ECOFACT have undertaken full flora and fauna assessments as part of the Environmental Impact Statement process for national and regional road schemes. We have extensive experience in the preparation of detailed route selection assessments and constraints studies.

We have also carried out specialist ecological surveys including mammal surveys, aquatic ecology and fisheries surveys, bird surveys and Article 6 Appropriate Assessments for projects affecting sensitive species and designated Natura 2000 sites. Examples of road schemes we are currently involved in or have recently completed include:

N17 Collooney to Achonry

ECOFACT prepared the Flora & Fauna section of the EIS for this 12km long road scheme. A Phase 1 habitat survey along with specialist studies on bats, badgers, otters, rare plants, fish populations and birds were completed. This study required updating of field data and reporting for submission in 2009.

N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin

ECOFACT also prepared the Flora & Fauna and Water Quality sections of the EIS for this 15km long road scheme. Specialist studies undertaken included a Phase 1 habitat survey, seasonal bat survey, wide-band terrestrial mammal survey and fish stock assessment of affected rivers and streams. This study was also updated in 2009, with additional field survey and reporting completed.

N11/ N25 Oilgate to Rosslare

ECOFACT have been commissioned to assess the impact of a proposed road scheme to bypass Wexford town on birds. At route selection stage there are a number of route options crossing the River Slaney Special Protection Area (SPA) with further crossings of the Wexford Harbour and South Slobs SPA. A wintering bird survey is being undertaken to assess the avifauna communities within the proposed crossing points and to evaluate the potential impacts of each route in this regard.

R264 Cobh Road Scheme

ECOFACT prepared the Ecology Section of the Route Selection Report for the proposed R264 Cobh Road Scheme. Specialist studies on wintering water birds at coastal breeding sites were also undertaken.

N21 Adare to Abbeyfeale

ECOFACT prepared a freshwater ecology impact assessment for the proposed N21 Adare to Abbeyfeale route selection study. This involved aquatic sampling, protected species sampling, water quality assessments and fisheries assessments of three major river catchments: Feale, Deel and Maigue. A comparative impact assessment was prepared for the routes under consideration.

Western Rail Corridor

ECOFACT have recently undertaken bat surveys and prepared a plan for bat mitigation and habitat compensation for works on the Western Rail Corridor in County Galway. This work was undertaken on behalf of Irish Rail.

Water supply schemes frequently require Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) due to the proposed abstractions from a surface water body (lake or river) and also due to the route of the associated pipeline. There is potential for impacts to sensitive ecological receptors, designated Natura 2000 sites and also potential impacts to the Water Framework Directive status of the waterbody concerned.

ECOFACT have undertaken EcIAs for the aquatic and terrestrial environments affected by both the abstractions and pipline routes for a number of water supply schemes as detailed below:

Costello Regional Water Supply Scheme

ECOFACT recently prepared the Flora, Fauna and Water Quality sections of the EIS for the Costello Regional Water Supply Scheme. This scheme will involve water abstraction from Glenicmurrin Lough - a nationally important sea trout fishery - and the construction of 45 km of rising main along with associated treatment plants, pumping stations and reservoirs. Specialist studies undertaken included habitat surveys, water quality assessments, and lake and river fish stock surveys (including specialist Arctic char survey work). The proposed scheme affects two large candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs), namely Connemara Bog Complex (site code 2034) and Kilkieran Bay and Islands (site code 2111).

Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme

We recently prepared an ecological assessment for this proposed major water supply scheme in County Mayo. Studies undertaken included an assessment of aquatic communities in adjoining areas of Lough Mask, along with habitat, flora and fauna surveys along proposed pipeline routes between the lake and towns including Westport and Louisburgh.

East Limerick Trunk Main Scheme

ECOFACT prepared a terrestrial and aquatic ecological assessment for this major water supply scheme which covers an area of 363 km² and includes the towns and villages of Caherconlish, Pallasgreen, Oola, Murroe, Cappamore, Doon, Old Pallas and Kilteely, and surrounding rural areas.

Clifden Regional Water Supply Scheme

ECOFACT have been commissioned to carry out a baseline aquatic ecological assessment of the freshwater habitats and fisheries importance of the Owenglin catchment, Clifden, Co. Galway. To date biological water quality assessments, protected species surveys and fisheries assessments have been carried out.

Kenmare Regional Water Supply Scheme

ECOFACT were recently commissioned to carry out an aquatic ecological survey of the lower Sheen River, a major salmon and sea trout fishery in Co. Kerry. The purpose of this assessment was to inform the design of a proposed water abstraction scheme for the town of Kenmare. The survey included a Pearl Mussel Survey and an assessment of the potential impact of abstraction on this sensitive protected species.

Thurles Regional Water Supply Scheme

ECOFACT also prepared the Ecological Impact Assessment for the proposed Thurles Regional Water Supply Scheme. This scheme would involve water abstraction from the Suir and Clodiagh Rivers - internationally important designated areas - and the construction of over 40 km of rising main along with associated treatment plants, pumping stations and reservoirs.

ECOFACT has advised on a number of inland and coastal flood defence maintenance schemes in recent years. These have included the Shannon Estuary Embankment Maintenance Programme and the Upper River Lee Maintenance Scheme. During 2008, ECOFACT were engaged by the OPW to provide an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) for the national Arterial Drainage Scheme Maintenance Programme. This included an assessment of drainage maintenance impacts affecting Natura 2000 sites and also specific impacts affecting Annex I fen habitats and Annex II whorl snail species.

ECOFACT are currently providing monitoring and consultancy advice on a number of flood schemes, including those listed below:

Ennis (Fergus) Drainage Scheme (Lower Shannon SAC)

ECOFACT was responsible for the ecological and environmental monitoring services at the Fergus Upper (Ennis) Drainage Scheme during the construction phase of the scheme. ECOFACT also prepared a baseline study for this scheme at the pre-construction phase. The Fergus Lower (Ennis) Drainage Scheme comprises Phase II of this flood alleviation scheme and ECOFACT have prepared an EcIA and Appropriate Assessment for the proposed works. Both schemes are located within the Lower Shannon SAC, within the main spawning area of Sea lampreys and River lampreys in the Fergus catchment. Annex I habitats and additional Annex II and Red Data fauna are also present. Monitoring of the site investigation works was also carried out during 2009.

Fermoy Drainage Scheme (Munster Blackwater SAC)

ECOFACT were commissioned to carry out the advance ecological surveys for a major flood alleviation scheme at Fermoy, Co. Cork. The site monitoring included the production of an invasive species management, bat surveys and design of mitigation measures, otter surveys and provision of advice in relation to best ecological practice management.

Maintenance of Old River Shannon (Lower River Shannon SAC)

ECOFACT have been commissioned by the OPW to provide consultancy, aquatic ecological surveys and monitoring for flood relief and maintenance works on the old River Shannon. These works are located within the Lower Shannon SAC and include the construction of a 600m long flood relief channel though alluvial woodland adjoining the river. This woodland has encroached onto the River Shannon channel since the reduction of flows in the area following the completion of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme.

Womanagh River Embankment Maintenance Works (Ballymacoda Bay SPA/SAC)

ECOFACT carried out ecological assessment and monitoring for OPW embankment maintenance works at Ballymacoda, Co. Cork. These works were within the Ballymacoda (Clonpriest and Pillmore) SAC and were directly adjacent to the Ballymacoda Bay SPA.

Templemore Flood Alleviation Scheme

ECOFACT prepared an ecological impact assessment including a river corridor survey, fisheries assessment and biological water quality assessment for a proposed flood alleviation scheme and flood protection works within Templemore town environs.

John's River Flood Alleviation Scheme (River Suir SAC)

ECOFACT carried out an ecological impact assessment of the lower reaches of the John's River within Waterford town, where flood protection works along the river corridor are proposed by Waterford City Council. The proposed works extended into the River Suir estuary which is a designated SAC.

River Nore Drainage Maintenance Works (River Nore SAC)

ECOFACT have been providing ongoing consultation and monitoring for river maintenance works on the upper River Nore. This project has required river corridor assessments, protected species surveys including lamprey and crayfish surveys and has also included an ecological impact assessment of the proposed works on the River Nore Freshwater Pearl Mussel Population.

Mid-Shannon River Maintenance Works (Shannon Callows SAC)

ECOFACT have also prepared an Ecological Impact Assessment for proposed maintenance works on the River Shannon near Meelick within the Shannon Callows SAC.