water quali? of this salmonid river and to the populations of Annex I1 animal species within it. Run-off is undoubtedly occurling. ;IS some of tlw fields slope steeply directly to the river kink. LI addition, cattle have access to the site in places. Fishing is ;I main tourist attraction along stretches of tlw Slaney and its tributaries and there are a tittmlwr of Angler Assuciations. suine with a nuniber ofka ts . Fishing stands and styles have lwetietwted i n places. Both commercial and leisure tishing takes place. There are some gravel pits along the river klow Bi~ticlody atid many oftlwse are active. There is a large landfill site adjacent to the river close to Hacketstown and at Killurin. Boating, bait-digging and fishing occur in parts of Wexford Harhoor.
Waste water outflows. runoff from intensive agricultural enterprises. a meat factory at Clohatnori and a landfill site adjacent to the river and further industrial developnwnt upstream in Entiiscarthy and in other towns could all have potential adverse impacts on the water quality unless tlwy ,Ire c~wful ly managed. The spread ofexotic species is reducing the quality of the woodlands.
The site supports populations of several spc i e s listed on Annex I1 of tlw EU Habitats Directive. and habitats listed on Aiitwx I of this directive. :IS well as iniportant numbers of wintering \%Mfo\vl including some species listed on Annex I of the €U Birds Directive. The presence of \vet aod broad-leaved ~vnodlaiids increases ~ I K overall hahitnt diversity and the occurrence of a nrtmber of Red Data Book pl,mt and animal species adds firnlwr importance to tlw SIaney R i w r site.
07.1 2.2005
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. 1' . Wexford County Council Revised Appropridte Assessment fur A0260-01 Ballyhine and Environ,
Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessment far A0260-01 Ballyhine and Envlrons
1-rborr Ifirstrivnrrr Sj-stertts
Table S lists the nrbati naste \later treatment plants m the catchment up to a distance o f 20 kilometre, fioin the shellfish area Map 18 illustrates these pressures and imp references ltnk the imp and table The mforination m the table mas compiled by the UTD Municipal a i d Iildustnal Regulation Study in ZOO8 and mcludes
the distance of the plants froni the shellfish area the \iFD stanis o f the water body within which the plants are located tlie level o f treatment aiailable at the plants whether the plants are included in the current a'atw Senices Investment Programme 07-09 the design capacit? (m terms o f population equn alents (PX.)) o f the plants tlie percentage at \\hi& the platits are operaung above or beloxv thetr design capacity currmtlv the percentage at xluch the plants N atmg above or belo\% their design capacih; ui 2015 based on pop the AFD risk designahons associate a d the reasons behmd the risk designations
The \I'FD risk assessiiient IU relation to urban waste updated in 2005 to feed mto the draft RBMP imdenvay (due for conipletion by November 2009
treatment plants was ther update currently were designated as at
risk for a vmiety o f re cltlcLng
A Insufficient P capacity - emstmg load B Insufficient P capacity - fuhue load
for BOD - existiiig load for BOD - fiiture load
pauty for nutrieiits - emsting load capacity for nutneiits - future load n downstream Q value where the Q station is wirhin 3
e is less than 3 where the Q station is withm 3 kilometres
istrerun Q value were the distance beh\eerl Q stations is less thm 3 kiloiiietres J Exceedauce o f bathing water quality witlun 1 ktlometre o f the outfall I; Exceedauce o f shellfish water qualir)- within 1 ktlornetre of the outfall L Expert opmoii
IVaste nsrer dscharges from waste nater treatment plants can contain a wide range o f potentdy pollnting components onginaring from househo~ds mdustry and urban areas These discharges can affect the l n e l s o f faecal coliforms. nutrients d~ssoked oxygen. suspended sediment organic wastes and hartnful cheiiiicals u1 receix-mg n aters
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Wexford County Council Revised Appropriate Assessmen1 for AOZhO-01 Ballyhine and Environs
The 2008 risk assesuiient identified 21 uxbm naste \later treatment plaits within the catchment with 8 o f them at nrk for a range of reasons includtng msufficieiit plant capacity insufficient assiiiulam e capacitc mi receiL mg ateri and detenoratioxl III
donnsueam \bater quality Tlie \\TD risk assessinetit \\as re-iie\\ed by experts m October 2009 \sith regard to the LVater Services Iuxestnieiit P r o g a m e and waste water liceilsmg achons The most sqpficant plats nere identified on the basis o f proxiiiuty plait perforillatice popnlation equivalent aud le\ el o f treatnietit In this rexien the plants at Wexford town and Cantlebridge were identified as signficant ~fl
terms of the nsk to shellfish iiater qualih in thls shellfizh area
The plant at W’exford t0s.n has a capacity of 45 000 P E and mcorporates 5ecoiidaTJj treatment uith iiurrient renioTa1 a d UV disdecuon The plat at Castlebridge has a capacity of 2 000 P E and mcorporates secondary treatment There is insufficient capaciw for projected fiihire load5 at this plait but i t 1s included in the current Water Senices Inx-estment Programme uider the Castlebndge and Piercetown Sewerage Scheme