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Seasons saving the bogs

For release 22 December 2001

The rich browns and rough textures of winter come ablaze in spring with
vibrant yellow gorse, heavily-scented like sweet coconut ice. The gentle
contours are washed purple-pink by flowering heather in late summer; then
patched tawny-orange as autumn frosts strike the bracken fronds. These are
the changing faces of Ireland's bogs. Each season on the bog - cherished by
some, exploited by others - strengthens IPCC's best efforts to save them.

In Spring IPCC targeted gardeners reminding them of the destruction to the
wild boglands, caused by each bag of moss peat they spread on the garden.
Our colourful growing wiser gardening leaflets gave details of peat-free
alternatives to use in the garden and the ways to recycle organic materials
into a variety of mulches and composts - good for the environment, vital for
bogs.

As the season changed to summer, the news of damaging developments to the
few intact sites remaining spread like a bush fire. Extensive burning of
Ballynafagh Bog, Co. Kildare, moss peat extraction on Mouds and Ballina Bogs
Co. Kildare, disruption of the Curragh aquifer for Pollardstown Fen by the
construction of Kildare bypass, a wind farm approved on Corrie Hill Mountain
Blanket Bog, Co. Leitrim, a major road through Shower Bog, Co. Limerick and
an airstrip at Cleggan Bog, Co. Galway. IPCC fought them all, side by side
with local communities bringing public concerns to the fore, nationally and
internationally.

Recognising that fighting for each site in a "fire brigade action" cannot
extinguish all of the problems; land owners, politicians and planners were
targeted too in IPCC's Bogs and Fens Conservation Plan 2005 which was
released during the year. This five year plan sets out a strategy for the
conservation of a representative sample of Irish peatlands. It tackles 23
issues from dumping, through heritage inventories to enacting environmental
impact assessment legislation, and is an assurance from IPCC to take action
to save bogs.

For many people, bogs exist in a remote world, hidden from daily life. We
are untouched by their piecemeal destruction and unaware of the efforts
needed to repair damaged sites. These aspects were highlighted in a ten day
escorted study tour in the autumn to the raised bogs of the midlands.
Scientists and conservationists from Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA
helped devise a plan for the future of the conserved sites and the peat
reserves currently being mined. Concerns were expressed in connection with
the plans to build two new peat-fired power stations in Lanesboro and
Shannonbridge, the inadequate protection of bog SACs and the future use
plans for the cutaway bogs. These problems highlight the need for intensive
participative negotiations with stakeholders on these issues in seasons to
come.
____________________________________
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel & Fax +353-1-8722397
Tel +353-1-8722384
e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web: www.ipcc.ie

Action for Bogs & Wildlife

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