Appendix 1 – External Consultation Record Consultee Date of Date of Issues raised Forest District response (incl. amendments made to contact response plan as a result of consultee comments SNH - Area Officer 01.09.17 28.09.17 SNH notes the presence of designated sites within the proposed LMP area and offers advise as follows: The LMP proposals to extend native woodland considerably, 1. River Oykel Special Area of Conservation (SAC) establish a network of riparian native woodland and restore The SAC is protected for its Fresh Water Pearl Mussels (FWPM) and Atlantic salmon mires where feasible, will significantly enhance the interest. Best practice guidance, such as Forest & Water Guidelines and Protecting biodiversity of this LMP area (section 5.1 Aims & Objectives). freshwater pearl mussels from siltation during harvesting operations (FES Guidance Note 5) should be adhered to in order to reduce any possible impact of siltation on SAC. The ‘wild land’ character of the area will be enhanced by the SNH also recommends drain blocking (prior to felling operations) to protect SAC during restructuring of the forest and the establishment of native harvesting and into the fallow period. Managing trapped silt should be included within woodland and restoration of mires, in particular around the the planning phase as it is the main risk to FWPM. The minimum buffers between the northern and western areas of the plan, helping to frame watercourse and forest edge as per UKFS (Forest & Water Guidelines), should be views into the Assynt National Scenic Area. maximised wherever possible and planted with riparian trees. SNH recognises District’s commitment to improve the condition of this SAC (Pearls in Peril LIFE+ project); Adherence to guidance on water management during 2. Inverpolly, Loch Urigill and nearby Lochs Special Protection Area (SPA) operations and addressing historical drainage patterns with The SPA is protected for it’s black-throated divers. Best practise should be applied to pre operations mitigation will help to protect vulnerable avoid disturbance to breeding divers; designated water courses and water bodies. 3. Ben More Assynt Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Outcrops of mainly Caledonian igneous rock are present within the SSSI area within NFE The Planning and Environment team will continue to monitor boundaries. The visibility and accessibility of the key outcrops should be maintained; diver populations and advise on mitigation for all sensitive 4. Reay – Cassley Wild Land Area (WLA) species and notified features during the first two phases of A wild land assessment for Benmore Forest could help identify whether there are any the plan through the formal work plan process. specific areas of the forest that could be managed specifically to benefit this WLA; 5. Geological Conservation Review (GCR) Sites The proposal to manage Glen Einig as a Native Woodland Within the Benmore Forest there are two GCR sites, which don’t form part of SSSI – Natural Reserve will protect this site in perpetuity and Loch Borralan & Allt na Cailliche. Loch Borralan GCR, which supports igneous rocks has enhance both landscape and species abundance and the greatest potential to be affected by forestry management. These extremely rare diversity. rocks should be best left un-forested. SNH - Geologist 19.11.18 17.01.19 Although not well studied the three GCR sites are of international importance and the The forest design around the GCR sites will include between exposed outcrops of all three sites should be maintained as open. 20% and 40% open space targeted to maintain surface rock features as open. SEPA 01.09.17 11.10.17 SEPA welcomes the opportunity to provide advice and assist in preparation of West Sutherland LMP. Adherence to guidance on water management during The plan should include analysis of environmental risks and information on how they will operations and addressing historical drainage patterns with be addressed and, if necessary, mitigated. The plan should consider impact of proposed pre operations mitigation will help to protect vulnerable works on flood risk downstream – measures might need to be applied to prevent designated water courses and water bodies from siltation. increase in runoff or woody debris from entering watercourses. Impact of new roads on watercourses (at crossing points - new and/or upgraded bridges) and on and adjacent The plan details how forest restructuring will stop any to watercourses should be considered. unnecessary fertiliser or pesticide applications. Requirement of UKFS with regard to River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) should be met. Water bodies which the proposed LMP might affect were listed. The proposed road constructions will comply with SEPA The LMP should identify location of any inappropriately designed or redundant structures Engineering in the Water Environment: Good Practice Guide: which could be removed or improved. It should also confirm whether or not any River Crossings (2nd Edition 2010) and all road upgrade invasive non-native species are present within the LMP area – if there are, the plan operations will raise the level of compliance for upland should outline proposals for their control and/or removal. crossings including seeking to remove barriers to migratory The plan should provide clear information on timing and area of felling and restocking fish. West Sutherland LMP | North Region Planning & Environment | 030/516/425 North Suthnnerland LMP - operations, and consideration given to protecting the environment. There are sensitive habitats in the River Oykel catchment that are at risk from excessive siltation due to North Region will continue with monitoring and long term forestry operations. The proposed LMP should confirm adherence to UKFS and related research projects assessing the impact of forestry operations Guidelines, and comply with the requirements of the Water Environment (Controlled within the LMP area. Partnerships with SEPA and river Activities) (Scotland) Regulations (CAR). stakeholders will continue and where funding allows will be The plan should provide information on the minimum buffers to be included between the extended. forest edge and each water body or abstraction (as per UKFS requirements). Riparian planting within this buffer would be supported. The placement of large woody debris in watercourses for the Information on new supporting infrastructure which might be required to facilitate plan purpose of ameliorating bank erosion and improving riparian proposals should be included, preferably on a map of scale 1:2,500 (e.g. new or and aquatic habitats will comply with GBR25. upgraded tracks, lay-down areas, borrow pits, etc.). SEPA supports the peatland restoration proposals outlined in draft LMP brief – the plan LMP Appendix 2 – Forests and Water provides a more should outline any aims of restoration and the methods to be employed to achieve focussed commentary on the issues raised in SEPA’s them. consultation response. SEPA is broadly supportive of new woodland planting, but is concerned with potential impact of new planting on wetlands, with specific emphasis on groundwater dependant terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTEs), common in peatland areas. As native tree regeneration is supported by national policy, including Scottish Forestry Strategy, SEPA will take a different approach to protecting wetland on sites proposed for native woodland (both regeneration and planting) then in case of commercial planting. The plan should contain information on how springs, flushes and bogs are to be protected on areas proposed for new native woodland creation. If new commercial planting is proposed, all relevant surveys need to be carried out and the results shown on map, including proposed new planting, drainage overlain on vegetation maps. If any GWDTEs are present, they should be highlighted in the plan. Any new commercial planting and/or new infrastructure should avoid impacting on GWDTEs (100m & 250 m buffers apply). Proposals to make use of any waste wood on site should comply with SEPAs Guidance: Management of Forestry Waste. The applicant should justify how application of any forestry material (mulching, fell to recycle or use of brush) would facilitate or improve the restoration of the site as a whole. The amount of tree material that can be used on site must be fit for purpose and must not result in harm to the environment (e.g. nutrient enrichment). The concept (constraints) map should identify any private water supplies and drainage ditches which direct connect to the water environment. If they are present, the plan should contain commitment to address the relevant issues (e.g. buffers). SEPA expect all proposed forestry activities to adhere to best practice guidance (as per UKFS and Guidelines). Some proposals might new authorisation under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations (CAR). Highland Council 01.09.17 No Archaeologist response Highland Council 01.09.17 No Forestry response 2 | West Sutherland LMP | North Region Planning & Environment | 030/516/425 North Suthnnerland LMP - Department Highland Council 01.09.17 No Roads response Department Highland Council 01.09.17 No Access Officer response Highland Council 01.09.17 No Flood Team response Highland Council 19/12/18 01/02/19 No private supplies identified One private supply identified at Oykel Bridge Hotel and future Environmental habitat proposals adjusted accordingly. Health (PWS) Confor 01.09.17 04.09.17 Mr Farquhar advised on the list of timber processing companies that should be The companies mentioned by Mr Farquhar were contacted on Mr Jamie & contacted as part of the LMP consultation. the 06.09.17 – see consultation record below. Farquhar 05.09.17 Mountaineering 01.09.17 No Council for response Scotland Kyle of Sutherland 01.09.17 13.10.17 Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries (KoSF) welcomes the aims and objectives outlined in the North Region will continue with monitoring and long term Fisheries Board draft LMP brief, especially the District’s commitment to restore valuable peatland areas, research projects assessing the impact of forestry operations create network of riparian and native woodland, reduce flood risk in lower River Oykel within the LMP area.