Invasive Plant Eradication Tender for Castlesampson

Tender description

NPWS require a contractor(s) to carry out chemical control treatment of the invasive species Cotoneaster cf integrifolius at an SAC esker site west of Athlone. The work will take place between mid-June and mid-August 2021, to coincide with the grazing rest period at the site. Note that some areas are steep and may require specialist equipment such as ropes and harnesses. The treatment regime has been trialled, and details of the protocol to be followed are provided below. The final report on work carried out will be due in early October 2021. This work will need to be done by a team experienced in working with pernicious invasive species occurring in ecologically sensitive habitats. Castlesampson Esker SAC (001625) is located approximately 7km directly west of Athlone in Co. Roscommon. Its qualifying interests are turlough (3180) and ‘semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)’ (6210, referred to as calcareous grassland from here on). The site has two main polygons, with the turlough being found in the western one. The eastern one has a largely intact esker, and a number of gravel pits – with much of these areas supporting calcareous grassland. The bulk of the esker habitat within the SAC is managed by one farmer, and an NPWS farm plan has been in operation for that area since 2014. See RfT document for further information