Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1889: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the draft conservation plans for special areas of conservation and special protection areas, detailing when they will be published for public consultation; and if not, the consultation that will be permitted. [2510/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Conservation plans for 42 Special Areas of Conservation have been through public consultation with land owners and local interests and will shortly be available on my Department's appropriate website, www.npws.ie. Consultation on draft plans for over 60 SACs will be carried out during the course of 2007.

My Department is reviewing the sufficiency of the Special Protection Area network and the boundaries of some 150 individual SPA sites, in relation to which landowners will be notified during 2007. Draft conservation plans for these sites will then be produced and brought to consultation.

The consultation process on conservation plans involves the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department arranging a series of local meetings to discuss the contents of the draft plan. All known landowners, Heritage Officers of local authorities and relevant NGOs are notified and advertisements are placed in local media. Meeting are normally held in a clinic style, to facilitate the best exchange of information and views. A 3-month period is allowed for receipt of submissions on the content of the plan, after which the plan is finalised and published.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1890: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the compensation agreed under the special areas of conservation and special protection areas with landowners; and the further compensation envisaged. [2511/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997 the owner or user of land in a special area of conservation (SAC) or special protection area (SPA) is entitled, by way of compensation, to an amount equal to the loss suffered as a result of restrictions imposed due to designation of the land. There are a number of compensation schemes in place, such as:

the Cessation of Turf Cutting Scheme whereby my Department will purchase raised bog at the rate of up to €3,500 per acre; an incentive payment currently standing at €4,800 is also available to applicants under this Scheme;

the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme whereby my Department draws up and pays for an individual farm plan for landowners in designated areas. This Plan will include a specific payment for costs and losses incurred due to restrictions imposed as a result of designation; and

the Shannon Callows Agreement which sets out certain prescriptions for farming practices in the Callows and provides compensation for the costs to farmers in applying these prescriptions.

As new SACs and SPAs are designated, or should further restrictions be required on farming practices in existing designated areas, my Department will continue to ensure that the landowners concerned are compensated for actual losses they suffer as a result of any restrictions imposed on the current use of the land.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1891: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the arrangements whereby his Department may on request reduce an area adjacent to sensitive nutrient poor lakes designated as part of a special area of conservation or special protection areas if the landowner agrees to put down permanent markers of the area excluded. [2512/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no standardised or formal arrangement in place along the lines suggested in the question. Each case involving a nutrient poor lake or habitat must be considered on its scientifically based merits.

In general, a landowner may have a proposed designation of land as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protection Area (SPA) reviewed through making an objection to designation on scientific grounds in writing to my Department along with a clear map of the land in question. Such objections must be made within a three-month period of the site being notified.

The area will then be reviewed within my Department. Should the landowner be dissatisfied with the outcome they have an option to refer their case to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board.