Native Woodland Establishment scheme

Bitten & Hisses

Does anyone know what the minimum area is for participation in this scheme and also if Aquatic Buffer Zones are necessary?

I have 2 acres of unproductive land running in a relatively narrow strip along a small stream. It's not in an SAC and in theory I could drain and reclaim it, but silk purses and sows ears spring to mind. There is commercial Sitka monoculture approx 27 years old at the other side of the watercourse (not my land) and good grazing ground at the other side (my land)
It's currently classed as rough grazing for the BPS.
To those in the know, does it sound feasible, or am I deluded?

Oldtree

All docs from here: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/grantsandpremiumschemes2015/

The "Native Woodland Establishment GPC9 & GPC10 Silvicultural Standards" states:

7. Area, size and width
There is no upper area limit for individual applications under Native Woodland Establishment GPC9 & GPC10. However, note the requirement for an EIS for afforestation projects 50 ha of greater, under S.I.558 of 2010.
The minimum plot size and width requirements set out in the Forestry Procedures & Standards Manual apply to GPC9 and GPC10, with the following exception: GPC9 and GPC10 plots must be 20 metres or greater in width, as measured tree-to-tree (i.e. excluding open spaces such as aquatic buffer zones, public road setbacks and archaeological exclusion zones).

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2015/NWEstablishmentGPC9GPC10220915.pdf

The "Native Woodland Conservation Scheme" also states something similar:

3. Area, size and width
Individual applications under all three categories of NWS Conservation must not exceed 12 ha in area. The minimum plot size and width applicable under the Afforestation Scheme (see the Forestry Procedures & Standards Manual) also apply to NWS Conservation, with the following exception: NWS Conservation plot width must be 20 metres or greater, as measured treeto-tree (i.e. excluding open spaces such as aquatic buffer zones, public road setbacks and archaeological exclusion zones).

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2015/NativeWoodlandConserScheme220915.pdf

The "Forestry Standards Manual" says that Aquatic buffer zones can be up to 20m depending on the site and the stream.

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2015/ForestryStandManNov15050116.pdf

All the above documents refer to the "Forestry and Water Quality Guidelines" for further info on aquatic buffer zones, here:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/publications/water_quality.pdf

There is no harm in asking a teagasc advisor to come and have a look to advise you as to the fesability of the venture, local advisors are listed here:

http://www.teagasc.ie/forestry/

This is a list (from 2013) of the Forest Inspectors, whom you could also ask to come and have a look

from here:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestservicegeneralinformation/contact/forestserviceinspectorate/
List:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestservicegeneralinformation/contact/forestserviceinspectorate/ForestryInspectors03Dec13.doc

Bitten & Hisses

Many thanks Oldtree. We already have 30 odd acres in a partnership with coillte, so I'll get in touch with the guy who calls to us.
I guess there are 2 things which will make or break it for me:
1. How little I can get away with as a buffer zone
2. If the proposed area will be large enough for acceptance into the scheme.