Minister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has called on the public to make submissions to the public consultation that has opened regarding the Attymon Bog rehabilitation.
Bord na Móna propose to carry out rehabilitation measures on Attymon Bog in 2024 under the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS ). Bord na Móna are currently delivering an ambitious scheme of enhanced peatland decommissioning and rehabilitation on 33,000 hectares in over 80 of their bogs under the PCAS.
To facilitate this consultation process, a Draft Rehabilitation Plan and associated Map Book for Attymon Bog is now available on the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme website at the following location: https://www.bnmpcas.ie/2024-bogs/. This Draft Rehabilitation Plan sets out planned rehabilitation goals and outcomes and the proposed rehabilitation actions for the bog. Submissions are being accepted via email to [email protected] until August 1st 2024.
Minister Rabbitte encourages anyone with an interest in the future of the Attymon Bog to log onto the Bord na Móna (BnM ) Peatlands Climate Action Scheme website and take a look at the draft Rehabilitation Plan for Attymon, which includes a fully detailed plan for permanent rehabilitation of the cutaway boglands.
“Measures proposed for the Attymon Bog include drain blocking and additional measures required to raise water levels to the surface of the peat. Some fertiliser will be spread on headlands and other areas to encourage vegetation growth. BnM plan to commence this work in 2024.
“These rehabilitation measures will be planned by a team consisting of expert ecologists, hydrologists and engineers. Bord na Móna say one of their guiding principles of rehabilitation planning is that no actions will be undertaken that would negatively impact on adjacent land, which includes any hydrological management on neighbouring farmland. In addition, no boundary drains will be blocked, with water will still leaving the bog via the existing outlets,” she said.
He added that where a public right of way exists on Attymon Bog, BnM state that consideration will be given to ensuring that these remain intact where possible. In some instances, depending upon previous land uses and management, alternative solutions may be required and these will be explored in consultation with local communities and statutory bodies during the consultation work associated with the decommissioning and rehabilitation work.
“Any issues raised during the consultation will then see the company respond so interested parties are fully aware of the plan’s aims and are assured of what the works will mean. The company has outlined their approach for the next three years, which includes short term actions this year and in 2025, while in 2026, the company then assess the impact and what’s required in the years that follow,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.
