Current legislation and licensing procedures demand ecological assessments and monitoring for a diverse range of development activities. Ecological assessments are required for constraints studies, environmental impact assessments, and for post development monitoring and auditing. FTC provides a wide range of in-house ecological services including bird, mammal, botanical, habitat and aquatic assessments. FTC also provides expert advice with regard to planning issues, mitigation and compliance with legislation. FTC ecologists have an established track record of consultation with the relevant authorities in relation to ecological issues.

FTC has a fully integrated ecology group that has expertise in a broad range of ecological disciplines and a comprehensive knowledge of current legislation and best practice in the ecology area.

Services Provided

• Ecological monitoring of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems according to current best practice, e.g. EPA, NRA, IEEM guidelines
• Desktop studies including ecological data review and analysis
• Ecology Surveys, including:
  • Birds, e.g. Hen Harrier surveys, Red Grouse, Greenland White-fronted Goose
  • Mammals, e.g. Badger, Otter and Bat surveys
  • Habitat and Botanical surveys
  • Aquatic Invertebrates
  • Other taxa, e.g. Butterflies, Moths and Terrestrial Invertebrates

• Planning and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
• Ecological Constraints Studies
• Statutory Compliance and Consultation, advice on conservation and legislation
• Biodiversity Action Plans
• Landscape Plans, Quarry Rehabilitiation, Habitat Creation & Management Plans
• Appropriate Assessment (Article 6, EU Habitats Directive) and Ecological Auditing
• Expert witness testimony at Oral Hearings

Representative Experience

Ecological Assessments & EIA: Numerous surveys on a wide range of projects:

• Holmestown Landfill, Co. Wexford – Badger monitoring and removal of badger setts under National Parks & Wildlife Service Licence
• Closh Wind Farm, Co. Galway – Birds, incl. Hen Harrier, Red Grouse, Merlin, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Flora, Habitats, Mammals, Invertebrates
• Ballygarvan Quarry, Co. Cork - Rehabilitation & Landscaping plan
• Bord Gáis Pipeline, Co.’s Cork & Tipperary – Full EcIA as part of EIS
• Ongoing ecological monitoring at Youghal Landfill including shorebird surveys & sediment sampling
  Specialist Bird Surveys:
• Wintering Goose & Swan - Flight line studies, e.g. Greenland White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan
• Sand Martin - Colony monitoring & mitigation measures
• Red Grouse Surveys - Athea & Dromada Wind Farm
• Hen Harrier Surveys - Clydaghroe Wind Farm, Castlewaller Wind Farm

Infrastructure Projects:

• Cork Northern Relief Rd - Route selection & EIS studies
• Cavan Bypass - Constraints & Route Selection studies
• N9/N10 - Kilcullen to Carlow Bypass - Advice at tender stage & detailed design during construction
• Sallins Bypass – Constraints & Route Selection studies
  Expert Advice at Oral Hearings:
  All of our senior staff have provided expert testimony at oral hearings, e.g:
• Ballyguyroe North Landfill, Co. Cork
• Dublin Airport Parallel Runway, Fingal, Co. Dublin
• Bord Gais Pipeline (47 km) - Curraleigh West, Co. Tipperary to Midleton, Co. Cork.

Contact Details

Elaine Dromey
Senior Ecologist
Core House,
Pouladuff Road,
Cork.
T - 021 4964133
F -   021 4964464
E - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.fehilytimoney.ie