Erosion Protection Works at Boyagh Bridge on Swillyburn River, Co. Donegal

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: 02/2022 Natura Impact Statement for proposed erosion protection works at Boyagh Bridge on the Swillyburn River, Co. Donegal.

Proposed Works

The OPW propose to complete Erosion Protection Works at Boyagh Bridge on the Swillyburn River, Co. Donegal.

The Swillyburn River flows into the River Foyle approximately 2km downstream of the proposed application area. The River Foyle is an EU Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which is designated under the two jurisdictions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as the River Finn SAC (Site Code: 002301) and the River Foyle and Tributaries (Reference: UK0030320), respectively.

The proposed works will be carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.

Brief description

The proposed works will be undertaken on the OPW’s Deele-Swilly Burn Arterial Drainage Scheme. The proposed works include two aspects:

1. The re-alignment of this section of channel by movement of bank material from deposition locations to adjacent erosion locations. The reformed banks will then be stabilised using biodegradable geotextile and allowed re-vegetate.

2. Bridge B3 has a span of approximately 6m in a channel (C1) of approximate width of 12m. The resulting contraction and expansion patterns of the tidal Swilly Burn River have caused erosion to the banks. The erosion putting the bridge and adjacent embankments at risk. The proposed solution is to reinstate the banks upstream and downstream (approximately 15m on both banks) of the bridge with rock protection, designed to CIRIA C742 (scour at bridges), which will efficiently funnel the flow paths through the structure.

Appropriate Assessment

In accordance with Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, the OPW are 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 a Natura 2000 site 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 are 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:

- River Finn SAC (Site Code: 002301) and the

- River Foyle and Tributaries (Reference: UK0030320)

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 and Loughs Agency.

How to make a submission

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 21st April to Friday 3rd June 2022, up to 5pm. Submissions will not be accepted outside the consultation period.

You can make a submission via email: please email your submission to nis@opw.ie

Information about Submissions received

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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