Non-technical summary
This screening statement for appropriate assessment has been undertaken to accompany a
foreshore license application for the installation of a floating boat jetty on Inishraher island near
Westport, Co. Mayo. Inishraher is a 30 acre island located approximately 4 km west of Westport
harbour. The proposed boat jetty is to be located on the northeast shore of the island, adjacent to
a recently developed meditation retreat centre. The jetty will facilitate small boats landing at the
island. It is anticipated that approximately 3 return trips per week between Westport harbour and
Inishraher will be undertaken by small craft boats servicing the Inishraher retreat centre. The jetty
has dimensions of c. 28 metres length and 2.4 metres width and comprises a surface layer of
wooden planks overlaying 9 rectangular buoyant pontoons.
The proposed development location lies within the Clew Bay Complex SAC which is the sole
designated site of relevance to this assessment.This screening exercise included a detailed
consideration of the potential impacts arising from the proposed development on Clew Bay
Complex SAC.
Given the small size and scale of the proposed project, it is considered that viable pathways for
significant impacts to accrue on constituent habitats and species within the SAC do not exist.
It is the conclusion of this Screening for Appropriate Assessment Statement that the proposed
project is compatible with the Conservation Objectives for the qualifying interests of Clew Bay
Complex SAC ie. significant effects accruing from the proposed development on these Natura 2000
sites do not have potential to occur.
Therefore it is the recommendation of this Screening for Appropriate Assessment Statement that
further phases of the Habitats Directive Assessment Process will not be required for the proposed
development.
1
Table of Contents
Part A: Overview of process
1.0
Introduction
1.1
Background
1.2
Natura 2000 Sites
1.3
The purpose of Habitats Directive Assessment (HDA)
1.4
Overview of Habitats Directive Assessment Process
1.5
Guidance Documents
2.0
Statement of Qualification
3.0
Methodology
Part B: Screening Report
4.0
Connectivity of the development to the management of Natura 2000 sites
5.0
Relevant Natura 2000 Sites – qualifying criteria and conservation objectives
6.0
Description of project
7.0
Existing environment
8.0
8.1
Assessment of Significance of Potential Impacts – Screening Matrix
Finding of No Significant Effects Matrix
9.0
Screening Conclusions
10.0
References
Appendix A: NPWS Site synopsis for Clew Bay Complex SAC
Appendix B: Maps of relevant habitats and species distribution in Westport Bay section of Clew Bay
Complex SAC
Appendix C: Proposed Jetty Layout
Appendix D: Photographs of proposed location
2
1.0
Introduction
1.1
Background
This screening statement for appropriate assessment has been undertaken to accompany a foreshore
license application for the installation of a floating boat jetty on Inishraher island near Westport, Co. Mayo.
Inishraher is a 30 acre island located approximately 4 km west of Westport harbour. The proposed boat jetty
is to be located on the northeast shore of the island, adjacent to a recently developed meditation retreat
centre. The jetty will facilitate small boats landing at the island. The proposed development location lies
within the Clew Bay Complex SAC.
A detailed description of the proposed development is contained in Section 6 of this document. This
screening report includes a consideration of the existing local environment in the vicinity of the application
site and the potential impacts arising from the proposed development on Clew Bay Complex SAC.
1.2
Natura 2000 Sites
Natura 2000 sites are also known as European Sites and include Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated
under the EU Birds Directive and Special Aras of Conservation (SACs) designated under the EU Habitats
Directive. Natura 2000 is an EU wide network of nature protection areas, the aim of which is to ensure the
long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats.
1.3
The purpose of Habitats Directive Assessment (HDA)
Habitats Directive Assessment (HDA) is an evaluation of the potential impacts of a plan or project on the
conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site(s), and the development, where necessary, of mitigation or
avoidance measures to preclude negative effects. Principally, the purpose of AA is to identify the possible
effects of implementing a Plan or Project on the conservation status of designated Natura 2000 sites within
the Plan or Project area. Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Flora and
Fauna – the ‘Habitats Directive’ provides legal protection for habitats and species of European importance.
Article 2 of the Directive requires the maintenance or restoration of habitats and species of interest to the
EU in a favourable condition.
Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive states “Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to
the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in
combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for
the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives. In light of the conclusions of the assessment of the
implications for the site and only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the
site concerned and, if appropriate, after having obtained the opinion of the general public”.
Article 6(4) states ‘if, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site and in the absence of
alternative solutions, a plan or project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding
public interest, including those of social or economical nature, the Member State shall take all compensatory
measures necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 is protected. It shall inform the
Commission of the compensatory measures adopted’.
1.4
Overview of Habitats Directive Assessment Process
The European Commission, as well as the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
have both published methodological guidance, both of which recommend a four stage approach in carrying
out the entire Habitats Directive Assessment process as follows:
3
Stage 1 – Screening:
Determines whether a project or plan, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely
to have an impact on a Natura 2000 site, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant;
Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment (AA):
Considers the impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 sites of the project or plan, either alone or in
combination with other plans or projects, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its
conservation objectives. Additionally, where there are adverse impacts, it assesses the potential mitigation
of those impacts;
Stage 3 – Assessment of Alternative Solutions:
Examines alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project or plan that avoid adverse impacts on
the integrity of the Natura 2000 site;
Stage 4 – Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest:
Assess compensatory measures where in the light of an assessment of imperative reasons of overriding
public interest (IROPI) it is deemed that the plan or project should proceed.
Each stage determines whether the next stage in the process is required. If, for example, it is concluded at
the end of Stage 1 that there will be no significant impacts on the Natura 2000 site, there is no requirement
to proceed further. However if it is concluded after Stage 1 that significant impacts are likely or unknown
then Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment is required.
1.5
Guidance Documents
In preparing this Screening report the following guidance documents were consulted (both documents are
issued by Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government):


'Circular NPW 1/10 & PSSP 2/10 (March 2010)'
'Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland – Guidance for Planning Authorities
(2009),'
In addition, the following European Union published documents were consulted (See Section ?? for a full list
of references) :




European Commision (2000). Managing Natura Sites: The provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats
Directive 92/43/EEC. Office for Official Publications for the EuropeanCommunities, Luxembourg.
European Commision (2002). 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 for the European Communities, Luxembourg.
European Commission (2007). Guidance Document on Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive
92/43/EEC: Clarification of the concepts of: alternative solutions, imperative reasons of over-riding
public interest, compensatory measures, overall coherence, opinion of the Commission.
European Commission (2006). Nature and Biodiversity Cases: Ruling of the European Court of
Justice. Office for Official Publications for the European Communities, Luxembourg.
In keeping with the guidelines outlined in the above documents, the aims of this report are to produce a
Screening for Appropriate Assessment report through following the procedure outlined for Appropriate
Assessment. The aims of this report can therefore be summarised as follows :

4
Determining whether the project or plan is directly connected with or necessary to the
management of the Natura 2000 site.
2.0

Describing the project or plan and the description and characterisation of other projects or plans
that in combination have the potential for having significant effects on the Natura 2000 site(s).

Characteristics of the Natura 2000 site – identification of the relevant Natura 2000 sites and
compiling of information on their qualifying interests and conservation objectives.

Identification of possible impacts caused by the development to the Natura 2000 site

Assessment of the significance of potential impacts – To assess the potential for significant direct,
indirect and combined impacts on Natura 2000 sites caused by the site development.
Statement of Qualification
I hold an MSc in Ecological Assessment and a BSc in Marine Science. I have 4 years experience in ecological
surveying in the west of Ireland, in a variety of upland, lowland and aquatic habitats. I have acquired
extensive experience in the preparation of appropriate assessment and ecological impact assessment
related reports for a variety of projects.
3.0
Methodology
This report is based on an assessment of the potential for the proposed development to cause significant
impacts to the integrity of Clew Bay Complex SAC, with particular reference to the qualifying criteria of the
SAC and the associated conservation objectives. A desktop survey was conducted to ascertain the site's
proximity to Natura 2000 sites and to compile information on qualifying interests and conservation
objectives of relevant Natura 2000 sites along with their likely ecological connectivity to the proposed site
development. Clew Bay Complex SAC (Site code 001482) was found to be the sole Natura 2000 site of
relevance to this assessment. Owing to the confined scale of the project, it was considered that potential
impacts on designated sites other than Clew Bay Complex SAC could be readily screened out.
As a local person living in Westport for most of my life, I have visited Inishraher on numerous occasions. The
beach on which the proposed jetty will be located is well known to me, as is the surrounding local
environment. A site visit was therefore not specifically conducted for this particular assessment – this was
not deemed necessary owing to my aforementioned prior knowledge of the location.
Site specific conservation objectives and associated backing documents for the Clew Bay Complex SAC have
been contemporaneously prepared by NPWS; these documents were consulted as part of this assessment.
Various photographs of the proposed location were supplied by the applicant and these too were utilised in
this assessment. Some of these photographs are included as Appendix D to this report.
Consultation was also conducted with local NPWS ranger Eoin McGreal – no particular nature conservation
issues were flagged by him.
Sections 4-7 outline the relevant Natura 2000 sites – in this case Clew Bay Complex SAC - and the existing
environment in the vicinity of the proposed project location. Section 8 comprises the screening matrix for
this assessment which follows the template recommended in the guidance literature. A ‘Finding of no
significant effects’ matrix is contained in Section 8.1. Section 9.0 comprises screening conclusions.
4.0
Connectivity of the development to the management of Natura 2000 sites
The proposed development is not connected with the management of Natura 2000 sites.
5
5.0 Relevant Natura 2000 Sites – qualifying criteria and conservation objectives
The application site is located in the southern section of the Clew Bay complex SAC.
Other Natura 2000 sites located within a 15km radius of the application site include:
 Brackloon Wood SAC (Site code 000471)
 Old Head Wood SAC (Site code 000532)
 Mweelrea Sheefrey Erriff Complex SAC (Site code 001932)
 West Connacht Coast SAC (Site code 000471)
The nearest of the above Natura 2000 sites is Brackloon Wood SAC which is located c. 6 km to the southeast
of the application site. Owing to the confined size and scale of the proposed development, it is considered
that pathways for impacts to accrue on these Natura 2000 sites do not exist and therefore potential impacts
on these Natura 2000 sites can be readily discounted. Therefore this assessment will focus solely on
assessing the potential for impacts to accrue on Clew Bay Complex SAC. Figure 1 shows the application site
within Clew Bay Complex SAC.
Map of proposed development location within Clew Bay Complex SAC
Figure 1: Map of proposed development location (Circled) within Clew Bay Complex SAC. Cross hatch
shading denotes extent of SAC coverage.
The qualifying attributes of Clew Bay Complex SAC are outlined in Table 1. A full site synopsis for the SAC is
included as Appendix A to this report.
Table 1: Site details for Clew Bay Complex SAC
Site Name and Clew Bay Complex SAC (001482) – located 9 km northeast of the application site
Location
6
Site
Description
Qualifying
Interests of
the Site
Clew Bay is a wide, west-facing bay on the west coast of Co. Mayo. It is open to the
westerly swells and winds from the Atlantic with Clare Island giving only a small amount
of protection. The drumlin landscape was formed during the last glacial period when
sediments were laid down and smoothed over by advancing ice - the sea has
subsequently inundated this area, creating a multitude of islands. The
geomorphology of the bay has resulted in a complex series of interlocking bays
creating a wide variety of marine and terrestrial habitats, including several listed on
Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive: large shallow bay, lagoon, Atlantic
saltmeadows,drift lines, perennial vegetation of stony banks, embryonic shifting
dunes,Marram dunes and dune slacks.
The site is designated for three Annex II species and eight Annex I habitats, all of which
are listed below.











[1355]Otter Lutra lutra
[1365]Common seal Phoca vitulina
[1013]Geyer's whorl snail Vertigo geyeri
[1140]Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
[1150]* Coastal lagoons (*Priority habitat)
[1160]Large shallow inlets and bays
[1210]Annual vegetation of drift lines
[1220]Perennial vegetation of stony banks
[1330]Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco‐Puccinellietalia maritimae)
[2110]Embryonic shifting dunes
[2120]Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria ("white
dunes")
Conservation Objectives for Clew Bay Complex SAC
The conservation objectives for Clew Bay Complex SAC can be summarised as ‘To maintain or restore the
favourable conservation condition of the Annex I Habitats and Annex II species for which the SAC has been
selected’
Site-specific conservation objectives have been prepared for the site. These objectives include specific
conservation targets for each of the qualifying criteria for which Clew Bay Complex SAC is designated. Maps
showing the distribution of habitats and features of interest for designated species within the site have also
been prepared by NPWS for inclusion in the Conservation Objectives document. Although not included in
the main qualifying criteria for the SAC designation, it is important to note that Clew Bay provides habitat
for several species of gull, wader and waterfowl, all of which are protected under the EU Wild Birds
Directive. Several of these species are listed in the Natura 2000 form for the site.
Current information on the location, form and function of the designated habitats and species (With the
exception of Otter and Geyer's whorl snail*) is also contained in the following additional backing documents
for the SAC’s conservation objectives (*Geyer's whorl snail's inclusion in the qualifying criteria of the SAC is
currently under review. This species' habitat is confined to small sections of freshwater fen macro-habitats.
Such habitats are not ecologically connected with the locality of the proposed development; mainly
occurring in the northern fringes of the SAC therefore potential impacts on the species can be discounted):

Clew Bay Complex SAC (001482): Conservation objectives supporting document - coastal habitats
[Version 1, 2011]

Clew Bay Complex SAC (001482): Conservation objectives supporting document - marine habitats
and species [Version 1, 2011]
7
Maps of the main littoral and sub-littoral habitats within the SAC are contained in the various conservation
objectives documents. These documents also provide additional information on the site-specific
conservation objectives for all of the qualifying criteria for the SAC. Based on the distribution of habitats as
shown in these documents and my own personal ecological knowledge of the local area, it is considered
that the qualifying habitats and species of primary relevance to this assessment therefore include the
following:
•
•
•
•
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
1365 Common seal Phoca vitulina
1355 Otter Lutra lutra.
Given the small scale and confined size of the proposed project, it is considered that the other qualifying
habitats and species for which the SAC is designated are located at a sufficient distance from the proposed
project location (in terms of their current and potential distribution) such that no impacts on them are likely
to arise from the proposed project.
6.0
Description of project
The proposed development comprises the installation of a pre-assembled floating jetty on the shore
adjacent to a recently developed meditation retreat centre on Inishraher island. The meditation retreat
centre has a capacity of approximately 18 persons and the jetty will enable visitors and centre residents to
embark and disembark safely from boats when travelling to and from the island. It is anticipated that
approximately 3 return trips per week between Westport harbour and Inishraher will be undertaken by
small craft boats servicing the Inishraher retreat centre.
The jetty has dimensions of c. 28 metres length and 2.4 metres width and comprises a surface layer of
wooden planks overlaying 9 rectangular pontoons . The jetty will be tethered by small ship’s chain to 7
mooring blocks, each of which are 1.2 metres wide and 0.6 metres deep(See Appendix C for proposed jetty
layout).
The proposed jetty location has historically been the main landing point for boat traffic accessing the island;
the small beach which occurs here is the sole section of shoreline devoid of the boulders and stones which
dominate the remainder of the island’s shoreline. Boat traffic visiting the island is currently obliged to land
directly on the beach which can be an arduous process with associated health and safety risks. The
installation of the jetty is anticipated to significantly improve the ease and safety of this process while also
reducing and confining any potential impacts of boat hulls compacting the underlying beach substrate.
(although it should be noted that the impacts of boat hulls on the beach substrate are currently likely to be
minor in any case).
7.0
Existing Environment in vicinity of application site
Location and Setting (See Appendix D photographs of proposed location)
The application site is located on the northeast shoreline of Inishraher, a 30 acre island located in the inner
section of Clew Bay, c. 4 km west of Westport. The site location is adjacent to the main navigation channel
for marine traffic which links the inner section of Westport bay to the wider Clew bay area. This channel
runs in an east-west direction c. 100-150 metres to the north of Inishraher. The local environment is
therefore subject to a significant level of passing boat traffic, particularly during the tourist season.
Inishraher is a flooded drumlin island with a shape and profile characteristic of the numerous ‘whale
backed’ islands which occupy the inner section of Clew Bay. The island is elongated in an east to west
direction. The western section of the island is fringed by boulder clay cliffs while the eastern portion of the
island tapers gently to the shoreline. Virtually the entirety of the terrestrial environment on the island is
comprised of pasture grassland on a boulder clay substrate. The likely Fossit category for the grassland
which dominates the terrestrial section of the island is ‘Dry calcareous and neutral grassland GS1’.
8
The location of the proposed jetty is adjacent to the location of the meditation retreat centre and a
longstanding cottage which has been recently renovated. This section of the island was historically the sole
location of residential buildings on the island; The aforementioned cottage and nearby outhouses and ruins
occupied the location prior to the recent development of the retreat centre.
The local supralittoral zone comprises dry grassland terrain which grades directly into mixed sand and small
stones near the littoral margin.
Figure 2 shows a habitat map of the littoral and sub-littoral habitats in the application site vicinity. The
littoral zone is typical of that fringing the numerous islands in Clew Bay. The majority of the island’s
shoreline is comprised of a moderately sloped substrate of mixed stones and boulders covered by a mat of
fucoid algae comprising Bladder Wrack Fucus vesiculosis and Spiral Wrack Fucus spiralis in the mid to upper
zone and Egg Wrack Ascophyllum nodosum in the mid to lower shore. ‘Sheltered rocky shores LR3’ was the
category selected for this habitat type under Fossit (2000).
This boulder and seaweed shore temporarily grades abruptly into a 60 metre long section of beach
comprised of sand and coarse sediment. The proposed jetty will be located in the eastern portion of this
section of the beach. Moving east and south from the beach, the shoreline resumes the composition of
mixed stones and boulders.
The beach has a moderate to steep profile in the mid to upper littoral with a more moderate gradient
occurring in the lower littoral zone. Approximate width of the beach littoral zone is 30 to 35 metres. The
upper section of the beach is comprised of coarse sand mixed with shell fragments and small quantities of
gravel which grades into medium grained sands interspersed with pebbles and stones in the mid to lower
littoral zones. The beach was categorised as ‘Sand shores LS2’ under Fossit (2000). Seaweed growth was
largely absent from the beach owing to the loose composition of the beach substrate, with single small
plants of Spiral Wrack Fucus spiralis and Bladder Wrack Fucus vesiculosis occurring on larger pebbles and
small stones scattered around the beach. The sub-littoral habitat comprises mixed sediments of sand and
gravel. ‘Infralittoral gravels and sands SS1’ was the Fossit (2000) category assigned to this habitat type.
9
Aerial photo of retreat centre with habitat map of littoral and sub-littoral habitats
Figure 2: Aerial photo showing retreat centre under construction with imposed map of littoral and sublittoral habitats
Ecological Assessment of Application Site
The Annex I habitat ‘1160 Large shallow inlets and Bays’ is a large physiographic feature that may wholly or
partly incorporate other Annex I habitats (including mudflats and sandflats) within its area. In the site
specific conservation objectives backing document (marine habitats) for the SAC, the narrow strip of beach
on which the proposed structure is to be located is classified as ‘Sandy mud with polychaetes and bivalves
community complex’ along with a relatively small area of adjacent sub-littoral habitat. The ‘Sandy mud with
polychaetes and bivalves community complex’ is the most widely occurring habitat within the SAC,
accounting for a total surface area of 5,791 ha - as extrapolated from the marine conservation objectives
backing document.
The beach is also shown to conform with the Annex 1 habitat ‘1140 Mudflats and Sandflats not covered by
seawater at low tide’. This is also a widely occurring habitat in the SAC with a total surface area coverage of
c. 1277 ha – the area accounted for by the beach, at a maximum size of c. 0.2 ha is therefore comparatively
very small. Much of the ecological value of the ‘Mudflats and Sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide’
habitat is attributible to it’s importance as a foraging habitat for aquatic bird species. Owing to the
relatively steep gradient of the beach, it’s small surface area and the high fraction of coarse sand in the
substrate, the beach is considered to differ from typical examples of this habitat within the SAC and is likely
to have reduced quantities of polychaetes and bivalves inhabiting the substrate. The beach is also
disconnected from other sections of intertidal sand and mud habitat within the SAC . Based on the
foregoing, the beach is not considered likely to be of significant value for aquatic bird species associated
10
with mudflats and sandflats. Some of the coarse material within the beach substrate is likely to be derived
from dead Maerl fragments arising from a Maerl dominated sub littoral habitat to the north of the site.
These fragments do not occur in quantities comparable to so called ‘coral beaches’ and their presence does
not necessarily confer any particular additional ecological value on the beach. However the presence of the
Maerl fraction within the beach substrate may be of some moderate value from a human interest/aesthetic
point of view.
The aforementioned Maerl dominated community in the sub littoral channel to the north of the application
site is of significant ecological value –this habitat is not directly annexed but is incorporated within the ‘1160
Large shallow inlets and bays’ category. Maërl communities are found on coarse, mixed, sandy mud and
muddy sand sediments. They are often present in areas that experience strong currents and occur at
depths of between 2m and 14m below the low tide mark. The channel within which this Maërl community
occurs comprises the main navigation channel into Westport bay and passes between Inishraher and
Inishgowla (the island directly north of Inishraher). As stated previously this channel is one of the main
thoroughfares for marine traffic in the bay.
The Maërl community here occurs as deep beds of dead maërl gravel (Lithothamnion coralliodides )
underlying a thin veneer of living maërl gravel, and also as living maërl gravel mixed with prolific dense and
bushy growth of the free living calcareous algae Corallina officinalis. Where current flow is strongest, living
Maërl gravel occupies the voids which occur in gravel and small cobbles. In areas of weaker current within
the channel, the Maërl species Phymatolithon calcareum occurs as a thin veneer of mostly living Maërl
gravel overlying mainly muddy sand.
As the proposed jetty and associated mooring blocks will not encroach into the main channel, no threats to
the nearby Maerl community are anticipated to arise from the proposed project. Owing to the depth at
which the Maërl community occurs, no direct threat is posed to the habitat by boat traffic passing through
the waters above the habitat.
The proposed location is not considered to be of particular value for protected wildlife species. The site
vicinity does not contain any terrain suitable for construction of Otter holts and there is an abundance of
similar or better quality habitat for the species in the local and wider vicinity.
Various haul out locations for Harbour Seals occur within the Westport Bay section of the SAC. The nearest
haul out location is shown to occur on Finnaun Island, a small rocky island located on the north side of the
main navigation channel at a distance of c. 400 metres to the north east of the proposed location. However
seal numbers occurring at this location are generally very low and the haul out location of primary
importance in the Westport Bay area occurs at Green Island (personal observation) at a distance of c. 1.5
km east of the proposed location. The beach at Inishraher is not known to be used as a regular haul-out by
seals. Given the significant levels of background boat traffic occurring in the main Westport Bay channel,
the boat traffic associated with the proposed installation of the jetty is considered to be negligible, ie. boat
traffic associated with the installed jetty does not pose a disturbance related threat to seal populations or
other protected wildlife species.
8.0 Assessment of Significance of Potential Impacts
Screening Matrix for Assessment of Significance of Potential Impacts
Describe the
Owing to the extremely small scale and size of the proposed project, the
individual elements of
potential for direct impacts arising from the proposed project is considered to be
the project (either
very limited. Direct impacts solely pertain to damage to the substrate underlying
alone or in
the jetty structure. Indirect and in -combination impacts pertain to disturbance
combination with
arising from boat traffic. The potential for these impacts to be significant is
other plans or
considered further in the following sections below and overleaf with the
projects) likely to give
conclusion being that no significant impacts are predicted.
rise to impacts on the
Natura 2000 Sites
Assessment of likely
Size and scale;
direct, indirect or
Likely Impacts: None. Given the extremely small scale and size of the proposed
11
secondary impacts of
the project (either
alone or in
combination with
other plans or projects)
on the Natura 2000
sites
structure, no negative impacts are predicted in this regard.
Land-take;
Likely Impacts: None. The observed beach substrate has a paucity of emergent or
sessile fauna, therefore the potential impacts of structures being placed on the
substrate are reduced. The footprint of the structure is tiny with a total area
occupied of approximately 78 m2 (Including mooring blocks). The structure will be
afloat from mid to high tide and will rest on the shore during mid to low tide. The
weight of the jetty is considered to be sufficiently spread across the 9 rectangular
pontoons such that the underlying substrate will not be significantly compressed
during the lower part of the tide. The overall effect of the structure’s installation
is likely to constitute a net minor positive impact by eliminating the requirement
for boats to land directly on the beach.
Distance from the Natura 2000 site or key features of the site;
Likely Impacts: None. The location is within the SAC but does not comprise a key
feature of the SAC.
Resource requirements (water abstraction etc);
Likely Impacts: None. The structure will be pre-fabricated at an industrial location
remote from Natura 2000 sites, therefore no resources from within the SAC will
be required.
Emissions (disposal to land, water or air);
Likely Impacts: None.
Excavation requirements;
Likely Impacts: None. The jetty is a free-floating structure which will be tethered
to mooring blocks using light to moderate chains
Transportation requirements;
Likely Impacts: None. Boat traffic will be associated with operation of the retreat
centre which has a maximum capacity of 18 persons. The projected boat traffic
comprising approximately 3 small craft landings per week is not predicted to
have a significant effect given the site’s location adjacent to the main navigation
channel into Westport harbour.
Duration of construction, operation, decommissioning;
Likely Impacts: None. The structure will be pre-fabricated at a location remote
from the Natura 2000 site.
Noise and Light Pollution;
Likely Impacts: None. The sole noise impacts associated with the structure
pertain to approximately 3 small craft landings per week. Given the project’s
location adjacent to the main navigation channel in Westport bay and the
associated noise of existing boat traffic, the impacts in this regard will not be
significant.
Potential In-combination impacts;
Likely Impacts: None. Given the location’s proximity to the main navigation
channel for access to Westport harbour, it is considered that the small craft boat
12
Likely changes to the
Natura 2000 sites
arising from the
development as a
result of:
traffic associated with the installation of the structure and the associated
operation of the retreat centre (at an anticipated figure of 3 round trips per
week) is so minor such that no in-combination impacts associated with existing
boat traffic in the Westport bay section of the SAC will occur.
Reduction of habitat area;
Owing to the tiny footprint of the jetty on a category of inter-tidal habitat that
occurs on a large scale within the SAC, no changes are predicted in this regard.
Disturbance to key species;
The application site is not of significant value for constituent annexed or
protected species of the SAC, therefore the potential for direct disturbance
arising from the development is considered to be negligible. Indirect disturbance
arising from associated boat traffic has been discussed previously with the
conclusion being that no impacts in this regard are predicted.
Habitat or species fragmentation;
No changes are predicted.
Reduction in species density;
No changes are predicted.
Changes in key indicators of conservation value (water quality etc.); It is
considered that pathways for impacts on water, air, soils etc within the SACs do
not exist.
Likely impacts on the
Natura 2000 sites as a
whole in terms of:
Indicators of
significance as a result
of the identification of
effects set out above in
terms of:
Climate change;
No changes are predicted.
 Interference with the key relationships that define the
structure of the site;
 Interference with key relationships that define the
function of the site;
No significant impacts arising from the development on key relationships that
define the structure or function of Clew Bay Complex SAC are foreseen
 Loss;
 Fragmentation;
 Disruption;
 Disturbance;
 Change to key elements of the site (e.g. water quality etc.).
Indicators of significance in the context of Clew Bay Complex would entail
significant impacts (particularly with regards to disturbance) to the qualifying
habitats and species of the SAC. However no such impacts are predicted.
Elements of the project
or plan, or combination
of elements, where the
above impacts are
13
None - there are no such elements of the project where the above impacts are
likely to be significant or where the scale or magnitude of impacts is not known.
likely to be significant
or where the scale or
magnitude of impacts
is not known.
8.1
Finding of No Significant Effects Matrix
Name of Project or Plan
Installation of a jetty for small craft at Inishraher island near
Westport, Co. Mayo
Names and locations of relevant
Natura 2000 sites
Clew Bay Complex SAC (001482) – the proposed project is to be
located within the southern section of the SAC.
Description of the project or plan
The proposed development comprises the installation of a
floating jetty on the north east shore of Inishraher Island c. 4km
west of Westport in Clew Bay. The purpose of the jetty is provide
a safe berthing facility for small craft visiting a recently
developed retreat centre on adjacent to the proposed jetty
location. The jetty has dimensions of c. 28 metres length and 2.4
metres width and comprises a surface layer of wooden planks
overlaying 9 rectangular pontoons (See Appendix C).
Is the project or plan directly
connected with or necessary to the
management of the site (provide
details)?
No
Are there other projects or plans that No
together with the project or plan being
assessed could affect the site (provide
details)?
The assessment of significance of effects
Describe how the project or plan
(alone or in combination) is likely to
affect the Natura 2000 site.
It is the conclusion arising from the foregoing assessment that
significant effects are not likely to arise from the proposed
project. Potential effects considered include damage to shore
substrate and disturbance arising from associated boat traffic.
Explain why these effects are not
considered significant.
The projected small volume of associated boat traffic will not
have a significant effect owing to the significant levels of existing
boat traffic in the adjacent navigation channel and the absence
of features of interest for designated species of interest in the
immediate vicinity of the proposed location. The footprint of the
jetty is very small at just 78m2 and the load of the jetty is evenly
distributed among 9 large pontoons – therefore the substrate
should not be significantly compressed. The jetty will also help to
confine and reduce the footprint of small craft which currently
have to land directly on the beach.
List of agencies consulted: provide
contact name and telephone or e-mail
address.
Eoin McGreal – Local NPWS ranger
Email Address: Eoin.McGreal@ahg.gov.ie
Response to consultation.
No major concerns regarding designated wildlife or habitats
14
were flagged
Data collected to carry out the assessment
Who carried
out the
assessment?
Sources of data
Level of Assessment
Where can the full results of the
completed assessment be accessed
and viewed?
Conor Ryan
MSc
1. NPWS Site
Synopses,
Conservation
Objectives and backing
documents and
NATURA 2000
Forms for relevant
Natura 2000 sites
2. Personal observations
made during previous
recreational visits to the
site vicinity
3. Location photographs
supplied by the applicant
Desktop Assessment
(note that previous
visits to the location
have been
undertaken by Conor
Ryan in a personal
capacity)
This document will be submitted as
part of a foreshore license application.
Therefore the submitted document
should be available for public viewing
from the foreshore licensing body.
9.0
Screening Conclusions
This screening exercise included a detailed consideration of the potential impacts arising from the proposed
development on Clew Bay Complex SAC.
Given the small size and scale of the proposed project, it is considered that viable pathways for significant
impacts to accrue on constituent habitats and species within the SAC do not exist.
It is the conclusion of this Screening for Appropriate Assessment Statement that the proposed project is
compatible with the Conservation Objectives for the qualifying interests of Clew Bay Complex SAC ie.
significant effects accruing from the proposed development on these Natura 2000 sites do not have
potential to occur.
Therefore it is the recommendation of this Screening for Appropriate Assessment Statement that further
phases of the Habitats Directive Assessment Process will not be required for the proposed development.
10.0 References
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2010): Appropriate Assessment of Plans and
Projects in Ireland – Guidance for Planning Authorities.
Environmental Protection Agency website and map-viewer www.epa.ie
EUNIS Natura 2000 Site Information Forms - European Environment Agency http://eunis.eea.eu
European Union Habitats Directive 1992
European Commision (2000). Managing Natura Sites: The provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive
92/43/EEC. Office for Official Publications for the European Communities, Luxembourg.
15
European Commision (2002). 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 for the European Communities, Luxembourg.
European Commission (2007). Guidance Document on Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC:
Clarification of the concepts of: alternative solutions, imperative reasons of over-riding public interest,
compensatory measures, overall coherence, opinion of the Commission.
European Commission (2006). Nature and Biodiversity Cases: Ruling of the European Court of Justice. Office
for Official Publications for the European Communities, Luxembourg.
Fairley, J (1984) An Irish Beast Book: A Natural history of Ireland's Furred Wildlife. Blackstaff Press
Fossitt, J.A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council
Geological Survey of Ireland. Website and map-viewer www.gsi.ie
NPWS (2011) Conservation objectives for Clew Bay Complex SAC (001482) Version 1.0. Department of Arts,
Heritage & the Gaeltacht.
National Biodiversity Data Centre website 2015 – Online atlas of national species distribution
www.biodiversityireland.ie
Webb, D.A. (1977) An Irish Flora. Dundalgan Press
Appendix A: NPWS Site synopsis for Clew Bay Complex SAC
SITE NAME: Clew Bay Complex SAC
SITE CODE: 001482
Clew Bay is a wide, west-facing bay on the west coast of Co. Mayo. It is open to the westerly swells and
winds from the Atlantic with Clare Island giving only a small amount of protection. The drumlin landscape
was formed during the last glacial period when sediments were laid down and smoothed over by advancing
ice - the sea has subsequently inundated this area, creating a multitude of islands. The geomorphology of
the bay has resulted in a complex series of interlocking bays creating a wide variety of marine and terrestrial
habitats. The site is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) selected for the following habitats and/or species
listed on Annex I / II of the E.U. Habitats Directive (* = priority; numbers in brackets are Natura 2000 codes):







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[1355]Otter Lutra lutra
[1365]Common seal Phoca vitulina
[1013]Geyer's whorl snail Vertigo geyeri
[1140]Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
[1150]* Coastal lagoons (*Priority habitat)
[1160]Large shallow inlets and bays
[1210]Annual vegetation of drift lines




[1220]Perennial vegetation of stony banks
[1330]Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco‐Puccinellietalia maritimae)
[2110]Embryonic shifting dunes
[2120]Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria ("white dunes")
Within the shallow bay, subtidal sediments are characterised by typical bivalve communities in fine sand
(Chamelea striatula and Ensis sp.), and by the polychaete worm Euclymene and the bivalve Thyasira
flexuosa in muddy sand. The intertidal sediment communities are characterised by polychaetes and bivalves
in the mid-shore and by the sand mason worm Lanice conchilega in the low shore. In areas where
there is maerl debris with small amounts of live maerl the infaunal community has a mixture of species
characteristic of coarse sand (e.g. the bivalves Timoclea ovata, Spisula sp., and the polychaetes Nepthys
cirrosa and Glycera lapidum) and medium sand (e.g., the bivalve Ensis sp. and the polychaetes Lanice
conchilega, Scoloplos armiger and Sthenelais boa). The bivalves Timoclea ovata, Tapes rhomboides and
the polychaetes Branchiomma bombyx and Glycera lapidum are typical of gravels and medium sands,
whereas the bivalves Abra alba, Corbula gibba, Thyasira flexuosa and Mysella bidentata and the polychaete
Euclymene are characteristic of muddy sands. Beds of live maerl of Lithothamnion corallioides are also
present in a number of areas.
Around the edges of the inner part of the bay are shores of mixed boulders, cobbles, gravel with some sand
and mud. They have a typical zonation of intertidal communities found on sheltered shores of mixed
substratum. The shore at Murrisk is unusual as a distinct zone characterised by archiannelids occurs above
the sandhopper zone in the upper shore under the boulders and cobbles. This is an unusual habitat. In
sheltered areas of shallow water with little sand scour a well developed community of hydroids, sponges
and solitary sea squirts is present. Where the sediments includes gravel and mud the species richness in the
area can be exceptionally high (180 species). A number of marine species that are rarely recorded are found
in Clew Bay: the stalked jellyfish Lucernariopsis cruxmelitensis; the polycheates Anitides rosea,
Clymenura clypeata, Pterosyllis formosa and Pionosylis sp. and the snail Clypterea chinensis.
Clew Bay is considered to have the most significant shingle reserves in the country, and has (on the islands)
the only examples of incipient gravel barriers in Ireland. Associated with the shingle (and dunes) are good
examples of annual vegetation of drift lines. Characteristic species found in these habitats include: Spearleaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Sea Sandwort (Honkenya peploides), Thrift
(Armeria maritima), Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), Sea Mayweed (Matricaria maritima) and
Sea Campion (Silene vulgaris subsp. maritima).
Lough Furnace is located at the north-eastern corner of Clew Bay. The lough is a good example of a deep,
stratified, saline lake lagoon in a very natural state. Salinity levels can vary considerably here depending on
rainfall and tides. The lake is one of the very few permanently stratified lakes known in Ireland and Britain.
The lake is ringed by Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Common Club-rush (Scirpus lacustris), with
small patches of Great Fen-sedge (Cladium mariscus) and Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata). Lough Furnace
supports a relatively high faunal diversity (41 taxa recorded in the 1996 survey) including a number of
important invertebrate species. The relict mysid species Neomysis integer, the isopods Jaera albifrons, J.
ischiosetosa and J. nordmanni, and two rare amphipods (Lembos longipes and Leptocheirus pilosus) have all
been recorded from the lake. Both Irish species of tasselweed (Ruppia maritima and R. cirrhosa) occur in
the lagoon. Eel, Flounder and Mullet also occur in the lake waters. Mallard nest around the lough, while
Saint’s Island contains nesting Black-headed Gull.
At the north-western end of Lough Furnace lie two associated lakes, Lough Napransky and Lough Navroony.
A stream drains from the latter into the main lake. The area contains flush and quaking-mire vegetation,
which is of interest as Irish Heath (Erica erigena) is found there, with Bog Moss (Sphagnum spp.), Black Bogrush (Schoenus nigricans), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum
angustifolium) and Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia). Bog Orchid (Hammarbya paludosa), a
species listed in the Irish Red Data Book is also found in this area. Beyond the wet area there is a Hazel
(Corylus avellana) dominated woodland growing over abandoned fields. Birch (Betula pubescens),
17
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Holly (Ilex aquifolium) are common, with occasional Oak
(Quercus petraea). The ground flora contains such species as Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Sanicle
(Sanicula europaea) and Wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella).
The Rosmurrevagh area in the north of Clew Bay displays a high diversity of habitats, from seashore to
dunes and coastal grassland, as well as saltmarsh, bog and fen. The sandy beach on the seaward side grades
into dunes of Marram (Ammophila arenaria).
Adjacent to this, the saltmarsh vegetation, which is approximately 5 m wide, comprises Thrift, Common
Scurvygrass, Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima) and ‘turf fucoids’ (diminutive forms of brown
algae). These plant species are typical of Atlantic salt meadows. Similar saltmarshes occur scattered around
the entire shoreline of the bay. Next to the saltmarsh at Rosmurrevagh is an area of coastal grassland with
species such as Daisy (Bellis perennis), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale), Heath Wood-rush (Luzula multiflora), Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and Yarrow (Achillea
millefolium). Flushes introduce a species-rich bog/fen type vegetation. Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Soft
Rush (Juncus effusus), Irish Heath, Bog Mosses, sedges, Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Bog-myrtle (Myrica
gale), Bog Asphodel and Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) are found.
A further dune system occurs at Bartraw in the south-west of the site. Here Marram and embryonic dunes
occur along a shingle ridge which links a small island where dunes also occur. Embryonic dunes,
characterised by the presence of Sand Couch (Elymus farctus), also occur on some of the islands in the bay.
Important populations of Otter and Common Seal are found in Clew Bay. Both of these species are listed on
Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive.
The Clew Bay Complex supports a good diversity of wintering waterfowl, with nationally important numbers
of Red-breasted Merganser (average maximum of 70 in the winters 1995/96-1999/00) and Ringed Plover
(average maximum of 142 in the winters 1995/96-1999/00). A population of Barnacle Geese (between 100
and 200 birds) frequents the islands during winter. Other species which occur in significant numbers include
Great Northern Diver (14), Brent Goose (118), Shelduck (74), Wigeon (112), Teal (127), Mallard (64),
Oystercatcher 250), Dunlin (450), Bar-tailed Godwit (73), Curlew (373), Redshank (172), Greenshank (10)
and Turnstone (27) (all figures are average maxima for the winters 1995/95-1999/00). Species which breed in
important numbers include Cormorant (115 pairs in 1985), Common Tern (20+ pairs in 2000/01), Arctic Tern
(100+ pairs in 2000/01) and Little Tern (9 pairs in 2000). The various tern species, as well as Barnacle Goose,
Great Northern Diver and Bartailed Godwit, are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive.
The juxtaposition within Clew Bay of a wide variety of habitats, including seven listed on Annex I of the E.U.
Habitats Directive, and the combination of important flora and fauna, including one Red Data Book plant
and two mammals listed on Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive, make this a site of considerable national
and international importance.
18
Appendix B: Maps of relevant habitats and species distribution in Westport Bay section of Clew Bay
Complex SAC (See Conservation Objectives document for full maps) in relation to proposed location
(Circled)
Map 1 – Marine Communities
Map 2 – Sandflats and mudflats not covered at low tide (highlighted in brown – note very small
occurrence of this habitat at proposed location.
Map 3: Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) haul out locations in Westport bay section of Clew Bay Complex
SAC
19
20
Appendix C: Proposed Jetty Layout (See full drawing suite in main application documents)
Appendix D: Photographs of proposed location
Plate 1: View looking southwest of mid to upper littoral zone of beach and renovated cottage
21
Plate 2: View looking southwest from the water of middle and eastern portion of beach at mid to
three quarters tide.
Plate 3: View looking southeast along mid to eastern portion of beach at mid tide
22