Natural Heritage Site Designation

Kildare has a wide diversity of natural and semi-natural habitats such as bogs, wetlands, lakes, river and upland habitats that support a wide range of wild plant and animal species. However, our recent economic developments have put the sites in which these flora and fauna can be found under serious pressure. Declining farming incomes and the need to further intensify has further led to a reduction in "marginal Lands" which were once a haven for such species.

In order to conserve the variety of birds, plant and animal species in Ireland it is necessary to conserve the habitats in which they live. Conservation areas are being designated in order to achieve this. Over 10% of land of Ireland is formally and legally designated as being of European importance for nature conservation.

There are three main types of Conservation Site Designation:

• Natural Heritage Area (NHA)
• Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
•  Special Protection Area (SPA).

Natura 2000

The Natura 2000 Network is a network of important ecological sites across the European Union. It is comprised of areas known as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservations (SACs). The total land and freshwater area within the Natura network in Ireland is some 11,644km2: this includes some 2,300km2 of designated marine areas. The designation of an area as a site in the Natura 2000 Network does not mean the limitation of activities within the site and surrounding area if these are environmentally sustainable and do not affect the integrity of the area or its habitats, or the objectives of species conservation. 

Natural Heritage Areas

Natural Heritage Areas are the primary National designation. In 1981 An Foras Forbaithe identified 27 ASI (Areas of Scientific Interest) in Kildare as part of a national inventory to identify special or typical landscape/geological features, habitats, plant/animal species and communities. The areas of ecological interest were resurveyed (1991-1994) and designated NHA. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is compiling a list of geological sites in need of protection through NHA designation. Under the Wildlife Amendment Act (2000), NHA’s are legally protected from damage from the date they are formally proposed.

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's) represent the prime wildlife conservation areas in Ireland, which are also considered extremely important from a European perspective. The legal basis on which SAC’s are selected and designated in the "Habitats Directive" (92/43/EEC). The Directive was transposed into Irish legislation by the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations.

In 1997 some NHA's were designated as SAC's. SAC designation gives protection to certain habitats and species. This included priority habitats, which require particular attention.

There are currently 7 SAC's designated in Co. Kildare (see list below). Once a site is designated a SAC and publicly advertised it is legally protected. Once designated the site becomes a proposed candidate SAC (pcSAC). Following the three month period during which time landowners may lodge objections to the proposal to designate a site, details of each proposed SAC are transmitted to the EU Commission, after which time it is called a "candidate SAC". Once approved by the commission, the sites will be formally designated by the Minister. Four of the five sites are candidate SAC and one is a proposed candidate SAC.

Certain activities are restricted within SAC’s and can only be carried out with the permission of the Minister for Environment and Local Government. These are called "Notifiable Actions" and vary depending on the type of habitat that is present on the site. When a site is designated landowners are sent copies of notifiable actions that are relevant to their lands.

Special Protection Areas (SPA's)