Proposed Tree and Vegetation Management along the Bonet River, Co. Leitrim

Statutory Consultation on proposed works by the OPW as required under Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended.

Ref: 09/2022 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the OPW Bonet Arterial Drainage Scheme – Proposed Tree & Vegetation Management, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim

Proposed Works

The OPW (as the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, as amended.

The application site is located along a 4km section of the River Bonet, downstream and to the west of Dromahair village, from Townparks to Lough Gill, Co. Leitrim. The Bonet River flows into Lough Gill SAC, Site Code 001976 at the downstream extent of the proposed maintenance works.

Brief description

This maintenance work is an obligation as part of the OPW’s statutory function in providing maintenance on the River Bonet under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The purpose of these proposed work is to ensure trees and vegetation are managed with a balanced approach to flood conveyance. Maintenance consists of selective tree management to include removal and pruning of tree limb and bush removal in line with OPW best practices. Furthermore, there are accumulations of woody debris at two locations within the river channel which have been identified for removal.

Appropriate Assessment

In accordance with Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, the OPW are now required to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed works, alone and in combination with other plans and projects, on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.

An Appropriate Assessment Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the OPW Bonet Arterial Drainage Scheme – Proposed Tree & Vegetation Management, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, has been prepared in respect of these proposed maintenance works and is available to view or download at the link provided below.

The OPW now invites submissions and observations from the public relating to the likely significant effects of the proposed works on the following European Sites, if carried out:

- Lough Gill SAC (Site Code: 001976)

The OPW shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during this public consultation when arriving at a decision. The OPW will also consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

How to make a submission

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Public consultation forms an important part of advancing the consideration of the environmental impacts associated with these works and allows the involvement of the public in developing a better outcome for the associated Natura Site.

Submissions will be accepted from Friday 20th May to Friday 1st July 2022, up to 5pm.

Submissions will not be accepted outside the consultation period.

You can make a submission via email: please email your submission to nis@opw.ie

Information about Submissions received

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Individual responses to submissions will not be provided however all submissions and feedback will be considered before the final decision is made.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we may publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.