F. Geology & Hydrology ( PDF | 31.0 MB ) - RWE.com

that these are 'climate-proofed' for the life of the windfarm. A methodology for quantifying
carbon loss (and any carbon gain resulting from habitat mitigation) was published by the !
Calculating Carbon Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peat Lands - A new Approach.
Scottish
Wales.
Executive, Government June (Nayak, 2008.). D.R., ThisMiller, processD., should Nolan, be A., undertaken Smith P. for& all Smith applications J. (2008). in \
Development on and around peat has the potential to cause direct damage through disturbance
or indirect damage through the effects of changes to hydrology. This may lead leading to
drainage and drying out which would allow the peat to oxidise and decay.
We are developing some general guidance for assessing the impact of windfarm
developments on peatland habitats in Wales and will send a copy of this to you when details
have been finalised. In the mean time we would advise that the EIA should be based on any
existing information, such as Cranfield University's national soils data, with a further
comprehensive survey concerning the extent, depth and condition of peat deposits across the
site. Peat depth maps showing the extent and depth of peat deposits should be produced so
that they can overlay Phase 1 habitat survey maps. We recognise that there is uncertainty as to
how some of these issues are best investigated and their impacts quantified. We would
therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss this with if necessary.
In general, we would expect that disturbance and/or destruction of peat would be avoided as
far as possible, and where it was not possible, such impacts would be minimised. We would
also recommend that opportunities to halt the deterioration of existing degraded peat and/or to
restore active peat forming vegetation are exploited as part of a strategic environmental
management plan for the site.
We would also draw to your attention that mire habitats are also likely to be encountered
within the proposed development area.
Fauna
With regard to specific species, in addition to those mentioned clarify and to survey methods
proposed we would add:
Red Squirrels - We consider that the main issue here is not where the squirrels are, but
understanding the impact the turbines will have on the viability of the population taking into
account cumulative impacts over the longer term and also the impact on connectivity across
the site.
Pine marten - the Vincent Wildlife Trust Survey (please contact CCW for further details)
didn't identify any positive scats at this location, but wasn't undertaken in ideal conditions and
therefore is not definitive. We therefore recommend that surveyors of this site collect any
likely scats and, if necessary to give adequate site coverage, undertake transects specifically
for such scats, so that they can be identified by DNA analysis.
Common Toad - No reference is made to this species but is needs to be considered in the ES.
Reptiles - Their presence is a material planning issue. We therefore suggest that the scope of
the ES includes assessments of reptile species likely to be affected.
Water voles - We can confirm that we are aware of upland water vole populations within and
in the environs of Clocaenog.
Badgers - Sett and bait marking surveys will be required.