Contract Award Provision of a Scientific Assistant for support work on Blanket Bogs (0405_SABB14)

Tender description

The Contract has now been awarded to BEC Consultants Ltd. Scientific support to the Science and Biodiversity Section of DAHG with its work and activities relating to the conservation of blanket bog habitat in Ireland. The work will assist the DAHG in the development of a management system related to turf- cutting where it may be impacting SACs and NHAs selected for protection of blanket bog and associated habitats in Ireland. The role will involve liaising with staff of DAHG and undertaking a literature review on the impacts of cutting on blanket bog and associated habitats and a pilot survey of representative areas in two specified SACs, for which a field assistant will also be required. It will also require establishing and co- ordinating the work of survey teams mapping areas of peat cutting and impact zones in each of 50 SACs and 73 NHAs selected for blanket bog protection. Support where necessary will also need to be provided to a stakeholder engagement programme. This is to assist Ireland in meeting its international and national legal obligations, and address the concerns of stakeholders regarding the implications of conservation management measures.