Many of the man-made barriers to the natural flow of rivers will have to be removed to comply with the requirements of the Nature Restoration Law, the report of the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration claims.
The report points out that Ireland has 76,000km of rivers, with 73,000 known barriers such as dams and weirs. The scale of lateral barriers, such as embankments and flood defences, is not known.
The committee recommends the phased removal of barriers to the natural flow of rivers. This process should be informed by a review of the Arterial Drainage Act, where flood protection and nature restoration should be prioritised over farming considerations, the report insists.
“Agencies of the State with responsibility for surface waters, water quality, and water-based nature restoration must collaborate and co-ordinate to plan restoration activities at the catchment level, targeting areas with the potential for high quality flood plain re-establishment alongside the restoration of peatlands and upland woodlands,” the report states.
“Restoration plans should commence on public lands first, with strategic opportunities for expansion on a voluntary basis on private lands, matched with payments [to farmers] recognising the ecosystem services being provided,” it adds.
SHARING OPTIONS