Ecological Impact Assessment Projects

Wetland Surveys have been involved in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a large number of development led projects in a range of different sectors by carrying out the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of these projects. As part of this work we have advised clients throughout the EIA process culminating in the preparation of the ecology (flora and fauna) chapter of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

To demonstrate our experience in this area a selection of recent projects that we have worked on is presented below.  

  • Preparation of Ecological Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessment reports for solar PV developments in the Republic of Ireland. 2015-2020

  • Baseline ecological surveys including targeted wetland surveys of proposed route corridor for Dublin Water Supply Project. 2016-2019

  • Preparation of an Ecological Assessment of peatland habitats at a proposed wind farm development within pNHA in South Kerry. 2018

  • Peer review of ecology work carried out on northern Ireland North South Interconnector planning application.  2016-2017

  • Targeted surveys for potential Annex I habitats within selection of potential wetland (turlough) sites. 2017

  • Develop a habitat management plan for wetland area within and adjoining a residential development in Waterford city. 2017

  • Pre-construction surveys for protected species and non-native alien species to ensure compliance with planning permission. 2017

  • Breeding bird survey of proposed wind farm site. Survey methods followed SNH (2014) guidelines. 2017

  • Breeding Hen Harrier surveys during  pre-construction phase of wind farm project at four windfarm projects. 2017

  • Appropriate Assessment and Ecological Impact Assessments for proposed solar farm development. Glenoge Upper Solar Farm. 2016

  • Preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening and Ecological Impact Statement reports for proposed solar farm development. Graigue Beg Lower Solar Farm. 2016

  • Preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening and Ecological Impact Statement reports for proposed solar farm development. St Johns South Solar Farm. 2016

  • Undertook invasive species survey and prepared an invasive species management plan for a proposed wind turbine delivery route to Grousemount Wind Farm, Kilgarvan, County Kerry. 2016

  • Undertook survey of wetland habitats within Wicklow SAC to identify and evaluate Annex I habitats; Alkaline fen and Petrifying springs. 2016-2017

  • Terrestrial ecological assessment of proposed Waste Water Treatment Plant extension and new discharge pipeline. Baseline multidisciplinary surveys.  2016-2017

  • Waste Transfer & Recycling Station, Little Island, Cork: Ecological Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. 2016

  • Undertook winter bird surveys at a proposed solar farm site and its surroundings at Grahormick, Co. Wexford. 2016-2017

  • Prepared ecological impact statement and Appropriate Assessment Screening Report a Solar PV farm in County Clare. 2016-2017

  • Prepared the Ecology chapter for the EIS, and a Natura Impact Statement. Development located adjacent to the Rye Water SAC. 2016

  • Preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening and Ecological Impact Statement reports for proposed solar farm. Templerainey East, Arklow Solar Farm. 2016

  • Preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and an Ecological Impact Statement for a warehouse development at an existing pharmaceutical facility.  2016

  • Wetland survey of five sites along within proposed pipeline corridor in Northern Ireland. Preparation of report to assess the conservation value of each site. 2016

  • Baseline ecological assessment Midlands and Dublin Water Supply Project, Irish Water. Multidisciplinary field surveys undertaken along the route corridor. Specialist wetland surveys undertaken at selected sites. 2016

  • Desktop review and multidisciplinary survey carried out in Tipperary to inform the report. Preparation of the Terrestrial Ecology Chapter for the Environmental Impact Statement. 2016

  • Undertook a desktop review and a multidisciplinary field survey in support of an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and the Ecology Chapter of the Environmental Impact Statement. 2016

  • Lead ecologist on the Centre Parcs Ireland forest resort project. Undertook baseline surveys and prepared both the Ecology chapter of EIS and the NIS. 2016

  • Prepared a Natura Impact Statement for the further development of an existing quarry at Bellewstown, Co. Meath. 2016

  • Carried out baseline ecological surveys, at Newmarket Dairy, of development site and proposed discharge pipeline route. 2016

  • Undertook wintering and breeding  bird surveys of a proposed new build wind farm and its surroundings. Dungarvan Wind Farm. 2016

  • Desktop review and targeted Kerry Slug surveys carried over a six week period. Prepared survey and assessment report. 2015-2016

  • Prepared a bird monitoring report for the development of an overhead line from Shercock, Co. Cavan to Tullynamalra, Co. Monaghan. 2015

  • Preparation of an Ecological Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for a proposal to re-purpose an existing pharmaceutical facility at Cruiserath, Co. Dublin. 2015

  • Review and update of EIA guidelines in Ireland, working to CAAS for EPA. 2014

  • Preparation of ecology chapter of EIS and AA Screening Report of proposed wind farm project in County Donegal. 2014

  • Preparation of ecology chapter of EIS and AA Screening Report of proposed wind farm project in County Meath. 2014

  • Preparation of Terrestrial Ecology Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for proposed 220kV underground cable, County Kerry. 2014

  • Galway Outer Bypass: Assessment of EU Annex I wetland habitats within Lough Corrib SAC. 2014

  • Preparation of an AA and EcIA of the Kilpadogue to Knockanure 220kV underground cable route. 2014

  • Preparation of an Ecological Impact Assessment as part of a remedial Environmental Impact Statement (rEIS) for an operating sand and gravel quarry. 2014

  • Preparation of Ecological Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements (NISs) for various wind energy projects throughout Ireland. 2008-2014

  • Project ecologist on planning stage of Laois Kilkenny electrical reinforcement project. Preparation of Ecology chapter of EIS and NIS. 2010-2014

  • North – South Interconnector: project ecologist on planning stage of 400 kV overhead line (Cavan – Monaghan Study Area). 2010-2014

  • Preparation of remedial EIS (Ecology Chapter) and remedial NIS preparation for quarries in Counties Meath and Kerry. 2013-2014

  • Preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening and Ecology Chapter of EIS for Shopping Centre, County Cork. 2013-2014

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of two proposed wind energy projects, County Wexford. 2010-2011

  • Project ecologist on planning stage of 110 kV power line, County Cork. Preparation of Ecology chapter of EIS and NIS. 2010-2012

  • National Road Scheme – N86 Camp to Dingle - baseline ecological surveys, County Kerry. 2010

  • Ecological impact assessment of proposed wind farm projects in County Cork. 2010

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of proposed sand and gravel pit, County Offaly. 2010

  • Ecological Impact Assessments of two proposed wind energy projects, County Mayo. 2009

  • Ecological Impact Assessments of proposed wind farm site in County Cavan. 2009

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of burrow pits within wind farm developments in County Kerry and County Galway. 2004-2009

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of two wind farm sites, County Cork. 2007-2008

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of embankment maintenance work on Ballymacoda (cSAC), County Cork. 2007

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of Housing Development at Fenit County Kerry. 2007

  • Ecological impact Assessment of Casla water scheme, County Galway. 2006

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of sewage schemes, County Galway. 2006

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of embankment maintenance Work on Inchigeela River (cSAC), County Cork. 2006

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of various wind farm sites throughout Ireland. 2003-2006

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of quarry extension, County Kerry. 2005

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of quarry extension, County Clare. 2005

  • Ecological impact assessment of quarry extension, County Donegal. 2005

  • Ecological impact Assessment of quarry sites along Ennis By-Pass. 2005

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of Mixed Use Development, Baltimore, County Cork. 2005

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of quarry extension, County Clare. 2004

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of Residential Development adjacent to proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA), County Cork. 2004