This article is from page 6 of the 2012-07-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
AN ENVIRONMENTAL Impact Statement (EIS) into the proposed construction of a new pier in Doo- lin has indicated that the pier in its planned location will have little impact on the surfing wave at Crab Island but could have some impact on the lesser used wave at Ballaghaline Point. The EIS, which run to almost 500 pages, was completed by Malachy Walsh and Partners and commissioned by Clare County Council. The statement was required following an objection by a number of lo- cal surfers and the Lahinch-based West Coast Surf Club to the Part 8 planning permission granted to the project by Clare County Council in January of February of last year. According to the report, the development will have some “residual impacts” on tidal currents in the area but the changes that the impact will take place in front of or beside the new pier were “slight”. “The impact of the proposed development on Crab Island waves is not significant on water levels at and below mean high water neap and is only potentially significant at the highest water levels for the longer swell waves,” reads the EIS. “Impacts at waves approaching Ballaghaline Point are greater than at Crab Island but for the majority of wave periods and water levels are either not significant or occupy the borderline between not significant and potentially significant. “Increases in wave heights in the vicinity of the surfer’s access are low for low water levels, and only become potentially significant towards higher tide levels. Impacts on wave driven currents are minor significant.” The EIS in full has now been submitted for the approval of An Bord Pleanála. Submission can still be made to the planning authority in relation to the EIS so a final decision on the future of the development is not expected until later this year. Providing the planning application is approved, construction work on the pier is not likely to begin until early in the new year. Tue17July12