AIE-022-018-IFI
As part of an AIE request, we are seeking to understand the process whereby DAFM Forest Service refer forestry applications to Inland Fisheries Ireland for feedback
Overview
This table outlines the number of forestry applications (nationally) assessed by IFI Environmental Officer for the period January – July 2022:
DAFM FS refer a significant volume of licence applications to IFI, so we took a look initially at just the referrals for the East River Basin District (ERBD), and then focused in on Wicklow, and on just the clearfell referrals.
Note email below to Eastern River Basin District (ERBD) on July 15th 2022 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to felling licence applications.
From the licence application list provided the IFI local Environmental Office initially screened out applications in the Wicklow area and then further refined the felling applications to be commented on, based primarily on their proximity to a watercourse and the sensitivity of the watercourse and provided a response in respect of these applications.
There was a total of 79 applications in this tranche for the Wicklow area with a total of 45 responses submitted by IFI from the time of receipt on 15/07/2022 to 04/08/2022.
The responses are generic in their content however there is also individual elements specific to each river or clearfell application contained within each response.
IFI confirmed that the resources to do a deep dive into each application is not available and would probably involve site visits.
| FL App Ref | Harvest Block Area | County | Townlands | ||||
| DU02-FL0146 | 6.97 | Dublin | Ballinascorney Upper | ||||
| DU02-FL0147 | 7.7 | Dublin | Ballinascorney Upper | ||||
| DU02-FL0148 | 5.37 | Dublin | Killakee, Mountpelier | ||||
| DU02-FL0149 | 4.05 | Dublin | Kilmashogue | ||||
| DU02-FL0150 | 5.91 | Dublin | Cruagh | ||||
| DU02-FL0151 | 4.01 | Dublin | Mountpelier | ||||
| DU02-FL0152 | 9.02 | Dublin | Cruagh, Tibradden | ||||
| DU02-FL0153 | 31.77 | Dublin | Rathmichael, Shankill | ||||
| DU02-FL0155 | 2.92 | Dublin | Cruagh | ||||
| DU02-FL0156 | 0.41 | Dublin | Tibradden | ||||
| DU02-FL0157 | 2.96 | Dublin | Killakee | ||||
| WW01-FL0122 | 20.96 | Wicklow | Ballynultagh | ||||
| WW01-FL0123 | 9.19 | Wicklow | Ballynultagh | ||||
| WW01-FL0124 | 7.96 | Wicklow | Ballynasculloge Lower, Ballynatona, Ballysmuttan Upper | ||||
| WW01-FL0125 | 18.14 | Wicklow | Ballyfoyle | ||||
| WW02-FL0105 | 7.37 | Wicklow | Ballybrew | ||||
| WW02-FL0106 | 21.37 | Wicklow | Cloon | ||||
| WW02-FL0107 | 11.66 | Wicklow | Annacrivey, Ballybrew, Kilmalin | ||||
| WW02-FL0108 | 1.99 | Wicklow | Deerpark | ||||
| WW02-FL0109 | 11.59 | Wicklow | Cloon, Tonygarrow | ||||
| WW02-FL0110 | 6.61 | Wicklow | Crone | ||||
| WW02-FL0111 | 3.67 | Wicklow | Annacrivey, Curtlestown Upper | ||||
| WW02-FL0112 | 11.13 | Wicklow | Deerpark | ||||
| WW02-FL0113 | 1.65 | Wicklow | Annacrivey | ||||
| WW02-FL0114 | 2.11 | Wicklow | Ballyreagh, Crone | ||||
| WW02-FL0115 | 11.11 | Wicklow | Ballyreagh, Ballyross | ||||
| WW03-FL0084 | 13.83 | Wicklow | Downshill | ||||
| WW03-FL0085 | 4.26 | Wicklow | Glasnamullen | ||||
| WW03-FL0086 | 3.18 | Wicklow | Kilmurry, Merepark | ||||
| WW03-FL0087 | 6.33 | Wicklow | Ballinahinch Middle, Ballinahinch Upper | ||||
| WW03-FL0088 | 8.68 | Wicklow | Ballinahinch Upper, Callowhill Lower, Callowhill Upper, Kilday | ||||
| WW03-FL0090 | 81.39 | Wicklow | Carrignamuck Lower, Dunran Demesne, Dunranhill, Keeloge Lower, Kiltimon, Mountjohn, Prospect Upper | ||||
| WW04-FL0119 | 8.45 | Wicklow | Trooperstown | ||||
| WW04-FL0120 | 4.8 | Wicklow | Drummin | ||||
| WW04-FL0121 | 7.17 | Wicklow | Ballard, Ballard Park | ||||
| WW04-FL0122 | 5.8 | Wicklow | Derrybawn | ||||
| WW04-FL0123 | 3.37 | Wicklow | Lugduff | ||||
| WW04-FL0124 | 16.03 | Wicklow | Brockagh | ||||
| WW05-FL0131 | 10.01 | Wicklow | Brockagh | ||||
| WW05-FL0132 | 4.26 | Wicklow | Corragh | ||||
| WW05-FL0133 | 22.28 | Wicklow | Ballinagee, Glenbride | ||||
| WW06-FL0300 | 7.01 | Wicklow | Blackrock, Slieveboy Upper | ||||
| WW07-FL0208 | 12.43 | Wicklow | Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW07-FL0209 | 3.12 | Wicklow | Baravore | ||||
| WW07-FL0210 | 10.38 | Wicklow | Drumgoff | ||||
| WW07-FL0211 | 11.01 | Wicklow | Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW07-FL0212 | 25.01 | Wicklow | Ballyboy | ||||
| WW07-FL0213 | 10.68 | Wicklow | Clohernagh | ||||
| WW07-FL0214 | 4 | Wicklow | Drumgoff | ||||
| WW07-FL0215 | 19.33 | Wicklow | Carriglinneen, Kirikee | ||||
| WW07-FL0216 | 5.9 | Wicklow | Cullentragh Little | ||||
| WW07-FL0217 | 4.1 | Wicklow | Ballyboy | ||||
| WW07-FL0218 | 4.59 | Wicklow | Clohernagh | ||||
| WW07-FL0219 | 8.2 | Wicklow | Clonkeen,Corrasillagh | ||||
| WW07-FL0220 | 2.03 | Wicklow | Carriglinneen | ||||
| WW07-FL0222 | 10.17 | Wicklow | Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW07-FL0223 | 2.81 | Wicklow | Aghavanagh (Ram), Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW07-FL0224 | 13.09 | Wicklow | Aghavanagh (Ram), Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW07-FL0225 | 3.18 | Wicklow | Aghavanagh (Ram) | ||||
| WW07-FL0226 | 18.95 | Wicklow | Aghavanagh (Ram), Aghavannagh (Revell), Drumgoff | ||||
| WW07-FL0227 | 4.35 | Wicklow | Aghavannagh (Revell) | ||||
| WW08-FL0207 | 4.87 | Wicklow | Ballymacsimon | ||||
| WW08-FL0208 | 5.05 | Wicklow | Ballinacooley, Kilnamanagh More | ||||
| WW08-FL0209 | 3.9 | Wicklow | Ballycullen | ||||
| WW08-FL0210 | 2.59 | Wicklow | Barnbawn, Garryduff | ||||
| WW09-FL0188 | 4.22 | Wicklow | Ballintombay Upper, Ballydowling Hill | ||||
| WW09-FL0189 | 4.46 | Wicklow | Ballinvally Lower | ||||
| WW09-FL0190 | 4.69 | Wicklow | Ballinvally Lower, Ballykillageer Lower | ||||
| WW09-FL0191 | 6.72 | Wicklow | Ballyshane | ||||
| WW09-FL0192 | 5.09 | Wicklow | Ballintombay Upper | ||||
| WW09-FL0193 | 2.1 | Wicklow | Ballyteige | ||||
| WW09-FL0194 | 5.31 | Wicklow | Ballinvally (Valentine), Ballydonnell | ||||
| WW09-FL0195 | 3.18 | Wicklow | Ballinacarrig Lower | ||||
| WW09-FL0196 | 4.64 | Wicklow | Kilmacrea Upper | ||||
| WW09-FL0197 | 32.51 | Wicklow | Bollahoney, Mongan | ||||
| WW09-FL0198 | 2.68 | Wicklow | Kilmacrea Lower | ||||
| WW10-FL0243 | 13.4 | Wicklow | Kilballyowen, Roddenagh | ||||
| WW10-FL0245 | 7.27 | Wicklow | Ballygobban | ||||
| WW10-FL0246 | 11.86 | Wicklow | Barnameelia, Farbreaga | ||||
| WW10-FL0247 | 20.64 | Wicklow | Ballinagappoge, Rosahane | ||||
| WW10-FL0248 | 8.53 | Wicklow | Coolgarrow | ||||
| WW10-FL0249 | 7.67 | Wicklow | Ballyteige | ||||
| WW10-FL0250 | 8.79 | Wicklow | Ballinagappoge, Mucklagh | ||||
| WW10-FL0251 | 0.83 | Wicklow | Ballinagappoge | ||||
| WW10-FL0252 | 6.93 | Wicklow | Ballygobban | ||||
| WW11-FL0110 | 2.46 | Wicklow | Ballinasilloge, Knocknagilky Upper, Knocknaskeagh | ||||
| WW12-FL0011 | 0.66 | Wicklow | Ballytrasna, Kingston | ||||
| WW12-FL0012 | 118.59 | Wicklow | Avondale, Balleese Wood, Ballinacarrig Upper, Ballytrasna, Corballis Lower, Kingston, Rockstown Lower, Ticlash, Timullin | ||||
| WX01-FL0140 | 2.18 | Wexford | Ballythomas | ||||
| WX01-FL0141 | 20.31 | Wexford, Wicklow | Ballythomashill, Carrig, Curraghlawn | ||||
| WX01-FL0142 | 11.99 | Wexford | Carrig, Croghan Mountain |
Standard referral letter from DAFM FS to IFI
Note: DAFM FS allow a 4 week timeframe for response, but often batch large volumes for consultation on the same day. This is likely to overwhelm the available resources of the consultation body, in this case the IFI. Consultation bodies can apply for an extension.
Dear Sir/Madam,
With regard to applications for felling licences, pursuant to Section 17(5)(a) of the Forestry Act 2014, the Minister may consult any person whom he or she considers to be appropriate. To this end, the Minister issues felling licence referrals to a number of statutory authorities and other bodies of which Inland Fisheries Ireland is one. Inland Fisheries Ireland is now invited to submit comments and observations in respect of the felling licences referenced in the above table. The timeframe in which a response is expected is four weeks. Please note, if no response is received within this timeframe, “No Comment” will be noted in respect of the files listed above. Should you require an extension please notify the Dept as soon as possible.
While the Minister will have regard to any written submissions or observations received in respect of any such felling licence application so referred, he or she must be mindful that where he or she decides to grant a licence, in whole or part, with or without conditions, in attaching any such conditions to the licence, those conditions must be within the powers conferred upon him or her by statute, and will be guided in doing so by the following criteria for the imposition of conditions, namely that they are necessary, relevant to the project or activity for which a licence has been sought, enforceable, precise, and reasonable.
The Minister will also have due regard to other statutory obligations placed upon him or her, as well as taking account of the relevant policies or objectives of the Government as regards the development and promotion of forestry in a manner that maximises the economic, environmental and social value of forests within the principles of sustainable forest management.
Applications referred to you are available to view in the Forestry Licence Viewer. The FLV may be found here https://forestry-maps.apps.rhos.agriculture.gov.ie/ . The user will be able to see the site boundaries and can see other applications for forestry licences in the area (applications from 1st January, 2018). Looking at a specific application by keying in the reference number in the search box, the user can view the application documents, including maps.
Please quote the above Felling Licence reference numbers in all correspondence, and return any response to Felling.forestservice@agriculture.gov.ie
Kind regards,
Clerical Officer, Felling Section, Forest Service
__
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Eastát Chaisleán Bhaile Sheáin, Co. Loch Garman, Y35 PN52
Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford, Y35 PN52
Records released (Schedule)
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the upper catchment of the Ballydonnell Brook_010 which has a current WFD status of Moderate and which must be improved to a minimum of good status.
The Ballydonnell Brook is a tributary of the River Liffey which flows into Poulaphouca Reservoir, the main drinking water supply source for the greater Dublin area.
The clear-felling is in an area of peaty soils, raises concerns about peat deposits entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the River Liffey_30 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
The River Liffey at this point flows into Poulaphouca Reservoir, the main drinking water supply source for the greater Dublin area.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the River Liffey_30 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
The River Liffey at this point flows into Poulaphouca Reservoir, the main drinking water supply source for the greater Dublin area.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Glencree River_010 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Glencree river is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Glencree River_010 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Glencree river is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the river Dargle_020 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Dargle river is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout and is a designated in accordance with Salmonid River Regs (S.I. 293) affording the river extra protection in law.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Glencree River_010 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Glencree river is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Glencree River_010 which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Glencree river is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the river Vartry_010 catchment, and which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
This Vartry river at this point is an important nursery system supporting populations of Brown trout. It is also part of the water supply to the Vartry water treatment works.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Newtownmountkennedy river_020 which has a current WFD status of Poor and which must be improved to Good Status by 2027.
The Newtownmountkennedy river is under severe pressure from various sources and must not be subjected to any further activities that will exacerbate the status of the river.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of Ballymacahara and the Inchanappa streams, both of which has a current WFD status of Good and which must be maintained.
Both streams are of important nursery habitat, supporting populations of Brown trout.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Avonmore_040 which has a current WFD status of High and which must be maintained.
The Avonmore River is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, and Brown trout.
The area of felling is directly adjacent to the Wicklow Mountains SAC which must be protected.
It represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.
The proposed clear felling refers to lands in the catchment of the Avonmore_050 which has a current WFD status of Good, and which must be maintained.
The Avonmore River is an important salmonid system supporting populations of Atlantic salmon, and Brown trout.
The river represents a valuable resource both in terms of local natural heritage (biological diversity value) and particularly from a native fisheries perspective.
The clear-felling raises concerns about suspended solids and nutrients entering watercourses resulting from forestry harvesting activities, posing a significant environmental threat to water quality.
Poor water quality will impact upon fish, benthic invertebrates, and aquatic flora and these are the primary biological elements used in the classification of waters in the context of the WFD.