Vol. 538 No. 1
134 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has made clear to Coillte Teoranta and other forestry companies that the forest services bio-diversity guidelines require that 15% of each individual planting project be dedicated to this purpose. [17373/01]
Last year my Department launched a number of important publications dealing with sustainable forest management in Ireland. These publications are: The Irish National Forest Standard; The Code of Best Forest Practice – Ireland; Forestry and the Landscape Guidelines; Forestry and Archaeology Guidelines; Forest Biodiversity Guidelines; Forestry and Water Quality Guidelines; Forest Harvesting Guidelines.
Copies of all of these publications have been placed in the Oireachtas Library for the information of members.
Shortly after the launch of the SFM publications a series of SFM workshops were held throughout the country, funded by the Forest Service and run in conjunction with Coillte Teoranta. Representatives of Coillte and the other forestry companies attended these workshops.
A SFM monitoring group has also been established within my Department and included in its remit is the promotion and implementation of the principles of SFM, including biodiversity, in Ireland.
135 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the damage recorded in the Glencar catchment through the failure of Coillte Teoranta to install effective silt traps before clearfelling as recorded in the north west Fisheries Board's annual report for 2000; and, if so, the actions he intends to take to ensure that Coillte Teoranta observes the relevant forest service guidelines. [17374/01]
An episode of flash flooding occurred in the Glencar area in June 2000. Much of the evidence washed away. However, it would appear that some sedimentation may have occurred and Coillte Teo undertook remedial action in consultation with the relevant regional fisheries board. This incident predated the release of the current forestry and water quality, and forest harvesting and the environment guidelines which were published in September 2000.
I understand from Coillte Teoranta that as a result of the unforeseen weather event, the prevailing silt control facilities could not cope with the resulting deluge. In consultation with the relevant regional fisheries board more elaborate sediment traps were put in place.
Subsequently, the environmental inspector from my Department inspected the site and found that there were sufficient silt traps in place for the forestry operation under way. The aquatic zone, within and in the vicinity of the forest, was inspected and found to be clear of all silt and sedimentation.
Strict adherence to all five guidelines is an essential pre-requisite of grant-aid approval and the award of felling licences. Officials from my Department inspect Coillte felling sites, on a sample basis as part of an annual environmental audit.
136 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the clearfelling by Coillte Teoranta of 40 hectares of conifer understory which took place last winter in the Glengarriff special area of conservation as part of the preparation for the transfer of the land to Dúchas and the fact that, contrary to the forest service guidelines, no silt traps were installed to protect the rivers and the listed species margaritifera and that the felling was undertaken at the wettest time of the year with the consequent siltation in the Coomarkane and Canrooska rivers as well as the Glengarriff river, damage to the soil and to the native seed bank which it is the intention to restore; and if so, the actions he intends to take to ensure that Coillte Teoranta observes the relevant Forest Service Guidelines and provisions of the habitats directive. [17375/01]
In the 1950's the Glengarriff area was predominantly covered by broadleaf trees. Some of these areas were cleared and restocked with exotic conifer species. As many are now reaching maturity they are being harvested by Coillte and will be replanted by Dúchas with broadleaf species.
In 2000, two felling proposals for limited felling licences relating to the area in question covering circa 11.8 ha were referred to Cork County Council and Dúchas the Heritage Service, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands – the relevant environmental authorities in these cases for their environmental observations. Neither expressed objections to the proposals as long as native broadleaf trees were not damaged and siltation of the streams was avoided. This condition was included in the felling licence which issued. Subsequently a further felling authorisation issued in April 2001 covering an area of 22 hectares which will facilitate the planting of broadleaf trees by Dúchas.
My Department has received no complaints from Dúchas or the regional fisheries board in relation to the harvesting operation in the Glengarriff area. I have, however, on foot of the Deputy's question, asked for a detailed report on the matter.
Strict adherence to all five environmental guidelines, published in September 2000, including those relating to forestry and water quality and forest harvesting and the environment guidelines, is a condition of felling licences awarded since that date.
An EIA relating to tree felling is required when an excess of ten hectares of broadleaf high forest is replaced by conifer species. This criteria was not applicable in the case in question.
