environmental impact statement kilmainhamwood compost facility ...

5361- Kilmainhamwood Compost Facility Extension- EIS
6 FLORA & FAUNA
6.1 INTRODUCTION
TOBIN Consulting Engineers have been requested to prepare an Ecological Report for lands at
Kilmainhamwood by Thorntons Recycling.
This assessment was conducted broadly in accordance with EPA Guidelines on the Information to be
contained in Environmental Impact Statements (EPA, 2002) and also in general accordance with the
Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (Colebourn, K. 2006).
A bibliography for this Ecological Assessment is presented in Appendix 6.1.
6.1.1 Methodology
This ecological assessment comprised both a desktop study and a field survey. The desk study
comprised the following elements:
• Identification of all sites designated for nature conservation within 5km of the development site.
• Consultation with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Eastern Regional Fisheries
board.
• Review of existing databases with information on the distribution of rare or protected species
• Review of Ordnance Survey maps and aerial photography in order to determine broad habitats
that occur within the existing site.
For inspection purposes only.
Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
TOBIN Consulting Engineers undertook a site visit to carry out habitat and general mammal
assessment on 17 th February, 2009. This field survey assessed habitats within the facility activity area
and adjacent areas, see Figure 6.2.
The habitat assessment was conducted in accordance with The Heritage Council’s Draft methodology,
A Standard Methodology for Habitat Survey and Mapping in Ireland (Natura Environmental Consultants,
2002) and habitats were classified according to The Heritage Council’s A Guide to Habitats in Ireland
(Fossitt, 2000). Plant identification and nomenclature principally follows Webb et al. (1996) and Rose
(2006). The predominant plant species for each habitat type were recorded in order to accurately
determine habitats present on the site. Habitats were rated according to the Site Evaluation Scheme
contained in the National Roads Authority’s Guidelines for Assessment of Ecological Impacts of
National Road Schemes (National Roads Authority, 2006). Refer to Appendix 6.2 for qualifying criteria.
The general mammal survey primarily involved searching the site for evidence/signs of mammals (e.g.
tracks, scats, dwellings and occasionally direct sightings). An assessment of the habitats in terms of
their importance for mammals was also undertaken.
78
EPA Export 01-06-2010:03:55:54