River Boyne Enhancement 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: 06/2023 AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the proposed works at Kilcarn Bridge in the Boyne Catchment, Co. Meath.

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

The OPW intends to carry out environmental enhanced maintenance works in Navan (OPW Channel C1) on the River Boyne, Co. Meath on the Boyne Arterial Drainage Scheme. The work aims to enhance the in-stream spawning habitat by placing gravel beds upstream and downstream of Kilcarn Bridge, 2.5km south of Navan Town. The works site is located within the River Boyne & River Blackwater SAC (Site Code: 002299) and River Boyne & River Blackwater SPA (Site Code: 004232)

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

This plan proposes the placing of spawning gravels across the river bed upstream and downstream of Kilcarn Bridge. The gravels will be delivered and deposited, using machinery gaining access via the R147 and working from the dry bridge eye.

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 Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.

An Appropriate Assessment Screening and Natura Impact Statement for the proposed enhancement works on the River Boyne, has been prepared 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 Boyne & River Blackwater SAC (Site Code: 002299)
• River Boyne & River Blackwater SPA (Site Code: 004232)

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.

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 Natura Site.

Submissions will be accepted from Friday 21st July to Friday 1st September 2023, up to 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.

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.