Question 1 When do you expect drilling to commence?
The drill program originally scheduled to commence in April, is expected to start in mid November at the earliest.
Question 2 How long will this drilling take in Moylisha?
Based on previous drill production rates, employing two drill rigs that operate 12 hours per day on a 6-day work week, the expected duration of the drill program at Moylisha is 16 to 17 weeks. On the condition that a third drill rig is employed, the expected duration of the drill program will be reduced to 12 or 13 weeks.
Question 3 Please confirm that you have attained
permission from Coillte and GSRO to commence?
GSRO have approved the drilling plan. Coillte are currently reviewing our drilling proposal.
Question 4 What drill sites will puncture the
aquifers*?
Two bedrock types occur at Moylisha Hill, comprised of the Tullow Type 2 Granite and the Monaughrim Member Schist that overlies the granite. The hydrogeological analysis of both rock types within this setting has determined that aquifers may be present, however the aquifers generally possess limited and relatively poorly connected network of fractures, fissures, and joints. This low fissure permeability tends to decrease with depth. In general, the lack of connection between the limited fissures results in relatively poor aquifer storage and flow paths that may only extend a short distance. The setting may provide moderately productive aquifers, however highly localized. The granite, in comparison to the schist, has fewer and more poorly connected fractures, fissures, and joints, with less permeable and/or more limited zones of higher permeability.
Question 5 Where the aquifers are drilled through what procedures
are in place for the drilling phase and what remedial actions and safeguards
are you employing?
Aquifer development and extent is generally poor and limited in the area planned for drilling. To further limit the already low potential of impact, the current drill program will be restricted to the granite rock unit, the rock unit with the least potential for aquifer development, permeability, and/or extent. In addition, an independent experienced professional hydrologist is being retained to oversee the hydrogeological data being collected during the drilling program, review the data, and prescribe specific corrective actions if needed.
Preventative measures to protect the environment and groundwater from impact by drilling include UV treatment of any water being used by the drill rig to ensure bacteria is not introduced down the drill hole; bunding or damming around drill pad locations where potential surface water runoff (in times of heavy rainfall) might enter the drill hole at the collar. i.e., where there is a slope gradient above the drill pad which could allow surface water to flow; spill mats and spill kits will be used to absorb fluid in the event of a fuel or drilling chemical spill.
Question 6 If you have a firm date for drilling, (presumably you
have as you are posting instructions onsite for a drill rig) at what stage were
you going to let the community representatives know of your final dates and
intentions?
There is no firm date for drilling to commence. This information will be posted on the BLL website www.Avalonia.ie in the NEWS section when the date has been finalised. An e-mailout to all community members who provided email addresses will notify them of this information update.
Question 7 Have you made comprehensive assessments
of (Depths, quantities, flows etc) and risk assessments for the aquifer and
what are your risk parameters and recovery plan should the aquifer be affected
by your actions? Where are they shared and how do you intend to communicate
them to us the affected indigenous community?
Due to the low connectivity, permeability, and extent of the aquifers in the area, the risk assessment of possible impacts from drilling is deemed low or negligible by GSRO.
The maximum planned drill hole depth in this program is 235 metres.
A flow meter will be in place at the drill rigs and water pumped per day will be recorded. Potential water loss through fractures and fissures intersected when drilling is assessed to be minimal based on the underlying bedrock aquifer type having low fissure permeability (Ll).
Staff will be briefed by the independent experienced professional hydrogeologist on effective logging of hydrogeological characteristics in drill core. In addition, this independent experienced professional hydrologist will review data, and prescribe specific corrective actions if needed.
Question 8 Will the walking trails be closed fully
to public access? If so for how long and will diversions be made to accommodate
the walking public?
The Wicklow Way will not be closed to the public. We do not see the need to close the other forestry roadways, although some pads will be located on the forest roadways. These drill pads will be fenced off.
Question 9 We note that some trees have ribbon around them. Are these trees to be removed and if so how many trees are to be removed and by whom?
The drill pads will be 10m by 5m in area. Up to 84 trees marked with pink or orange ribbons might be felled to make space for the drill pads. However, we will look at recent felling of trees done by Coillte and we will evaluate drill pad position to reduce the need for further felling of trees.
*More information about bedrock aquifer classification in Ireland
‘GSI Aquifer Category Descriptions’ Can be found on the International
Association of Hydrologists (IAH) website iah-ireland.org in the Resources
section under Key Publications or via the following link: https://www.gsi.ie/documents/GSI%20Aquifer%20Category%20Descriptions.pdf
(Pl) Poor Bedrock Aquifer, Moderately Productive only in Local Zones:
Similar to a Locally Important Bedrock Aquifer, Moderately Productive only in Local Zones (Ll), but with fewer and more poorly-connected fractures, fissures and joints, and with less permeable and/or more limited zones of higher permeability. Overall permeability, storage capacity, recharge acceptance, length of flow path and baseflow are likely to be less than in Ll aquifers.
Ll Locally Important Bedrock Aquifer, Moderately Productive only in Local Zones:
Aquifer with a limited and relatively poorly connected network of fractures, fissures and joints, giving a low fissure permeability which tends to decrease further with depth. A shallow zone of higher permeability may exist within the top few metres of more fractured/weathered rock, and higher permeability may also occur along fault zones. These zones may be able to provide larger ‘locally important’ supplies of water. In general, the lack of connection between the limited fissures results in relatively poor aquifer storage and flow paths that may only extend a few hundred metres.
Due to the low permeability and poor storage capacity, the aquifer has a low ‘recharge acceptance’. Some recharge in the upper, more fractured/weathered zone is likely to flow along the relatively short flow paths and rapidly discharge to streams, small springs and seeps. Groundwater discharge to streams (‘baseflow’) can significantly decrease in the drier summer months.