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Public Consultation

Draft Management Plans for Freshwater Pearl Mussel


The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has prepared 27 Draft Management Plans for Freshwater Pearl Mussel in accordance with Article 13 (5) of the Water Framework Directive as transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003) and the Habitats Directive as transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997).  The objective of the plans is to restore the freshwater pearl mussel populations in 27 rivers, or stretches of rivers, that are within the boundaries of Special Areas of Conservation.

The 27 river sub-basins covered by these plans are: Bandon, Aughavaud (Barrow), Ballymurphy (Barrow), Mountain (Barrow), Bundorragha, Caragh, Clady, Clodiagh (Suir), Cloon (Shannon Estuary), Currane, Dawros, Derreen (Slaney), Eske, Kerry Blackwater, Gearhameen (Laune), Glaskeelan (Leannan), Leannan, Allow (Munster Blackwater), Licky, Munster Blackwater, Newport, Nore, Owencarrow, Owenea, Owenmore, Owenriff (Corrib), Ownagappul.  These are located within the Shannon International River Basin District, the North Western International River Basin District, the Western River Basin District, the South Western River Basin District and the South Eastern River Basin District.

Copies of the Draft Management Plans and Programmes of Measures can be downloaded from http://www.wfdireland.ie/docs/5_FreshwaterPearlMusselPlans/ or through www.npws.ie.

They are also available on request from Ms Gabby McAvey, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2. (Tel: 01 8883213; Email: biodiversitypolicy@environ.ie)

The Department now invites written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Management Plans.  Submissions/observations must be made in English or Irish, preferably in electronic format, and should be forwarded to Ms Gabby McAvey (contact details as above) on or before 22nd June 2009.  These submissions/observations will be taken into consideration before finalisation of the Plans.

This notice is issued in accordance with Article 13 (3) of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (SI No 722/2003) on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.