NPI Riparian Zone (Sheep Fencing)

Class of Action:

Water Quality, Habitats

Grassland

Payment Rate:

€9.48/ m

Note: The most up to date specifications are available on the dedicated ACRES / ACRES CP website under Non Productive Investments – Click Link Here

About This Action:

Improve riverside habitats, stabilising river banks, stop soil erosion into watercourses.

Why?

Protects drains and watercourses capturing soil particles and animal wastes washed off the land.
Provides additional structure and habitat in improved grassland fields
Helps stabilise the banks of drains and Streams.
For use on Sheep farms.

1. Exclude livestock from a strip of land along a drain, stream, watercourse, or river by fencing it off with sheep wire.
2. This action serves the same purpose as the Riparian Margin action. It is paid at a higher rate to reflect the greater cost of sheep wire fencing.
3. The fencing materials must be new.
4. Do not attach wire to trees.
5. Make sure to include a gate for access.
6. Do not make the strip too narrow, consider access for future management such as scrub control and for activities such as angling.

For the full details on requirements for this action you should read the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Specifications for Non Productive Investments.
You can find them by clicking here.

Implementation Notes

Fence must be of the type approved. May not be suitable near Archaeological monuments or overhead wires.

Additional guidance

• An access point into the margin is permitted to allow for stock and agricultural management/ maintenance.

• The use of heavy machinery should be avoided within 2m of the bank.

• Riparian margins are very susceptible to non-native invasive species e.g., Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed. Monitor the riparian margin and carry out appropriate management/ removal of non-native invasive species where necessary.

• The fence should be placed at least 1m out from any riparian margin trees planted to prevent damage by livestock.

Good Locations:

Alongside drains, streams and rivers on enclosed land.
Sheep farms

Poor Locations:

Where no drain, stream or river is present.
Where no sheep are present.
Under overhead wires
On an archaeological monument.
Along watercourses used by Otters unless adequate precautions are taken to facilitate access for Otters.

What is a riparian margin for?

A riparian margin will help stabilise river banks and protect them from erosion. It will also help trap soil and other material being washed off the land and prevent them from reaching the watercourse.

What if I have a monument beside the watercourse?

This will be assessed by an archaeologist on the CP team as there is a risk that trees growing in the riparian margin could damage the monument.

Can I plant trees in the riparian margin?

In most cases you can select the separate NPI Riparian Margins Tree Planting as well. This is not compulsory and trees will probably establish themselves naturally over time.