SPA for birds raises concerns for tourism growth

TOURISM-related developments in areas such as Holy Island on Lough Derg could be adversely affected by a re-designation of a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes has warned.
Councillor Hayes has expressed concern that the classification of all of Lough Derg as a SPA for birds will impose even more restrictions and obstacles for people who want to seek planning permission for new tourism enterprises on the shores of the lake.
The mayor said people in West Clare were extremely concerned the SPA designation would hinder development on the Shannon Estuary.
“Lough Derg is the equivalent of the Shannon Estuary for people in East Clare. I am not happy to see all of Lough Derg designated as an SPA. We don’t have too many areas open in East Clare for new projects and I don’t want to see any more obstacles being put in front of local residents and business people,” he said.
He proposed at a recent Killaloe Electoral Area meeting that a special briefing should be provided for councillors on the new proposed SPA for the Lough Derg shoreline and what implications this would have on landowners and tourism development in the future.
Councillor Pat Burke, who lives near the shores of Lough Derg, told the meeting he had made arrangements for staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to meet local farmers to address some of their concerns.
Lough Derg has been designated as an SPA for birds since 1996. Due to issues with the notification procedure, the NPWS had to re-notify landowners and this was done last July.
Senior executive officer, Michael McNamara told
councillors the proposed area for designation now is similar to the one designated since 1996.
“Parties are entitled to make an objection to the proposed re-designation up until October 25 next. Clare County Council has prepared a draft submission, which will be forwarded to the NPWS before this closing date.
“Certain activities within the area being designated require the consent of the NPWS and this has been the case since the original designation in 1996. The council’s main objection is that insufficient information exists to designate this whole area as an SPA for birds. Any observations councillors may have can be included in the council’s submission,” he said.
In order to protect ecologically important sites, certain potentially harmful works are restricted within Special Protection Areas. These works, known as Activities Requiring Consent (ARC), are damaging activities liable to destroy or to significantly alter, damage or interfere with the ecology of the site. They vary depending on the type of habitat present.
A landowner contemplating such works is required to seek the permission of the Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan or initially from the local NPWS conservation ranger.
Activities requiring consent include reclamation, infilling, blasting, drilling, dredging or removing rock, minerals, mud, sand, gravel or other sediment; cutting or removing plants; introduction of plants or animals not found in the area or construction of alternation of plants or animals not found in the area.
Consent is also required for burning, topping, clearing scrub or rough vegetation or reseeding; drainage works, water abstraction, tree felling or planting of  trees.