Ballybofey & Stranorlar Flood Mitigation Public Consultation Document June 2019 1 Donegal County Council PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (as amended) Notice pursuant to section 177AE (4) (A) of the Planning And Development Act 2000 (as amended) relating to Appropriate Assessment of a proposed development by Donegal county Council. (Available for public inspection) June 2019 Donegal County Council Road Design Lifford Co. Donegal NIS Ballybofey & Stranorlar Flood Mitigation Instream Works
Transcript
Ballybofey & Stranorlar Flood Mitigation
Public Consultation Document June 2019
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Donegal County Council
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (as
amended)
Notice pursuant to section 177AE (4) (A) of the Planning And
Development Act 2000 (as amended) relating to Appropriate
Assessment of a proposed development by Donegal county
Council.
(Available for public inspection)
June 2019 Donegal County Council
Road Design
Lifford
Co. Donegal
NIS
Ballybofey & Stranorlar
Flood Mitigation Instream Works
Ballybofey & Stranorlar Flood Mitigation
Public Consultation Document June 2019
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Background
Ballybofey and Stranorlar were included as an AFA (Area for Further Assessment)
within the CFRAM study that was undertaken by OPW. The works being undertaken
by Donegal County Council as part of the Minor Works application can be deemed to
be essential maintenance (silt & gravel removal) and to prevent flooding in the town as
part of an overall emergency plan where the town is at risk of flooding. The works will
be of benefit to the final solution for the town when a scheme from the CFRAM Final
Flood Risk Management Plan is priortised for the town of Ballybofey ‐ Stranorlar.
This is a measure to help prevent flooding in the town of Ballybofey –Stranorlar during
storm events such as what occurred on December 2015.
A view of the carpark at the ALDI store during the floods of 2015
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Proposal The proposal includes the removal of silt, gravels and boulder deposits at three
locations within the River Finn upstream and downstream of the main Ballybofey /
Stranorlar Bridge and the Drennan Bridge in Co. Donegal. Details on the proposals
at each location are given below.
Location 1 is an area just behind Jacksons Hotel in Ballybofey. A large gravel bank
has emerged due to the deposition of river gravels and sediments at this location. It is
proposed to remove these gravels to just below ambient river depth. These gravels
will be used for the creation of suitable spawning salmon habitat within the 3 areas
of the River Finn subjected to removal of materials as part of these works.
Location 2 is located just under the main Ballybofey / Stranorlar Bridge. Large silt
and sediment deposits have built up within two arches of the bridge and along a
stretch approximately 15m just downstream of these arches. Works in this area are
proposed to remove the silt and sediment deposits from the effected arches of the
bridge. This material is to be removed to a bunded deposition area onsite for ongoing
treatment due to the existence of invasive plant material notably Himalayan Balsam
within these sediments.
Location 3 is an area of large boulders and rubble that is proposed to be removed
from underneath the Dreenan Bridge on the River Finn. These boulders are very
large and are located immediately upstream of the bridge. An area of rubble and
stones also proposed for removal is located just downstream of the Dreenan bridge.
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Location 1 Behind Jacksons Hotel
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Location 2 at Ballybofey/Stranorlar Bridge
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Location 3 at Dreenan Bridge
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The proposed works are on the River Finn SAC upstream and downstream of the main
Ballybofey Stranorlar bridge along the N15 road in Co. Donegal.
Donegal County Council carried out a Screening Report to assess if the development
would have an effect on the Natura 2000 site. It was concluded that a Natura Impact
Statement would be required.
Donegal County Council appointed Woodrow Sustainable Solutions Ltd. to carry out
a Natura Impact Statement in line with the EC Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) for the
proposed project.
This Natura Impact Statement identified the particular types of effect that have
potential for adverse impact on the integrity the River Finn SAC. The statement
identifies mitigation measures to avoid and minimise these effects so that the structure
and functions of the SAC are not affected, thus demonstrating that the proposal can be
mitigated to avoid adverse impact. The incorporation of these mitigation measures in
full during construction will ensure that there will be no significant effects, either
individually or in combination with other plans or projects, on the conservation
interests or conservation objectives of the River Finn SAC.
It is concluded that construction of the proposed manholes/tree & vegetation
removal/ground investigation will not, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, adversely
affect the integrity of any European site (Natura 2000 site), either directly, indirectly
