Special Areas of Conservation South Dublin County Development Plan 2022 to 2028 SDCC

<font size='2'><span style='font-family:Arial, sans-serif; color:black;'>There are prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to be important on a European as well as Irish level. Most Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are in the countryside, Although a few sites reach into town or city landscapes, such as from Dublin Bay and Cork Harbour. Conservation management plans are available for many SACs and as additional ones are they will be posted.</font><div><span style='font-family:Arial, sans-serif; color:black;‘><p style=’margin:0cm 0 cm 9pt; background:white;‘><font size=’2‘><span style=’font-family:Arial, sans-serif; color:black;‘>The legal basis on) which SACs are selected and designated is the<span style=’box-sizing:inherit; color:rgb(5, 133, 218);‘> EU Habitats Directive<span style=’box-sizing:inherit; color:rgb(5, 133, 218);'>, transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011, as amended.</font><p style='margin:0cm 0 cm 9pt; background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-Repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial;'><font size='2'>The Directive lists certain habitats and species that must be protected within SACs. Irish habitats include raised Bogs, blanket Bogs, turloughs, sand dunes, machair (flat sandy plains on the north and west) coasts), heaths, lakes, rivers, Woodlands, Estuaries and sea inlets. The 25 Irish species which must be completed protection including Salmon, Otter, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Bottlenose Dolphin and Killarney Fern.</font></div>