Arterial Drainage Appropriate Assessment

Under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, the OPW completed 34 Arterial Drainage Schemes on river catchments, along with five estuarine embankment schemes (over 11,500km of channel and 800km of embankments). The OPW is statutorily obligated to maintain these arterial drainage schemes.

In accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and Regulation 42(1) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, the OPW has undertaken Screening for Appropriate Assessment and Appropriate Assessments of the ongoing maintenance works on arterial drainage schemes.

Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment (NIS reports) are submitted to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a 6 week consultation period i.e. the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In parallel, submissions and observations received from the public consultation are also invited relating to the likely significant effects of the proposed works on European Sites. The OPW has regard to all submissions and observations received during these consultation processes when arriving at a decision.

The link below includes the national framework of arterial drainage maintenance catchment wide appropriate assessments, screened in scheme are reviewed and updated on a five year cycle while screened out schemes are reviewed as necessary. Each catchment sub link contains the AA Screening report, the NIS where relevant and the AA Determination.

Catchment wide Appropriate Assessments of Arterial Drainage Scheme Maintenance

For works not included within the Appropriate Assessment Screening and Appropriate Assessments identified, additional appropriate assessments may be required and are carried out for certain site specific works, such as: bridge/sluice rehabilitation/demolition/replacement, bank protection works, certain categories of tree/scrub clearing or emergency works. For these projects the associated AA Screening Report and / or determination, NIS and AA Determination Statement can be found in the links below.

2025 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2024 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2023 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2022 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2021 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2020 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2019 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

2018 OPW Site Specific Appropriate Assessments

Additional screening for appropriate assessment is carried out for certain site specific works, such as: bridge/sluice rehabilitation/demolition/replacement, bank protection works, certain categories of tree/scrub clearing works or emergency works. As required under Regulation 42(7) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, OPW has made a determination following screening that an Appropriate Assessment is not required for these projects. These projects are not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the sites as European sites and as it can be concluded, on the basis of objective information, that these projects, individually or in combination with other plans or projects are not likely to have a significant effect on the European sites listed above. For these projects that were screened-out for AA, the associated Determination Statements can be found in the links below.

2025 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2024 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2023 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2022 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2021 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2020 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2019 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations

2018 Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations