River Glyde 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: 05/2023 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the proposed works at Braganstown in the Glyde & Dee Catchment, Co. Louth.

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 intends to carry out environmental enhanced maintenance works at Braganstown (OPW Channel C1/1) on the Glyde River, Co. Louth on the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme. The work are located 8.7km from Dundalk Bay SAC (Site Code: 000455), Dundalk Bay SPA (Site Code: 004026) and 500m from Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (site Code: 004091).

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

The works on the Glyde River aims to enhance approximately 1km of the river corridor by implementing environmental drainage maintenance measures (deflectors, pools, gravels, etc.) to promote sustainable environmental drainage management of this channel. The site is accessed via the L2215 and across agricultural land.

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 in-stream works on the Glyde River, has been prepared 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 (Site Code: 000455)
• Dundalk Bay SPA (Site Code: 004026)
• Stabannan-Braganstown SPA (site Code: 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.

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 7th July to Tuesday 22nd August 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

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.

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