HABITATS REGULATIONS ASSESSMENTS

A5 WESTERN TRANSPORT CORRIDOR (A5WTC)

The EC Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) establishes the requirement for an assessment of potential impacts upon Natura 2000 sites in Article 6(3) and 6(4). The Habitats Directive was implemented in Northern Ireland by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended).

In exercising its functions under this legislation, the Department hereby seeks the opinion of the general public on three reports prepared to inform appropriate assessments on the following Natura 2000 sites:—

River Foyle & Tributaries Special Area of Conservation

Owenkillew River Special Area of Conservation

River Finn Special Area of Conservation

Lough Foyle Special Protection Area

Lough Swilly Special Protection Area

Lough Neagh & Lough Beg Special Protection Area

Lough Foyle Ramsar Site

Lough Neagh & Lough Beg Ramsar Site

These reports may be inspected by any person, free of charge, at all reasonable times during the period from 30 April to 13 June 2014 at the following offices of the Department:

Western Division, County Hall, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh;

Omagh Section Office, 32 Deverney Road, Arvalee, Omagh;

Dungannon Section Office, Moygashel Depot, Main Street, Moygashel;

Strabane Section Office, 20 Derry Road, Strabane;

Headquarters, Room 2-13, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast;

Northern Division, Derry Section Office, 1 Crescent Road, Londonderry;

and at the offices of—

Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Circular Road, Dungannon;

Strabane District Council, 47 Derry Road, Strabane;

Derry City Council, 98 Strand Road, Londonderry; and

Omagh District Council, The Grange, Mountjoy Road, Omagh.

Alternatively, an electronic version of the reports may be viewed at http://www.a5wtc.com/or www.drdni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications

In addition, the reports may also be inspected at all reasonable hours during the same period at the offices of Monaghan County Council, Roads Office, MTEK II Office, Armagh Road, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan and Donegal County Council, Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town Co. Donegal.

Anyone who wishes to express an opinion on any of the reports should, within the period stated above, write to the Divisional Roads Manager, Department for Regional Development, Roads Service – Western Division, County Hall, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh BT79 7AF. The Department will take into consideration any opinions expressed before making appropriate assessments.