Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 458: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the impact which tree felling is having on phosphate levels in rivers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20672/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tree felling may impact on phosphate levels in receiving waters as a consequence of ground disturbance or from the natural decay of leaves, roots and branches left after felling. It is not clear to what extent tree felling contributes to increased phosphate levels and research in this area is ongoing, for example, as part of the Western River Basin District's project on Forest and Water.

There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of phosphorus release during felling such as controlling the proportion of a catchment that is felled at any one time. My Department has published detailed guidelines on this subject. Practice is also informed by the National Council for Forest Research and Development's (COFORD) research and publications, in particular Managing the Impacts of Forest Clearfelling on Stream Environments.