Appendices
Including SEA, AA and SFRA
Submission from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (submission 395)
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
(a) The extent of mudflat, useable by wintering birds, remaining at that S.l. height6; (b) The extent to which many bird species will be wintering in locations further north and no longer in Cork Harbour, with increased global temperature; (c) The extent to which a tidal barrier would likely result in the loss of availability of mudflat feeding habitat in the upper Harbour SPA, due to prolonged periods of inundation behind a closed barrier. Flood Mitigation Objective 5.5 (Climate and Environmental Action Strategies) states that the Cork City Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan will be implemented. The SECA Plan itself does not mention whether it was screened for or subject to Habitats Directive appropriate assessment. It is not mentioned in the NIR for the draft Development Plan. Because the objective is to implement it, if it has not been previously screened, it requires screening for appropriate assessment as part of this plan. Jacob’s Island Jacob’s Island borders the Lough Mahon part of Cork Harbour SPA, and properties there are advertised as being in one of Cork’s most important wildlife settings. Objective 10.86 (and Map 06, ZO5) provides for developments of mixed use, including a hotel and business and office space. The conservation question in this area relates to disturbance, and in
Response The SECA Plan has not been subject to its own AA process but its implementation is provided for as part of the City Plan. Recommendation The AA Natura Impact Report will be updated to provide additional consideration of the Cork City Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan. The effects of lighting and the introduction of habitat fragmentation (buildings presenting fragmentation issues as noted in the submission with regard to collision and lighting) are considered in Section 4.3.1.2 of the NIR. Recommendation: No change.
6 See also van der Wegen, M., Jaffe, B., Foxgrover, A. and Roelvink, D. (2017) Mudflat morphodynamics and impact of sea level rise in south San Francisco Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 40: 37-49.
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