In 2017, the Office of Public Works made an application to the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) for consent to carry out maintenance activities involving the removal of silt and emergent vegetation in the Meelick Weir area. As part of the assessment process, a screening for Appropriate Assessment was undertaken by the NPWS. The application for consent for this work can be requested directly from the NPWS.
It is important to note that while the screening for Appropriate Assessment carried out by the NPWS determined that there were no likely significant impacts from the work on Natura 2000 sites and while consent was granted by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2017, the work could not be undertaken during the period for which consent was given and this work was deferred.
In September this year, the removal of reeds and emergent vegetation was undertaken as part of the work for the restoration of Meelick Weir and its walkway for which planning consent was received by Waterways Ireland. Details of the planning application and related documentation, including the relevant environmental material, are available on Galway County Council’s website at:
http://www.eplanning.ie/GalwayCC/AppFileRefDetails/161322/0.