Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works in the Brosna Catchment, Co. Westmeath

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: 12/2022 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the proposed Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works in the Brosna Catchment, Co. Westmeath.

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 works on the Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works in the Brosna Catchment, Co. Westmeath.

The Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works will be conducted along approximately a 1.4km stretch of the Dysart River and end 4km from the boundary of Lough Ennell SAC, Site Code 000685 and Lough Ennell SPA, Site Code 004044.

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

Brief description

The proposed works will be undertaken on the OPW’s Brosna Arterial Drainage Scheme. The works involve In-stream structures to improve flow dynamics, fish spawning habitat and fencing will be constructed at required and suitable locations along the Dysart River.

Works proposed involve the construction of instream deflectors and the creating of pools. New spawning gravels will be introduced and the loosening of existing spawning gravels will be performed to improve spawning conditions for brown trout. Livestock fencing will also be repaired and replaced as required.

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 proposed Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works in the Brosna Catchment, Co. Westmeath, 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:

- Lough Ennell SAC, Site Code 000685

- Lough Ennell SPA, Site Code 004044

- Split Hills and Long Esker SAC, Site Code 001831

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 Wednesday 29th June to Wednesday 20th August 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 and you must include the email subject as “Consultation on Dysart River Fisheries Enhancement Works"

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.