Consultation
Proposed Cashen Estuary Pump Infrastructure for the Feale OPW Arterial Drainage Scheme
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Statutory consultation on proposed works by the OPW as required under Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended.
Ref: 10/2023 Proposed Cashen Estuary Pump Infrastructure CEMP, AA Screening Report, NIS and Cover Note for the Feale OPW Arterial Drainage Scheme.
The OPW (as the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, as amended.
As part of the Feale Arterial Drainage Scheme, the OPW has identified a requirement to undertake relevant maintenance works.
The project proposes the installation of 16 pumping stations (7 electric and 9 wind driven pumps) located within the identified polders. The selection of electric versus wind driven pump solutions was derived based on size and characteristics of the land protected within the polder.
The pumps will augment the existing gravity drainage system that formed part of the original drainage scheme by pumping water from existing drainages channels on the defended side of the embankment into the river side, regardless of the water level or head differential in the river. The pumps will operate periodically, during the grazing period (March-October), when gravity discharge requires supplementation such as during periods of high rainfall or tidal inundation The project endeavors to return the drainage scheme to the original standard, in line with the OPW’s statutory requirements, while ensuring that the proposed preferred option is environmentally acceptable, is technically achievable and offers a robust practical solution to the main issues currently experienced.
In accordance with Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, the OPW is now required to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed works, alone and in combination with other plans and projects, on the integrity of all relevant Natura 2000 sites in view of its conservation objectives.
An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and a Natura Impact Statement have been prepared in respect of these proposed works and is provided below.
The OPW now invites submissions and observations from the public relating to the likely significant effects of the proposed works on the following European Site, if carried out:
- Lower River Shannon SAC [002165]
The OPW shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during this public consultation when arriving at a decision. The OPW will also consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Public consultation forms an important part of advancing the consideration of the environmental impacts associated with these works and allows the involvement of the public in developing a better outcome for the associated SACs and SPAs.
Submissions will be accepted from Thursday 14th September 2023 to Thursday 26th October up to 5pm.
Submissions will not be accepted outside this consultation period.
You can make a submission via email: please email your submission to nis@opw.ie
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Individual responses to submissions will not be provided however all submissions and feedback will be considered before the final decision is made.
Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Please also note that we may publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.
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