12.5.3 County Kildare Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-2014 The Council adopted its first Biodiversity Action Plan in April 2009 in accordance with the National Biodiversity Plan. The County Biodiversity Plan provides a framework for conserving biodiversity and natural heritage at a local level. It complements the Kildare Heritage Plan by including detailed actions to deliver positive outcomes focused on species and habitats. A key focus of the plan is gathering information on and managing the biodiversity resource, education, awareness raising and the promotion of effective cooperation between stakeholders. The County Kildare Biodiversity Plan will be reviewed during the lifetime of this plan. Insert : A new County Kildare Biodiversity Action Plan will be published by 2024
Reason; a central Kildare resource containing biodiversity aims, objectives and initiatives is essential. This document will illustrate the large reach, responsibility and accountability of the Council and partner organisations for biodiversity, healthy rivers, water quality and the protection of nature. This new enhanced objective to reach 27% of land for nature (see ch 13) should provide the cornerstone of the Plan with milestones for the achievement of this target. A published document will help inform the public, ensure implementation and form a tool to keep track of progress
BI A3 Review the County Kildare Biodiversity Plan within the lifetime of this Plan.
Insert : Publish a new County Kildare Biodiversity Action Plan by 2024
BI A7 Identify and map County Biodiversity Sites in cooperation with the relevant statutory agencies, other relevant groups and the general public, not otherwise protected by legislation. BI A8 Develop Management Plans for County Biodiversity Sites where appropriate. BI A9 Support the development, where appropriate and feasible, of biodiversity awareness signage in the county. BI A10 Work with Teagasc and landowners throughout the county in order to identify suitable ‘Hare’s Corner’ projects which would create pocket sized habitats in order to enhance biodiversity
Insert new Action : Publish updated list of County Biodiversity Sites in the County Biodiversity Action Plan and identify areas including Harristown Common and the Allen-Lullymore Bog Group of sufficient scale as Special Amenity Areas under Ministerial Order
BI A22 Work with Bord Na Mona to prepare a Green Infrastructure Masterplan that will inform the delineation of core areas, stepping stones and corridors (long distance peatways) as identified in Sections 12.14.6, 12.14.7 and 12.14.8, that may inform the designation of an interconnected Bog of Allen Nature Reserve, Special Amenity Area Order and/or National Peatlands Park.
Comment: this Action is welcome. The critical importance of scale must be be underlined
12.14.6.5 Bog of Allen Bog of Allen this is a very extensive area that extends from Monasterevin, Rathangan, Allenwood and Prosperous in the south northwards to Johnstown Bridge, Moyvalley and Broadford in the north and it extends further west into County Offaly (south of Edenderry). Due to the intensive industrial scale turf cutting operations of Bord Na Mona over the past 70 years, the remnants of intact raised bog habitat throughout its former range has greatly diminished yet there are still a number of important areas such as Ballynafagh Bog (SAC), Ballynafagh Lake (SAC), Carbury Bog (NHA), Hodgestown Bog (NHA), Staplestown Bog (pNHA) and Ballina Bog (pNHA) in addition to a number of smaller ‘left over’ areas of prime bogland habitat. The area also includes the Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (which manages Lodge Bog, a Butterfly Reserve at Lullymore West and that Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore). Even where intensive scale peat extraction has occurred, many areas are characterised as wetlands, important in regulating water run-off and these and other areas have demonstrated a certain natural resilience and are naturally re-wilding and forming very important habitat in the form of species rich open areas or first generation woodland (scrub-woodland comprised of birch, sally, alder, Insert: buckthorn including purging buckhorn and pine) that are very rich in species diversity – wildflowers, moths, butterflies, insects, birdlife and mammals.
12.14.6.5 Bog of Allen
……………………. A number of proposed long distance peatways that could connect the Royal Canal with the Grand Canal/Barrow Blueway are listed below in Section 12.14.8.8. It is expected that 50% of the Peatland Area will remain free from any development. Delete this sentence. See comments under RD O 28 and RD O 29
12.14.6.8
12.14.6.8 Ummeras Bog This area is proposed for a Peatlands National Park, which is supported by the Council
Amendment: Ummeras Bog This area is proposed for a Peatlands Park which is supported by the Council and will form part of the National Peatlands Park.,