Notifiable Actions

In NHAs, SACs and SPAs, certain activities or operations that might be damaging can only be carried out with the permission of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. These are called Notifiable Actions and vary depending on the type of habitat that is present on the site. Landowners are sent copies of the Notifiable Actions that are relevant to their lands.

The activities listed in the Notifiable actions are not prohibited but require the landowner/occupier to consult (in practice with the local Conservation Ranger ) in advance.  In the case of NHAs, 3 months written prior notice is required to be given to the Minister before undertaking any notifiable activities. You can download the appropriate application for consent form for a Natura 2000 site (SAC or SPA)  [68KB] and/or a Natural Heritage Area (NHA)  [68KB]. 

A list of Notifiable Actions is issued according to habitats present. As an example, here are the activities for which consultation is needed on an offshore island SPA:

• Commercial or private recreational activities liable to cause significant disturbance to birds
• Construction or alteration of fences, tracks, paths, roads, embankments, car parks or access routes
• Deliberate scaring of birds
• Dumping, burning, disposal or storing of any materials including wastes
• Introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of plants or animals of species not   currently found in the area
• Planting of trees
• Reclamation, infilling, ploughing or otherwise disturbing the substrate
• Removal of soil, mud, sand, gravel, rock or minerals
• Removing or altering walls or ruined buildings
• Broad-scale application of any pesticide or herbicide

Notifiable Actions do not apply:

• Where a licence or permission is needed from a planning authority (e.g. planning permission) or another Minister (e.g. a fishing licence or planning permission)
• To activities covered in a REPS or NPWS farm plan.