Annagh River, Newport, Co. Limerick (Mulkear Flood Relief Scheme) - Maintenance works

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: 13/2023_ AA Screening/Natura Impact Statement for the Invasive Alien Plant Species Treatment on the Annagh (Killeenagarriff) River, Newport, Co Limerick, Mulkear Flood Relief 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 Mulkear Flood Relief Scheme, the OPW has identified a requirement to undertake critical maintenance works on relevant sluices structures and embankments.

The proposed works are within the River Mulkear catchment and are located along the River Mulkear flood defence embankments between Clonsingle bridge. Co. Tipperary and the confluence of the Newport and Annagh Rivers, north of Annagh Bridge, Co Limerick.

The proposed works include the treatment of the invasive alien plant species within the project area; i.e. Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Bohemian knotweed, Himalayan knotweed, and Giant hogweed.

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 Sites, if carried out:

• Lower River Shannon SAC (Site Code: 002165)

• River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA (Site Code: 004077)

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 Friday 24th November 2023 to Friday 6th January 2024, 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.