The EC Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) establishes the requirement for an assessment of potential impacts upon Natura 2000 sites in Articles 6(3) and 6(4). The Habitats Directive was implemented in Northern Ireland by the Conservations (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended).
In exercising its functions under this legislation, and following on from an initial consultation exercise during April and October 2014, the Department hereby seeks the opinion of the general public on four updated draft reports prepared to inform and appropriate assessment on the following Natura 2000 sites:-
A5 WTC Report of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment SAC Watercourses covering:
A5 WTC Report of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment Tully Bog SAC covering:
A5 WTC Report of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment SPAs covering:
A5 WTC Report of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment Ramsar Sites covering:
These reports may be inspected by any person, free of charge, at all reasonable times during the period from 4 April 2017 to 22 May 2017 at the following offices of the Department (TransportNI):
and at the offices of-
In addition, the Statement may also be inspected during the same period at the offices of Monaghan County Council, Roads Office, MTEK II Office, Armagh Road, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan and Donegal County Council, Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal.
Alternatively, an electronic version of the reports may be viewed below.
Anyone who wishes to express an opinion on any of the reports should, within the period stated above, write to the Divisional Manager, Department for Infrastructure, TransportNI, Western Division, County Hall, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh BT79 7AF or email TransportNI.western@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
The Department will take into consideration any opinions expressed during the period stated, before an Appropriate Assessment is made prior to the making of any Orders for the A5WTC scheme.