Appropriate Assessment Screening Report
MS51/9/603
Assessment of the likely effects of the construction of a slipway and concrete pad with
ladder to access floating pontoon and gangway at Inishkeragh Island, Sneem, Co. Kerry.
Project Description:
Inishkeragh Island is currently uninhabited and the applicant has received planning permission
for a dwelling house on the Island. The proposed development is required to provide safe access
at all stages of the tide to the dwelling from the mainland. (Location map attached)
The Development will consist of
1. A reinforced concrete slipway 15m x 2.5m to launch and retrieve boats.
2. A 10m x 2m pontoon with 15m access gangway to board and unboard boats.
3. The pontoon will be secured to a concrete pad placed on existing rocks on the shoreline.
Kenmare River SAC 002158
Kenmare River, Co. Kerry, is a long and narrow, south-west facing bay. It is a deep, drowned
glacial valley and the bedrock is mainly Old Red Sandstone which forms reefs along the middle
of the bay throughout its length. Exposure to prevailing winds and swells at the mouth
diminishes towards the head of the bay. Numerous islands and inlets along the length of the bay
provide further areas of additional shelter in which a variety of habitats and unusual communities
occur.
Kenmare River has a very wide range of marine communities from exposed coast to ultrasheltered areas. The site contains three marine habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats
Directive, namely reefs, large shallow bay and caves. There is also an extremely high number of
rare and notable marine species present (24) and some uncommon communities. Kenmare River
is the only known site in Ireland for the northern sea-fan, Swiftia pallida and is the only known
area where this species and the southern sea-fan Eunicella verrucosa co-occur.
Kenmare River contains an exceptional complement of marine and terrestrial habitats, many of
which are listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. The presence of a number of rare
species, including two species listed on Annex II of the Directive and a protected plant, together
with the ornithological interest of the area, adds further to the importance of the site. (NPWS
2004)
Objective 1 of the Conservation Objectives (NPWS 2010) is to maintain the favourable
conservation status of the following habitats and species;
 Vertigo angustior [1014]
 Large shallow inlets and bays [1160]
 Reefs [1170]
 Perennial vegetation of stony banks [1220]
 Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts [1230]
 Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) [1303]
 Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330]
 Otter (Lutra lutra) [1355]
 Common seal (Phoca vitulina) [1365]






Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) [1410]
Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) [2120]
Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes) [2130]
European dry heaths [4030]
Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae [6130]
Submerged or partly submerged sea caves [8330]
Impact of Project on Key Species and Key Habitats
Loss of Habitat
A small area of shingle and gravel habitats are likely to be lost and unavailable for feeding and
spawning in the shore term during construction of the pier/pontoon. The loss of habitat is likely
to be temporary in nature as a result of the floating nature of the pier. Once constructed it is
expected that the habitats will return to its natural state. (OES Consulting. 2007)
Loss of Species
There will be a direct loss of sessile species through the removal of habitat during the
construction phase of the pier. There may also be an indirect loss of species (invertebrates,
vertebrates and plants) through the loss of feeding and spawning grounds available. Mobile
species should be able to avoid the area and avoid potential adverse impacts.
However, once the pier is constructed it is expected that species will readily recolonise the area
from the surrounding habitat. The loss of species as a result of the feeding and spawning grounds
is likely to be negligible as only a small area would be impacted when compared with similar
area available in the area. (OES Consulting. 2007)
Increased Suspended Solids
As a result of the construction works siltation may cause damage to fisheries and wildlife. It is
envisaged that there will be a short term increase in the turbidity of the water column during the
construction of the pier. This could result in increased siltation, which could potential suffocate
sessile non mobile organisms, and reduce light for phytoplankton.
It is anticipated that the contribution from construction activities would be minimal in nature
however some sheltered area could experience increased sedimentation. (OES Consulting. 2007)
Noise Vibration and Physical Disturbance
Noise vibration and physical disturbance as a result of the construction of the development may
disturb the surrounding flora and fauna. Disturbance to Common Seals in particular has the most
significant effects in the nursery period which occurs between June to August. During this period
the seal pups must gain adequate weight and become self-sufficient. During this period the seals
are nursed on islands during low water periods in particular Potato Island located 100m west
from Inishkeragh. Any disturbance during this period may result in a reduction of the required
intake of milk. This would subsequently result in less fat intake and reduced chances of survival
of the pups and potentially result in displacement of the seals and otters from the area.
The disturbance from construction activity (material storage, machinery such as diggers, rock
breakers, generators, marine activity, and human presence) will cause birds resident and
breeding, visiting and feeding on the island to be displaced, notably the Rock Pipit (Anthus
petrosus) and wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). The latter birds are Green listed species. They are
not under threat with regard to their numbers. The birds are likely to relocate to other nearby
islands and set up a new home during construction. In relation to the amber listed species, the
Cormorant (Phalacrocroax carbo) and the Common Gull (Larvus canus) are not dependant on the
island for habitat as they can be found in the larger area of Kenmare river.
Post construction the noise and disturbance issues associated with the construction phase will no
longer exist and so present residing birds may return to the island. This is likely to occur during
quiet periods with no human presence.
Noise impacts associated with the proposed development are likely to be minimal and short term
in nature and mainly restricted to the construction phase. (OES Consulting. 2007)
Pollutants and Waste
During the construction phase of the proposed development chemicals i.e. hydrocarbons, cement
could contaminate the area and adversely impact marine sediments and marine organisms. These
materials are toxic to marine organisms and could also inhibit recolonisation of the area after
construction. The water pollutants can also bioaccumulate and affect apex predators within the
area such as Seals and Otters.
Post construction there is potential for sewage pollution to contaminate the water if left
untreated. No vulnerable habitats that might be affected by the development were noted on the
islands of Inishkeragh. However the habitats of Otter, Common Seal, and resident birds are
vulnerable to disturbances from construction activity and residual impacts of the development.
In general the impacts associated with the development are largely temporary in nature, as the
area would be recolonised post construction. (OES Consulting. 2007)
Proposed Mitigation
The following mitigation measures are recommended in order to avoid, reduce or remedy the
adverse environmental effects associated with the proposed development.
Potential Impact: Temporal loss of feeding habitat during construction.
Proposed Mitigation
 Undertake construction outside the breeding and molting season for the Common Seal
and when birds are not feeding along the foreshore areas.
 It is recommended that a fully annotated landscaping plan is developed for the site to
include native tree species which are local and representative of the area be submitted to
Kerry County Council.
Potential Impact: Permanent loss and disturbance of habitat.
Proposed Mitigation
 Specific construction activities will be timed to avoid sensitive periods such as spawning,
nursing and migratory periods, where possible. The programme of construction activities
will be developed in consultation with National Parks and Wildlife Services and Kerry
County Council by an appropriately qualified ecologist. The purpose of this consultation
will be to determine specific constraints for specific activities. This would be particularly
important for bird species such as Cormorant, and Common Gull, and also Common Seal,

Otter, Salmonids, and shellfish. The programme should also include a comprehensive
approach for water quality protection during construction phase of the development.
To minimise habitat and species loss and disturbance, efforts will be made to keep the
area disturbed by construction activities to a minimum.
Potential Impact: Pollution of waters as a result of construction activities.
Proposed Mitigation
 Construction activities close to sensitive watercourses should be programmed during
drier months to minimise the risk of potential erosion.
 Construction of sediment traps (fences) and basins will occur before other land
disturbance activities are implemented. Sediment traps will be regularly inspected,
maintained and cleaned as necessary.
 Phasing of works will be undertaken wherever possible to minimise erosion potential.
 All fuels or chemicals kept on the construction site will be stored in bunded containers.
 All refuelling and maintenance will be carried out in ramped containment areas away
from sensitive environments.
 Oil interceptors will also be installed in appropriate locations (i.e. refuelling locations)
such that surface water which could become contaminated with hydrocarbons is afforded
appropriate treatment.
 Equipment will be regularly maintained and leaks repaired immediately.
 Accidental spillages will be contained and cleaned up immediately. Remediation
measures will be carried out in the unlikely event of pollution of adjacent watercourses in
accordance with recommendations from suitability qualified and experienced personnel.
Potential Impact: Chemical pollution of waters and waste water operation of the proposed
development.
Proposed Mitigation
 Self-contained chemical toilets will be used for the treatment of all 'domestic nature'
sewage generated onsite.
 The waste from these toilets will be removed from site by an appropriate permitted
contractor for treatment/disposal in accordance with best environmental practice
(ensuring that no sewage is directly discharged to watercourses).
 An advanced waste water treatment unit and percolation area will be installed to ensure
that the waste water is sufficiently treated before it enters the groundwater.
 Specialist contractors will be employed to installing the guides for the floating pier and
will use materials that have been approved for use in the marine environment.
Construction methods should be applied to minimise the release of polluting materials
into the water column.
Supervision of mitigation measures should be undertaken by a qualified environmental scientist
to ensure they are correctly implemented, and where required, make alterations to same if
considered necessary to improve their effectiveness. (OES Consulting 2007)
Impact on the Integrity of the Site
All species, including those of high conservation importance, such as the Otter and Common
Seal are expected to continue to occur in the area after the construction is complete.
The proposed landscape plan will in the long term, lessen the residual impacts with regard to the
removal of bracken, dry heath and shingle and gravel shores.
The island is bounded by a SAC and consequently all works will be discussed with the National
Parks & Wildlife Service in advance and provision should be made for a qualified ecologist to
supervise works on these islands if required. If suitable precautions are taken and best practice
for the storage, handling and disposal of such material are followed, impacts should be minimal.
The production of a Programme of Works to include agreed scheduled construction dates and
include mitigation measures outlined above to be fully implemented will ensure compliance with
the various National and European Union legislative instruments relating to habitats and species.
It is anticipated that if best construction practices are implemented the scale and negative impacts
of the development as a result of construction activities will be minimal in nature. (OES
Consulting 2007)
On the basis of the above it is considered that the integrity of the Kenmare River SAC will not be
adversely impacted by the proposed construction of a slipway and concrete pad with ladder to
access floating pontoon and gangway at Inishkeragh Island, Sneem, Co. Kerry.
Prepared by
Barry Mc Donald M.Eng. M.I.E.I.,
Engineer & Engineering Inspector
Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government
09/02/2012
References
NPWS (2004) Site Synopsis Kenmare River SAC Site Code: 002158
NPWS (2010) Draft Generic Conservation Objectives Kenmare River SAC Site Code: 002158
OES Consulting (2007) Ecological Assessment, OES Consulting, FBD House, Fels Point,
Tralee, Co. Kerry