Update from NIEA September 2011

The Natural Heritage Grant programme (NHGP) for 2011 closed on 12th of August. Grant applications are currently being assessed.

The NHGP is expected to open again in late spring 2012 with a closing date in August for projects wishing to commence from April 2013

The Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 was amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (NI) Act 2011 (‘the WANE Act 2011’) (came into force on the 17^th of August 2011). The Act made a number of significant changes, including giving the police, the Department’s Wildlife Inspectors and the Courts, additional powers to combat wildlife crime. In addition, the list of birds, animals and plant species receiving special protection was significantly enlarged. For example, basking sharks receive specific protection for the first time.

Councils and all public bodies should be aware that under article 1 of the order ‘it is the duty of every public body, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.’ Guidelines will be published in regard to this duty.

There will continue to be reduced opening hours at some NIEA properties as a result of budget reductions.  See NIEA's website for details.

A second consultation on Enabling Legislation on National Parks for Northern Ireland is currently open and will close on the 31^st of October 2011.  This paper focuses on possible models of governance and access issues. More information can be found on the DOE website.

The Minister of the Environment has requested that the Department look, again, at environmental governance in Northern Ireland. He issued a discussion document and though the date for feedback has passed, discussions are still ongoing.

The European Heritage Open Days (10/11 September 2011) was again very successful. If you wish to submit a property for next year you can find details on the website.

NIEA are planning to fund a Wildfire project in the Mournes through the Mourne Heritage Trust, to assess the damage of the April/May wildfires. This project will examine how quickly vegetation returns. The report should be completed by September 2012 and is being co-funded by Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue and Northern Ireland Water.

The Environment Minister Alex Atwood has established an interdepartmental group to consider the various impacts of wildfires which destroyed large areas of Northern Ireland’s bog and heathland this spring. The Group will advise on measures that can be put in place to reduce the scale and impact of wildfires in future years. The Peatland and Upland Biodiversity Delivery Group, a cross-sectoral group also chaired by NIEA, is planning to hold a workshop on wildfires and biodiversity in November.

For more information on NIEA please visit www.doeni.gov.uk/niea.