S.I. No. 499/2003 - Natural Heritage Area (Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage Nha 000221) Order 2003

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 18 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 (No. 38 of 2000) as adapted by the Environment and Local Government (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister Order 2003 ( S.I. No. 233 of 2003 )), having complied with section 16 of that Act and after considering any objections made in relation to the relevant notice served under section 16(2)(b) of that Act hereby orders as follows:

1.       This Order may be cited as the Natural Heritage Area (Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage NHA 000221) Order 2003 and comes into operation on 31st October, 2003.

2.       In this Order “Act” means the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 (No. 38 of 2000).

3.       The area of land comprising that part of Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage in the townlands of Moorfield (Ballymoe by) and Farm in the County of Galway and the townlands of Creggameen and Trien in the County of Roscommon (being the land enclosed on the map contained in Schedule 1 to this Order) within the inner margin of the green line and hatched thereon in green) is designated a natural heritage area.

4.       Each of the works mentioned in Schedule 2 to this Order is specified for the purposes of section 19(1) of the Act.

Schedule 2

Works specified for the purposes of section 19 (1) of the Act.

1. Peat extraction

2. Drainage works affecting the hydrology of the bog

3. Alteration of the banks, bed or flow of watercourses

4. Burning areas of vegetation

5. Reclamation, infilling, ploughing or other cultivation

6. Reseeding, planting of trees or any other species

7. Cutting trees or removal of timber or scrub

8. Dumping, burning or storing any materials

9. Introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of plants or animals of species not currently found in the area

10. Use of any pesticide or herbicide, including sheep dip

11. Adding lime

12. Adding fertiliser of any sort

13. Recreational use of mechanically propelled vehicles

14. Operation of commercial recreation facilities (e.g. botanical tours)

15. Developing leisure facilities including golf courses, sports pitches, caravan or camping facilities.

16. Removal of soil, mud, gravel, sand or minerals

17. Construction of roads, new tracks or paths, car-parks or other infra-structural development.

18. Construction of fences, buildings or embankments

In relation to items 15 to 18, there is no requirement to notify the Minister if the works are licensed by, or subject to the permission of another Minister or Public Body.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation)

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage in the townlands of Moorfield (Ballymoe by) and Farm in the County of Galway and the townlands of Creggameen and Trien in the County of Roscommon as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 so that these lands can be conserved in such a way as to ensure the conservation of the ecosystem which they represent.