Client: Irish Rail
White-clawed crayfish from the River Loobagh at Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, photo by John Brophy
This project related to proposed scour protection works on a railway bridge over the River Loobagh at Kilmallock, Co. Limerick on the Dublin-Cork rail line. BEC Consultants carried out surveys to assess the presence of species protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012 and the Habitats and Birds directives. These included otter (Lutra lutra) and white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) surveys.
Due to conditions at the site, the crayfish survey included sweep-netting, hand-searching and trapping techniques. A Screening for Appropriate Assessment report was prepared and an Ecological Impact Assessment report completed.
The translocation of crayfish from the footprint of the works in advance of their commencement was carried out by BEC Consultants, while the translocation of fish species by means of electro-fishing was carried out by a sub-contractor.