A new publication called Forests & Water details how the Department and the wider forestry sector will fulfil their role in achieving the objectives under the second cycle of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), as set out in the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 (RBMP).

The overall approach set out in Forests & Water is (i) to safeguard water during all forestry operations; (ii) to restructure existing forests to reflect water sensitivities, where required; and (iii) to situate and design new woodlands and forests in a way that protects water quality.

“Well-sited, designed and managed woodlands and forests benefit water quality and aquatic ecosystems significantly, by delivering a range of ‘ecosystem services’ such as the prevention of sediment and nutrient runoff, the protection of banks from erosion, ‘food drop’ of insects and leaf litter into the aquatic ecosystem, the shading and cooling of water, the overall restoration of riparian habitats, and helping floodwater control,” Andrew Doyle said. “These benefits are recognised through many countries the world over.”

The second publication is the Draft Plan for Forests & Freshwater Pearl Mussel in Ireland, which is now available on the Department’s website as a public consultation document.

This Plan targets 27 key FPM catchments in the country, including the "priority eight", in which populations have the greatest chance of recovery. The plan's objectives are to eliminate, reduce or mitigate: (i) diffuse and point sources of sediment and nutrients; and (ii) the disruption of the natural hydrological regime, arising from forests and regulated forestry activities within the Plan’s area, to ensure that these do not threaten the achievement of the conservation objectives for FPM set for each of the Special Areas of Conservation involved.

Public consultation is now under way in relation to the draft plan, and relevant documents (including the draft SEA Environmental Report and draft NATURA Impact Statement) are available for download here.

Submissions can be sent by post to Alan Sheridan, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford, or by email to: Forestryfpmplan@agriculture.gov.ie.

Submissions received in writing before 5pm, Wednesday 3 October 2018, will be taken into consideration before the finalisation of the plan.

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