Brosna Drainage Scheme Belmont Weir Repair Works

Statutory Consultation on proposed works by the OPW as required under Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended.

Ref: 21/2025 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for Belmont Weir Repairs on the Brosna Arterial Drainage Scheme, Co. Offaly.

The OPW (as the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, as amended.

The OPW became aware of an amount of timber which is caught behind the weir and needs to be removed. It is OPW’s intention to remove debris at the weir at Belmont Weir (W3) on C1/1 Ch6900 and replace capping stones which have become dislodged.

The proposed works will be carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.

The proposed works include the reduction of growth from the timber behind the weir. To allow works in this area the water levels need to be dropped at the weir by opening the sluice downstream of the bridge. Once dry, a long-reach excavator can enter the zone, and with a shears cut the timber into smaller sections and lift out. A workboat can be employed upstream of the weir to guide and assist the works. For silt works to proceed, the long-reach excavator can use its bucket to remove silt from behind the weir and it will be brought to a storage area. Finally, the stone work can proceed. Some of the capping stones have been dislodged over the years.

In accordance with Section 42 (6) and (8) of the EU (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, the OPW are now required to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed works, alone and in combination with other plans and projects, on the integrity of a European site in view of its conservation objectives.

An Appropriate Assessment Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the weir repair works on Belmont Weir (W3) of the Brosna Arterial Drainage Scheme in Co. Offaly, has been prepared in respect of these proposed works and is available to view or download at the link provided below.

The OPW now invites submissions and observations from the public relating to the likely significant effects of the proposed works on the following European Sites, if carried out:

- River Shannon Callows SAC (000216)

- Middle Shannon Callows SPA (004096).

The OPW shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during this public consultation when arriving at a decision. The OPW will also consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Public consultation forms an important part of advancing the consideration of the environmental impacts associated with these works and allows the involvement of the public in developing a better outcome for the associated EuropeanSite.

Submissions will be accepted from Friday 27th June 2025 to Saturday 26th July 2025 Closing 5pm.

Submissions will not be accepted outside the consultation period.

You can make a submission via email: please email your submission to nis@opw.ie and clearly include “Maintenance of Brosna Arterial Drainage Scheme: Belmont Weir Repairs” in the subject title.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. Individual responses to submissions will not be provided however all submissions and feedback will be considered before the final decision is made.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we may publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.