Environmental Assessment

Ryan Hanley Ltd has been appointed as Environmental Consultant for the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme. They will collaborate with the Engineering Consultants throughout the development of the scheme, including providing input in relation to:

  • Environmental constraints,
  • Scoping of surveys and investigations,
  • Specialist environmental input during the selection of the preferred option,
  • Identifying potential environmental mitigation measures and environmental enhancement opportunities

The Environmental Consultant will also work closely with the other Consultants to produce the necessary Environmental Assessments for the scheme as outlined below.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will fulfil the requirements set out by Directive 2014/52/EU and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the ‘Guidelines on the Information to be contained in Environmental Impact Assessment Reports’ (EPA, 2017). The Report will also reference the ‘Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála on carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment’, published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in August 2018. 

The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR) will be to document the environment in the vicinity of the proposed scheme in an effort to quantify the possible impacts, if any on the environment. The assessment process will serve to highlight areas where mitigation measures may be necessary in order to protect the surrounding environment from any negative impacts of the proposed scheme. The objective is to facilitate the most efficient and positive design of the proposed scheme insofar as possible and that measures are in place to ensure that any adverse impacts are avoided, reduced or remedied as appropriate.

A separate "Appropriate Assessment" (AA) screening process will also be undertaken to assess the proposed scheme with regard to impact on European Sites. European Sites are those identified as sites of European Community importance, designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive or as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the Birds Directive. It will identify whether the proposed scheme is likely to have significant effects on European Sites in view of best scientific knowledge and the conservation objectives of the sites. Should significant effects be identified, a Natura Impact Statement will be produced.

The EIA and AA processes will be ongoing throughout the planning and design of the project. Information gathered or 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.

 

 

The Environmental Constraints Study Report sets out the key environmental issues relating to the Study Area for the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme which may be impacted upon by potential flood risk management measures and/or which may impose constraints on the viability and/or design of these measures.The final report is available at the link below

Ballinasloe FRS Environmental Constraints Study - April 2021

2524 Ballinasloe FRS Constraints Study V2.0 3.0 MB

 

Ballinasloe FRS Phase 2 Site Investigation Works

Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination Statement - May 2022

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken Appropriate Assessment screening to assess if the project, individually
or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on a European Site(s) as a result of the proposed Phase 2 Site Investigation Works. Read OPW's Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination Statement at the link below.

AA Screening Determination Phase 2 SI Works 550.1 KB

 

Ballinasloe FRS Phase 1 Site Investigation

Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination Statement - November 2021

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken Appropriate Assessment screening to assess the potential for significant effects on a European Site(s) as a result of the proposed Phase 1 Site Investigation Works. Read OPW's Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination Statement at the link below.

AA Screening Determination Phase 1 SI Works 519.9 KB


 

Email: ballinasloefrs@arup.com

Phone: (021) 422 3200

 

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OPW's National Flood Information Portal - www.Floodinfo.ie