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DECISION ON PERMISSION FOR PEAT EXTRACTION WELCOMED

For Release 9th September, 2002

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has welcomed last weeks
decision made by An Bord Pleanála, that the extraction of peat from
Killamuck Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois is not an exempted development, and in
fact requires full planning permission and an environmental impact
assessment to be undertaken.

In their appeal to An Bord Pleanála, Bord na Moná contended that the
development of this bog was exempt from the need for planning permission and
an environmental impact assessment, as drainage commenced prior to the
Planning and Development Act 2000 and that the bog had been effectively
developed.

IPCC outlined in their submission to An Bord Pleanála that due to the
scientific importance of this bog and the significant impact that peat
extraction will have on the bog and surrounding area, the correct planning
procedure should be followed and that a full and proper Environmental Impact
Assessment should be undertaken. In addition, pre-drainage works undertaken
over 10 years ago on the bog should not be regarded as full development of
the site.

IPCC's Conservation Officer, Noreen McLoughlin states "although drains have
been present in this bog for the last decade, the bog surface still has an
actively growing cover of Sphagnum mosses and other bog vegetation. By
blocking the drains, the bog would be capable of restoration and designation
as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA). Similar restoration has been undertaken
at Clara Bog".

Because Killamuck Bog has active bog vegetation, it is worthy of protection.
An independent scientific study of this bog has revealed a very rich variety
of plants and animals. There are a large number of note worthy species
present, including the increasingly rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly, which
is a species listed in the EU Habitats Directive.

IPCC have been campaigning with local Abbeyleix residents for two years for
the protection and conservation of this important bog. IPCC have lobbied
Dúchas on several occasions to designate this bog as a NHA. The bog is a
valuable amenity to the local community of Abbeyleix, which is a Heritage
town.

ENDS
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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

ENDS