STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
SCREENING STATEMENT
Catchment Forest Management Plans for Priority Freshwater Pearl Mussel Areas
And
Forestry and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements in relation to other Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) catchments
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
August 2015
Introduction
The Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) is a bivalve mollusc that lives in clean, fast- flowing stream and rivers. It is Ireland’s oldest living animal, with individuals reaching up to 120 years of age. The current population of FPM is estimated at 11m adults, and its distribution in more than 160 rivers in Ireland is considered widespread. However, FPM is in severe decline nationally, with the above population estimate representing a fall of 8% since 2007. FPM became legally protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, from injury or from disturbance or damage to their breeding or resting place. Due to the European and international significance of Ireland’s FPM population, the species was also included under Annex II and Annex IV of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive).
Under S.I. 296 Ireland was obliged to prepare catchment management plans for each of the relevant 27 river sub-basins. The process of preparing the Sub-Basin Management Plans and the outcomes and data generated, informed the formulation of a national conservation strategy for the species. This strategy was finalised by National Parks Wildlife Service in September 2011 and was presented to the European Commission in a document entitled Strategy for Conservation of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel. The strategy prioritises the conservation of FPM populations in eight of the 27 sub-basin Catchments. The Strategy calls for the development of Catchment Forest Management Plans for the Priority 8 FPM Catchments, by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. In relation to the remaining FPM catchments the Forest Service will draft Forestry and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements to help protect these areas also.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening process by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has determined that an SEA is required as part of the overall process of preparing the Catchment Forest Management Plans for the Priority 8 FPM Catchments and also for the Forestry and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements in relation to other Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) catchments. Therefore under Article 9 of S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004) it is required to carry out an environmental assessment of both documents;
Therefore an SEA will be carried out and an environmental report will be prepared on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a) the Catchment Forest Management Plans for the Priority 8 FPM Catchments and b) the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements in relation to the other Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) catchments.
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine