d044a6b4-b41e-476a-860a-b937df0cefdd

Irish Geological Heritage Programme

The Irish Geological Heritage Programme (IGH) was set up in 1998 to:
-identify and document the wealth of geological heritage in the Republic of Ireland within an overall framework of 16 themes,
-protect and conserve it against ever increasing threats through local authority planning,
-and also to promote its value with the landowners and the public.

GSI provides scientific appraisal and interpretative advice on geological and geomorphological sites and is responsible for the identification of important sites that are capable of being conserved as Natural Heritage Areas (NHA). NPWS have the responsibility of designation and management of sites with appropriate advice from GSI.

The IGH Programme is identifying and selecting the very best national sites for NHA designation, to represent the country's geology. It is also identifying many sites of national or local geological heritage importance, which are classed as County Geological Sites (CGS), although these will not receive the statutory protection of NHA sites. However, the IGH Programme views the Local Authorities as critical partners in protecting, through the planning system, those CGS which fall within their county limits. In many cases these are often sites of high amenity or educational value, already zoned or listed in the plan. Listing in the County Development Plan (CDP) provides protection of the sites against potentially damaging developments that normally require planning permission, such as building, quarrying, landfilling or forestry.

CGS have been adopted in the National Heritage Plan, and will form a major strand of geological nature conservation to complement the various ecological and cultural conservation measures. It is important to note however, that management issues for the majority of geological heritage sites may differ from ecological sites, and in some cases development may facilitate enhanced geological understanding of a site by exposing more rock sections - for example, in a quarry extension. Consultation at the earliest stages can identify any issues relevant to an individual site or proposed development.

These two geological site designations (NHA & CGS) supersede the Area of Scientific Interest (ASIs) designation of previous decades, although geological sites have only recently been subject to re-assessment. County Geological Sites are the optimal way of addressing the responsibility of each authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to protect sites of geological interest.

The best way to document the geological heritage is to carry out an Audit of County Geological Sites. A County Geological Heritage Project is usually supported by the Local Authority, GSI and the Heritage Council. It is usually an action of the current Heritage Plan.

Geological Survey of Ireland

2015-06-23 12:56:40

Geological Survey of Ireland

ckan

en