Report refutes pier wave impact

The impact of a contentious pier on Ireland’s answer to Hawaii’s legendary ‘Pipeline wave’ will not be significant, a new report claims.

The detail emerged in the environmental study on the impact the planned pier for Doolin, Co Clare, will have on the ‘Crab Island’ wave.

Clare County Council has lodged a planning application with An Bórd Pleanála after the appeals board ruled the application required an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

It followed detailed submissions by surfers opposed to the development.

The pier was initially due to be in place by the end of last year, however, it is not now expected to be finished before the summer of 2014.

Surfers from across the world, including two-time World Pro Surf champion, Mick Fanning, objected to the initial plan in 2010 over the impact it would have on the Crab Island wave.

Surfers, who had the support of Fáilte Ireland, claimed the initial pier plan would destroy the wave.

Now, the EIS which the council has lodged with the appeals board states: “The impact of the proposed development on Crab Island waves is not significant on water levels at and below mean high water neap and is only potentially significant at the highest water levels for the longer swell waves.”

The EIS arrived at the conclusion after using sophisticated computer prediction modelling software.

It states that impacts on waves approaching Ballaghaline Point are greater than at Crab Island.

“However, for the majority of wave periods and water levels, the impacts are either not significant or occupy the borderline between not significant and potentially significant,” the EIS states.

The new pier is to serve the annual 70,000 to 90,000 passengers that use the service to access the Aran Islands each year.

A study carried out for the EIS states that 40 people are employed at the existing pier, with ferry ticket sales generating in excess of €1m per annum.

It says the direct and in-direct spend by tourists using the pier totals €7m per annum and supports 134 full-time jobs in Doolin and Inis Oírr, where 80% of the Doolin traffic goes.

The new pier is to be located 75m nearer to the Crab Island wave and will be 10m wide and 103m long. The plan is to also provide access for surfers and shower facilities.

An Bórd Pleanála is due to make a decision on the plan before the end of the year.