Forestry
Afforesting and reafforesting sites with deep peat
Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine
If the Minister will not accept the UN recommendation for countries to leave untouched all peat soils of 10cm depth rather than afforesting and reafforesting sites with peat depths of 30cm, 40cm, and even 50cm peat [Written Answer 26/04/2023 Question Number(s): 135 Question Reference(s): 19661/23], can he at least assure the Deputy that he will end afforestation or reafforestation on peat soils of a greater depth than 15cm, given that his Government itself has published as part of the EU Green Deal ‘Keeping Ireland Green: 12 Stories about the EU and Ireland’s Environment’ with an introduction by Minister Ryan in which it is stated in Section 9 ‘A climate change solution beneath our feet’ that ‘It is estimated that a 15cm thick layer of peat contains more carbon per hectare than a tropical forest.’
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-04-26/135/#pq-answers-135
How to find details on a sample forest road in the DAFM Viewer (example used is CN87698)
https://flv.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/
go to Layers, and select Roads
Relevant docs are in pdf on LHS of page
Click on the Road you require details for
Summary data appears
25 documents available, each need to be opened and saved, as there is not way to Select / Download All
Appropriate Assessment Screening Report
This project comprises 471 hectares of forest road works. The predominant soil type underlining the project area is predominantly brown earths in nature. The slope is predominantly flat to moderate (<15%). The project area is crossed by / adjoins an aquatic zone(s). The vegetation type(s) within the project area comprise WD4.
Overall Conclusion: Screen Out: No likelihood of a significant effect on any European site, and Appropriate Assessment not required
Assessment to Determine EIA Requirement
EIA: On the basis of this examination should this application be subject to the EIA process? No
Site Details
Grant
In Combination Report
The potential for the proposed forest road project CN87698 to contribute to an in-combination impact on European sites was considered by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM).
As detailed below, various online planning systems and datasets (including DAFM’s Forest Licence Viewer) were consulted on the 16/11/2021 in order to identify other plans and projects, focusing on the general vicinity of the project area in the River Sub-Basin King’s (Liffey)_010
Appropriate Assessment Determination
Ecology Report
Build on Top
AA Screening
Overall Conclusion: Screen AA Required – Appropriate Assessment is required in relation to one or more European sites
AA Report
Spec for roadworks
Forest road construction
Proposed road, type of construction
NPWS Response
An Taisce Response
All Replanting Orders (Section26 Forestry Act (2014)) served during 2022
AIE 23/232
Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath, it was found that approx. 2.59ha of woodland area had been removed without an appropriate licence
The Milford Partnership.
Inspection found that 25.44Ha of forest clearfelled under licence GFL21113 had not been replanted
Kerry
Clearfell licence (GFL17068) 1.38Ha area should have been replanted by Feb 2018
Dromoland Castle, Unlicenced clearfell of 3.55HA
Notes
Replanting Order 02.22 initially issued during 2022 but due to new landowners it was re-issued in February 2023, therefore DAFM FS attached a copy of the reissued Replanting Order as the relevant Replanting Order document.
There was no Replanting Order relating to reference 04.22. Unclear why
Glenaboy river harvesting pollution incident – felling licence CK15-FL0052 which resulted in a pollution incident in November 2022 (‘Coillte Farm Partnership’ arrangement)
AIE request 23 194
Re: Harvesting pollution incident for felling license, GFL CK15 FL0052.
Location: Gortnafira and Lyre townlands, Curraglass, Fermoy, County Cork
Coillte Silt and Sediment Mitigation Guideline
AIE Request 20230090
A copy of Coillte’s Silt and Sediment Mitigation Guideline compiled in response to the Major CAR at Corrahoash, Co. Cavan EMS_GUI_021_Silt & Sediment Mitigation Guidelines_20112022_FINAL
Information on all roll-out training provided by the Environment Team in conjunction with the Team Leads from Estates/Engineering, Establishment and Harvesting to Forest Operational Staff and Contractors in response to the Major CAR at Corrahoash, Co. Cava
Coillte Felling Licence shapefiles provided to DAFM covering 2015-2019
AIE Request 20230078
Download file here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EjGpBAw2ZcSHWkXLoiHyaiFjI-NWf5gG/view?usp=sharing
AIE Request: technical specification provided to the developers of the Forest Licence Viewer(FLV) and related correspondence in terms of the functions, operability and operation of the FLV, including modifications to the specification, feedback from the developers, reports of errors, problems and queries
Whether information requested by the appellant on the Forest Road Scheme is “environmental information” within the meaning of article 3(1) of the AIE Regulations
Case: OCE-116233-H0K1M3
Forest Road Scheme is “environmental information” for the purposes of AIE Regs
Ministerial Consent – Project Pearl / FuturEnergy Ireland (Coillte / ESB Joint Venture)
AIE request 23 144
Request for access to information held by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine relating to the provision of, by email, a copy of the consent from DAFM to Coillte in relation to Project Pearl i.e the establishment of FuturEnergy Ireland, as noted in the Briefing for Minister Hackett for the meeting with Coillte on 13 January 2022
Notes:
DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION
M/20/005 – ESB/COILLTE (JV)
Following implementation of the Proposed Transaction, Coillte will continue to supply land to third party developers of onshore wind farms in the State
Coillte’s current share in this potential market is minimal (approximately [0-5]%), resulting from a […]% shareholding in a single wind farm located in Sliabh Bawn, Co. Roscommon
Coillte estimates that it has the largest share of Theoretically Suitable Land in the State (approximately [25-30]%). Coillte estimates that Bord na Móna holds the second largest share of Theoretically Suitable Land in the State (approximately [5-
10]%) with the remaining [65-70]% held by various individual landholders across the State
It sees our entire renewable energy business transfer into the new joint venture company, which aims to deliver 1GW of renewable energy projects by 2030.
Coillte’s portfolio of proposed wind farm projects and its Renewable Energy division has now transferred to FuturEnergy Ireland. The majority of projects in the pipeline are either preparing to enter the planning system or are in the planning process awaiting adjudication.
The new company is led by CEO Peter Lynch, former managing director of Coillte’s Renewable Energy Division.
(Coillte)