The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Living with Nature: The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland The Impact of Designation on Farming Practices and Land Use Farming In most cases where lands are included in a SAC, SPA or NHA, farmers will not have to change their farming methods; it is more likely that farmers will be requested to carry on in the traditional way. In some situations changes may be necessary. Dúchas consults with farmers and advises them on the appropriate changes that may need to be made. Where a farmer is required to take particular action to protect the wildlife interest of the site, compensation may be payable, either through the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, or based on a Dúchas farm plan. It is the responsibility of Dúchas to see that designated sites are protected from significant damage. Where a landowner is considering making changes on his farm that might affect wildlife habitat in a designated area, he must consult Dúchas beforehand. Developments likely to cause significant damage to the wildlife importance of a designated site will not be allowed. The only exceptions allowed in SACs and SPAs are for reasons of over-riding public interest, in the absence of any realistic alternative. It is Irish Government policy, and EU policy, not to allow grant-aided developments that damage the environment. “Notifiable Actions” Certain activities restricted within SACs, SPAs and NHAs can only be carried out with the permission of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. In the case of NHAs, 3 months written prior notice is required to be given to the Minister before undertaking any potentially harmful activities. Please contact your local ranger if you require clarification. These are called “Notifiable Actions” and vary depending on the type of habitat that is present on the site. Landowners are sent copies of the notifiable actions that are relevant to their lands. For example, notifiable actions for a riverbank in a SAC include: • The use of fertilisers, pesticide or herbicide near the river-bank • The alteration of the river flow • The removal of trees or vegetation from within 30 metres of the river-bank • The introduction of new species of plants or animals not currently found in the area. For a sand dune area, notifiable actions include: • Removal of sand • Dumping • Ploughing, reseeding or fertilising • Supplementary feeding of livestock Where a landowner has a current approved plan under the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS), or an equivalent scheme, the landowner need only notify the Minister of activities not covered in the plan. pg 14
EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION AREAS Living with Nature: The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland SPECIAL AREAS 4: Lambay Island pg 15 Lambay Island is a large (250 ha.) privately-owned island lying 4 km off Portrane on the north Co. Dublin coast, which has long been maintained as a wildlife sanctuary by its owners. The island rises to 127 m and is surrounded by steep cliffs on the north, east and south slopes. The west shore is low-lying and the land slopes gently eastwards to the summit in the centre of the island. Lambay Island is designated as a SAC and SPA. Lambay is internationally important for its breeding seabirds and has the biggest seabird colony in Ireland. The most numerous species is the Guillemot, whose nesting population has risen from 10,500 in 1970 to 60,000 in 1999. Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, Shags, Cormorants, Puffins and other seabirds also breed here. In winter Greylag Geese use the island, along with small numbers of Barnacle and Brent Geese. Lambay supports the only colony of Grey Seals on the east coast. Although it is a long established breeding site for this species, it remains relatively small (45-60 individuals) probably because of the restricted area suitable for breeding. Grey Seals are listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. Most of the western third of the island is intensively farmed (mostly pasture), and there are small areas of parkland, deciduous and coniferous woodland, buildings, walled gardens and the harbour. Much of the rest of the island is a mixture of less intensively grazed land, rocky outcrops, patches of Bracken and Bramble, and cliff slopes with typical maritime vegetation e.g. Thrift, Sea Campion, Rock Sea-spurrey and Spring Squill. Some sheltered gullies have small areas of scrub woodland dominated by Elder.
Page 1 and 2: An Roinn Comhshaoil agus Rialtais
Page 3 and 4: Living with Nature: The Designation
Page 7 and 8: The Designation Process - A Step by
Page 9 and 10: EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION AREAS SPEC
Page 11 and 12: The Designation Process - A Step by
Page 13: EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION AREAS Livi
Page 21 and 22: EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION AREAS Livi

The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?