Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities

1. Page 81

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   Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities Section 6 - References and Further Reading 81 Priority species: Species for the conservation of which the Community has particular responsibility in view of the proportion of their natural range which falls within the territory, these priority species are indicated by an asterisk (*) in Annex II of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. At present, Ireland does not have any priority species. Screening for appropriate assessment: the screening of a plan or project to establish if an appropriate assessment of the plan or project is required. Unless the screening assessment can establish that there is no likelihood of any significant effect on a Natura 2000 site, then an AA must be carried out. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs): are sites designated under European Communities Directive 92/43/EEC known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. This requires the conservation of important, rare or threatened habitats and species (not birds, which are protected by Special Protection Areas) across Europe. Special Protection Areas (SPAs): are sites designated under the European Communities Directive 79/409/EEC, known as the ‘Birds Directive’, to conserve the habitats of certain migratory or rare birds. [Statement for Appropriate Assessment: This term, used in the 10 December 2009 version of this Guidance, has, from 11 February 2010, been replaced by “Natura Impact Statement” (see below).] Natura Impact Statement (NIS): The report of a scientific examination of a plan or project and the relevant Natura 2000 sites, to identify and characterise any possible implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives, to enable a consent authority to carry out an appropriate assessment.

2. Page 82

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   Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities Section 6 - References and Further Reading 82 Appendix 5: Checklists Information checklist for AA (after Box 6, EC (2002)) Information about the plan or project Y/N Full characteristics of the project or plan which may affect the site The total range or area the plan will cover Size and other specifications of the project The characteristics of existing, proposed or other approved projects or plans which may cause interactive or cumulative impacts with the project being assessed and which may affect the site Planned or contemplated nature conservation initiatives likely to affect the status of the site in the future The relationship (e.g. key distances etc.) between the project or plan and the Natura 2000 site The information requirements (e.g. EIA/SEA) of the authorisation body or agency Information about the Natura 2000 site Y/N The reasons for the designation of the Natura 2000 site. The conservation objectives/qualifying interests of the site and the factors that contributes to the conservation value of the site. The conservation status of the site (favourable or otherwise) The existing baseline condition of the site The key attributes of any Annex I habitats or Annex II species on the site The physical and chemical composition of the site The dynamics of the habitats, species and their ecology Those aspects of the site that is sensitive to change The key structural and functional relationships that create and maintain the site’s integrity The seasonal influences on the key Annex I habitats or Annex II species on the site Other conservation issues relevant to the site, including likely future natural changes taking place

3. Page 83

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   Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities Section 6 - References and Further Reading 83 Integrity of Site Checklist (after Box 10, EC (2002)) Conservation objectives: does the project or plan have the potential to: Y/N Cause delays in progress towards achieving the conservation objectives of the site? Interrupt progress towards achieving the conservation objectives of the site? Disrupt those factors that help to maintain the favourable conditions of the site? Interfere with the balance, distribution and density of key species that are the indicators of the favourable condition of the site? Other objectives: does the project or plan have the potential to: Y/N Cause changes to the vital defining aspects (e.g. nutrient balance) that determine how the site functions as a habitat or ecosystem? Change the dynamics of the relationships (between, for example, soil and water or plants and animals) that define the structure and/or function of the site? Interfere with predicted or expected natural changes to the site (such as water dynamics or chemical composition)? Reduce the area of key habitats? Reduce the population of key species? Change the balance between key species? Reduce diversity of the site? Result in disturbance that could affect population size or density or the balance between key species? Result in fragmentation? Result in loss or reduction of key features (e.g. tree cover, tidal exposure, annual flooding, etc.)?

4. Page 84

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   Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities Back Cover Section 6 - References and Further Reading 84

Source Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (National Parks and Wildlife Service): Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities (December 2009, revised February 2010) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.