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Acid sensitive sites and Native Woodland Scheme

  • 03-04-2013 7:53pm
    #1
    periodictable
    Closed Accounts Posts: 931 ✭✭✭


    For anybody in areas designated "acid sensitive" for forestry, and where 4 water tests are required, the Forest Service has decided to extend the Native Woodland Scheme to these areas and it will not be necessary to do water tests.
    The land must be enclosed land.
    Presumably, one can reapply where one was previously denied afforestation grant aid/permission due to poor test results.

    "The Native Woodland Establishment Scheme (NWS Est.) supports the creation of new native woodland on green-field sites, to protect and expand Ireland’s native woodland resource and associated biodiversity. On compatible sites, the scheme also encourages the future realisation of quality native hardwood, using close-to-nature silviculture. NWS Est. is implemented by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. The scheme is developed in partnership with Woodlands of Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Heritage Council.
    A key requirement under the NWS Est. is that each site must be capable of supporting the vigorous growth and sustainable long term development of the most appropriate native woodland type(s) identified for it. The Forest Service document entitled Native Woodland Scheme – Establishment (August 2011) sets out the basic terms and conditions of the scheme (including site requirements, provenance criteria, spacing, etc.).
    This circular details specific developments to NWS Est., in relation to the Acid Sensitivity Protocol and ash.
    NWS Est. and the Acid Sensitivity Protocol for Afforestation
    The existing protocol for the determination of the acid sensitivity of surface water in the context of afforestation is amended, whereby the Forest Service will now accept, process and approve (where appropriate) applications under the NWS Est. for sites within acid sensitive areas (ASAs), without the requirement for water sampling.
    This amendment to the protocol, agreed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), applies to NWS Est. only and is limited to applications wholly comprising enclosed / improved land. Strict adherence to minimum site disturbance will apply during planting and establishment (as standard under the scheme), with the additional requirement that no fertiliser application takes place.
    This amendment to the Acid Sensitivity Protocol will be kept under review.
    (When completing the NWS Est. Form 1, the NWS Forester ticks ‘Yes’ to Q1.1 under ‘Environmental Considerations’ and writes ‘N/A’ over the Calcium Carbonate Test Results table.)
    Additional note: Several ASAs also overlap Freshwater Pearl Mussel catchments. Applications under NWS Est. must incorporate appropriate measures to ensure that no silt, nutrients or herbicides enter receiving waters. This is a key requirement within FPM catchments.
    NWS"

    Forest Service


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