The Potential Uses of Cutaway and Intact Raised Bog at Bord na Mona Mount Dillon Bog Production Complex in Co. Longford

A summary of the findings of a 2004 report by Mairéad Farrell, B.., MSc., Cert. (Env. Mgt.), carried out on behalf of Longford Community Resources Ltd., under the LEADER+ funding initiative Transnational Sustainable Communities Project.

Introduction

This report into the potential future of the cutaway and intact raised bog at the Bord na Mona Mount Dillon Bog Production Complex in Co. Longford identified a total of 12 sustainable after-uses that could potentially be employed within the Mount Dillon complex. The issues surrounding each of these uses were examined in detail and the potential for each of these uses was considered in relation to the situation at Mount Dillon.

Throughout this report, the importance of the community in the decision making process was stressed. This is essential for the process to fulfil the requirements under the LEADER + funding initiative. From the planning to the implementation stage, the local community should be involved in every step.

Mount Dillon Complex

The Mount Dillon complex comprises an area of approximately 7,500 ha, covering a distance of about 42 kms North to South and 13 kms east to west. It is located along both sides of the River Shannon and it covers 25 townlands.

Towns situated around the bog complex include Longford, Killashee, Kenagh, Newtowncashel, Ballymahon, Roscommon, Strokestown, Rooskey, Tarmonbarry, Lanesborough and Ballyleague. The bogs are interconnected by a narrow gauge railway.

Drainage and bog development at Mount Dillon was initiated in 1942 and fuel cutting began in 1951. Peat extracted is utilised for electricity generation at the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) peat-fired power station at Lanesborough. The development of local bogs, from 1947, changed the social fabric of the region with hundreds of labourers and craftsmen from all over the country arriving at Lanesborough and its surroundings. This influx led to Bord na Mona ultimately constructing three village developments to house the growing workforce. The development of a turf fired generating station at Lanesborough in 1958 created further employment. The majority of Ireland's industrial peatlands owned by Bord na Mona will be exhausted of their peat resource by 2030. As Bord na Mona and ESB were the dominant employers in the midlands of Ireland, the utilisation of the cutaway landscape is essential to prevent socio-economic and environmental decline of the rural areas dependent upon the peat industry for so long. It is estimated that cutting will continue at Mount Dillon for a further 15 years.

Importance of Peatlands

Peatlands cover over four million km 2 or 3% of the land and freshwater surface of the planet. They have one third of the world's soil carbon and 10% of global freshwater resources. More than 1.1m ha of the land surface of Ireland is under peat, a higher percentage (17%) than any other country in the world except for maybe Canada and Finland.

Extensive tracts of raised bogs were once a significant feature of the midland landscape of Ireland. These bogs provided a source of fuel for local communities and the traditional practice of cutting turf by hand was widespread. While the practice of cutting turf for domestic use continues today, most is now done by machine. The introduction of mechanisation in the 20 th century and the foundation of Bord na Mona in 1946 accelerated the process of harvesting peat, both on the domestic and industrial scale. In recent times, the main uses of peat from raised bogs have been for fuel and for horticulture, that is, for potting compost and related products. In the mid-20 th century, technology was developed in which peat, primarily from the Midland Raised Bogs, was utilised to fuel power stations such as Portarlington in Co. Laois, Edenderry in Co. Offaly and Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

92% of Ireland's original raised bog area has been lost to development. This has left only 8% as intact and worthy of conservation. This 8% of raised bog still accounts for 51% of the European resource of conservation-worthy oceanic raised bogs. Intact raised Bogs are a valuable wildlife resource and are a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive (1992). It is only within the last decade or so that a general awareness of the intrinsic value of peatlands for their landscape, flora, fauna and wilderness qualities has developed.

Peatlands act as important carbon stores, an essential element in helping Ireland reach its Kyoto target. Peatlands contain an estimated 5,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare and undisturbed peat accumulates carbon from the air at a rate of up to 0.7 tonnes per hectare per year. An estimated 8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year is released from drained peatlands. In Ireland, 40% of the peatlands are man-modified and contribute at least 3.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Peatlands are also important economically. Currently, peat produces around 10% of the Republic of Ireland's electricity requirements. Peat is produced from 85,000ha of peatlands in the Midlands and west of Ireland producing 3.5 million tonnes of milled peat and 41,000 tonnes of sod peat annually. Currently peat serves 3 energy markets in Ireland; milled peat for electricity generation, peat briquettes as home heating fuel and sod turf as a home heating fuel. In addition to the peat power plants, approximately 2,200 people are employed by Bord na Mona.

Bord na Mona owns 79,000ha or 25.4% of the 311,000ha of raised bog in Ireland. In order to preserve part of this land, Bord na Mona has already conserved areas such as Lough Slawn in Longford (20ha), Lough Boora Parklands in Co. Offaly (2,000ha), Corlea Bog in Longford (18ha) and Ardagullion Bog in Longford (55ha.). The latter two sites have been transferred to OPW and NPWS ownership respectively.

Possible Future Uses of the Mount Dillon Complex

An important case study that could be used as a guide in developing the Lanesborough peatlands, is the rehabilitation of cutaway bog at Lough Boora, Co. Offaly. Here, industrial cutaway has been regenerated into areas of wilderness, coarse fishing lakes, walking trails, educational and amenity areas. Most importantly, the project has been co-ordinated by local people. Other potential uses for the cutaway at Mount Dillon include grassland areas, afforestation, organic farming, peat balneology, peat textiles, wax extraction, reed plantation, coppice woodland, arts and crafts industry and alternative medicine.

The future use of industrial cutaway in Ireland will most likely be broken down as 50-60% coniferous forestry, 20-30% grassland and 20-40% wetlands or natural landscape. These uses are dependent upon residual peat type and depth (amount of peat remaining after cutting stops), type of drainage (pumped or gravity), subsoils and topography of the land.

The information on the factors affecting the after-use of the Mount Dillon complex (i.e., peat type, depth, drainage, sub-soils and topography) will not be available until essential engineering survey work is carried out. To that end, the uses suggested in this report are hypothetical and where possible based on surveys carried out on similar areas of cutaway.

1. Afforestation with Coniferous Trees

Once appropriate tree species have been identified and sites selected, afforestation would prove to be the optimum option for the vast majority of emerging cutaways.

Both hardwood and coniferous plantations would provide excellent habitats for wildlife and paths and walkways could be developed through the trees. However, careful planning would need to be implemented as coniferous afforestation can have a major visual impact.

A very important point to note is the employment prospects for coniferous forestry planted on cutaway. This is a very important factor to consider for an area like Lanesborough, which is trying to attract residents and prevent rural depopulation.

There are environmental factors however that need to be considered when planting cutaway with coniferous species. Afforestatioin can have a profound ecological transformation on the original habitat. Deep ploughing and drainage dries out the peatland, fertilisers and pesticides lead to domination of nutrient loving plant species, not those typical of bog. Coillte's Biodiversity Strategy targets 15% of every conifer plantation to broadleaf growth. Thus a percentage of broadleaved trees such as alder, birch, ash and beech could be interspersed with the conifers as well as planting native conifers e.g. Scot's Pine. This mixed Conifer/Broadleaved woodland is a listed habitat by the NPWS, therefore fulfils obligations to maintain biodiversity while allowing the community to gain further skills (afforestation), achieve financial benefit (felling of timber), increase employment and providing an educational resource for school children.

2. Grassland

Grassland is identified as being one of just 2 potential economically viable crops for cutaway peatlands. It is thought that 30-40% of future industrial cutaway will emerge as grassland. Grassland can become a viable crop once certain prescriptions are adhered to.

To date, excellent grassland has been established on 1,200 hectares of cutaway boglands. This new grasslands will help maintain local farm units as viable sized units and help to stem rural depopulation. Grassland is the superior option over forestry in relation to land use in terms of short-to-medium term output and employment.

3. Natural Wilderness

Previous studies that have been carried out at cutover bogs have revealed that regeneration to wilderness or return to wetland are the most appropriate uses of peatlands that were drained by pumps for peat extraction. Over a half of the peatlands at Mount Dillon are pump drained thus will return to wetlands once pumping stops.

Perhaps the best way to picture how the Mount Dillon complex of bogs could evolve into a nature reserve is to look at the example of the Lough Boora Parklands in Offaly. Over 2000ha of industrial cutover have been rehabilitated at Lough Boora and now provide a valuable mosaic of areas including birch and willow woodlands, grasslands, reedbeds, heather and moss areas, intermediate wetlands, large areas of natural recolonisation, lakes and parkland interpretation. The parklands are now an established tourist attraction for the area. Course fishing attracts anglers to newly excavated lakes, walkways and nature trails weave through the parklands and interpretive signs have been erected. Local indigenous industry has been set up making crafts out of bog artefacts. The most important aspect of this case study is that the Lough Boora Parklands development project was initiated and implemented by a group of local people from the nearby community.

4. Tourism

The use of bogs as a tourism location has been proven time and again in Ireland, e.g., Corlea Bog, Co. Longford, Wicklow National Park, Lough Boora, Co. Offaly, Blackwater Bog in Offaly and the Ceide Fields in Mayo. Bogs are seen as the last wilderness and provide attractive walks for visitors. If the cutover and remaining intact bog at Lanesborough is allowed to regenerate naturally, it will not only provide a wildlife refuge and a place to study natural science, it can provide a getaway through a natural wilderness.

The existence of a light rail right through the Mount Dillon cutaway bog complex could be used to provide a similar tourist attraction as the Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway at the Blackwater Bog in Offaly. In addition, the location of a visitor centre at the Mount Dillon cutaway complex would provide a focal point for visitors coming to the area, either as students, walkers, outdoor pursuits enthusiasts etc.

5. Creation of Artificial Lakes for Angling

The area surrounding the Mount Dillon complex of bogs already has a reputation for angling and fishing. Lough Ree is adjacent to the south, the R. Shannon runs along the west and the Royal Canal along the east of the complex. The creation of artificial lakes on the cutaway bog would therefore enhance an already existing tourist feature and attract greater numbers of tourists. Different species of fish attract different types of angler, therefore a variety of coarse and game fish should be introduced.

6. Education

With the school curriculum changing over recent years, much emphasis is now being placed on science and the natural environment. 25% of the cutaway and cutover bogs in Ireland are being used for education and amenity purposes. Papers have been published on the use of cutover bogs as educational outdoor classrooms and their educational value.

If areas of cutover and cutaway at Lanesborough were to be recolonised, similar to Turraun or Doireachan Bog in the Mount Dillon complex, huge opportunities would be presented for providing an outdoor laboratory for local schools at primary and secondary level.

7. Peat Balneology

Balneology is the science of medical application of water, mainly in spas. Peat therapy in balneology and health care has a long tradition .

Of particular importance in the treatment are the organic, humic substances in the peat, which can penetrate the skin, influencing enzymatic and hormone activity. In addition, many peat preparations are available and applied in human as well as in veterinary medicine. The fields in which peat is indicated for human medical treatment are gynaecology, rheumatism, dermatology, interior illnesses and ophthalmology.

The area of peat balneology could be a possible activity at Lanesborough in conjunction with other sustainable activities, as the appropriate clay is found here.

8. Afforestation with Broadleaved Trees

The planting of broadleaved trees as part of the Native Woodland Scheme is another method of sustainably utilising areas of cutover and cutaway. Good growth performance at Turraun Bog for pedunculate oak have been recorded, although initial results for ash, beech and sycamore were not encouraging.

The Native Woodland Scheme is open to landholders wishing to establish native woodland and to those who already have this habitat growing on their land. It is especially suitable for areas of cutover near riverine areas or floodplains therefore would be a suitable land use for cutover near the R. Shannon.

9. Biomass

The growing of biomass for an energy fuel to replace peat fuel could be an option for cutaways. The Mount Dillon complex has the potential to grow biomass either by coppicing or by growing the common reed.

Coppicing is an ancient practice that turns trees into multi-stemmed bushes by cutting back almost to ground level at intervals of between five and twenty two years. Many trees like willow, hazel, elm, oak and ash, all of which were components of the original Irish mixed forest and others like lime, hornbeam and sweet chestnut (introduced species), thrive on this type of management.

The positive aspects of this type of biomass production are many. Coppiced forests give a much quicker return on investment of both capital and land, not only in terms of wood production, but also in the letting of amenity and game rights. Coppice woodlands provide continuous cover for the soil, protecting it from erosion. The coppice cycle enhances the chances of a whole range of woodland life; birds, mammals, insects, flowers, ferns and mosses are examples. Coppice is not as susceptible to wind throw or fire breaks as tall trees grown in plantation. This diverse woodland can also support crafts and crafts people in the form of sculptures, furniture, thatching, making of preserves and honey.

Common Reed has been the subject of experiment at Mount Dillon Bord na Mona works. These experiments are showing it to be a viable energy crop, which can be mechanically harvested using special machinery which does not damage the peat surface. No drainage is necessary as it thrives in wet conditions. The crop is harvested in winter when it has a water content of only 25%. The reed is harvested and milled by the machines and the reed powder can fuel the power stations with little modification.

10. Organic Farming

Berries

In Northern Europe peatlands are an important source of wild berries including cloudberry, cranberry, bilberry and crowberry.

Vegetables

Experiments have been carried out on the feasibility of growing onions, potatoes, carrots, sugar beet etc. on cutaway. Factors that may affect the viability of these crops on cutaway are weed control, nutrition and peat subsidence. It has been reported that vegetables cannot be grown on cutaway bog but that a range of vegetables can be grown on deep woody fen peat, which occurs at Doireachan Bog, Lanesboro.

Wine

The flowers of Ling Heather, the plant species that is readily recognised as a typical bog plant, were traditionally used to make wine. Finland provides a case study where a vineyard is grown on bog cutover (Leivonmaki Nature Reserve). As there is a real drive in the Irish and international market place for home-grown and natural food stuffs, it is possible that berries or their derivative sauces grown in Irish bog and wine made from bog heather could capture a niche in the market, especially abroad.

11. Peat Textiles

Textiles made of peat fibre are still something of a novelty but have been used for over a century in Europe. Peat fibre is made from the leaves and stems of bog cottongrass. These fibres are warmer than wool because of their cavity-like, air-filled structure, which also makes them very light.

12. Art and Crafts

Bogs are rich with materials suitable for arts and crafts. Timber from oak, pine and yew is found in bogs and can be up to 6,000 years old. Besides the production of smaller items, unique sculptures can be crafted from bogwood. There is also a great tradition in the midlands for using Pollagh Clay (found at Turraun), for brick making. This clay, or similar clays, perhaps like the Sapropel at Derrycashel Bog, could be used as a resource for pottery and decorative brick work.

Cutaway bogs can be a source of growing willows for basket-making and bog plants and flowers, specifically dry flower and decorative arrangements. These materials are imported at present. Paper can also be made from peat fibre.

Conclusion

All the above activities are examples of how cutaway bog is used in a sustainable manner both internationally and nationally. These include wildlife refuges, tourism, local amenity areas, educational facilities, afforestation of conifer or broadleaved species, grassland habitats, textiles, health therapy, growing vegetables, coarse fishing etc. A number of case studies can be used from Finland, Holland, Sweden and Ireland to help decide what uses are appropriate to a particular site, such as Lanesborough peatlands. The important element is to ensure public participation and involvement from the start.