The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has published the following documents and is inviting submissions from all stakeholders, interested parties and the general public:
- The Draft National Peatlands Strategy sets out a cross-governmental approach to managing peatlands including compliance with EU environmental law, climate change, forestry, flood control, energy, nature conservation, planning and agriculture. The strategy also sets out proposals for the development of a new regulatory regime for turf contractors.
- The Draft National Raised Bog Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Management Plan provides for the future restoration and management of the 53 raised bog SACs and how the needs of turf-cutters are to be addressed. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement have also been prepared to identify and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts associated with implementation of the Plan.
- The Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs).
Copies of the public consultation documents are available for public inspection at NPWS head office at 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2, during office hours until Friday 18th April 2014. They are also available to view and download on the websites of the authority (www.npws.ie and www.ahg.gov.ie) and the website of the Raised Bog Conservation Study (www.raisedbogconservation.com).
Written submissions or observations with respect to the documents can be made to the Department by 18th April 2014.
Written submissions can be made directly to the Department:
Peatlands Policy Unit
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
7 Ely Place
Dublin 12
peatlandssubmissions@ahg.gov.ie
or via the Raised Bog Conservation Study:
Raised Bog Conservation Study
RPS Consulting Engineers
Unit 33 Innovation Works
National Technology Park
Limerick
info@raisedbogconservation.com
For further information on all aspects of this work please visit the website of the Raised Bog Conservation Study: www.raisedbogconservation.com.
Source: Coillte – Public Consultation on the Draft National Peatlands Strategy
