Whitehill Edgeworthstown Co. Longford  (087) 4127248 / (043) 6672775  Noreen McLoughlin, MSc Environmental Consultant STATEMENT OF SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT OF THE LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PLAN IN LIN E W ITH TH E RE QU IR E ME N TS OF AR T IC LE 6 ( 3 ) OF TH E EU HA B ITA TS DIR E C T IV E Cavan County Council December 2015
AP P R OP R I AT E AS S E S S M E N T ( S T AG E I ) O F TH E CO UN T Y CAV AN L O C AL E C O N OM I C AN D COM M U NI T Y P L AN TA B L E OF CON T E N T S
Conclusions of the LECP 2 H I G H L E V E L GOA L S Following the initial consultation process with relevant stakeholders and following statistical analysis , a number of High Level Goals (HLG) were developed for the LECP. These goals do not conflict with any of the actions or objectives set out in the Cavan County Development Plan 2014 - 2020. These HLG are outlined in Table 1. Goal Element Description 1 Community To support the ongoing development of safe, healthy and empowered communities 2 Community To promote social inclusion and measures to reduce poverty and deprivation 3 Economic To attract inward investment 4 Economic To invest in strategic infrastructure 5 Economic To stimulate indigenous enterprise 6 Economic To support innovation and research and development for industry 7 Economic To encourage business expansion and internationalisation 8 Economic To further develop strengths in the and Food sectors 9 Economic To prioritise Employment, Education and Training opportunities 10 Economic To focus on town renewal and revival of retail 11 Economic To maximise the growth potential of tourism 12 Economic To develop the creative industries Table 1 – High Level Goals of the Cavan LECP
2 NA T U R A 2000 S I T E S W I T H IN CO U N T Y CA V A N SPECIAL OF CONSERVATION are six SACs within County Cavan. Some of these sites are cross-county sites, such as the Cuilcagh-Anieran Uplands SAC and the River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. These SACs are designated for a wide range of Annex I habitats and Annex II species. Over 16,500ha of land in County Cavan has been designated as a Special Area Conservation. A summary of the SACs within County Cavan is presented in Table 2 and a map showing their locations is shown in Figure 1.
Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation [8220] River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC 002299 This site comprises most of the freshwater element of the Boyne from upriver of the Boyne Aqueduct at Drogheda, the Blackwater River as far as Lough Ramor and the principal Boyne tributaries, notably the Deel, Stoneyford and Tremblestown Rivers. This system drains a considerable area of Counties Meath and Westmeath and smaller areas of Cavan and Louth. Alkaline fens [7230] Alluvial forests with alder Alnus glutinosa and ash Fraxinus excelsior [91E0] River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) Salmon (Salmo salar) (Lutra lutra) [1355] 2 – A Summary of the SACs within County Cavan
AP P R OP R I AT E AS S E S S M E N T ( S T AG E I ) O F TH E CO UN T Y CAV AN L O C AL E C O N OM I C AN D COM M U NI T Y P L AN SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS There are four Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in County Cavan, totalling over 4000 hectares in area. SPAs are designated for the protection of birds and many of the protected bird species listed are dependent on the protected wetlands of County Cavan. Lakes, rivers and their associated wetland habitats such as reed beds, marsh and wet grassland provide vital feeding and nesting sites for these birds. These wetlands and their associated bird species are vulnerable to many threats such as eutrophication, drainage, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and human recreation. Many wetland bird species in Ireland and Europe have suffered serious declines in recent decades; therefore the protection of the habitats on which they depend is vital for their long-term survival. A summary of the SPAs in County Cavan is presented in Table 3 and a map showing their location is presented in Figure 2.
1 – Ardgullion Bog SAC 2 – Aroo Mountain SAC – Garriskill Bog SAC/SPA – Kilroosky Lough Cluster SAC – Bane & Lough Glass SAC 6 – Lough Derravaragh SPA – Lough Gill SAC – Lough Lene SAC – Lough Melvin SAC – Moneybeg & Island Bog SAC – White Lough, Ben Lough and Doo Lough SAC
1 F I N D I N G O F NO S I G N I F I C A N T E F F E C T S Finding of No Significant Effects Report Matrix Name of project Local Economic and Community Plan (Draft) Name and location of Natura 2000 site All of the Natura 2000 within Cavan and 15km from its boundary have been considered. Description of project This plan will provide a strategic framework guiding local economic and community development in County Cavan for the next six years. It is the central strategy that will set the agenda for statutory agencies, elected representatives, community and voluntary groups and business interests to work collaboratively over the life of the plan for the betterment of County Cavan. It will ensure that organisations in Cavan work in partnership to achieve that vision for County Cavan. Is the project directly connected with or necessary to the management of the The LECP is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of any Natura 2000 site. Its main purpose is to promote the well being and quality of life of communities in Cavan, whilst promoting business and tourism in a sustainable manner. Are there other projects or plans that together with project being assessed could affect the sites? The implantation of the Cavan LECP will have no significant impacts upon any Natura 2000 sites either on its own or in combination with other plans and projects. The Assessment of Significance of Effects Describe how the project is likely to affect the Natura 2000 site Having regard to the strategic nature of this plan, it is considered that is no potential for significant effects either from the proposed plan on its own or in combination with other plans and projects. Explain why effects are not considered significant Any projects arising from the actions outlined within the HLG of this plan will be screened for Appropriate Assessment as required. List of agencies consulted: Development Applications Unit / National Parks and Wildlife Service Data Collected to Carry out the Assessment Who carried out the assessment Noreen McLoughlin, MSC, MCIEEM. Consultant Ecologist Sources of data NPWS, EPA, National Biodiversity Data Centre, County Council Level of assessment completed Stage1 Appropriate Assessment Screening