Fen Restoration Plans are being developed for thirty-six individual sites under contract by environmental company Arup through the Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration Scheme. The plans set out proposals for restoration of fens and associated wetland habitats on the sites. The plans identify technically feasible restoration measures for various zones of each site. The plans for the first four sites are now available for review or download below.
- Lough Garr, Co Westmeath – NHA 001812
- Scragh Bog, Co Westmeath – SAC 000692
- Lough Owel, Co Westmeath 000688
- Fin Lough, Co Offaly SAC 000576
Following the recent Fen Restoration Public Information sessions, a letter and information pack has issued to landowners where restoration measures have been identified for these four sites. This is a totally voluntary scheme. Landowners can voluntarily opt in by returning the letter of acceptance.
The restoration measures vary from site to site. Some measures are very straight forward, like allowing access through the land or the insertion of water monitoring tubes, to physical works like scrub removal or dam construction. All the measures have been reviewed by the Arup hydrology experts so that no surrounding land will be negatively affected by the proposed works. A team of suitably qualified contractors will carry out the identified measures, fully insured, supervised and paid for, by Tóchar. The incentive payment due to the landowner will depend on the area of land restored within the fen or the area adjoining which will benefit the fen habitat. This can be a small area – like an access road (to allow the contractors onto the site) – which would likely attract a payment of €725 – to a larger areas, for example, where scrub needs to be removed, which attracts a payment of €1,450 per hectare restored (maximum incentive payment is €15,000). The incentive payment will issue to the landowner on receipt of the letter of acceptance by Tóchar (generally within 30 days) and prior to the commencement of any work. It is envisaged that restoration work will begin in September 2026.
If you have received a letter and pack and would like some further information or clarification on the measures outlined, or on any aspect of the plan or implementation process, please call 01 539 3160 or email tocharwetlands@npws.gov.ie. Alternatively, please contact your agricultural advisor who can also make contact on your behalf. Entry into this Fen Restoration Scheme does not preclude entry to other schemes as this scheme relates to specific activities over a short period.