Consultation of the proposed maintenance works on the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme 2023

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: 26/2022 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the Glyde & Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme 2023, Co. Louth/Meath/Cavan/Monaghan.

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 OPW propose to complete maintenance works on the Glyde & Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme in the Counties Louth/Meath/Cavan/Monaghan.

Arterial Drainage Maintenance includes a range of operations such as silt and vegetation management, mowing and structure maintenance. It is required to retain the arterial drainage scheme design capacity and ensure it is maintained in proper repair and effective condition.

The proposed works will be carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.

Brief description

The proposed works include the maintenance of 761.0km of watercourse and 13.9km of embankment. They drain primarily agricultural land from west to east, with the two main rivers, the Glyde and the Dee, forming a confluence by the coast before their outfall into Dundalk Bay. All of the embankments present in the Scheme fall within this coastal section.

In the years following the construction of a drainage scheme there is a tendency for the channel capacity to be progressively reduced due mainly to the transportation and deposition of bed materials, the accumulation of silt and the growth of in-channel vegetation. The resultant channel maintenance consists of repetitive works of a cyclical nature, to restore the Schemes design levels i.e. outfall datum in order to maintain the channel's designed capacity to convey water.

Bush cutting/branch trimming, tree cutting or mulching is undertaken between the 1st September and 28th February to avoid the residential bird nesting season (from the 1st March to 31st August as per the Wildlife Act (1976). In contrast, in-stream works for silt and vegetation management are carried out outside of the salmonid spawning season (May to September) and the times that early life stages of salmonid fish will be present as per Section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act (1959) on channels with salmonid spawning habitat.

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 maintenance of the Glyde & Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme in the Counties Louth/Meath/Cavan/Monaghan, has been prepared in respect of these proposed 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:

- Dundalk Bay SAC (000455)

- Dundalk Bay SPA (004026)

- Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (004091)

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 2nd December 2022 to Friday 13th January 2023, 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 and clearly include “Glyde & Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme 2023” in the subject title.