Coillte and IFI will endeavour to develop a list of prioritised catchments where opportunities for collaboration on broad scale projects under the following 2 general catchment management headings will be explored and progressed where feasible:

1. Strategic Forestry Catchment Planning for Ecological Enhancement (Coillte Lead)
2. Forestry / Water Restoration Projects (IFI Lead)

Bioforest / Nature Restoration

IFI and Coillte will endeavour to work together on nature restoration / ‘rewilding’ projects and programmes to facilitate and support enhanced sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate action in Ireland. Particular emphasis will be placed on restoring and enhancing riparian corridors within the Coillte estate to enhance the climate resilience and flood management potential of river ecosystems.

Barriers to the free passage of fish and other aquatic fauna

The extensive construction of access roads, bridges and culverts throughout Ireland has resulted in numerous partial and complete barriers to fish migration, particularly in smaller rivers. Where these arise on the Coillte estate, IFI will endeavour to identify, categorise and mitigate the impacts of these barriers. Cooperation with Coillte will be required to access, design construct and/or remove appropriate structures to facilitate ecological continuity on impacted watercourses

Challenging Legacy sites such as those where conifers are planted close to watercourses

Forest sites which were established prior to the forest service guidelines may have conifers planted in commercial densities close to watercourses. Other more recently planted sites will most likely be entirely unplanted in riparian areas. Recent research has identified the importance of broadleaf planting adjacent to streams and rivers to mitigate against the effects of high-water temperatures and flash flooding, particularly in upland areas. Coillte will endeavour to work with IFI and other regulatory bodies to develop a plan to redesign and sustainably manage riparian zone subject to these pressures.

Platform for professional exchange / operational liaison

A working group made up of operational and technical representatives from both parties, at middle management level, will be set up to drive the implementation of this MOU. This forum shall be known as the IFI / Coillte Liaison Group. This group will meet at least twice per year to share information and knowledge and track the implementation of this MOU.

Note:

Following IFI Open Data does not appear to be open, no API or download option ? cc’d to Open Data Unit to confirm https://data.gov.ie/dataset/national-barriers-programme-app