Environmental Assessment
Arup and their specialist experts will provide environmental consultancy services for the Corrib go Cósta project. Throughout the scheme development, Arup will be responsible for the development of:
• Environmental constraints
• Scoping of environmental surveys and investigations
• Input into the multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of Viable Options
• Specialist environmental input during the selection of the Preferred Option
• Identifying potential environmental mitigation measures and environmental enhancement opportunities
• Collation of data and preparation of information to inform the EIA and AA process
Arup will also work closely with the other specialist consultants to produce the necessary environmental assessments for the scheme as outlined below.
The EIA and AA processes will be ongoing throughout the planning and design of the project and will take into account information gathered during the consultation process. Alternatives suggested arising from public information days, meetings with stakeholders and written representations are considered on the grounds of engineering feasibility, environmental viability, existing constraints and economics.
All relevant reports will be uploaded to this page as they become available.
Environmental Impact Assessment
EIA is the process of carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment as required by European and Irish law on the assessment of the effects of certain projects on the environment. The EIA process includes the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), ongoing consultation, the examination of the EIAR and other information by the consenting authority, determination, monitoring and enforcement.
The proposed Coirib go Cósta project will undergo screening for the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Should EIA be required, an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will be prepared by Arup and their specialist experts. The EIAR is a statement of the effects, if any, which the proposed development, if carried out, would have on the environment.
The first stage in the EIA process consists of the compilation of facts including baseline environmental surveys to understand the existing environment and development of the design of the project. The second stage consists of the predictions of likely effects. This may be undertaken several times as the design is improved to eliminate excessive adverse effects and to account for stakeholder feedback. The information and results from these two stages are reported in the EIAR. The final stage consists of the assessment of the environmental effects by the consenting authority who may decide to grant, condition, refuse or seek additional information.
Appropriate Assessment
Natura 2000 sites, or European Sites, are those identified as sites of European Community importance, designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), or as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC).
Under the Article 6(3) of the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), competent authorities are required to conduct a screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) and, if necessary, an AA on any plan or project for which it receives an application for consent, or which the authority itself wishes to undertake or adopt. Stage 1 AA Screening is the process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation to the first two tests of Article 6(3): whether a plan or project is directly connected to or necessary for the management of the European site, and whether a plan or project, alone or in combination with other plans and projects, is likely to have significant effects on a European site in view of its conservation objectives. A report for AA Screening will be prepared by Arup and their specialist experts. The competent authority (i.e. the consenting authority) is responsible for making an AA Screening determination.
If it cannot be concluded that there is no likelihood of significant effects on European sites, Stage 2 AA will be required. This stage considers whether the plan or project, alone or in combination with other projects or plans will have adverse effects on the integrity of a European site, and includes any mitigation measures necessary to avoid, reduce or offset negative effects. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be prepared by Arup and their specialist experts. The NIS is a scientific examination of the plan or project and the relevant European sites to identify and characterise any possible implications for the European site in view of the site’s conservation objectives, taking account of in combination effects. The NIS will include any mitigation measures necessary to avoid, reduce or offset adverse effects. The competent authority (i.e. the consenting authority) is responsible for carrying out the full AA and is supported by the NIS with input from statutory consultees as required.