Provision of a stock proof fence at the Silvermines Mountains SAC 939, Co Tipperary

Tender description

The Provision of a stock proof fence to encompass to land parcels within the Silvermines Mounatins SAC (939), located outside of the village of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary. Background and summary of requirements: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the conservation of biological diversity in Ireland. Silvermine Moutains SAC (939) has been designated for Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] and Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe) [6230]. Additionally the small white orchid occurs on site. This species is protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 2015 and is classed as Vulnerable in the Red Data List of Vascular Plants 2016. The above types of Irish semi-natural grasslands are listed for protection in the EU Habitats Directive. These are now among the most threatened habitat types in Ireland due to changes in agriculture over the past 50 years. Semi-natural grasslands can be lost to abandonment, agricultural improvement or afforestation. To prevent their loss and protect these habitats and their diversity, they must be managed. This means being grazed or cut at least occasionally, or they quickly create a dense thick sward with a heavy litter layer of dead grasses. In order to facilitate management of the site through grazing, the site requires fencing. The site has been previously fenced. The fence has now fallen into disrepair. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage now invites tenders for provision of a stock proof fenceline, including the removal and approproate disposal of the existing fenceline, the preparation to the area to be fenced and installation of stock proof fence line and appropraiate access points. Lot 1: The Provision of a stock proof fence to encompass to land parcels within the Silvermines Mounatins SAC (939), located outside of the village of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary. Background and summary of requirements: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the conservation of biological diversity in Ireland. Silvermine Moutains SAC (939) has been designated for Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix [4010] and Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe) [6230]. Additionally the small white orchid occurs on site. This species is protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 2015 and is classed as Vulnerable in the Red Data List of Vascular Plants 2016. The above types of Irish semi-natural grasslands are listed for protection in the EU Habitats Directive. These are now among the most threatened habitat types in Ireland due to changes in agriculture over the past 50 years. Semi-natural grasslands can be lost to abandonment, agricultural improvement or afforestation. To prevent their loss and protect these habitats and their diversity, they must be managed. This means being grazed or cut at least occasionally, or they quickly create a dense thick sward with a heavy litter layer of dead grasses. In order to facilitate management of the site through grazing, the site requires fencing. The site has been previously fenced. The fence has now fallen into disrepair. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage now invites tenders for provision of a stock proof fenceline, including the removal and approproate disposal of the existing fenceline, the preparation to the area to be fenced and installation of stock proof fence line and appropraiate access points.