The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification Study Appendices Final Draft June 2011
Prepared for
Waterways Ireland in conjunction with Fermanagh District Council, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism and Northern Ireland Tourist Board
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Revision Schedule Final Draft June 2011 Rev 03
Date
Details
Prepared by
Reviewed by
Approved by
15/06/2011
Final Draft Appendices
Kieran Carlin Judith Annett Paul Lynas Karen Crawford
Richard Heasley Principal Planner
Paul Tully Technical Director
URS/Scott Wilson Beechill House Beechill Road Belfast BT8 7RP Tel. 028 90 705111 Fax. 028 90 795651
[email protected] www.urs-scottwilson.com
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Table of Contents
1
Planning History................................................................................... 1
2
Detail of Visual Landscape Categories ............................................. 7
3
Identifying the sensitivity of The Erne – Ecology .......................... 17
3.1
Study Aims ...................................................................................................................... 17
3.2 3.3
Legislative Framework..................................................................................................... 17 Methods .......................................................................................................................... 19
3.4
Consultations .................................................................................................................. 20
3.5 3.6 3.7
Ecological Baseline Information....................................................................................... 20 Habitats........................................................................................................................... 29 Water Quality in the Study Area ...................................................................................... 35
3.8 3.9
Identification of Key Areas............................................................................................... 37 Nature of Potential Impacts ............................................................................................. 37
3.10 3.11
Species ........................................................................................................................... 38 Assessing the sensitivity of the study area ...................................................................... 42
4
Recorded Monuments (State Care).................................................. 44
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
1
Planning History RECREATION Ref No
L/2008/1422/F
Submit
06-Nov-2008
Applicant
Location
Proposal
Decision
Date
Fermanagh District Council
Lakeland Forum, Broadmeadow, Enniskillen
Proposed extensions to the existing building including a new double height Entrance Foyer, incorporating a viewing platform at first floor Approval on the east elevation, also the addition of a viewing gallery with tired seating at first floor to the existing swim
16-Jan-2009
Demolition of existing building and construction of a detached two storey building to accommodate changing facilities, handball Approval court/viewing gallery and a multi purpose room including site development works plus erection of a 20KW grid connected wind tur
22-Aug-2008
L/2008/0832/F
02-Jun-2008
Tempo Maguires GAC
Tempo Maguires GFC, Edenmore Road, Tempo
L/2008/0811/F
29-May-2008
Mr G Byers
Ballinamallard Football Ground, Enniskillen Road, Ballinamallard.
Erection of covered seated spectator stand and detached toilet block.
Approval
18-Jul-2008
L/2008/0797/F
27-May-2008
Derrygonnelly GFC
Sandhill, Derrygonnelly
Proposed erection of a two storey extension to existing pavilion to form two additional changing rooms, showers & toilets, with indoor training and viewing area and kitchen at first floor level.
Approval
18-Jul-2008
L/2008/0791/LDP
22-May-2008
Fermanagh Properties Limited
Lusty Beg Island, Boa Island, Proposed Paintballing use. Kesh
Pending
L/2008/0472/F
20-Mar-2008
Fermanagh District Council
The Bawnacre Centre,Burfits Hill,Irvinestown
Approval
20-Jun-2008
L/2008/0233/F
22-Jan-2008
Castlehume Leisure Ltd
Lough Erne Golf Resort, Belleek Road Enniskillen, Co. Golf Clubhouse with ancillary basement storage Fermanagh BT93 7ED
Approval
20-Jun-2008
L/2007/0006/F
28-Dec-2006
The Moorings Marina
Reception building & toilet block and store, with toilets, showers, The Moorings Marina, Derrylin including for disabled, laundry and sluice facilities for marina users & Approval Road, Bellanaleck. associated parking/landscaping & connection to public sewer
19-Oct-2007
L/2006/2322/F
21-Nov-2006
Waterways Ireland
Geaglum, Cornakill, Upper Lough Erne.
Replacement of existing fixed jetty structure with floating jetty structure and wooden walkway. Upgrade of amenity area and carpark facility.
Approval
25-Sep-2007
L/2006/1901/F
15-Aug-2006
Fermanagh District Council
70m NE of Tennis Pavillion, Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown.
Proposed car park, street lighting and associated works
Approval
22-Dec-2006
L/2005/3031/F
12-Dec-2005
Waterways Ireland
Crevinishaughey Island (north Extension to existing public jetty used for short term mooring of jetty), Lower Lough Erne. vessels
Approval
20-Nov-2006
L/2005/2737/F
28-Oct-2005
Upgrading existing stadium to include new infill concrete terrace, Trustees of Enniskillen Gaels Michael Brewster G.A.A. Park, new access steps to extg terrace, new boundary wall, new G.A.C. Erne Road, Enniskillen. entrance/exits, gates, turnstiles, new toilet block, 3 No. new shops/kiosks and new tarmac surfacing
Approval
21-Feb-2006
L/2005/0865/F
07-Apr-2005
Mr Thornton
Approval
26-Sep-2005
June 2011
Derreens Road, Derreens
Spectator grandstand for viewing field games
Erection of indoor arena & associated car park
1
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
East, Florencecourt. L/2005/0522/F
07-Mar-2005
Mr P McGurk
Drumrush, Kesh.
L/2005/0065/F
04-Mar-2005
Dept of Culture Arts & Leisure Tiraroe, Derrylin. "Inland Fisheries"
Extension to harbour
Approval
22-Nov-2005
Slipway for the use of small pleasure craft, 5 timber angling stands and car park
Approval
25-Sep-2006
Approval
20-Oct-2005
L/2004/2107/F
03-Nov-2004
Castlehume Leisure
Townlands of Ross Inner, Ely Island and Ballyhose at Construction of 18 hole golf course and access road. Castlehume, Belleek Road, Enniskillen
L/2004/1956/F
06-Oct-2004
Minimore Developments Ltd
Erne Marine site, Bellanaleck Extension of existing jetty Quay, Enniskillen.
Approval
15-Apr-2005
L/2004/1581/F
16-Aug-2004
Mr J Mcgurn
Lissan (Garvary) Enniskillen.
Provision of sports pavilion (Amendment to L/2003/0607)
Approval
27-Oct-2004
L/2004/1441/F
28-Jul-2004
Western Education & Library Board
Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre, Florencecourt, Enniskillen
Indoor sports arena
Approval
08-Feb-2005
L/2004/1288/F
29-Jun-2004
Mr M Duncan
Clareview, Kesh.
Alteration and extension to existing jetty
Approval
21-Dec-2004
L/2004/0950/F
14-Dec-2004
Erne & Melvin Enhancement Co Ltd
Inver Lough, Rosslea.
Provision of 20 No timber fishing stands and access
Approval
25-Feb-2005
L/2004/0949/F
18-May-2004
Erne & Melvin Enhancement Co Ltd
Laragh Lough, Bellanaleck.
Provision of 13 No timber fishing stands and formation of access
Approval
21-Dec-2004
L/2004/0947/F
16-Jun-2004
Waterways Ireland
Regal Pass jetty, Enniskillen.
Replacement of existing fixed jetty with new floating jetty structure
Approval
21-Sep-2004
L/2004/0946/F
16-Jun-2004
Waterways Ireland
Broadmeadow Jetty, Enniskillen.
Replacement of existing fixed jetty with new floating jetty structure
Approval
21-Sep-2004
L/2004/0182/F
03-Feb-2004
Cashel Community Association
Cashel Community Centre, Scribbagh, Garrison.
The upgrading and development of existing picnic area at the rear of Approval Cashel Community Centre
07-May-2004
L/2003/1853/F
09-Dec-2003
Mr M Leonard
Drumcully, Belcoo.
Replacement dwelling to form fishing accommodation, access to lake and erection of 3 No. fishing stands at lake.
Approval
29-Mar-2004
L/2003/1840/F
27-Nov-2003
Mr & Mrs D Kettyle
Derrylea, Newtownbutler.
Erection of 6 No. Fishing Stands.
Refusal
20-Apr-2005
L/2003/1757/F
13-Nov-2003
Mr S Wilson
20 Owenskerry Road,Owenskerry, Fivemiletown.
Change of Use and refurbishment of existing agricultural shed to provide 6 lane 25m shooting range and associated facilities
Refusal
22-Apr-2005
L/2003/1750/F
12-Nov-2003
Mr P Dixon
Slee, Innishmore, Lisbellaw.
Replacement of Jetties and extension of Marina (Retrospective)
Approval
31-Oct-2005
L/2003/1693/F
24-Nov-2003
Waterways Ireland
Rowing Course Start Jetty, Culky, Enniskillen.
Replacement of the existing floating jetty and repair of existing fixed Approval timber jetty. Provision of new timber walkway and picnic area.
13-Feb-2004
L/2003/1519/F
30-Sep-2003
Erne & Melvin Enhancement Co Ltd
Carran Lough, Drumscollop,Boho.
Provision of 12 No timber fishing stands and access (amended scheme)
Approval
23-Aug-2004
L/2003/1518/F
30-Sep-2003
Erne Melvin Enhancement Co Drumacrittin Lough, Rosslea. Ltd
Provision of 19 No timber fishing stands and access
Refusal
18-May-2006
L/2003/1516/F
30-Sep-2003
Erne & Melvin Enhancement Co Ltd
Race Course Lough, Enniskillen.
Provision of 16 No Timber Fishing Stands & Access
Approval
24-Mar-2004
L/2003/1515/F
30-Sep-2003
Erne & Melvin Enhancement Co Ltd
Lough Acrussel, Enniskillen
Provision of 12 No Timber Fishing Stands & Access (amended scheme)
Approval
19-Aug-2004
L/2003/1514/F
30-Sep-2003
Erne & Melvin Enhancement
Lyons Lough,
Provision of 10 No Timber Fishing Stands and Access
Approval
19-Aug-2004
June 2011
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Co Ltd
Cloghmore,Rosslea.
L/2003/1439/F
07-Oct-2003
Directors Of The Share Centre
Share Centre, Smiths Extension and alterations to buildings to provide wet changing Approval Strand,Shanaghy, Lisnaskea. facilities, wet tea room,briefing room and extension to weights room
20-Feb-2004
L/2003/1172/F
24-Jul-2003
Mr P J Mc Donald
Derrykerrib Newtownbutler.
Approval
23-Apr-2004
L/2002/1538/RM
03-Dec-2002
Fermanagh District Council
Extension to provide new Main Hall, Male Changing and 1st floor Castle Park Centre, Killypaddy Meeting Room, ground floor Reception Area. Minor alterations to Road, Lisnaskea existing Gents Changing Rooms and Toilets
Approval
21-Jan-2003
L/2001/1213/F
18-Oct-2001
Belleisle Estates Ltd
Belleisle, Lisbellaw
Withdrawn
13-Feb-2003
L/2001/1105/O
10-Sep-2001
Fermanagh District Council
Castle Park Centre, Killypaddy Extension and alterations to Leisure Centre Road, Lisnaskea.
Approval
22-Mar-2002
Proposed Holiday Village & Equestrian Centre to include: Reception & Dormitory Block, 5 No. Tourist Log Cabins, Amenity Block, Stable Approval Block, Outdoor Arena, Sand School, Car Parking, Camping Areas, Picnic Area, Garden Area & 2 No Vehicular Access Points (R
10-Dec-2002
Extension to Jetty, New Slipway & Turning Area
Erection of Boat House
L/2001/0872/F
30-Jul-2001
Mr N Wylie
Drummacahan, Ederney.
L/2001/0747/F
08-Jun-2001
Mr L Williamson
Derrychara Road , Derrychara Proposed new Changing Room Facility and additional car parking. , Enniskillen.
Approval
27-Jul-2001
L/2001/0508/F
13-Apr-2001
Mr J Treacy
Ballyhose,Castle Hume, Enniskillen.
Erection of clubhouse
Approval
08-Aug-2001
Change of Use of existing agricultural shed for combined storage of shop goods, boats and agricultural storage, retention of pontoon Approval jetties and fishing stands, retention of wooden fishery lodge and office, associated car parking and access ( Retrospect
22-Oct-2002
L/2000/1372/F
07-Dec-2000
Mr R Henshall
Leam Beg, Letterbreen.
L/1999/1114/F
04-Nov-1999
Fermanagh District Council
Land between The Ardhowen Proposed Cycle Trail From Car Park in Ardhowen Theatre to Join Theatre, Menapian Way and Crest Road Crest Road, Enniskillen
Approval
10-Feb-2000
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Ref No L/2008/0992/F
Submit 11-Jul-2008
Applicant
Location
Proposal Erection of 4 No self-catering tourist cottages and all associated site works.
Decision
Mr D Graham
Derrybrick, Kesh
Pending
Pending
Date
Pending
L/2008/0621/F
22-Apr-2008
Mr J Cathcart
Tourist accommodation - 13 No one & half storey three bed houses, 8 No one & half storey four bed houses, 5 No two-storey 183 Loughshore Road, Enniskillen five bed houses and 1 No three storey apartment building comprising 26 No apartments.
L/2008/0004/O
22-Nov-2007
Mr G Buchannon
Lands At Tully Carrybridge Co. Fermanagh
Development of 2no. 1 1/2 storey holiday cottages with septic tanks and wooden boat jetty.
L/2007/1040/F
13-Aug-2007
Castlehume Golf & Leisure Ltd
Castlehume Golf & Leisure Ltd, Belleek Road, Enniskillen. BT93 7ED. Townland: Ballyhose.
One and a half storey gate lodge with front turret feature - building Withdrawn for purpose of a holiday home.
20-Mar-2008
L/2007/0882/F
06-Jul-2007
R.U.C. Benevolent Fund
'Claireview' Crevenish Road,
Holiday house development for private membership comprised of
23-Jun-2008
June 2011
Approval
3
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Kesh, Co.Fermanagh
4no. apartments and 4no. houses Existing jetty, three chalets, one static caravan, one storage unit and ancillary development.
L/2007/0870/LDE
03-Jul-2007
Jordon/Longmore/Thurley
Gaffer Island, Lower Lough Erne.
L/2007/0735/F
06-Jun-2007
Mr L Williamson
Change of use and alterations of existing stables and paddock to To The Rear Of 2 Lackaboy Park, tourist accommodation and associated car parking area with new Killyvilly, Enniskillen. vehicular access.
L/2007/0729/O
07-Jun-2007
Mr T Elliott
Beagh Little, Blaney, Enniskillen.
L/2007/0668/F
24-May-2007
Ms D Keown
Change of use, renovation and extension to derelict dwelling Aghamuldowney & Derrynameeo, including single storey rear extension to provide self catering Garrison. holiday home.
Tourist/Fisherman Cottage development comprising of one block of two (both single storey) one split level block (1 single storey and Approval 1 one and half storey) and change of use of existing one and a half storey dwelling to holiday accommodation
Site for proposed holiday complex (10 no holiday chalets, 1 no manager's dwelling and associated roads)
Pending Approval
15-Jan-2008
Pending Approval
L/2007/0646/F
21-May-2007
Kantara Properties Ltd
490 Boa Island Road, Rosscrennagh, Kesh.
L/2007/0516/F
23-Apr-2007
Mr J Mc Donald
Derrydoon, Galloon, Newtownbutler
4No. holiday chalets (1.5 storey) comprising of 1No. house type A, Pending 2No. house type B, and 1No. house type C.
22-Jul-2008
22-Aug-2008
L/2007/0398/F
27-Mar-2007
E Bell
Rossclare, Killadeas
Erection of 4 no 1 1/2 storey holiday chalets with single storey sunroom and detached garage plus 1 no 1 1/2 storey bed and breakfast unit with single storey garden room and detached two car garage/store
L/2007/0100/O
12-Jan-2007
Mr E Keown
PortinodeTD, Boa Island, Kesh.
Site for 6 no self catering cottages, services, sewerage treatment, access road, all associated with the exisitng jetties and reception Pending building/boating facilities
25-Jun-2007
Pending
L/2007/0047/F
08-Jan-2007
GP Williams Ltd
Erection of 19 holiday chalets (two storey with basement accommodation) amended design to that previously approved Ballymagaghran, Leggs, Belleek. under application L/1996/0205 including minor amendments to Approval internal road layout & installation of sewage treatment works.(Sites 3,6,7,8,9,1
L/2006/2040/F
15-Sep-2006
Olga & Neil Rogers
Benmore House, Binmore Glebe, Erection of 6 No holiday cottages Churchill, Derrygonnelly
Refusal
26-Feb-2009
L/2006/1824/F
31-Jul-2006
Killyhevlin Hotel Ltd.
Killyhevlin Hotel, Dublin Road, Enniskillen.
6 N0 chalets with gravel access road & additional parking (6N0 bays)
Approval
21-Apr-2008
L/2006/1812/F
18-Aug-2006
FM Properties & Developments Ltd.
The Cedars Guesthouse, Drummal,Lisnarick.
Courtyard development consisting of 10 self-catering units and new car parking area
Approval
22-Feb-2008
L/2006/1768/O
29-Aug-2006
P Wothington
Site at Cappy Cornmill, Gola Road, Nr Tamlaght, Enniskillen.
Conversion of existing redundant mill & demolition of cottage with Pending newbuild to provide 5 No self catering dwelling houses & gardens
L/2006/1702/F
08-Aug-2006
Mr P Jones
Carrickbeg, Boho, Enniskillen.
Renovation and extension of derelict former dwelling to provide 'Eco Lodge' at Carrickbeg, Boho.
Pending
L/2006/1671/RM
08-Aug-2006
Twelve Good Men plc
Kilmore South, Lisnaskea
Replacement of 6 existing cottages and the addition of 15 new cottages (total of 21 cottages) for holiday accommodation
Pending
L/2006/0198/O
24-Feb-2006
Mrs G Tottenham
Blaney, Shore Road, Enniskillen
Proposed renewal of lapsed outline planning approval for holiday cottage
Refusal
24-Jan-2007
L/2005/2886/F
12-Dec-2005
Mr S McAloon
Ballyhose,Castlehume,Enniskillen. Erection of 23 No. self catering holiday apartments.
Refusal
02-Aug-2007
June 2011
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
L/2005/2516/O
23-Sep-2005
Mr Magee
Derryrona Glebe, Leggs, Enniskillen
4 No fishing lodges
Approval
20-Feb-2007
L/2005/2494/F
22-Sep-2005
Lakeshore Homes
Corradillar, Lisnaskea
6 No stores to self catering holiday cottages
Refusal
24-Sep-2007
L/2005/2070/F
30-Jun-2005
Lakeshore Homes Ltd
Corradillar, Lisnaskea.
6 No. self-catering holiday cottages
Approval
23-Oct-2006
L/2005/1744/F
27-Jul-2005
Mr G Hetherington
Drumbo Road, Drumbo, Irvinestown.
Proposed 8 No tourist holiday lodges with associated landscaping. Refusal
20-Oct-2006
L/2005/1329/F
31-May-2005
Cameron Landscapes Limited
249 Loughshore Road, Milltown Blaney,Enniskillen.
Erection of replacement dwelling and 15No self catering holiday homes with ancillary garage accommodation, car parking, new vehicular accesses and landscaping.
Approval
15-Mar-2006
L/2005/1311/O
11-May-2005
Mr P Roohan
Magheramenagh, Belleek
Site for holiday accommodation including guesthouses, lodges, and gatelodge
Refusal
03-Jul-2006
L/2005/1744/F
27-Jul-2005
Mr G Hetherington
Drumbo Road, Drumbo, Irvinestown.
Proposed 8 No tourist holiday lodges with associated landscaping. Refusal
20-Oct-2006
L/2005/1329/F
31-May-2005
Cameron Landscapes Limited
249 Loughshore Road, Milltown Blaney,Enniskillen.
Erection of replacement dwelling and 15No self catering holiday homes with ancillary garage accommodation, car parking, new vehicular accesses and landscaping.
Approval
15-Mar-2006
L/2005/1311/O
11-May-2005
Mr P Roohan
Magheramenagh, Belleek
Site for holiday accommodation including guesthouses, lodges, and gatelodge
Refusal
03-Jul-2006
COMMERICAL DEVELOPMENT Ref No L/2007/0911/O
Submit 17-Jul-2007
Applicant
Location
Mayne Developments Ltd
Lakeside, Garrison. (Rear of Lough Melvin Holiday Centre)
Proposal Site for 50 bedroom hotel, associated landscaping and carparking.
Decision
Date
Refusal
29-Jan-2009
Approval
22-Jul-2008
L/2007/0789/F
18-Jun-2007
Mr N Cassidy
Proposed redevelopment of existing hotel to provide 29 no bedrooms. Replacement of existing bar and kitchens. The Ashberry Hotel, 14-16 Tempo Replacement of existing function room at first floor level. Road, Enniskillen Construction of new extension to front of hotel. (Amended proposal to that approv
L/2007/0783/O
05-Dec-2008
GP Williams Ltd
Ballymagaghran, Leggs, Kesh
Site for proposed 60 bedroom hotel, with associated parking, siteworks and landscaping.
Pending
L/2007/0426/O
30-Mar-2007
Mr J Brown
Gubb, Newtownbutler.
Site for 6 no. self catering holiday chalets with licensed restaurant.
Pending
L/2006/1632/F
03-Jul-2006
Bellanaleck Development Group
Site approx. 100m North West of Cleenish Rectory, Killywillin, Bellanaleck.
Residential retreat centre with 66 person sleeping capacity (Amended Scheme)
Approval
17-Oct-2008
L/2006/1531/F
08-Jun-2006
McCartney Ltd
Belmore Court Motel,Tempo Road,Enniskillen
Erection of Motel (in curtilage of existing motel)
Approval
01-May-2008
L/2006/0257/F
21-Feb-2006
Mr N Cassidy
The Ashberry Hotel, 14/16 Tempo Proposed redevelopment of existing hotel to provide 29 No
Approval
28-Feb-2007
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Road, Enniskillen.
bedrooms. Replacement of existing bar and kitchens. Replacement of existing function room at first floor level. Construction of new extension to front of hotel.
L/2005/2342/F
23-Aug-2005
Carrybridge Hotel & Marina
171 Inishmore Road,Carrybridge, Proposed new hotel consisting of 25 No. en-suite bedrooms, Lisbellaw. function room, bar and restaurant
L/2005/2266/F
05-Aug-2005
Castlehume Leisure Ltd
Ross Inner,Castlehume, Enniskillen.
L/2005/2253/LB
08-Sep-2005
Manor House Hotel
Approval
15-Jan-2007
Amendments to previous approval ref L/2003/1992/F for 101 bedroom hotel with spa, golf clubhouse & conference facilities, plus 11No self catering tourist lodges
Approval
01-May-2007
Manor House Hotel, Killadeas, Enniskillen.
Extension to existing hotel to include new spa & 25 new bedrooms. Provision of 14 new self catering units of accommodation, tennis courts and new sewage treatment plant
Approval
22-Nov-2007
Extension to hotel to include bedroom extensions, provision of a new spa and 25 New bedrooms. Provision of 14 No. new self catering units of accommodation, tennis courts and a new sewage treatment plant
Approval
22-Nov-2007
L/2005/2252/F
03-Aug-2005
Manor House Hotel
Manor House Hotel, Killadeas, Enniskillen.
L/2004/2348/F
10-Jan-2005
Ederney Community Dev Ltd
9 Castlederg Road, Cahore, Ederney.
Licensed Guest Inn - 6 bedroom guest house with lounge facilities, restaurant and managers living accomodation
Approval
21-Nov-2005
L/2004/2047/O
02-Nov-2004
Mayne Developments Ltd
Main Street, Garrison.
Site for 50 bedroom hotel, associated landscaping and car parking
Withdrawn
17-Oct-2007
Approval
05-Aug-2004
L/2003/1992/F
29-Jan-2004
Castlehume Leisure Ltd
Ross Inner,Castlehume,Enniskillen.
Erection of 101 Bedroom Hotel Complex (65 bedrooms within main hotel block and 36 bedrooms within walled garden annex), provision of Conference Facilities, Spa, Clubhouse, Sewage Treatment Plant, Car Park and the erection of 11No. Holiday Lodges.
L/2003/1424/RM
10-Oct-2003
Mr H Rankin
Castle Irvine Demesne, Irvinestown.
Restaurant and managers accommodation
Approval
17-Sep-2004
L/2003/1330/F
25-Sep-2003
Mr A Cadden
Lusty Beg Island,Lower Lough Erne,Kesh.
Proposed 20 bedroom guest accommodation.
Approval
20-Jul-2004
L/2003/0761/F
15-May-2003
Mr D O Keefe
Askill,Drumbrughas East & Bun Newtownbutler.
Erection of 3 No fisherman cottages and retention of 3 existing jetties.
Approval
30-Apr-2004
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
2
Detail of Visual Landscape Categories
VLC 2: Woodland Landscape with Golf Course Sensitivity to development: Medium - High
VLC 1: Devenish Island Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the prominence of the woodland areas and the lack of built structures which are visible from the shoreline. The presence of a golf course perforates this woodland character.
Sensitivity is determined by the distinctive cultural landscape, the topography and the visual relationship between the heritage structures and Lower Lough Erne.
The landscape around Devenish is distinctive not just because of the cultural heritage but also its historic ruins. The cultural importance of the site and its landscape would necessitate a very careful approach to the design of any new elements to the panorama. Any elevated ground visible from Devenish is included in the area of high sensitivity as development in such areas would be highly visible. The views out from Devenish across the Lough are also extremely important in providing the setting.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 3: Chalet Development at Tully Bay.
VLC 4: Low Lying Ground with Poor Soil Fertility.
Sensitivity to development: Low
Sensitivity to development: Medium - High
Sensitivity is determined by the fact that the natural character of the area has been altered so significantly that it is deemed that additional water and land based development could be accommodated.
Sensitivity is determined by the flat open nature of the landscape and the lack of visible built structures.
This category is specific to this area. The natural interface between the gently undulating drumlin landscape with its mature trees and hedgerows and the Lough Shore has been altered significantly with the presence of chalet accommodation and associated marina development. The high density of this development has substantially altered the landscape character.
The poor soil fertility has resulted in a lack of shrub and tree planting adjacent to the waters edge. The edge treatment of this part of Lower Lough Erne is vulnerable to erosion and has a significant impact on landscape character. In dealing with this issue natural erosion control systems should be favoured over artificial approaches.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 5: Cliff of Magho
VLC 6: Lough Erne Islands (Woodland)
Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the steep topography, dense woodland and lack of built structures.
Sensitivity is determined by the isolated and wooded nature of the islands, the visual cohesion of the woodland, the cultural heritage features and the visual relationship between the woodland and the water.
This landscape category creates a sense of ‘wilderness’ as there is little evidence of human intervention. It should be noted that this landscape is extremely sensitive to development. However, the heavily wooded nature of this landscape would provide some screening for small scale interventions.
The islands in Lower and Upper Lough Erne are generally wooded and uninhabited and some contain Christian heritage sites. Their location within the lake creates a sense of mystery and isolation. While such landscapes are sensitive to development, the heavily wooded nature of the islands provides some screening to small scale interventions.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 7: Lough Erne Islands (Commercial Forestry)
VLC 8: Commercial Landscape Hotel and Marina Facilities (Killadeas & Killyhevlin)
Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity to development: Medium
Sensitivity is determined by the isolated and forested nature of the islands, the visual cohesion of the Forests and the visual relationship between the Forests and the water.
Sensitivity is determined by the built up environment, river setting, high level of services, commercial enterprise and accommodation both hotel and chalets.
This landscape is managed for commercial purposes. As part of this management process trees are regularly felled. This however, is part of a longer term strategy for the landscape and also includes a process of replanting. It is important to note that while this landscape does not to the same extent have the ‘wilderness’ qualities as the other wooded areas it is free from man-made structures and other forms of human intervention.
The photograph above is of The Manor House Hotel, chalets and marina. The variety in the built form allows for the inclusion of many types of development. However, any development should be of an appropriate scale and should reinforce the relationship with the Lough.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 9: Crom – Historic Demense Landscape
VLC 10: Lough Erne Woodland Landscape
Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the distinctive historic structures, landforms and planting and their visual relationship with Upper Lough Erne.
Sensitivity is determined by the visual cohesion of wooded areas, and the visual relationship between the woodland and the waters edge.
The landscape around Crom Estate is listed buildings and Historic Demense form an important local landmark. The area immediately surrounding Crom Estate is included in the area of high sensitivity as it forms the setting for the historic demense. The views out from Crom across Upper Lough Erne are also extremely important in providing the setting.
There are some areas of dense native woodland around Upper and Lower Lough Erne which provide a distinctive edge to the Loughs and break up the more open character of the agricultural landscape. These areas, while sensitive to development in terms of loss of tree cover, also have the potential to provide good screening for small scale interventions.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 11: Low Lying Lough Erne Agricultural Landscape
VLC 12: Erne Wet Grassland Landscape
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the flat open nature of the landscape, the slight visual enclosure formed by hedgerows and the visual relationship between the land and the water. The interface between the water’s edge and fields are often characterised by the presence of rushes.
Sensitivity is determined by the flat open nature of the landscape, the visual relationship between the land and the river and the lack of built structures in view.
This landscape category covers areas around Lower and Upper Lough Erne that are predominantly flat. Fields are small to medium sized and bound by hedgerows. There are small areas of woodland and very little visible evidence of built structures. While not particularly distinctive, or contained to a small area, the openness of the landscape and the lack of visible development means that it would be sensitive to any new structures.
Large areas of reeds and isolated semi-submerged trees intensify the fuzzy distinction between land and river. The visible sky is large and sense of enclosure is slight, with some limits to the expansive views provided by the ridgelines of slightly more elevated ground in the distance.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 13: Classic Erne Drumlin Landscape
VLC 14: Low Lying, Gently Undulating Agricultural Grassland.
Sensitivity to development: Medium – High
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the patchwork character of the field pattern, the visual enclosure provided by topography and hedgerows, the relationship between the land and the water and the pockets of native woodland.
Sensitivity is determined by the flat open nature of the landscape, and lack of mature tree and hedgerow planting.
This visual landscape category generally consists of gently undulating hills, with a patchwork of small to medium sized fields sloping down to the water’s edge. The fields are divided by native hedgerows or in place, stone walls. There are small areas of native woodland, scattered houses, farm buildings and some small scale moorings. The landscape is generally agricultural and does not have the “semi-wilderness” characteristic of some other categories, and therefore there is some capacity for well designed and located development.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 15: Lough Erne Historic Woodland Landscape
VLC 16: Low Lying Land used for Commercial Forestry.
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity to development: High
Sensitivity is determined by the visual cohesion of the wooded areas, and the relationship between the woodland and the Loughs.
Sensitivity is determined by the dense forests and the visual relationship between the Forests and the water.
There are two areas of historic woodland in Upper Lough Erne these are Reilly and Gore Wood. These historic woodlands provide a distinctive edge to the Loughs and break up the more open character of the agricultural landscape. These areas, while sensitive to development in terms of loss of tree cover, also have the potential to provide good screening for small scale interventions.
This landscape is managed for commercial purposes. As part of this management process trees are regularly felled. This however, is part of a longer term strategy for the landscape and also includes a process of replanting. It is important to note that while this landscape does not have the same ‘wilderness’ qualities as the wooded areas it is largely free from man-made structures.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 17: Lough Erne Islands Agricultural Landscape
VLC 18: St Angelo Airport
Sensitivity to Development: High
Sensitivity to Development: Medium
Sensitivity is determined by the by the patchwork character of the field patterns, the slight visual enclosure formed by hedgerows and the visual relationship between the land and the water.
Sensitivity is determined by the open nature of the landscape, and the limited amount of tree and hedgerow planting.
This visual landscape category generally consists of gently undulating hills, with a patchwork of small to medium sized fields sloping down to the water’s edge. The fields are divided by native hedgerows or in place, stone walls. Views of the Islands are possible from across the Loughs and there is little capacity for accommodating new development.
The characteristics of this visual landscape category are determined by the land use. The airport hangers and look out tower are distinctive landscape features in the landscape. In addition, the lack of tree and hedgerow planting is presumably part of the landscape management plan for the airport. It is deemed that additional appropriate development could be visually accommodated within close proximity to the existing airport hangers without significantly altering its character.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
VLC 19: Enniskillen Town
VLC 20: Settlements (excluding Enniskillen)
Sensitivity to development: Low
Sensitivity to development: Medium/Low
Sensitivity is determined by the built up character of the environment, and the resulting ability to visually absorb new development without significantly altering the existing landscape character.
Sensitivity is determined by the built up environment, river setting, high level of services, commercial enterprise, residential buildings and accommodation are characteristic of many of the settlements within the study area.
Enniskillen is the largest town in the study area and is therefore extremely visually robust in terms of accommodating further development. The dense nature of the built form allows for the inclusion of many types of development. Developments that improve the relationship of the town to the river should be encouraged.
June 2011
The photograph above of Carrybridge is an example of this visual landscape category. It is clear that a variety of developments of an appropriate scale and design could be incorporated within this visual landscape category.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
3
Identifying the sensitivity of The Erne – Ecology
3.2
Legislative Framework
3.1
Study Aims
3.2.1
Background A number of species and habitats within the study area are of particular significance due to their protection under National and European legislation. Proposed developments will have potential construction and activity-related impacts which need to be addressed formally to comply with these legislative requirements. During construction, impacts can involve destruction and damage to shoreline habitats and features, fragmentation of habitats, pollution or reduction in water quality and disturbance of sensitive species. Operational and activity related impacts can involve pollution, disturbance of sensitive species, depletion of natural resources (e.g. fishing, wildfowling), damage to shoreline habitats due to boat wash, trampling, and impacts upon water quality, aquatic plants, fish, birds and invertebrates. Some of the key relevant legislation affecting these habitats and species is summarised below.
The aim of the ecological study is to support a sustainable development strategy, which will ensure that (i) on-shore developments, both large and small scale, are in appropriate locations and protect the most vulnerable areas and species, and that (ii) recreation on and around the Lough Erne (both Upper and Lower) is managed in a sustainable way, thereby balancing the demand for economic development with the protection of the ecological features. Management of types of recreation will involve determining what types of activities would be most suitable in particular areas, such as onshore developments or change in usage of the lake through attracting low impact eco-tourism (e.g. bird watching, canoeing) or greater impact tourism (e.g. marina development, fast-powered craft, wildfowling). In order to determine this, there needs to be an understanding of the ecology of the study area, and an assessment of sensitivity to different types of activity. The remit of the study does not allow for detailed survey of the nature conservation interests of the Lough Erne, therefore the ecological element shall be to characterise the most sensitive ecological habitats and features in the study area with reference to published and unpublished reports in order to determine ecological “hot-spots” through the following process: i.
Ecological Baseline: description of the ecological baseline through collation of desk-based resources, consultations, meetings with local consultees and a site visit to a portion of the site;
ii.
Identification of Key Sensitive Receptors: description and mapping of key sensitive ecological receptors;
iii.
Nature of Potential Impacts: description of the nature of potential impacts upon the key sensitive receptors - during both construction of large or small scale on-shore infrastructure and activity of tourists utilising the resource; and
iv.
Mapping of Key Ecological Hot-Spots: building upon information collated on key ecological receptors and their sensitivity towards adverse impacts, an exercise is undertaken to map areas of Ecological Sensitivity - limited capacity for development and limited capacity for increased activity.
The whole study area of Lough Erne is ecologically important and sensitive to both development and related activities. No areas within the study area should necessarily be assumed to have “Low Sensitivity”, as sufficient information does not exist to propose such a category. It is important to note that some of the available desk-based information was out of date and more detailed information was unavailable at the time of writing. Therefore, the ecological baseline, and the mapping of key areas of Ecological Sensitivity will need to be interpreted with caution and additional survey work will need to be undertaken should this strategy be progressed further. It should be noted that any proposed development will require a full ecological assessment in line with legal requirements, particularly due to the level of legal protection afforded to the study area of Lough Erne in respect of its habitats and species. A summary of relevant environmental legislation is provided in Section 2.
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3.2.2
EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) The EC Habitats Directive has been transposed into Northern Irish law as The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995, as amended. The Directive requires Member States to protect the 189 habitats listed in Annex I of the Directive and the 788 species listed in Annex II (not including birds), by means of a network of sites. Once adopted, these sites are designated by Member States as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Special Protection Areas (SPAs), classified under the EC Birds Directive, form a network of protected areas together with SACs known as Natura 2000. There are 4 Natura 2000 sites within the study area and these are subject to full legal protection under these two Directives. Development on or adjacent to Natura 2000 sites is strictly regulated. The EC Habitats Directive stipulates that where a policy, project or plan, either in isolation or combination with others, is likely to have a significant impact upon a site designated SPA or a SAC, an ‘appropriate assessment’ must be made under Article 6 (3) of the Habitats Directive. The assessment or Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) applies to designated sites and candidate/proposed sites. The HRA takes the form of four sequential stages. Firstly a screening stage assesses if a significant effect will impact the site. If significant effects cannot be ruled out then the process proceeds to Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment. At this stage, an assessment of all the potential effects is made and their impacts on the interest features of the site. If there is deemed to be a significant negative impact then Stage 3 Consideration of Alternatives, examines the possibilities of alternative solutions or choices for the plan or project. Finally if Stage 4 is reached, the overriding health and safety concerns or public interest are examined prior to requesting permission from the EU for the plan or project. The EU may still choose to reject it at this stage. The assessment is required even if the plan or project is outside the boundary of the site, if it might have an effect on the SPA or SAC. The assessment is concerned only with the ecological features and the processes which support them, for which the site has been designated. The assessment needs to determine whether the policy/project/plan will have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the features for which the site has been designated. Integrity is defined as: “The integrity of a site is the coherence of its ecological structure and function, across its whole area, which enables it to sustain the habitat, complex of habitats and/or the levels of populations of the species for which it was classified.”
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
The assessment must be conducted by the “competent authority” i.e. the organisation that gives permission for the scheme to proceed, e.g. local authority, harbour/port authority. If there is more than one competent authority each authority should assess those aspects that fall within its own jurisdiction (and not cover items that would be better addressed by another competent authority). The organisation/company/developer applying for consent should provide such information as the competent authority should reasonably require for the purposes of the assessment.
3.2.3
The SEA Directive requires a formal environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. Authorities which prepare and/or adopt such a plan or programme must prepare a report on its likely significant environmental effects, consult environmental authorities and the public, and take the report and the results of the consultation into account during the preparation process and before the plan or programme is adopted.
Within Natura 2000 sites, there are certain activities or operations that can only be undertaken by owners or occupiers with the Minister’s consent. These are called Notifiable Actions and vary depending on the type of habitat or the species that is present on the site. Landowners are sent copies of the Notifiable Actions that are relevant to their lands. The activities listed in the Notifiable Actions are not necessarily prohibited in all cases but require the landowner/occupier to seek prior permission. Eg. The planting or seeding of trees and the removal of trees are standard Notifiable Actions for many SACs.
With reference to “Implementation of SEA Directive (2001/42/EC): Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment. Guidelines for Regional Authorities and Planning Authorities” (Government of Ireland, November 2004) it is stated that the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 require that SEA be carried out in respect of the following plans: • Regional Planning Guidelines;
Within the four-stage framework the impacts on the site area considered. Impacts upon the integrity of a site could include fragmentation, reduction in the area of habitat or of the site, direct or indirect change to the physical quality of the environment (including the hydrology) or habitat within the site or causing ongoing disturbance to species or habitats for which the site is notified.
• City and Council Development Plans; • Development Plans by Town Councils, where the population of the area is 10,000 persons or more;
If the competent authority concludes that there are no significant adverse impacts on integrity then the scheme/policy/plan can proceed. The competent authority may conclude that there might be adverse impacts unless certain methods/procedures are used – in which case it may apply planning conditions or similar to ensure that these methods/procedures are implemented.
• Local Area Plans for areas with a population of 10,000 persons or more; and / or • Planning Schemes in respect of Strategic Development Zones (SDZs). It is also stated that SEA Screening of Plans is required in the case of:
If it concludes that there are adverse significant impacts on the site integrity then it must refuse the scheme. Imperative Reasons for Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) can enable a competent authority to agree to a scheme even with likely significant adverse impacts. Reasons include:
• Development Plans by Town Councils and Local Area Plans, where the population involved is less than 10,000 persons; and /or
• Where the scheme is required to remove a serious risk to human health and public safety;
• Variations of Development Plans.
• For reasons of national security and defence such as safeguarding human life or property; or
Therefore, any variations to such plans to facilitate the common implementation of this proposed strategy should at the very least be subject to SEA Screening.
• If the scheme can demonstrate a clear public or direct environmental benefit on a national or international scale.
3.2.4 In these circumstances compensation habitat must be provided for that lost. In other, more limited circumstances, it is possible to consent an application for economic reasons but not where the SPA/SAC includes priority habitats or species. Therefore, amendments to Plans, and individual planning applications and proposals should be subject to HRA Screening at the very least if they could potentially cause adverse impacts upon the key interest features of Natura 2000 sites in and/or adjacent to Lough Erne, both in isolation, or in combination with other projects. Any variations to plans to facilitate the common implementation of this proposed strategy should therefore be subject to AA Screening. This document is considered to be a study into the products of recreation, tourism and commercial opportunities and as such would not be subject to an assessment under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive.
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European Directive 2001/42/EC (the SEA Directive)
EU Water Framework Directive (78/659/EEC) The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a framework for the protection of water quality relating to all surface waters (including rivers and lakes), transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters. The main objects of the WFD is that no deterioration occurs in relation to the existing status of waters, and that by 2015 the waters achieve a least a “good status”, which in rivers and lakes comprises a combination of the “ecological status” and the “chemical status”. The WFD requires all member states to protect and manage their water resources on natural, geographic boundaries i.e. the river catchment or basin. Lough Erne lies within the North Western International River Basin District. It covers the natural drainage of Donegal and Fermanagh and stretches down into Cavan. It operates as a cross Border district and so is entirely international. Any development proposals will need to demonstrate that they do not adversely affect the requirements under the WFD.
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3.2.5
EU Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC) The aim of this Directive is to set quality objectives for fresh waters so as to protect fish life from the discharge of pollutant substances into waters. Northern Ireland supports a network of Salmonid Waters designated under the EU Freshwater Fish Directive. These rivers are deemed of importance for trout and salmon and as such their water quality and fish habitat must be maintained. However, there are no designated Salmonid Waters in the study area.
3.2.6
Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) are areas of land that have been identified by scientific survey as being of the highest degree of conservation value. They have a well-defined boundary and by and large remain in private ownership. The underlying philosophy is to achieve conservation by co-operation and in this, the part played by landowners is fully recognised and appreciated. The law relating to ASSIs is contained in the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002. NIEA must, as required by the law laid down in the Order, declare land as ASSIs if it is of special scientific interest because of the flora or fauna that is found on it, or because of geological features.
3.2.7
Nationally Rare and Protected Species Apart from species listed in EC Directives and their Appendices, special consideration must be given to species protected under Northern Ireland’s Law: Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and its amendments and the Conservation of Habitats and Natural Resources 2000. Rare species are reviewed in the Red Data Books and other publications (Curtis & McGough 1988, Stewart & Stewart 1992, Whilde 1993, Lynas et al. 2007) where species listed as rare, endangered, threatened or indeterminate should be given consideration. The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy (NIBS) was launched in 2000 with 76 recommendations to Government. In 2002 the Northern Ireland Executive set out how it would implement the NIBS recommendations which included a commitment from the then Environment and Heritage Service to produce a ‘Biodiversity Implementation Plan (BIP)’. Since 2002 a continuous series of BIPs have been published and their targets achieved. The current BIP identifies actions for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) from April 2009 – March 2012. Species and Habitat Action Plans are also being produced, and to-date plans have been produced for Irish lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana), pollan (Coregonus antumnalis), hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) and corncrake (Crex crex). Draft Species Action Plans are under consultation for bats, red squirrel, Kerry slug (Geomalacus maculosus) and the Killarney fern (Trichomanes speciosum). A Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) has been produced by Fermanagh District Council, which prioritises a number of habitats and species for action.
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3.3
Methods This study was largely desk based. Various sources of information were obtained which made reference to the ecological conditions within the study area. Published and unpublished reports, web-based documents and summaries, survey and monitoring data and Geographic Information System (GIS) information from a range of organisations were all considered during the collation of ecological information. A number of organisations and individuals were also approached who were likely to hold information about the lake or its flora and fauna. A list of those consulted can be seen in Table 1. The main sources of information were as follows •
Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA): GIS designated site boundaries, site synopses, site information, Landscape Character Area Biodiversity Profiles.
•
NIEA Website: site information. www.doeni.gov.uk/niea
•
RSPB Unpublished research papers, GIS information
•
Fermanagh District Council Local Biodiversity Plan
•
Fermanagh District Council Biodiversity Audit
•
Water Management Unit Water Quality Data
•
Habitas Website www.habitas.org.uk/
•
Aerial photography
Following the collation of information, the key sites and sensitive areas within designations were mapped using GIS software. An ‘ecological hotspots’ map was developed from: Designated Areas. Other known areas of ecological sensitivity based on local knowledge, consultations or other information. Following the collation of information, the key sites and sensitive areas within designations were mapped using GIS software. An ‘ecological hotspots’ map was developed from: •
Known areas within SPAs used by Annex I species or nationally important species during the winter months / summer months.
•
Known areas of Annex I habitats
•
Areas highlighted as highly important through consultations or desktop research.
Other known areas of high ecological sensitivity based on local knowledge, consultations or other information.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
The hotspots or ecological sensitive sites are therefore a mix of designated sites and undesignated sites. Each one was assessed and the impact of development considered in relation to the ecological features it held and the value of them. The sites were then classified as: Red: These were the most ecologically sensitive sites and contained features of considerable importance. Development in these areas was judged to significantly impact the site or its features, either directly or indirectly. As a result, development should be avoided in these areas and their integrity should be preserved at all costs. Amber: These were ecologically sensitive sites but certain development in these areas was judged to be able to proceed with little impact to the site or its habitat or species interest features. Each case should be assessed on an individual basis, depending on the interest features and the type of development planned.
3.4
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Ramsar Sites, Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), and National Nature Reserves (NNR).The entire area of Upper Lough Erne is designated as both SAC, SPA and Ramsar site and is underpinned by ASSI designations. A number of the islands within the Lower Lough are also ASSI. Tables 2 and 3 summarise these sites. The information below is reproduced from NIEA Site Synopses, Natura 2000 forms and any other site information. Of particular note in Table 2 is the “Key Interest Features”. Any Appropriate Assessment undertaken to support proposed plans or projects will need to determine that the “Key Interest Features” will not be adversely impacted by proposals as discussed in previous sections. Table 2 The numbers of each designated area type and the typical designation features. Designation
1
Otter Active raised bog SAC
3
Blanket bog
Consultee list
Overwintering Whooper swans
Northern Ireland Environment Agency Regional Staff
Hugh McCann (Regional Manager)
Northern Ireland Environment Agency Headquarter Staff
Paul Corbett (Senior Scientific Officer)
Northern Ireland Environment Agency Water Management Unit - Lakes Team
Unknown assistant
RSPB
Claire Ferry (Senior Conservation Officer) Gregory Woulahan (Reserves Manager) Brad Robson (Fermanagh Reserves Manager)
Fermanagh District Council
Grainne O’Connor (Environment Officer)
Central Fisheries Board
Andrew Harrison (Project Manager)
Inland Fisheries
John Kane (Senior Fisheries Officer)
Waterways Ireland
Paula Treacy
3.5.1
Statutory Designated Sites
Eutrophic lakes Sessile oak woodlands
Table 1 Consultations carried relating to Ecological Considerations
Ecological Baseline Information
Greenland white fronted geese Breeding Common tern
The following organisations were contacted specifically for ecological information to support the strategy and other relevant comments (Table 1).
3.5
Typical designation feature Overwintering Whooper swans
SPA
Consultations
No of sites within study area
Ramsar
1
Greenland white fronted geese Breeding Common tern, Notable plant assemblage
ASSI
26
Breeding and wintering bird interest Notable mammal site.
NNR
1
400 year old oak grove with native flora and fauna
NR
3
Forest
Total
35
In the case of each of the Natura 2000 sites and the Ramsar Site, each designation is underpinned by a national ASSI designation. eg. Upper Lough Erne is made up of numerous individually designated islands (eg. Gravel Ridge Island ASSI) and a number of larger lough expanses (eg. Upper Lough Erne – Galloon ASSI). Not all the ASSI designations are for biodiversity and ecological reasons, some sites have been designated due to their important examples of earth science. These have also been included in the table below. (eg. Magheramenagh ASSI).
Within the detailed study area there are a number of International and National Designations. A total of 35 designated sites occur of six main types. These are Special Protection Areas (SPA),
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Table 3 Statutory designated sites within the study area. Code
Site
Description
Upper Lough Erne Lough SPA
Key Interest Features Annex I species: • Breeding common tern (Sterna hirundo) • Breeding corncrake (Crex crex) • Overwintering whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) • Overwintering Greenland white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris). General Description: Upper Lough Erne Lough is situated in County Fermanagh in the west of Northern Ireland and is a very large and complex freshwater system. A series of flooded drumlins in the course of the River Erne give rise to a complex of islands, bays and many lakes bordered by damp pastures, fens, reedswamp and alder/willow carr and oak woodland. The Special Protection Area site boundary is entirely coincident with the composite boundary of the following ASSIs: Corraslough Point, Dernish Island, Finn Floods, Inishroosk, Killymackan Lough, Upper Lough Erne - Belleisle, Upper Lough Erne - Crom, Upper Lough Erne - Galloon and Upper Lough Erne – Trannish. Those in bold lie within the study area. The site qualifies under Article 4.1 of EC Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds by regularly supporting internationally important numbers of wintering whooper swans. Upper Lough Erne provides a core protected area for whooper swans in the region of Northern Ireland, as there is interchange between the swans using protected areas and those ranging more widely on surrounding farmland. Upper Lough Erne contributes to the maintenance of the geographic range of the Annex 1 Greenland white-fronted goose population of Northern Ireland through supporting regionally important numbers. It also supports an important assemblage of breeding birds including common tern and in the past supported breeding corncrake. Both are Annex 1 species. Other migratory birds breeding on the site include great crested grebe and important concentrations of three species of waders which are declining elsewhere, curlew, snipe and redshank. Nationally important wintering wildfowl species, many of which are migratory, include great crested grebe, cormorant, mute swan, tufted duck, wigeon, teal, goldeneye, coot, mallard, snipe, curlew, and redshank.
Upper Lough Erne Lough SAC
Key Interest Features Annex I Habitats: 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation 91A0 Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) * Priority feature Annex II Species: 1355 Lutra lutra (Otter) Upper Lough Erne in Northern Ireland is a very large natural eutrophic lake situated in a drumlin landscape and has a predominantly limestone catchment. The site is an example of a northern or western eutrophic lake of glacial origin. The lake has a very long shoreline and numerous associated satellite lakes, many of which are included in the site. Aquatic vegetation of the Magnopotamion and Hydrocharition type is extensively-developed. Both club-rush – common reed Scirpo – Phragmitetum and reed canary-grass – shoreweed – spike-rush Phalaris – Littorella – Eleocharis associations are well-developed on the shore. There are transitions to swamp and fen vegetation. Upper Lough Erne represents one of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland remaining in Northern Ireland. Drier soils support mature stands of old sessile oak woods, which are particularly well-developed to the south of the lough. The woodlands consist of a canopy dominated by oak Quercus petraea, with occasional ash Fraxinus excelsior and birch Betula pubescens. Hazel Corylus avellana and holly Ilex aquifolium often form a distinct shrub layer. The ground flora is very variable and consists of a wide variety of species, including bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, sanicle Sanicula europaea, goldilocks buttercup Ranunculus auricomus, great wood-rush Luzula sylvatica, and an abundance of the scarce thin-spiked wood-sedge Carex strigosa. Upper Lough Erne is the most extensive area of alluvial forests in Northern Ireland. The woodland occurs in scattered stands around the edges of the lough, where the shoreline is ungrazed or only very lightly grazed. Fluctuating water levels and variations in exposure, substrate and management have resulted in the formation of a wide range of wet woodland communities. These are generally characterised by a canopy in which species such as willow Salix spp. and alder Alnus glutinosa are dominant, with more notable species such as aspen Populus tremula, guelder-rose Viburnum opulus and buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica scattered throughout. The ground flora is often similar to that of the swamp and fen zone, with a rich variety of sedges and herbs. In places, there are well-developed transitions to drier woodland types, including 91A0 old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum. This site represents a great site for otter Lutra lutra in Northern Ireland. The province holds one of the strongest populations of otters in the UK. Upper Lough Erne consists of a large eutrophic lake with very extensive associated wetland habitats that holds a dense and large population of otters. In addition the surrounding countryside is rich in relatively unpolluted rivers and lakes and has a high density of semi-natural habitats, especially wetlands, supporting the otter population within the site.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Moninea Bog SAC ASSI
Key Interest Features Annex I Habitats: 7110 Active raised bogs General Description: Moninea Bog (45ha) is one of the best remaining examples of raised bog within the drumlin belt of south Ulster. There were formerly many small bogs occupying the hollows between the drumlins, but the majority have either been wholly destroyed or severely modified by turf cutting, drainage or agricultural reclamation. Moninea i.e. one of the least modified bogs within the whole of Northern Ireland. The area is especially important for its high sphagnum cover, including many large hummocks of Sphagnum imbricatum and S. fuscum. The nationally rare S. pulchrum is locally abundant, while scarce sundews, Drosera anglica and D. intermedia are frequent. Moninea Bog represents one of the best remaining examples of lowland raised bog in the drumlin belt of south-western Fermanagh. The area is not managed for agricultural purposes. The bog, marsh and fen habitat represent a total of approximately 79% of the site total while broad-leaved deciduous woodland makes up the remainder. There is a potential threat of fires, scrub encroachment into the areas of active bog, and peat-cutting. These threats will be monitored. If damaging practices are recorded, they will be addressed by management agreements with the owners. Habitat codes: E13, E13c
Fardrum & Roskey Turloughs SAC
Key Interest Features Annex I Habitats: 3180 Turloughs
Ramsar ASSI
General Description: Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs are sited some 7 kms north-west of Enniskillen. The site includes small elements of open water, the wet grasslands of the inundation zone, scrub woodland and agricultural grassland. While the turloughs themselves are relatively small, adjoining land that either hosts notable habitat or has a bearing on the conservation quality of the wetlands, has been included. There are three Turloughs in this group, west of Lower Lough Erne: Fardrum Lough, Roosky Lough, and Green Lough, all within a basin formed in the Carboniferous Ballyshannon limestone. They are the only turloughs in Northern Ireland, and represent the most northerly occurrence of this habitat in Ireland and the UK. All three contain distinctive vegetation communities associated with their inundation zone, including the bryophytes Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Fontinalis antipyretica. In addition, Green Lough supports the nationally rare fen violet Viola persicifolia and a very rich ground-beetle fauna including the carabids Blethisa multipunctata and Pelophila borealis. Fardrum & Roskey Turloughs Ramsar the boundary is the same as an existing protected area. The fact that Site is the most northerly examples of turloughs in Ireland, with distinctive, naturally impoverished, vegetation communities is the major criterion classified Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs as Ramsar.
Upper Lough Erne Lough Ramsar Site
Key Interest Features Annex I species: • Breeding common tern (Sterna hirundo) • Breeding corncrake (Crex crex) • Overwintering whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) • Overwintering Greenland white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris). General Description: Upper Lough Erne Lough is situated in County Fermanagh in the west of Northern Ireland. It is a very large and complex freshwater system. A series of flooded drumlins in the course of the River Erne give rise to a complex of islands, bays and many lakes bordered by damp pastures, fens, reedswamp, alder/willow carr and oak woodland. This Ramsar site includes Upper Lough Erne Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and Upper Lough Erne Special Protection Area (SPA) and its boundary is entirely coincident with the composite boundary of the following Areas of Special Scientific Interest: Corraslough Point, Dernish Island, Finn Floods, Inishroosk, Killymackan Lough, Mill Lough, Upper Lough Erne - Belleisle, Upper Lough Erne - Crom, Upper Lough Erne - Galloon and Upper Lough Erne - Trannish. Those in bold lie within the study area. It qualifies under Criterion 1b of the Ramsar Convention as a particularly good representative example of a eutrophic lake and associated swamp, fen and wet grassland. Under Criterion 1c it is a particularly good representative example of wetland, which plays a substantial hydrological, biological and ecological system role in the natural functioning of a major river basin located in a trans-border position. Upper Lough Erne also qualifies under Criterion 2a because it supports an appreciable assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species or sub-species of plant and animal. Plant species in published or draft Irish Red Data Books include, Fen violet Viola, Irish lady's tresses orchid, Pointed stonewort and the moss Fissidens monguillonii. Vertebrate species in the Irish Vertebrate Red Data Book include whiskered bat, shoveler, pochard and Brook lamprey. Rare or vulnerable invertebrate species include white -clawed crayfish, Lunar hornet moth, a pondskater Limnoporus rufoscutellatus, the water beetles, Donacia aquatica, Donacia bicolora, Gyrinus distinctus, Gyrinus natator, Hydroporus glabriusculus and the carabid Lebia cruxminor.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Under Criterion 2b it qualifies because it is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of Northern Ireland because of the quality and peculiarities of its flora and fauna. A large number of plant and animal species are confined or almost confined to this area within Northern Ireland including most of the rare species listed previously. The site qualifies under Criterion 3b by regularly supporting substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl which are indicative of wetland values, productivity and diversity. Wintering wildfowl species which occur in at least nationally important numbers include great crested grebe, cormorant, whooper swan, mute swan, tufted duck, wigeon, teal, goldeneye, coot and mallard. Finally the site qualifies under Criterion 3c by regularly supporting internationally important numbers of wintering whooper swan. The birds using the site form the core of a population of birds which use both the site and the extensive improved agricultural grassland in surrounding areas.
Upper Lough Erne – Crom ASSI
General Description: An integral area (1443ha) in southern Upper Lough Erne which includes the open waters of the lough, in addition to a range of associated wetland and other communities especially well characterised by its extensive woodlands which represent one of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland in NI. The parkland is notable for the age of its trees and the communities of woodland lichens (with a number of rare species) that are associated with them. The area contains many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British lsles. In addition it is also notable for its mammals, particularly bats, and the wide variety of habitat gives rise to a wide range of bird species including Snipe, Heron and Garden Warbler. The invertebrate fauna is also of particular importance and the area is known to support many rare Irish species. Key features of site: Bats, Breeding Wader Assemblage, Eutrophic Lake, Fen, Fungi, Higher Plant Assemblage, Invertebrate Assemblage, Lower Plant Assemblage, Otters, Purple Moor-grass and Rush Pasture, Reedbed And Swamp, Upland Oakwood, Waterfowl Assemblage, Wet Woodlands Habitat Types: A111, A3, B13, B22, F11, F12, G1
Upper Lough Erne – Galloon ASSI
General Description: This area (570ha) in southern Upper Lough Erne includes the open waters of the lough, in addition to extensive, good quality, traditionally farmed and hence species rich grasslands on base-rich gleyed soils. There are also wetland and other communities with notable transitions from open water to drier ground with the concomitant effect of giving important concentrations of both individual species and groups of species. This section of the lough is more sheltered than others such that open waters often give way to swamp zones. Behind these are areas of sedge dominated fen which can often be species rich. Wet woodland is also found with associated ground flora resembling the swamp and fen zones. The grasslands themselves exhibit variations dependant on the soils i.e. from strongly flushed to well-drained, more acidic soils. The nationally rare Frogbit occurs frequently along with other plants which also have a restricted distribution nationally. Otters also frequent the area along with wintering wildfowl and breeding waders. Habitat Types: A111, B11, B31, F11, G1 Key features of site: Breeding Wader Assemblage, Breeding Waterfowl Assemblage, Eutrophic Lake, Fens, Higher Plant Assemblage, Invertebrate Assemblage, Otters, Purple Moor-grass And Rich Pasture, Reedbeds And Swamp, Wet Woodlands
Killymackin Lough ASSI
General Description: Killymackin Lough (28.5ha), a satellite lake of lough Erne, is a large inter-drumlin lough with a species rich assemblage of aquatic plants. The margins of the lough consist of a narrow fringe of swamp and fen with sparse carr woodland or fen meadow. The aquatic vegetation is dominated by extensive beds of Pondweed Potamogeton spp. In fact this site is one of only three in Northern Ireland with eight species of Pondweed. There are also submerged beds of Stoneworts, including the nationally rare Pointed Stonewort Nitella mucronata. Yellow Water Lilly Nuphar lutea and Spiked Water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum are also common in the open waters. The emergent vegetation of the lough is dominated by Water Horse Tail Equisetum fluviatile and Common club-rush Schoenoplectus lacustris. The swamp vegetation is dominated by Bottle Sedge Carex rostrata and Common Reed Phragmites australis. This is often backed by species rich fen in which Tufted Sedge Carex elate is dominant. There are also a number of plant species with a restricted distribution in the British Isles including Cowbane Cicuta virosa, Lesser Pond-sedge Carex acutiformis and Needle Spike-rush Eleocharis acicularis. Key features of site: Eutrophic Lake Habitat Types: A111, F1, G1
Finn Floods ASSI
Key Interest Features Annex I species: • Overwintering whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) General Description:
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
This site (66.5ha) consist of the unmodified mature flood plain section of the Finn River system. Mature river, with marginal alluvial flood plain and interconnecting eutrophic lough supporting range of associated swamp, tall herb fen and inundation grassland vegetation communities. The site has a rich assortment of rare and notable plant species. Part of the site network regularly used by the Upper Lough Erne wintering Whooper Swan population which is of international importance It is also a breeding wader site. Important invertebrate site with rich assemblage of invertebrates particularly aquatic coleoptera (Waterbeetles), which includes several rare species. Key features of site: Fen, Physiographical, Zoological Magheramenagh
General Description: This Site (0.95ha) is one of only two Waulsortian mound limestones in Northern Ireland. It is the most northerly occurence of the Waulsortian in Ireland, Great Britain and Western Europe.
ASSI Lough Scolban ASSI
General Description: Lough Scolban (83.33ha) is a mid-altitude lake that lies between the Pettigoe Plateau and Lower Lough Erne. It is a special place because of its aquatic flora and fauna, which is dependent on the unpolluted water and low levels of plant nutrients. The diverse substrate of the lake, which ranges from boulder to rock to gravel with sand predominating in deeper waters, provides a range of habitats for a wide range of plants and animals. This type of lake is becoming increasingly rare in Northern Ireland due to pollution. On the shore and in the shallows, shoreweed is abundant with the rare quillwort and water lobelia found in the deeper waters. Growing amongst these submerged lawns are stoneworts and bulbous rush. Pondweeds and alternate water milfoil grow in submerged beds while Water lilies and floating bur-reed form floating rafts on the surface. The lake is partly fringed by a natural belt of woodland, which consists mainly of ash wood with pockets of wet woodland. In sheltered locations woodland ferns grow in profusion over a thick moss ground cover, whilst elsewhere bluebells, wood sorrel, common twayblade, yellow pimpernel and dog violet bring spring colour to the woodland floor. Emergent swamp is restricted to the sheltered bays where bands of common club-rush are backed by common reed and bottle sedge. A wide variety of sedges and herbs dominate the surrounding fen area that occasionally exists behind the band of swamp. Here fen plants such as bay willow, bog pimpernel and marsh hawk's-beard are indicative of the prevailing alkaline conditions. The fen area is of great importance as this habitat is rapidly disappearing from our countryside due to drainage, infilling and nutrient enrichment.
Cruninish Island ASSI
General Description: Cruninish Island is a lightly grazed drumlin island in the Northern section of Lower Lough Erne. The island has a central ridge that gently slopes down to the lough shore. The top of the island is drier and freely draining and as water moves down the slopes towards the lough wide extensive areas of flushed vegetation have been created. This combination of topography and the related soil hydrology has resulted in an interesting range of species-rich wet grasslands over the island. These vary from drier, grassy rush pasture on the more elevated areas to fen meadow, with base-loving plants present along the slopes and shoreline. This area is of special scientific interest because of its species-rich wet grassland and breeding waders It is one of the most important sites for breeding waders in Northern Ireland. The density of nests, at nearly 3 per hectare, is one of the highest recorded in Northern Ireland. The vegetation on the island is dominated by sharp-flowered rush, with a variety of grasses and sedges and in places is markedly species-rich. This provides cover for nests and young birds. Other important factors for breeding birds are the heavy nature of the soils which remain wet even in summer and the adjoining lough shoreline, which provide an abundance of food for adults and young birds. The island is also relatively free from disturbance and predation. Wet grassland in the form of purple moor-grass and rush pasture occurs over most of the island, which remains wet due to high levels of precipitation from the westerly geographical position. The wet conditions and local water logging result in the occurrence of species such as sharp-flowered rush, meadow thistle and purple moor-grass. The purple moor-grass and rush pasture occurring on the flushed slopes of Cruninish Island is described as fen meadow and occurs when there is free movement of water through the soil. Typical herb species associated with fen meadow vegetation include marsh thistle, meadowsweet, meadow thistle, Devil’s-bit scabious, tormentil, bog pimpernel and lesser spearwort. Sedges are abundant in this habitat and include tawny sedge, carnation sedge and glaucous sedge. In the drier central area of the island sharp-flowered rush and Yorkshire-fog are frequent within the sward. The wet grassland in this area is less species-rich and is characterised by species such as soft-rush, creeping buttercup and white clover. The variation in hydrology and related topography, and past and present management has resulted in a considerable range of species present in a relatively small area. In addition to the species already mentioned water figwort, a species of note was recorded around the shoreline. Cruninish Island is an area of semi-natural grassland and associated habitats that have been managed in a traditional way. As such, it provides valuable feeding and roosting sites for a range of animals, including mammals such as Irish hare and invertebrates such as green-veined white and meadow brown butterflies.
Hare Island ASSI
General Description: Hare Island is of special scientific interest because of its breeding waders and species-rich wet grassland.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Hare Island is a lightly grazed drumlin island in Lower Lough Erne. The island has a central ridge sloping down to the lough shore. The combination of topography and the related soil hydrology has resulted in a range of species-rich wet grasslands on the island. These vary from rush pasture to fen meadow, with base-loving plants present throughout the area. The island is one of the most important sites for breeding waders in Northern Ireland. This includes redshank, snipe, lapwing and curlew. The density of nests, at over 2 per hectare, is amongst the highest recorded in Northern Ireland. The vegetation on the island is dominated by sharp-flowered rush, with a variety of grasses and sedges and in places is markedly species rich. This provides cover for nests and young birds. Other important factors for breeding birds are the heavy nature of the soils which remain wet even in summer and the adjoining lough shoreline, which provide an abundance of food for adults and young birds. The island is also relatively free from disturbance and predation. Purple moor-grass and rush pasture occurs over much of the island, with fen meadow present at the lower elevations to the west of the island. Fen meadow is a particular type of purple moor-grass and rush pasture. It occurs on Hare Island where there is a steady hydrological influence flowing through the soil which results in the occurrence of species adapted to both water movement and wetter conditions. Species characteristic of this community on Hare Island include purple moor-grass, meadow thistle, meadowsweet, lesser spearwort, devil’s-bit scabious and tormentil. Sedges are often important components within the sward and include tawny sedge, carnation sedge, yellow-sedge, flea sedge and glaucous sedge. There is also some more pronounced base-rich flushing at the base of the slope with black bog-rush. On the central ridge of the island, the purple moor-grass and rush pasture tends to be less species-rich. Common species here include sharp-flowered rush, yorkshire-fog, creeping buttercup and white clover. This poorer rush pasture is prevalent throughout the eastern end of the island, where it forms a mosaic with drier more improved short turf of perennial rye-grass and crested dog’s-tail pasture. Fringing the island’s shoreline are a variety of vegetation communities that add valuable diversity to the island’s habitats. A small patch of common reed swamp occurs to the east of the island growing over water horsetail. Exposed shore vegetation dominated by knotgrass occurs around the whole island, with scattered bottle sedge and marsh cinquefoil fen on the northern shore. Exposed sandier shoreline substrates to the north and the east have common spike-rush and locally abundant needle spike-rush. The variation in hydrology and related topography, and past and present management has resulted in a considerable range of species present in a relatively small area. In addition to the species already mentioned the following species of note were recorded – cowbane, common butterwort, small water-pepper, lesser pondweed and long-leaved pondweed Woodland and scrub provides further diversity and adds to the conservation interest of the area. Tree and shrub species are mainly found as former field boundaries. Hawthorn is the main species with occasional downy birch and grey willow to the east with scots pine and ash around the ruins on the top of the ridge. Alder woodland is also present to the northwest of these ruins. Scattered gorse scrub forms an integral mosaic with the grasslands, particularly on the southern slopes. Hare Island is an area of semi-natural grassland and associated that have been managed in a traditional way. As such, it provides valuable feeding and roosting sites for a range of animals, including invertebrates such as ringlet, red admiral, painted lady and meadow brown. Gravel Ridge Island ASSI
General Description: The site is a small low lying gravel island, in the upper reaches of Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, some 2km south of Boa Island. Bird habitat is almost exclusively vegetated gravel which is invaded in late spring and summer by a growth of taller plants such as Indian balsam. Gravel Ridge Island has been declared an ASSI because it supports a number of nationally important breeding seabird populations of sandwich terns and black-headed gulls. Areas holding important colonies of breeding seabirds are scarce in Northern Ireland. False-oat dominated grassland also occurs with ash and willow species scrub in the middle and eastern side of the island. Gravel Ridge Island holds on average 68 pairs of Sandwich Tern (2004 to 2008 mean) which represents 1.8% of the all-Ireland breeding population and 3.4% of the Northern Ireland population. The island also supports on average 853 pairs of Black-headed Gull (2004 to 2008 mean) which represents 7.3% of the all-Ireland breeding population and 10.1% of the Northern Ireland population
Horse Island ASSI
Paris Island Big ASSI
General Description: Horse Island (32ha) is a lightly grazed drumlin island in Lower Lough Erne. The Erne basin generally is one of the prime locations for breeding waders in the British Isles. Waders including snipe, curlew, redshank and lapwing have been recorded on the island making it one of the most important wader sites in Northern Ireland. The density of nests, at over 3 per hectare, is one of the highest ever recorded. Other species of breeding birds include common sandpiper, oystercatcher, great crested grebe and tufted duck. General Description: This area is of special scientific interest because of its heronry. Paris Island Big is a steep-sided, wooded drumlin island in Lower Lough Erne. The topography of the island made it less suitable for agriculture than many of its neighbours, hence its present woodland cover. Paris Island Big has, in the recent past, been a highly significant locality for breeding grey herons in a Northern Ireland context. At least 86 pairs of herons were present on the site in 2006, representing more than 2% of the estimated all-Ireland population. The island therefore continues to be one of the most important heronries in the Northern Ireland. The vegetation on the island is dominated by semi-natural deciduous woodland, with the summit supporting a grove of exotic conifers. The deciduous element of the woodland is dominated by Sessile oak and also
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
includes significant amounts of sycamore, holly, birch and ash. Mature trees within both woodland types provide suitable nest sites for herons. Banagher ASSI
General Description: Banagher ASSI is a complex mosaic of wetland communities, within an area of wet grassland centred around a small basin fen with associated swamp. It is situated just Southwest of Ely Lodge, 5 Km Northwest of Enniskillen. Banagher is botanically rich and it is particularly important as it contains the rare and threatened orchid marsh helleborine. This species is scarce in Northern Ireland and is restricted to just a handful of sites across the region. marsh helleborine is our only orchid with purplish-brown and white flowers. It is a plant of lowland marshy ground, is 10 - 40 cm in height and has one-sided flower spikes of between 4 and 20 attractive flowers. At Banagher the population of marsh helleborine is frequent, and found locally in a small area of base-rich (rich in alkaline nutrients) wet grassland to the west of the site where up to 100 flowering and non-flowering spikes can usually be seen. Associated species to be found within Banagher reflect the elevated base (alkaline) status and include grass-of-Parnassus, broad-leaved cottongrass and yellow sedge. Banagher is very botanically rich, and this is a result of the unique range of plant communities being found in such a confined area, resulting in a rich assemblage of species. There is an area of fen meadow present which is characterised by meadow thistle, purple moor-grass and devil's-bit scabious. There is also an area of fen dominated by bogbean, and swamp dominated by sedge, where marsh cinquefoil and water horsetail are common. Cowbane, greater spearwort and fen pondweed which are much less common in Ireland are also present. The range of vegetation types provides food and shelter for a range of animals including birds and invertebrates.
Devenish Island ASSI
General Description: This area is of special scientific interest because of its breeding waders and species-rich wet grassland. Species-rich grassland tends to occur only where land management is not intensive, in particular where traditional farming practices have been maintained. As a result, it is not a widespread habitat in Northern Ireland and is often fragmented, consisting of individual fields, parts of fields or banks. Devenish Island is a lightly grazed drumlin island in Lower Lough Erne and has, in the recent past, been a highly significant locality for breeding waders in a Northern Ireland context. Species include curlew, snipe, redshank and lapwing, sometimes tufted duck. The vegetation on the island is dominated by sharp-flowered rush, with a variety of grasses and sedges and in places is markedly species rich. This provides cover for nests and young birds. Other important factors for breeding birds are the heavy nature of the soils which remain wet even in summer and the adjoining lough shoreline. Fen habitat provides further diversity and adds to the conservation interest of the area. The area of fen occurs both in the central lowland section of the island and also fringes much of the shoreline. In the central section where the water table is very low and the slopes are gentle, periodic flooding of the fen vegetation occurs creating a relatively expansive wetland habitat. The shoreline is inundated by water from the lough and has common reed and reed canary-grass swamps which grade into a narrow fringing fen that surrounds most of the island. The tall herb fen associated with the shoreline has species such as greater waterparsnip and flowering-rush with the more sedge rich low-lying central fen community characterised by bottle sedge with marsh pennywort, bogbean, water mint, greater bird’s-foot-trefoil and marsh bedstraw. Devenish Island is an area of semi-natural grassland and associated habitats that have been managed in a traditional way. As such, it provides valuable feeding and roosting sites for a range of animals, including invertebrates such as ringlet, red admiral, painted lady and meadow brown.
Mill Lough ASSI
General Description: Mill Lough is an inter-drumlin lake (a satellite body of Upper Lough Erne) with important wetland flora and fauna and one of only of three water bodies in NI with eight species of pondweed. The lough holds a speciesrich assemblage of aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrate fauna (typical of a lowland eutrophic, but comparatively unpolluted, water body), ten species of dragonfly and significant numbers of waterfowl in winter. It also displays a well-developed transition from open water, through emergent swamp and fen, to carr woodland or fen meadow.
Bellanaleck ASSI
General Description: One of the most important geological localities in the Carboniferous outcrop of Northern Ireland being one of only two occurences of Waulsortian mound limestones . A diverse macrofauna includes, for the first time in Northern Ireland, a suite of trilobites that are of late Tournaisian age, some 340 million years old.
Upper Lough Erne – Belleisle ASSI
Corraslough Point ASSI
General Description: This site is an integral element of the Upper Lough Erne system and includes open water with wooded islands in addition to a range of associated communities ranging from swamp through fen to wet grassland/woodland. Important concentrations of species rich grassland communities exist where traditional farming methods, such as haymaking, have been maintained. The area contains many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British Isles. The area as a whole is rich and varied for invertebrates. It is also important for otters and breeding waders. General Description: This site comprises of a number of low-lying fields on the shores of Upper Lough Erne. It is remarkable for the range of plant communities it supports and is also of value for it's breeding birds. Common reed and bulrush dominate the water edge. Behind this is a fen zone in which tall sedges such as tufted sedge and bladder sedge dominate. A wide range of other species grow here including purple loosestrife, cowbane, and yellow loosestrife. The main area of the site is mown for hay and is exceptionally species rich. The dominant plant cover is sedges and rushes - carnation sedge, glaucous sedge, common sedge and sharp-flowered rush. However a wide range of
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
other plant species occur. Upper Lough Erne – Trannish ASSI
Knockninny Hill ASSI
General Description: An integral element of the Upper Lough Erne system which is particularly well characterised by the extent of its swamp and fen communities. There is a diverse range of plant and animal communities, with notable transitions from open water to drier ground and important concentrations of both individual species and groups of species. A number of islands are notable for the extent and quality of species-rich grasslands. The area contains many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British Isles and as a whole is rich and varied for invertebrates. It is also important for otters, breeding waders and significant General Description: Knockninny Hill is a residual block of hard limestone from the Lower Carboniferous Age. Limestone pavement, a Karst feature of limited distribution, occurs on the summit and northern flanks of the hill. This supports a rich, unimproved, limestone grassland community characterised by a short, tightly grazed sward. A number of notable species have been recorded including a diverse orchid population. Dense flowered orchid is present in only its second known Northern Ireland location. The well developed wood, on the steep, rocky flanks of the hill is characteristic of shallow base-rich, limestone soils. The canopy is comprised of ash and low hazel. The ground flora is typically species-rich and supports a number of notable species such as Columbine, stone bramble and includes the very rare yellow bird's-nest. A series of old meadows occur on the deeper, heavier clay soils around the lower slopes of the hill. The area is also important for butterflies and moths and several other notable invertebrates have also been recorded.
Inishroosk ASSI
General Description: This is an area of special scientific interest because of the breeding waders and for the quality of the wetland vegetation, which includes a number of uncommon plant species. The site boundary extends into the lake which is one of the finest large, shallow eutrophic lakes in Northern Ireland. The site has been identified as the best lowland breeding wader site in the Erne basin. Other regular breeding birds include lapwing, curlew and shoveler. Wintering birds include large flocks of whooper swans, wigeon and curlew. The lough shore vegetation is dominated by common reed and bulrush. Behind the swamp is a broad band of tall fen, in which bottle sedge and bladder sedge predominate, with a wide range of associated species including cowbane, flowering rush, greater spearwort and water dock . The current land management of low intensity grazing and hay-making has resulted in the retention of species rich marsh and fen meadow grassland over most of the site. The species-rich marsh is characterised by the predominance of creeping bent and soft rush over a brown moss carpet. The fen meadow consists mostly of tall sedges such as common sedge and bottle sedge.
Dernish Island ASSI
General Description: Island with area of swamp, fen and grassland. The site was declared because of its wetland flora and fauna. The vegetation on and around the island is very diverse, with well-developed areas of swamp and fen. Stands of common reed and bulrush at the water's edge give way to a fen zone which is particularly rich in sedge species- Lesser tussock sedge, bottle sedge and bladder sedge are dominant. Other species occurring include water parsnip, flowering rush, creeping Jenny and marsh stitchwort. The island also supports a high density of breeding waders. Species include lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe. Other breeding birds of note include great crested grebe, mallard and shoveler.
Lergan
General Description:
ASSI
Lergan slopes north to south with the southern bottom of the field quite flat and wet. The top part of the field is of a drier rush pasture grassland type, and is quite grassy. The field is more or less bisected by what appears to be an old field boundary. Here flushing occurs and locally very species-rich stands of vegetation are seen. This is where any of the orchids are seen and where small stands of Molinia/Crepis paludosa vegetation occur. Locally Carex pallescens is quite abundant.
The Cliffs of Magho
The Cliffs of Magho consists of a large, north-facing limestone escarpment overlooking Lower Lough Erne and supports an exceptional range of habit types. The lower slopes are covered by one of the largest semi-natural woodlands in Northern Ireland; it is very diverse and contains the highest number of woodland species recorded at a single site. Rare species within the wood include Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica), Thin-spiked Wood Sedge (Carex strigosa) and Bird’s-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis).
ASSI
Above the wood, secondary scarps support a mixture of grassland and cliff ledge communities. Smaller sandstone ridges contain a mixture of heathland, woodland and scrub. Wet heath and blanket bog occur on the flatter, deeper peats. Wetland habitats are represented by a large mesotrophic lake with open waters, swamp and fen. These habitats all support a number of notable and rare plant species. The site is also important for breeding birds. Beagh Big ASSI
Inishfendra NNR
June 2011
This area is special scientific interest on account of the richness of its grassland vegetation. In contrast to the majority of the hay meadows in the region, the site is relatively dry and dominated by grasses with Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lantus), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Crested Dogs Tail (Cynosurus cristatus) dominating. Yellow Oat Grass (Trisetum flavesens) is frequent. There is an abundance of forbs such as bulbous buttercups (Ranunculus bulbosus), Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and Ladies Bed Straw (Galium verum). Several rare plant species occur, including Adders tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and Cowslip (Primula veris). General Description: Large, weathered oaks, 400 years old or more, grown in the ancient, native woodland on Inishfendra. These trees are occupied by the largest nesting heron colony in Ireland, with one oak supporting as many as 13 nests. Years ago oak was extracted for timber and now young ash and alder have grown up to fill the space in the canopy. Here, as at Marble Arch Reserve, the variety of plants and lichens indicate that this is a long established woodland. Goldilocks and early purple orchid grown under the canopy of the trees and along the rides. In the past, the wood was grazed by cattle but now the only grazers are a small herd of wild goats.
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There is a large expanse of swamp and fen around the island. The north shore contains the most interesting variety of plants with the rare species of creeping yellow cress and flowering rush. Facilities: The island may be reached by small boat but access is restricted between February and May (Details from http://www.goireland.com/fermanagh/inishfendra-attraction-nature-reserves-id14955.htm). Castlecaldwell Forest NR
Most of Castle Caldwell is conifer and beech plantation managed by Forest Service. Along the shore of the three bays there is more natural native woodland of mainly willow, alder and oak. This is managed as a nature reserve. It supports a large number of songbirds such as thrushes and warblers. Good views of ducks, grebes and other water birds, such as coots, can be seen around the edges of Castle, Birch and Kellums Bays. Herons stalk for prey in the shallows, while evening visitors may catch a glimpse of a long-eared owl hunting along the forest edge. Reeds and sedges on the water's edge are important feeding and nesting areas. Shrubs like Guelder rose and purging buckthorn, growing close to the water, also provide cover for birds and insects. There is a 900m path leading through the wood to the edge of the reeds in Castle Bay. The journey through the woodland bypasses the old 17th Century castle which lies in ruins. Birds nest in its ivy-clad walls. Nearing the bays, old oak trees form a ghost line along what was once the lough shore. The lough was lowered in the 1950's exposing new land. This foreshore has been colonised by natural scrub of alder and willow.
Castle Archdale Islands Forest NR
These small, hilly islands are the tops of drumlins, the lower parts of which were drowned when Lough Erne was formed. The relatively unspoiled woodland on these islands is a mixture of many species including oak, yew and ash. These trees grow tall and form the canopy of the woodland whilst underneath, willow and hazel spread their branches to gather light. The spindle tree, with its green stems, grows here too but is hard to find. Only in autumn when its leaves turn dark red and the fruits are bright pink and red does it stand out. Aspens also add a splash of colour with their golden circular leaves. Open glades in the wood with dense leafy areas of bracken, bramble, hawthorn and ivy provide the ideal home for the garden warbler. This uncommon, small brown bird nests close to the ground amongst the foliage. The central part of Inishmakill was once improved for agriculture but the only evidence of this past use are old field ditches and the walls of a house, abandoned in the 1930's and now swallowed up in the trees.
Reilly and Gole Woods NR
Reilly Wood has old oak trees planted some 150 years ago under the management of the Crom Estate. The trees are evenly spaced with full crowns which prevent light reaching the woodland floor, where bilberry, wood sorrel and young trees flourish. At the south of Reilly Wood, a thick band of rhododendron was originally planted as shelter for game. Unfortunately, it encroached into the woodland but through careful management has now been removed, allowing heather and native trees , especially birch and holly, to grow. Badgers can be seen in the woods at dusk. Setts are present, either abandoned or with signs of occupation, such as bedding left at the entrance to dry. Look out for the purple hairstreak butterfly, often found perched on the tops of oak leaves during July and August. Kestrels can be seen hovering high above the woodlands, while sparrowhawks weave through the trees below. Gole Wood is recovering from past management when trees were felled during World War II. There are now many young oak, alder, birch, ash and willow trees. Unlike Reilly Wood, Gole Wood is quite a thicket with trees competing for light.
June 2011
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3.6
Habitats
Priority Habitat
A survey of priority habitats was undertaken as part of a habitat audit for the Fermanagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) in 2006. Of the 40 Priority habitats found in Northern Ireland, Fermanagh was found to contain 20 of these. A recent revision of the list saw additions or changes made and the overall total now stands at 52 Northern Ireland priority habitats of which an estimated 22 can be found within the 1 mile study area. They are outlined in Table 2 along with the main areas of occurrence.
Purple moor-grass and Good examples are located in the Belle Isle ASSI, Killymackan ASSI, rush Inishroosk ASSI, Trannish ASSI and Galloon ASSI, Mill Lough in Enniskillen, pasture Lergan ASSI among others Reedbeds
Table 4 Northern Ireland Priority Habitats and their main areas in the detailed study area.
June 2011
Occurrence within the detailed study area
Lowland raised bog
Rare in study area. Remnants occur at Monelegny Bog, near Rosscark on Boa Island. It is now completely cut over
Blanket Bog
The shores of much of Upper and Lower Lough Erne are lined with extensive reedbeds.
Coastal and floodplain Extensive areas of shoreline, particularly around Upper Lough Erne fit this grazing marsh category. Also a number of the Lower Lough Erne islands have significant areas of this habitat making them suitable for breeding waders.
The detailed study area comprises mainly of three Landscape Character Areas (LCA) and a further stretch along the River Erne to Ballyshannon. The LCAs are Lower Lough Erne, Upper Lough Erne and Enniskillen which incorporates the lands mainly the lands between the lakes. The following is a description of their habitats as found in the NIEA’s biodiversity profile of each of the areas.
Priority Habitat
Occurrence within the detailed study area
Limestone pavement
Some may occur on the Derrin mountain or the Cliffs of Magho, otherwise it is restricted to areas outside the detailed study area.
Montane heath
Some may occur on the Derrin mountain otherwise it is restricted to areas outside the detailed study area.
Lowland meadows
These can be found throughout the Enniskillen Landscape Character Area.
Aquifer fed naturally The main site for this habitat is found at Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs fluctuating water bodies ASSI and SAC. Eutrophic standing waters
Most of the larger lakes in the detailed study area are classified as Eutrophic. Upper and Lower Lough Erne are both the obvious main examples of this type.
Rare in the Study area, some occurs in the SW corner and on Deerin Mountain in the north.
Mesotrophic lakes
Keenaghan Lough and Lough Scolban are both classed as Mesotrophic. Both are characterised by having a medium level of nutrients.
Hedgerows
Widespread presence throughout Fermanagh
Marl lakes
Parkland
Several large estates have large areas of parkland • Crom Estate • Florencecourt Estate • Castle Coole Estate • Castle Archdale County Park
Marl lakes are the rarest lake type as they contain the cleanest, clearest, hard water lakes with the highest base status. Examples of these are Loughs Kinarla, Drumcose, Aleen, Yoan and Mill Lough which belong to the Nuphar/Elodea/Hippuris type. They contain very specialised flora and are therefore very valuable natural resources. As they are so pure, they are very vulnerable to phosphate accumulation.
Mixed ashwods
Occurs within Cliffs of Magho ASSI and on the slopes beneath where the largest area of semi-natural woodlands in Northern Ireland which is also very diverse and species rich. An area in Upper Lough Erne, Knockninny Hill has also mixed ashwoods on its upper slopes.
Ponds
Found throughout the detailed study area.
Rivers
Found throughout the study areas, main rivers being River Erne flowing though the Loughs to Ballyshannon and also the Cladagh (Swanlinbar) and Colebrooke Rivers.
Oakwood
A 400 year old oak woodland exists at Inishfendra. Reilly and Gole Woods NNR also holds mature oak woodland of over 150 years old planted as part of the Crom Estate.
Wet woodland
The shores of both Upper and Lower Lough Erne are flanked by extensive wet woodland. Castle Caldwell Forest has good examples of wet woodland. It consists typically of alder carr with willow, and ash and birch in the drier parts. It is often associated with swamp and fen.
Calcareous grassland
Extensive area can be found on Knockninney Hill ASSI, a limestone hill with thin soils.
Upland heathland
There is little if any upland heath within the detailed study area.
Fens
Fens can be found surrounding both Upper and Lower Lough Erne and are often part of the transition between open water and woodland.
3.6.1
Lower Lough Erne Habitat Profile Woodlands Woodlands cover just less than 10% of the LCA of which about a half is broadleaved and mixed woodland. The conifer forests are largely of Sitka and Norway spruce with some lodgepole pine. These forests are generally of low biodiversity, particularly the more recently planted, but parts that are located on previous estates contain broadleaves and a wider range of species. For example, at Castlecaldwell although Sitka and Norway spruce are dominant, there are small compartments of beech, Scots pine and oak, and ash, as well as of western red cedar and western hemlock. The
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
majority of the present forest occupies land that was wooded in 1834 and is therefore 'longestablished' and may contain species not found in more recent woodland. (Note that parts of Castlecaldwell Forest are in the Forest Service 'Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites' programme by which conifer planted areas are restored to native broadleaves.) At Magho Forest on the south side of the lough, there is also more diversity of woodland; native alder scrub occurs alongside incised streams and hazel-ash scrub beneath the scarp (see below), but there has also been planting of alder, sycamore and mixed hardwood compartments. Parts of this forest were present in 1834. Castlecaldwell NNR and Castlecaldwell FNR have good examples of wet woodland. Castle Bay, Birch Bay and Kellums Bay have old oak trees forming a line along what was once the lough shore. The Lower Lough Erne was lowered in the 1950s exposing new land that has been colonised by natural scrub of alder and willow. The reserve is an outstanding example of the development of a swamp/fen/carr complex in response to the change of water level - a complex that occurs frequently around the edge of the lough and its islands. Upland mixed ashwoods are also common in the LCA, particularly on the south side beneath the limestone scarp. Here much of the lower slopes are covered by one of the largest semi-natural woodlands in Northern Ireland, part of which is included in the Cliffs of Magho ASSI (see also Magho FNR). This woodland is very diverse and contains the highest number of woodland species recorded at a single site, although the wood is not shown on the OS 6" map of 1834. Rare species within the wood include Welsh poppy, thin-spiked wood sedge and bird's-nest orchid. These underscarp woodlands are varied; although ash is dominant, in wetter parts there is much alder and willow and in other parts hazel scrub. Ash woodlands also dominate on drier slopes around the lough and on the islands; the ash is associated with sycamore, birch and oak, but many of these woodlands also have beech and elm that are indicative of planting - as for example on Lusty Beg Island. Apart from Castlecaldwell, that is now State Forest, there are few estate woods in the LCA. Water Foot has woodland that was present in 1834 although the park was not extensive; included in a range of tree species are ash, sycamore, oak, beech and alder and willow as well as some conifers (larch, spruce and fir) (lowland woodland pasture and parkland). Although the herb layer is only of moderate to poor diversity, there are abundant epiphytic mosses and lichens. Woodland at Magheramenagh Castle is somewhat similar. Grassland and Arable Grassland accounts for around 40% of the LCA, a low figure in comparison with that for Northern Ireland (c. 71%) as a whole but explained by the large area occupied by the lough. Of the grassland, just under half is in improved pasture, which is significantly lower than for Northern Ireland (about seven-tenths). Although some of the improved pastures are located on the betterdrained drumlins their distribution, especially on the south side of the lough, often owes more to management practices of individual farmers and to local variation in soils. Improved pastures generally have low biodiversity as a result of relatively intensive management. Some of the pastures are sown grasslands dominated by ryegrass and few other species - low biodiversity is inbuilt. Other grasslands have been converted to improved pastures through management. High levels of grazing or repeated cutting for silage, high inputs of fertilizers and slurry, and selective herbicides serve to reduce diversity of both flora and fauna. Arable land is insignificant in this LCA.
June 2011
Biodiversity in areas of improved pastures and arable is often concentrated in hedgerows. Indeed, they may be the most significant wildlife habitat over much of lowland Northern Ireland, especially where there are few semi-natural habitats. Hedgerows are a refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. In this LCA hedgerows are generally not well-managed and tend to be overgrown and gappy; even in the improved grasslands field boundaries are often reinforced by wire. Away from the improved pastures and inland of the lough, grasslands are often rushy and farmland abandoned. This is particularly notable on the south side of the lough beneath the scarp face; here fields are being invaded not only by rushes, but also by scrub from stream-sides and from the former hedges. However, there are also fields with traditional management, either used for hay and/or grazing with a low stocking rate. Lergan ASSI supports a wide range of grassland types. Parts are dominated by a mixture of jointed rush, common sedge, marsh pennywort and meadowsweet, with marsh lousewort and marsh marigold locally prominent (purple moor grass and rush pastures). On the lower and middle slopes flushed areas have much marsh hawk's-beard and quaking grass. Vegetation on the upper slopes is grassier, and there is locally high cover of sweet vernal grass, red fescue, Yorkshire fog and crested dog's-tail. There is an abundance of orchids at this site, including lesser butterfly orchid, heath spotted orchid and common twayblade. Similar wet grasslands are located at Rossmore. The farmland is only a narrow strip around the lough and also contains within it several habitat types - improved pastures, traditional and wet pastures, woods, scrub, reedbeds and bogs. Heaths and Bogs Blanket bog is of restricted occurrence with a small amount clipped into the southwest of the LCA and on Deerin Mountain in the north. There is no intact blanket bog. Lowland raised bog is also rare and confined to a few inter-drumlin hollows. The only intact area noted by the Northern Ireland Peat Survey is near Rosscark on Boa Island. Lowland raised bog is a rare habitat in the UK, and Northern Ireland has a large proportion of that remaining; in particular it has much of the intact lowland bog. In the best examples there is a diversity of structural features including hummocks and hollows and pools that give rise to micro-habitats related especially to the height of the water table. The plant species are adapted not only to the generally waterlogged, acid and low nutrient conditions, but also to these small-scale variations in topography and water level. Typical plant species include bog mosses, deer sedge, cotton sedges, bog asphodel, sundews, cross-leaved heath and common heather. Curlew and snipe are recorded from raised and blanket bog in the LCA. Wetlands and Lakes Lower Lough Erne is one of the largest water bodies in Northern Ireland and is recognised not only for the quality of its landscapes, but also for its fish and bird life as well as for the shoreline communities (reedbeds, wet woodlands). Despite the quality of its water, the Lough is sensitive to eutrophication; the Erne Nutrient Management Scheme aims to improve the quality of water in tributary rivers, by limiting phosphate losses from agricultural sources. Similarly, there are potentially competing interests in the wildfowl, but local action is seeking to mitigate possible conflicts between wildfowlers and the demands of conservation. Keenaghan Lough and Lough Scolban are both mesotrophic lakes, that is, characterised by having a middle level of nutrients between nutrient poor (oligotrophic) and nutrient rich (eutrophic).
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
3.6.2
Mesotrophic lakes potentially have the highest macrophyte diversity of any lake type. Furthermore, relative to other lake types, they contain a higher proportion of nationally scarce and rare aquatic plants. This is an increasingly rare type of lake in Northern Ireland because the nutrient status of many is being increased through input of water from agricultural land that has had applications of fertilizers and slurry. Lough Scolban is a particularly rare type (Isoetes-Lobelia) - a type that contains most of the Northern Ireland records for both type species.
ash and willow trees. Inishfendra Wood, on an island to the southeast of the estate, is of dry oak wood and wet alder-ash.
Bannagh River has river water crowfoot though this is not the Northern Ireland Priority Species type
Wet woodland is common around the shores of the lough, typically of alder carr with willow, and ash and birch in the drier parts. It is often associated with swamp and fen (see below). At Crom, almost all of the carr has developed in recent decades on the former lake bed and is not of high nature conservation interest. Birch woodland is found on some of the cut-over peat, but is not extensive.
Upper Lough Erne Habitat Profile Woodlands Woodlands cover around 13% of the LCA, which is double the percentage for Northern Ireland as a whole (5.6%); broadleaved and mixed woodlands account for most of the woodland, which is also unusual for Northern Ireland. Both of these differences may be explained by the presence of large estates, in particular the Crom Castle estate, the large amount of wet woodland around the shores of Upper Lough Erne, and the high number of wooded islands. Coniferous forest is restricted to Naan Island, although here there are compartments of oak and of ash in addition to those of Sitka spruce, and plantations within the Crom estate. The woodland at Crom Castle is of high scientific and conservation value. The ancient origin, degree of naturalness and extent of semi-natural woodland makes it one of the most important and largest blocks of mature broadleaved semi-natural woodland in Northern Ireland and in Ireland as a whole. The woods, wood pasture and parkland habitats (lowland woodland pasture and parkland) are important in an Irish contest for their epiphytic lichens and saproxylic (of dead wood) invertebrate communities. Most of the woodland at Crom (a National Trust property and also Crom ASSI) contains variable densities of mature oaks, which appear to have been planted for timber and landscape purposes on ancient woodland sites. Ash, sycamore, beech, lime, Scots pine and grand fir are amongst the range of trees that occur. Ancient woodland sites pre-date 1600 AD and are significant because they may contain species less common in more recent woods. Amongst the mature trees there is frequently dense growth of young trees, usually ash, but often with sycamore and others intermingled. Alder and willow can be found in poorly drained areas. The Crom woodlands and parkland contain many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British Isles. In addition they are notable for mammals, particularly bats, and the wide variety of habitats gives rise to a range of bird species including snipe, heron and garden warbler. The invertebrate fauna is also of particular importance and the area is known to support many rare Irish species. Several of the surrounding islands were also planted under the management of the Crom estate, for example, the Reilly & Gole Woods NNR. Reilly Wood has old oak trees planted some 150 years ago; they are evenly spaced with bilberry and wood sorrel beneath. Rhododendron, originally planted as shelter for game, encroached into the woodland but through careful management has now been removed, allowing heather and native trees, especially birch and holly, to grow. Gole Wood is recovering from felling during World War II; there are now many young oak, alder, birch,
June 2011
In the north of the lough, many of the islands are wooded and typically with ash and oak, but here too there is evidence of planting with conifers and beech intermingled, especially on those islands offshore of the Belle Isle and Corrard House estates where the woodlands are of similar species.
Whereas most of the drumlins and low hills in the LCA are covered by surface water gleys (soils with impeded drainage) derived from calp till, in the northwest Knockninny Hill is an outcrop of limestone with thin, rocky soils. On the steeper slopes hazel scrub and upland mixed ashwood have developed. The calcicolous (favouring lime) herb layer is of moderate diversity, although the scrub and woodland is grazed, and supports a number of notable species such as columbine, stone bramble and includes the yellow bird's-nest, which is very rare in Northern Ireland. Grassland and Arable Around 64% of the LCA, excluding open water, is in grassland and most of this has been classed as improved pasture. However, the degree of improvement varies from those fields that are intensively managed (and of low biodiversity), to those in which rushes have re-colonized (also generally of low biodiversity). Not only are the drumlin soils of poor internal drainage, but between them there are extensive flat, low-lying areas across which rivers and streams meander; maintaining productive pasture in these wet soils is difficult. In some parts, fields have not been intensively managed, indeed they have continued to be used for low intensity grazing and hay. Examples of such fields are located in the Belle Isle ASSI, Killymackan ASSI, Inishroosk ASSI, Trannish ASSI and Galloon ASSI among others; most have base-rich gleyed soils that give species-rich grasslands, often referred to as 'fen meadows' (purple moor grass and rush pastures). These not only have species that are locally and nationally rare, but are also habitats for rare invertebrates and important for breeding waders, including lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew. These wet grasslands often merge into fens and with wet grasslands on the lakeshore. Knockninny Hill ASSI, a limestone hill with predominantly thin soils, has dry grassland - upland calcareous grassland - characterised by a short, tightly grazed sward. A number of notable species have been recorded including a diverse orchid population. Dense flowered orchid is present, one of only two known Northern Ireland locations. A series of old meadows occur on the deeper, heavier clay soils around the lower slopes of the hill. The area is also important for butterflies and moths and several other notable invertebrates have been recorded. In the more improved pastures, hedgerows often contain most of the biodiversity, as habitats for plants that enjoy the partial shade, for invertebrates, mammals and birds. In this LCA the hedges are generally well-maintained, although where the grasslands become less-productive the small fields tend to be surrounded by more overgrown and gappy hedges that may not have the varied habitats to give high biodiversity.
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Heaths and Bogs Although peat is extensive around the lough shores and in the floodplains, especially in the east and south, lowland raised bogs are rare. Of those few remaining, all have been cut-over and are generally small. The largest area of bog is Monelegny Bog, but this is almost completely cut-over, has drains, and tracks through it that have facilitated recent mechanical extraction. Although the bogs do not have features of intact bogs that make them of high value to biodiversity, the presence of pools from cutting, banks of peat left by cutting, and colonization by trees does provide a diversity of habitats and species; for example, the pools provide habitats for dragonflies and the general bog surface is a habitat for wetland birds, including waders. Wetlands and Lakes Upper Lough Erne (Upper Lough Erne SAC, Upper Lough Erne SPA, Upper Lough Erne Ramsar) is an example of a northern or western eutrophic lake of glacial origin in Northern Ireland. The lake has a very long shoreline and numerous associated satellite lakes, many of which are included in the SAC. Aquatic vegetation is extensively developed; both club-rush - common reed, and reed canary-grass - shoreweed - spike-rush associations are well developed on the shore. There are transitions from open water to reedbeds and fen vegetation that can be seen around many of the islands and inlets of the loughs, including several of the ASSIs - for example, Corraslough Point ASSI, Killymackan Lough ASSI. There is transition to fen-meadows and other wet grasslands at many of these sites. The Lough and its environs support several rare, vulnerable or endangered species or sub-species of plant and animal. Plant species in published or draft Irish Red Data Books include, fen violet, Irish lady's tresses orchid, pointed stonewort and the moss Fissidens monguillonii. Vertebrate species in the Irish Vertebrate Red Data Book include whiskered bat, shoveler, pochard and brook lamprey. Rare or vulnerable invertebrate species include white-clawed crayfish, lunar hornet moth, a pondskater Limnoporus rufoscutellatus, the water beetles, Donacia aquatica, Donacia bicolora, Gyrinus distinctus, Gyrinus natator and Hydroporus glabriusculus and the carabid Lebia cruxminor. Several of the lakes are included within the designated areas above, but the LCA has a wealth of lakes. The Northern Ireland Lake Survey classified some as of low or no priority for conservation because the nutrient status has been increased through input of water from agricultural land that has had applications of fertilizers and slurry. The majority of lakes classified were eutrophic standing water - Northern Ireland has a large proportion of the UK resource - including some of the Nuphar/Elodea/Hydrocharis type that is confined to the southern Erne system. Frogbit is a local species found in three main areas: Lough Erne, the southeast of Lough Neagh and the southern end of the Ards Peninsula. A few lakes were classed as marl lakes, including Lough Garrow that belongs to the type (Nuphar/Elodea/Hippuris) that is the cleanest, clearest, hard water lake type with the highest base status and most specialised flora. The Cladagh (Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River ASSI) rises high on Cuilcagh Mountain, flowing steeply downslope before widening as it enters Upper Lough Erne. Trees line the lower half of the river where it is slow-flowing, deep and eutrophic and the plants are typical of waters rich in nutrients. Vascular plants are dominant and include stands of broad-leaved pondweed and yellow water-lily. The Cladagh (Swanlinbar) and the Colebrooke Rivers have river water crowfoot, but their location is not specific and may be outside the LCA.
June 2011
3.6.3
Enniskillen Biodiversity Profile Woodlands Woodlands cover just under 10% of the LCA, a relatively high percentage for Northern Ireland (about 5.6%); of this, three-quarters is broadleaved or mixed woodland, which is also a much higher proportion than for Northern Ireland as a whole (about a third). The high percentage of the land cover is explained by the presence of large estate woodlands and State Forests, and the large proportion that is mixed or broadleaved by planting broadleaves within these. There are, however, extensive compartments of conifers. Coniferous forest at Castle Archdale is in Bunaninver, Mullies and Glenross where Norway and Sitka spruce are dominant. However, even within the predominantly conifer areas there are oaks and beech. Similarly, in Riversdale Forest there are compartments of pure Sitka spruce, but others where Norway spruce and Scots pine are accompanied by some beech and oak. On the opposite shore of the lough, Ely Lodge Forest is dominated by European larch, but hardwoods are intermixed. In contrast, Lenaghan Wood, to the west of Enniskillen, is of Sitka spruce. The occurrence of broadleaved trees in the planting, the presence of woodland patches from original estate woodland, adjacent broadleaved woods, and some semi-natural remnants running through the forests, produce a greater biodiversity of the predominantly coniferous parts of the State Forests than for most coniferous forests in Northern Ireland. It is notable that the Forest Service has identified areas for the 'Restoration of native woodland on Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)' within both Ely Lodge Forest and Castle Archdale Forest. Large estates with extensive woodlands and parkland are common in this LCA (lowland woodland pasture and parkland). Apart from predominantly coniferous forest at Castle Archdale, there is also some estate woodland. Castle Archdale Country Park is based on the Archdale Manor House; the original house dates to 1615 and the demesne may therefore contain woodland elements that are 'long established' (pre-date the 1830s) and may be 'ancient' (before 1600AD) - woodlands that may be rare in Northern Ireland and which may contain species not common in more recent woodlands (note the PAWS project above). The present woodlands are characterized by oak and ash with sycamore, beech, horse chestnut and a range of other broadleaves and conifers, including Scots pine. As elsewhere around the lough, there is wet woodland (see below) that adds to the habitat diversity. Interest is also enhanced by several other features, including a red deer enclosure, wildfowl ponds, butterfly garden and wildflower meadow. Further south around Killadeas Manor - Gublusk there are also estate woodlands with similar tree species to those found commonly at Castle Archdale and other estates in this region. Also there are wet woodlands along the shore and patches of other semi-natural woodlands, including birch and ash woodlands (see below). The woodlands at Castle Coole (a National Trust property) are mostly mixed deciduous plantations (including oak, ash, beech, sycamore and larch) created in the 18th and 19th centuries, although some may have been established on ancient woodland sites. In general they are of relatively limited floristic interest with exotic species of trees (include western hemlock, common silver fir) and shrubs being locally frequent. The open parkland, with its scatter of mature and over-mature trees, is of high nature conservation value for saproxylic (of dead wood) invertebrates. Other estate woodlands in the south of the LCA include Killyreagh House, Bellevue and Lisgoole Abbey, alongside which is a relatively large oak, ash, sycamore, birch, mixed woodland.
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
On the west side of the lough, Ely Lodge - Castle Hume forms the most extensive area of estate woodlands. Ash is abundant with beech, oak and sycamore common amongst a wide range of species, but there are also conifer plantations. As with many of the estates, the understorey has rhododendron and cherry laurel dominant in parts, but in other areas hazel, holly and willow are abundant. Where the understorey is more open, the herb layer is quite diverse and, in common with other woodlands in the LCA, mosses and lichens are frequent or abundant. Lower Lough Erne was lowered in the 1950s exposing new land along the shore of both the lough margins and of the islands; this has been colonised by natural scrub of alder and willow to give extensive tracts of wet woodland sometimes within a complex of a swamp/fen/carr. Frequently, the alder-willow woodland is succeeded by young ash woodland that merges into more mature ash woodland or estate woodland on the former shoreline, as for example at Gublusk Bay. Similarly, Inish Lougher and Inish Divann are characteristic of islands that have a foreshore of alder - ash woodland. The islands themselves are varied in their woodland cover. In parts there is ash - mountain ash woodland, as at Inish Lougher, whereas others have oak - birch woodland as on Inish Divann, Long Island and Inish Free. However, some of the islands show evidence of planting, with scattered conifers and exotic broadleaves. Castle Archdale Islands NNR consists of three islands, Iniskmahill, Cleenishmeen and Cleenishgarve that provide examples of relatively undisturbed mixed deciduous woodland on glacial drift in the Lower Lough Erne basin. The relatively unspoilt woodland on these islands is a mixture of many species including oak, yew and ash. Willow and hazel form the understorey. The diversity of the herb layer varies from good to poor, depending on the amount of grazing - in addition to cattle some of the islands have grazing by goats that reduce the herb layer. On the west side of the LCA, hazel woods and upland mixed ashwood form small woodland patches alongside streams and on the slopes, which in contrast to the eastern side of the lough where soils are derived from Old Red Sandstone till, are covered by thin limestone soils or deeper soils derived from limestone till. Some of these patches have a moderately diverse herb layer, but the diversity and cover depends partly on the extent of grazing. Birch woodland is quite common on areas of dry peat; for example, to the east of Glenross on cutover peat, birch is mixed with mountain ash and ash. Wetter parts of cut-over bogs often have alder-willow dominated wet woodland. On the west of Rossfad Hill, extensive birch woodland has beech, oak and ash commonly occurring. The wood has a rather poor species composition that includes stands of rhododendron scrub. Grassland and Arable Grasslands cover about 58% of the LCA, a relatively low percentage compared with Northern Ireland as a whole (c. 71%) but explained by the percentage occupied by the lough; if the lough is excluded, then grassland accounts for three-quarters of the land cover, most of which is improved pasture. This generally has low biodiversity as a result of relatively intensive management. Some of the pastures are sown grasslands dominated by ryegrass and few other species - low biodiversity is in-built. Other grasslands have been converted to improved pastures through management. High levels of grazing or repeated cutting for silage, high inputs of fertilizers and slurry, and selective herbicides serve to reduce diversity of both flora and fauna. Arable land is insignificant in this LCA. Biodiversity in areas of improved pastures and arable is often concentrated in hedgerows. Indeed, they may be the most significant wildlife habitat over much of lowland Northern Ireland, especially
June 2011
where there are few semi-natural habitats. Hedgerows are a refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. In this LCA hedges tend to be overgrown and gappy, although with many hedgerow trees, and to fulfil their role in providing habitats for flora and fauna require management. Semi-natural and less improved grasslands are associated with damp areas between drumlins and alongside rivers, particularly to the west and south of Enniskillen, where they often merge with fen for example the fen-meadow around Mill Lough (purple moor grass and rush pastures). In addition there are wet grasslands on the shoreline of islands and around the margins of the lough. These grasslands show a gradation from those that are frequently inundated and species-rich (with common sedge, star sedge, and the grasses - red fescue, creeping bent, sweet vernal grass) to mesotrophic grasslands, also species-rich and of the crested dog's-tail - knapweed type (with carnation sedge, flea sedge, glaucous sedge and the grasses - common quaking grass, red fescue, Yorkshire fog, sweet vernal grass). Damp grasslands on the islands are particularly important for wetland birds; for example on Devenish Island, Humphrey's Island and Horse Island ASSI. The last is a lightly-grazed drumlin island dominated by sharp flowered rush, with a variety of grasses and sedges and in places is quite species rich. Over 60 pairs of waders including snipe, curlew, redshank and lapwing, have been recorded breeding on the island, making it one of the most important sites in Northern Ireland. Other breeding birds include common sandpiper, oystercatcher, great crested grebe and tufted duck. In contrast to most semi-natural grassland, Beagh Big ASSI is relatively dry and dominated by grasses with red fescue, Yorkshire fog, perennial ryegrass and crested dog's-tail all achieving high cover values. Yellow oat-grass is frequent. There is an abundance of herbs such as bulbous buttercup, yellow rattle, red clover, knapweed and lady's bedstraw. Several rare or locally significant plant species occur, including adder's-tongue fern and cowslip. Although the area of improved grassland is large, the closeness of the lough with its varied habitats, the presence of woodlands, damp grasslands, lakes and bogs, have provided habitats for a wide range of bird Priority Species within the farmland, including bullfinch, linnet, reed bunting, skylark, song thrush and spotted flycatcher. Heaths and Bogs There is little lowland raised bog in the LCA; it is confined to a few patches on the east side of the lough between Castle Archdale and the outskirts of Enniskillen, and in the extreme south. Almost all have been cut-over; a small intact strip remains to the east of Rockfield, but is of no great biodiversity interest. Wetlands and Lakes The LCA has a wealth of lakes, many of which belong to rare types of mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes. Lower Lough Erne is one of the largest water bodies in Northern Ireland and is recognised not only for the quality of its landscapes, but also for its fish and bird life as well as for the diversity of its shoreline communities (reedbed, fen, wet woodlands). For example at Gublusk Bay the emergent vegetation that occurs along the shallows and shoreline are predominantly formed by a mixed reedcanary grass and yellow iris swamp, but there are also a few localised pockets of reed-canary grass and common-spike rush swamp in open water that back onto a mixed yellow iris fen long the
33
Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
The Ballinamallard River has river water crowfoot and the white-clawed crayfish has been recorded at West Bridge, Enniskillen, Drumnagalliagh and Drumnagreshial River at Shallany Td. The Ballinamallard River (along with the Colebrook) have been undergoing stocking with juvenile salmon as part of a cross-border salmon enhancement initiative for the Erne system.
shoreline. In other parts of the lough and island shorelines, common reed or club rush or tufted sedge may be dominant. Despite the quality of its water, the Lough is sensitive to eutrophication; the Erne Nutrient Management Scheme aims to improve the quality of water in tributary rivers, by limiting phosphate losses from agricultural sources. Similarly, there are potentially competing interests in the wildfowl, but local action is seeking to mitigate possible conflicts between wildfowlers and the demands of conservation. Upper Lough Erne SAC is a very large eutrophic lake (some of which is included in the south of the LCA) situated in a drumlin landscape and has a predominantly limestone catchment. The SAC is an example of a northern or western eutrophic lake of glacial origin in Northern Ireland. The lake has a very long shoreline and numerous associated satellite lakes, many of which are included in the SAC. Both club-rush - common reed, and reed canary-grass - shoreweed - spike-rush associations are well developed on the shore, showing transitions from reedbeds to swamp and fen vegetation. Lough Bresk was the only mesotrophic lake identified by the Northern Ireland Lake Survey as a Priority Habitat. Mesotrophic lakes have a middle level of nutrients between nutrient poor (oligotrophic) and nutrient rich (eutrophic). Mesotrophic lakes potentially have the highest macrophyte diversity of any lake type. Furthermore, relative to other lake types, they contain a higher proportion of nationally scarce and rare aquatic plants. This is an increasingly rare type of lake in Northern Ireland because the nutrient status of many is being increased through input of water from agricultural land that has had applications of fertilizers and slurry. Most of the lakes were classed as eutrophic (eutrophic standing waters) and whilst some show moderate enrichment from surrounding land, Loughs Accrussel, Laragh C and Knock were described as of the 'Nuphar/Elodea/Potamogeton alpinus' type - a natural lowland lake type with elements of the more mid-altitude aquatic macrophyte floras. Such lakes are relatively un-enriched compared to other lowland types and are comparatively rare, with a predominantly Fermanagh/S.Tyrone distribution. The LCA also contains some of the rarest lake types - the marl lakes - and within this group, some which belong to the Nuphar/Elodea/Hippuris type - the cleanest, clearest, hard water lakes with the highest base status and most specialised flora. These lakes are not only rare but also vulnerable to phosphate accumulation (Loughs Kinarla, Drumcose, Aleen, Yoan and Mill Lough).
3.6.4
Nature of Potential Impacts Construction Impacts All habitats will potentially be adversely impacted by direct loss, degradation, fragmentation due to insensitive siting of potential developments. Wetland habitats are very susceptible to changes in hydrology, and impacts upon drainage. Wetlands are also sensitive to compaction due to construction machinery, other heavy vehicles. Other sources of damage include pollution due to silt and dust, and changes in water chemistry, for example alkaline water entering acid habitats. Alluvial woodlands are part of a dynamic successional system, and therefore, their structure and function are best maintained within a larger unit that includes earlier wetland successional stages, such as fen and swamp. Impacts upon woodland will include direct removal or damage during construction, and impacts upon the wider areas could affect the integrity of the site and ability to develop. Operational and Activity Related Impacts Wetland sites (fens, marshes, reedbeds) are particularly susceptible to impacts such as pollution, compaction due to trampling, direct damage and indirect damage due to boat wash/pollutants. Direct physical damage could be caused by propellers and by boat-grounding. Boat-generated waves and boat wash can cause physical damage and uprooting. Marginal reedbeds have a low resilience to boat wash, but can suffer stem breakage and fragmentation during high intensity (Murphy et al. 1995). Increase in turbidity and the associated resuspended sediments shade submerges plants, and inhibit photosynthesis. The common practice of clearing backside vegetation for single mooring sites is very ecologically detrimental. These sites can act as a barrier for species to move freely up and down the river and sever or fragment otherwise large areas of habitats.
Mill Lough ASSI is notable for its important wetland flora and fauna. It is only one of three water bodies in Northern Ireland with eight species of pondweed, has ten species of dragonfly and significant numbers of waterfowl in winter. It also displays, as do many of the smaller loughs, a welldeveloped transition from open water, through emergent swamp and fen, to carr woodland or fen meadow. The LCA also contains the Fardrum & Roosky Turloughs SAC. The three turloughs (Aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating waterbodies) in this group - Fardrum Lough, Roosky Lough, and Green Lough are the only turloughs in Northern Ireland, and represent the most northerly occurrence of this habitat in Ireland and the UK. All three contain distinctive vegetation communities associated with their inundation zone, including the bryophytes Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Fontinalis antipyretica. In addition, Green Lough supports the nationally rare fen violet and a very rich ground-beetle fauna including the carabids Blethisa multipunctata and Pelophila borealis.
June 2011
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
3.7
Water Quality in the Study Area
Category
Monitoring of surface waters (rivers and lakes) in the study area is carried out by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Under the Water Framework Directive, monitoring the North Western River Basin District is a mandatory requirement. NIEA monitors rivers and Loughs regularly at certain stations throughout the system. The Water Framework Directive has set targets for water quality in Ireland, requiring the water quality of the Lough Erne and its tributaries to have “good ecological status” by 2015. WFD classification is substantially different from previous freshwater classification systems in a number of ways including: • •
Classification is based around water bodies which are units of area based around river confluences and larger lakes (>50ha), Biological, chemical and physical quality elements monitored are combined to produce an overall classification,
•
There has been a considerable increase in the number of quality elements monitored,
•
It introduces a formal classification system for lakes.
The overall classification of the waterbody, both rivers and lakes are a consideration of several elements – biological, general chemical and physiochemical status, specific pollutants, hydromorphology and chemical. An example of the parameters recorded for the classification of the status is outlined in the Table below for Lower Lough Erne Table 5 The Water Framework Classification biological parameter results for Lower Lough Erne in Dec 2009
Fish
EU Water body ID (Sept 2009)
GBNI3NW0006 & GBNI3NW0007
International River Basin District
North Western
Overall Ecological Classification
Moderate Ecological Potential
TP Class
Moderate
Overall biological class
Moderate
Phytoplankton
High
Phyto % cyanobacteria
High
Diatoms
Moderate
Macrophytes
Moderate
MimAS Hydrology
June 2011
Erne Lower Lough (Kesh and Devenish)
Fail Good
No info
alien species
Moderate
Disolved Oxygen
High
Suspended Solids
Pass
Conductivity
Pass
Atrazine
High
Chlorfenvinfos
High
Chlorpyrifos
High
Simazine
High
Diazinon
High
Designated use
Water storage for HEP, flood risk management and wider environment
When these biological elements (Table 5) were considered with the other elements in the classification system, the overall classification for both Upper Lough Erne and Lower Lough Erne was moderate ecological status. For each of the catchments the ecological status of each of the rivers are recorded below in Tables 6 and 7. Table 6 The Water Framework Classification results for Lower Lough Erne in Dec 2009
(Duplicate
names refer to a different stretch of monitored river).
Water body name River Erne Lower
Category
Erne Lower Lough (Kesh and Devenish)
Current ecological potential (NIEA - Dec 2009) Moderate
St Angelo Stream Erne
Poor
Ballinamallard River upper
Good
Ballycassidy River upper
Poor
Lisnarrick River
Poor
Kesh River
Poor
Ballinamallard River tributary
Good
Ballycassidy River
Poor
Ballinamallard River tributary
Moderate
Ballinamallard River
Poor
Lower Lough Erne tributaries
Good
Ballycassidy River Ballinamallard River tributary
Moderate Poor
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Water body name
Current ecological potential (NIEA - Dec 2009)
Water body name
Current ecological potential (NIEA - Dec 2009)
Ballinamallard River
Good
Finn River Middle
Poor
Moderate
Finn River Lower
Moderate
Starraghen Tributary Lower
Moderate
Starraghen Tributary
Moderate Moderate
Glendurragh River tributary Glendurragh River Kesh River tributary
Poor Moderate
Ballinamallard River tributary
Poor
Starraghen Tributary Upper
Bannagh River
Good
Killylacky River Upper
Kesh River tributary
Good
Lacky River - Killylacky River Lower
Moderate
Glendurragh River
Good
Finn River
Moderate
Termon River Upper
Moderate
Colebrooke River 5 (Upper)
Good
Termon River (tributaries)
Moderate
River Erne Bellanaleck
Good
Termon River Middle
Moderate
Tamlaght Stream
Good
Termon River Lower
Moderate
Colebrooke River Fivemiletown
Moderate
Waterfoot River
Moderate
Colebrooke River upper
Moderate
Garvary River Upper
Moderate
Whitehill Stream Colebrooke
Moderate
Garvary River Lower
Good
Many Burns River
Good
Keenaghan Lough feeders
Moderate
Colebrooke River
Moderate
Castlehume Lough
Moderate
Colebrooke River tributary
Lough Scolban
Good
River Erne tributary
Poor Moderate
Keenaghan Lough
Moderate
Colebrooke River
Poor
Lower Lough Erne Kesh
Moderate
Colebrooke River
Good
Lower Lough Erne Devenish
Moderate
Colebrooke River tributary
Good
Colebrooke River tributary
Moderate
Tempo River
Moderate
Colebrooke River
Moderate
River Erne tributary
Moderate
Hollybrook River
Moderate
Table 7 The Water Framework Classification results for Upper Lough Erne in Dec 2009.
(Duplicate
names refer to a different stretch of monitored river).
Water body name Swanlinbar River Upper
Current ecological potential (NIEA - Dec 2009) Moderate
Finn River tributary
Poor
Newtownbutler Stream
Poor
Owengarr River
Good
Woodford River tributary
Poor
Woodford River
Good
Cooneen River
High
Upper Lough Erne
June 2011
Poor
Moderate
Erne River - ROI
Poor
Finn River Upper
Moderate
Tempo River
Moderate
Swanlinbar River
Moderate
Swanlinbar River tributary
Good
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
Water body name
3.8
Current ecological potential (NIEA - Dec 2009)
Tempo River tributary
Moderate
River Erne Enniskillen
Moderate
Upper Lough Erne
Moderate
Swanlinbar River Upper
Moderate
Identification of Key Areas The complete Northwest River Basin Management Area is sensitive to water quality impacts. Shallow bays could be more susceptible to larger boats potentially churning up nutrient laden sediments. This increases turbidity and releases nutrients back into the system. Increased turbidity can cause double impact, because increased turbidity also reduces light levels favouring algae over macrophytes, which act to lock up nutrients during the growing season.
3.9
Nature of Potential Impacts Construction Impacts Watercourses and water bodies may be impacted from a number of sources. Construction work involving excavation and dredging may cause surface run-off and suspension of materials in the water column. Spillage and dust from access roads will add to surface run-off. Groundwater contamination may also occur. Operational and Activity Related Impacts Boats and their users will cause pollution associated with boat exhausts and engines (oil leakage), anti-fouling paint on boat hulls and sewage and waste from boat users. When these substances and materials enter the water column they can cause oxygen depletion, contamination with aromatic hydrocarbons, suspension of E.coli and coliforms, metal contamination and organic biocide accumulation. Turbulence created by boats in shore-side areas will aid the release of these accumulated contaminants. These impacts will be dependent on the boat density in an area and localised to heavily used areas, but sediments can also get deposited further away. Increased turbidity and the related reduction in light levels can, by favouring algae over macrophytes, lock up nutrients during the growing season. Adequate facilities should always be available for the especially relating to sewage waste. Onshore toilet facilities to manage waste from pump out boat toilets These suggestions are aimed at limiting any further waste from boats.
June 2011
number of boats which use the waterways, facilities with tertiary treatment works and should be part of any major developments. enrichment of the water through domestic
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Waterways Ireland The Erne Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification
3.10
Species
3.10.1
Fish
Lower Lough Erne has similar populations of fish to the Upper Lough. Again from results of WFD monitoring DCAL record the two most abundant fish species to be Roach (61%) and Perch (21%) (Table 9). Other species occur in comparatively minor numbers.
Fish are known to occur throughout the study area in abundance. However as with most lakes in the island of Ireland the species diversity is relatively low. A summary of Lower Lough Erne Studies examining fish monitoring (Rosell 2001) outlines the fish species present in the catchment to be: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Pollan Coregonus autumnalis pollan, Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar, Brown Tout Salmo trutta, Roach Rutilus rutilis, Bream Abramis bratna, Perch Perca fluviatilis, Pike Esox lucius, Eel Anguilla anguilla, Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gugdeon Gobio gobio, Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus, Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri, Stone Loach Barbatula (Noemacheilus) barbatula, Tench Tinea tinea (possibly).
Tench are recorded as being present by Rosell in Upper Lough Erne. More recent results of Freshwater Framework Directive Monitoring on Upper Lough Erne (Table 8) show that of 1411 fish caught as part of the monitoring survey, only 6 species and one hybrid species were recorded. Perch were by far the most abundant species of fish with Roach also very common. The remaining species were much fewer in number. Table 8 Results of Water Framework Directive Fish Monitoring,
Scientific name
June 2011
Common name
Upper Lough Erne at 28 Sites June/July 2010 (No. of individual fish caught)
Perca fluviatilis
Perch
1031
Rutilus rutilus
Roach
308
Anguilla anguilla
European eel
31
Roach x Bream hybrid
30
Abramis brama
Bream
4
Esox lucius
Pike
4
Salmo trutta
Brown trout
3
Table 9 Major fish species occurring and their approximate proportion (mean % of total biomass) within Lower Lough Erne (DCAL pers comm. from 2004).
Scientific name
Common name
Upper Lough Erne at 28 Sites
Perca fluviatilis
Perch
21%
Rutilus rutilus
Roach
61%
Roach x Bream hybrid
5%
Abramis brama
Bream
3%
Esox lucius
Pike
5%
Salmo trutta
Brown trout
2%
Coregonus autumnalis pollan
Pollan
