River Boyne Enhancement Works

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: 19/2022 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the proposed Fisheries Enhancement Works on the River Boyne in Trim, Co. Meath.

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 the Fisheries Enhancement Works on the River Boyne in Trim Co. Meath.

The Fisheries Enhancement Works will be conducted at one location of the River Boyne and within River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Site Code 002299 and the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Protection Area (SPA), Site Code 004232.

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 Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme. In 2012, the OPW in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland installed a series of fisheries enhancement works on a stretch of the River Boyne in Trim.

In-stream works are now required to repair one of the fisheries enhancement structures. These structures will alter the flow dynamics of the stream and streams to enhance the habitat for salmonoid fish. This is beneficial to birdlife and mammals that prey on fry and trout. Works proposed involve the repair of a set of instream deflectors.

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 Fisheries Enhancement Works on the River Boyne in Trim, Co. Meath, 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:

- River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Site Code 002299

- River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Protection Area (SPA), Site Code 004232

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 Thursday 14th July to Thursday 25th 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 River Boyne 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.