Environmental Information
Environment - An Overview
It is a condition of grant-aid, under the 2007-2013 Programme that development be compatible with the protection of the environment. Environmental considerations at the time of application include water quality, designated habitats, archaeology, landscape and size of area. Public agencies and the general public are consulted in relation to applications for forestry grants in areas of special environmental sensitivity.
Forest Monitoring - FutMon
The European forest monitoring network, FutMon, is co-funded by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with support from the EU. Data collected through the FutMon Project is being used by key decision makers to aid forest policy formulation in the areas of clean air, nature conservation, biodiversity, responsible forest management, the protection of freshwaters and soil resources. In addition, the FutMon Project and its predecessors in Ireland are providing valuable and unique data on forest ecosystem services and function in Irish forests. This data set may be used in the future to assess the long term viability and sustainability of productive forests in Ireland.
- FutMon Project - Summary of Actions(doc 42Kb)
- Intensive Long Term Monitoring of Irish Forest Ecosystems (pdf 260Kb)
- FutMon Project Annual Report 2009 (pdf 303Kb)
- FutMon Pamphlet (pdf 36,697Kb)
- Coford Connect - Feature on FutMon (pdf 432Kb)
- Overview of Irish Forest Networks (pdf 899Kb)
- Results of 20 years of Forest Monitoring (pdf 679Kb)
- Video clip of FutMon Intensive Monitoring Plot (63,431Kb)
Further consultation on this project is available from Coillte:
http://www.coillte.ie/coillteforest/forest_facts/forest_health_vitality/forest_health_monitoring/
Forestry & Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements
Forestry & Aerial Fertilisation Requirements
- Aerial Fertilisaton Requirements(doc 118Kb)
Environmental Guidelines
The suite of six Guidelines are the mechanisms by which the Forest Service will ensure that the environmental aspects of SFM are implemented. Adherence to the guidelines is a condition of grant aid and the issuing of a felling licence. The penalty for non-compliance is the withholding of approvals for grants and felling licences.
- Forestry and Water Quality Guidelines (pdf 1,213Kb)
- Forestry and the Landscape Guidelines (pdf 536Kb)
- Forestry and Archaeology Guidelines (pdf 560Kb)
- Forest Biodiversity Guidelines (pdf 1,562Kb)
- Forest Harvesting and Environmental Guidelines (pdf 1,470Kb)
- Forest Protection Guidelines (pdf 2,031Kb)
Preparing Forests for Climate Change
In March 2010, the European Council published a Green Paper on Forestry Protection and Information in the EU: preparing forests for climate change.
The Green Paper forms part of a consultation process being undertaken by DG Environment aimed at getting feedback from the EU institutions, Member States, EU citizens and other interested stakeholders on the issue of forest protection and preparing forests for climate change. The responses received will inform and guide the Commission's considerations regarding any additional action at Community level to better protect and prepare EU forests for climate change, and enhance the fulfilment of their functions. The public consultation period ended on the 31st of July 2011.
