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10 Malcolm Road,
Woodside
London,
SE255HG
Sept 9th’ 10
Re Strategic Infrastructure Act Application for Corrib Gas Onshore Pipeline
16.GA0004b
Closing Statement
Ethel and Thomas Corduff
The proposed pipeline is far worse for the local community and visitors on both sides
of Sruwaddacon Bay as more people are involved. Aghoos, Pollatomas and Glengad
are well populated and there is the additional visitors and traffic to Pollatomish
School, Aghoos church, the graveyard, Kilcommon Lodge Hostel, McGrath and
Maguire’s public houses. Though further from houses, Rossport is still affected.
Health and Safety
Towering over them all is Dooncarton Hill, which could come tumbling down as
before. The worse scenario would be if it landed on the proposed pipeline. This is
possible as sadly some graves and much debris landed in Sruwaddacon Bay during
the last landslide. The heavy traffic could have an impact on the hill as well as to road
users. Mrs P.J. Moran highlighted the effect of the prevailing winds from Glengad
Landfall on Rossport College. The pipeline should not be put anywhere near
Pollatomas School, there is a real danger for the children and staff.
Most surveys took place in fair to good weather condition (Projects details 1.1,
2.3.2.1 and 2.3.3.1) this would not paint a true picture of land conditions, as extreme
weather is a frequent occurrence in the area.
The danger of a gas explosion will be an every day risk for the local community and
visitors on land, sea and beach with no local emergency services. No emergency
response plan is in place, which is essential. Oil spills and waste disposal are likely;
already hydraulic fluid and diesel have been spilt in Broadhaven Bay also sewage
from Glengad as witnessed by Observer Colm Henry. The stone road and removal of
peat will create safety problems. Sabotage to the proposed pipeline is been considered
a high priority.
Environment
The activity of the proposed works will severely affect marine life and activities.
Fishing would be restricted for a long period as it will be many months before the
survey work is done. By then the fish will be polluted.
Atlantic salmon and golden plover, dolphins, protected otters and seals will be
affected, also the essential sand ells that feed birds, fish and mammals. This route was
deemed unsuitable previously by Sepil and RPS and should never have been
suggested by An Bord Pleanala. After all the same environmental problems are still
there,
A cause of concern is that Sepil may not take responsibility for their employees
activities. Their response to my submission to their foreshore licence borehole
application to the Department of Environment regarding Shell speedboats heading
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straight for the dolphins in Broadhaven Bay, was ‘Sepil cannot be responsible for 3rd
party activities in the bay’.
Sruwaddacon Bay and Broadhaven Bay
An area of myth and legend, which should not be disturbed. by pipelines. Both bays
fed generations of Kilcommon people. Work in Sruwaddacon and Broadhaven Bay
during construction would cause great disturbance to marine life and fauna.
Adherence to the planned code of conduct would be doubtful due to past mishaps.
Birds: Sruwaddacon Bay is of immense ornithological importance with wintering
wildfowl and nationally important species as well as local birds. There is no way of
avoiding the birds during works despite mitigation measures given.
The report (p24 Black sod /Broadhaven Bays SPA) notes its high orthonological
importance and the recently record number of light bellied Brent Geese makes it a
special conservation area
Since the original onshore 2001 EIS some specimens have been upgraded in
status. This should mean more protection for them. General sightings of birds
show reduced sightings since 2002 though 2009 better that 2008. Could this be
because of all the surveys and disturbance in the bay over the last decade?
The Sei Whale was observed in Broadhaven Bay the first recording in Ireland since
the 1900s.This is the highest marine mammal diversity found to date in a concentrated
area in Irish inshore waters (Ingram et al 2003,2005a and 2005) .It may also be a
nursery area. This is extremely important sighting and the Bay should immediately be
completely protected.
Mammals; Hearing is the most important sense for mammals used for finding food,
navigation and social interaction. This would be worse during pulping or moulting.
Excessive noise during construction could lead to deaths. (Appendix B- Impacts from
Marine and Land Surveys in Sruwaddacon Bay and inner Broadhaven Bay)
Frequencies and power outputs of the equipment used could impact on fish and
marine mammals in the area. Seismic surveys should be avoided in areas of spawning
or fish migration. Can Shell be trusted to do this?
The Effects on the Community over the last decade have been catastrophic. It has
led to a divided community partly due to Shell’s funding. Also heavy aggressive
policing and IRMS thuggish dubious security have been a regular occurrence and are
at present constant. This will be increased and closer to the community if this licence
is given. There have been regular court cases and imprisonment for the Rossport
Five. Maura Harrington, Niall Hartnett and Pat O Donnell the fisherman who has the
fishing rights to Broadhaven Bay. Masked men sank his boat and he and his fellow
fisherman were lucky to escape alive. Willie Corduff and his brother in law were also
attacked at Glenglad Compound.
Work will be difficult or not possible during heavy rain, which is a frequent event in
the area hence the work and aggravation would be prolonged.
As usual there will be little work for locals if this revised route goes through. The
statement from the EIS. The influx of workers may have a short term effect on local
culture and language”(Chapter 6 Human beings 6.5). is disconcerting.
That says it all: few or no jobs for locals.
There will be land loss and limited onshore activities in the local areas
The extraordinary statement that “Operationally the offshore elements of the
development are unlikely to have any impacts on the local population.” is a statement
that cannot be accepted. Of course it would have a huge impact on the locals.
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Traffic/noise
There is much traffic on the stretch of road from Pollatomish to Glengad where the
pipeline route is to cross in the vicinity is the school, the church, the graveyard, the
pub and the Kilcommon Lodge Hostel and added to this the huge volumes of heavy
traffic during construction. Cracks appeared in houses before when this route was
used previously by Shell. Also due to local opposition parts of this road is uneven
and narrow and dangerous for heavy traffic. Noise will start from 7.00 until 17.00
from drills, machines and generators. The noise could be horrendous. Its effect on
fish, birds and wildlife will be tremendous, not to mention the residents.
The sustainable development of the area
The most important thing is to keep this beautiful area pristine. If the proposed
pipeline gets permission security would be tight on land and sea; it will be like a
prison camp. Will there be armed guards like in Nigeria? Tourists will be horrified
and would not come again. Nobody will want to come and live here. People won’t be
able to insure their property.
What is needed for the area are sustainable industries. Walking, bird and mammal
watching, fishing, boating and tourist related businesses should be focused on and are
more important than the invasive methods of dangerous pipelines, which will destroy
the area.
Submissions supporting application; The small number of submissions submitted
supporting this application have not been concerned with the environmental, health
and safety effects on the community or sustainable development issues. Only one
observer lives in Kilcommon, he put in two submissions from unknown groups but he
declined to read them out! The other observers were all concerned with money or
business given by Shell. It was obvious none had the support of the people of
Kilcommon and their supporters.
CONCLUSIONS
This application for the re routed gas pipeline route via Sruwaddacon Bay has
previously been rejected on environmental grounds by the applicant. These
environmental grounds are still there. In fact they have increased due to more
awareness of disasters of pipelines laid in bays throughout the world particularly the
recent BP oil spill in the Bay of Mexico. European courts have ruled that the Irish
government are breaking EU law by not protecting habitats and wild life. Major
infrastructure developments have been cited. An Bord Pleanala needs to acknowledge
that inviting Shell to try this route was a costly mistake.
It is time for common sense to prevail and to preserve, not destroy the beauty
here. The community and supporters have tried to deliver this message to a
government who does not want to listen, they only want to please the conglomerates
such as Shell. Instead of making money for the country in fact it is costing money.
The cost of policing alone has been mind-boggling.
We request this application be rejected for major environmental and health safety
issues and completely wrong for this beautiful pristine area.
Ethel and Thomas Corduff
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