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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) - Public Consultation Notice under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, and Statutory Instrument No. 472 of 2019 European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019 and (Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 (S.I. No.477 of 2011).
River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Drainage Scheme (Scheme Reference: DPE63-15-2020)
The River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Drainage Scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works as a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. A preliminary Design for the Scheme was developed and exhibited for pubic consultation in 2009. In response to feedback from the public the design was amended and the scheme went on display in 2012 and again in 2018. The developed scheme was then presented at the Public Exhibition in Enniscorthy Library from 17th May to 18th June 2019.
Pursuant to Section 7(1) (c) of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, the Commissioners of Public Works submitted the River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Drainage Scheme to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for confirmation in March 2020. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report has been prepared by Mott MacDonald on behalf of the Commissioners for Public Works in respect of the proposed Drainage Scheme. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has also been prepared as part of the AA process to ascertain if the scheme could significantly impact on any site designated for conservation.
Before the Minister can confirm the scheme, he must first determine if the scheme is likely to have
A) a significant effect on the environment or
B) have an impact on the integrity of a Natura 2000 Site (Sites)
Public consultation is now being carried out as part of the confirmation process, and members of the public are invited to make a written submission with respect to
1. the likely effects on the environment of the scheme
2. the scheme’s impact on Natura 2000 Site(s)
Submissions can be made in writing at any time during the period of 30 days concluding on Thursday 27th August 2020 by one of the following methods:
By e-mail to: enniscorthyschemeconsultation@per.gov.ie
By post to: OPW Vote Section (Room -1.07), Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2, D02 R583
All submissions should include your name, contact address, contact details (including telephone number and e-mail address) and details of any organisation being represented.
Description of Works:
The fundamental objective of the scheme is to address the very serious flooding and associated damage experienced in the town of Enniscorthy on numerous occasions most notably in the year 2000 and most recently in 2018.
The proposed works involves:
Scheme Details
The management and delivery of the scheme is being led by Wexford County Council (“WCC”) on behalf of the Office of Public Works (“OPW”). WCC is the Contracting Authority for the scheme with funding provided by the OPW.
A copy of the scheme and the environmental reports (Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement) relating to the Scheme will be available for inspection at Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93 from Wednesday 29th July 2020 until Thursday 27th August 2020 from 9.00am – 5.00pm subject to current Covid restrictions regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings etc.
Scheme details are available on http://enniscorthyfds.ie/
Decision on Scheme:
Following the expiry of the consultation period and taking into account submissions made, it is open to the Minister to:
A) make an order confirming the scheme,
B) refuse to confirm the scheme, or
C) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners for revision in specified aspects.
It is intended to publish, on the Government’s website, the final outcome of the Minister’s decision. It should also be noted that submissions received are subject to the Freedom of Information Acts and may be accessed on foot of third party consultations.