Other Services

Appropriate Assessment

An appropriate assessment is an ecological assessment focused on how a plan or project may impact Natura 2000 sites.  Rowan have an experienced team with ecological expertise who can assist your appropriate assessment projects. For more information on appropriate assessment, and how we can assist you, please contact us.

If the Stage 1 appropriate assessment screening considers that a potential development is likely to have significant effects on a designated site, a full Natura Impact Statement (NIS) must then be completed. This report must consider the potential of the project to adversely affect the integrity of the designated site and the mitigation measures that should be applied if necessary. The assessments are required under the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011 as amended).

Rowan can prepare a full NIS for your development, which evaluates the potential impacts of a development and proposes appropriate mitigation measures.

Environmental Litigation

Expert Witness services may be required during planning applications, EPA licence applications or in litigation cases. Rowan have extensive court room experience and An Bord Pleanála experience. Rowan have experience in providing expert witness testimony and work with established law firms in helping represent our clients in cases relating to pollution, nuisance and amongst other things, challenges related to EPA / local authority licences and permits.

Fire Water Retention Risk Assessment

A Fire Water Retention Risk Assessment is a requirement under many EPA licences and assesses a facility’s capacity to retain firewater. Firewater consists of all water and chemicals used to extinguish a fire, contaminated rainwater and the volumes of all chemicals stored on site. Fire water retention facilities are designed to hold the spent firewater until it can be disposed of safely.

Rowan can undertake these assessments and determine the requirement for firewater retention facilities in accordance with the EPA guidelines “Firewater Guidance Note to Industry on the Requirements for Firewater Retention Facilities”. For more information on firewater risk assessments, and how we can assist you, please contact us.

Bund Assessments

Bund integrity testing is a general licence condition on all EPA licences or local authority permits and is normally carried out every three years or upon construction of tanks or bunds. Rowan provide both independent hydrostatic and visual bund integrity testing and assessments for bunds, tanks, sumps and concrete hard standing areas. Rowan can also provide an overview of your bunding integrity testing requirements. This includes a detailed report and recommendations, and allows you to easily track the integrity of your bunds over time to ensure they remain certified and sound at all times.

Contaminated land

A contaminated site is ‘a site where there is a confirmed presence caused by human activities, of dangerous substances at a level deemed to pose a significant risk to human health or the environment (European Environment Agency). In order to determine the potential for environmental liabilities associated with soil or groundwater contamination, a Phase 1 Site Investigation is carried out. This is a comprehensive review of available data to determine potential sources, pathways and receptors of contamination. Rowan provide specialist services relating to site Phase I and Phase II site investigations.

Drone Mapping & Surveys

Rowan have the capacity to create accurate, high-resolution maps, reports and 3D models, as well as real-time 2D Live Maps for immediate on-site analysis. Our IAA licensed drone pilots achieve this through the use of the latest drone hardware and Photogrammetry, which is the science of using photographs to create real world measurements. Drone mapping has huge potential for a number of sectors including construction, agriculture, mining, infrastructure inspection and real estate. Having rapid access to high resolution photographs, 3D models or topographic information regarding your project area, complete with measurements, is advantageous for rapid decision-making.