Peatland Restoration works on the Nam Breac 1 site - RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve

Description

This tender covers work at an area called Nam Breac Phase 1, to restore peat erosion features caused by natural and artificial drainage and some deer trampling. The restoration will address all of the eroding features on site, reduce drainage off the site into surrounding watercourses, raise the water table across the site’s hydrological units, improve conditions for bog species, enhance biodiversity, reduce carbon loss and potentially sequester more carbon in future years. Lot 1: The restoration work in this tender covers an area called Nam Breac Phase 1 to restore peat erosion features caused by natural and artificial drainage and some deer trampling. The restoration will address all of the eroding features on site, reduce drainage off the site into surrounding watercourses, raise the water table across the site’s hydrological units, improve conditions for bog species, enhance biodiversity, reduce carbon loss and potentially sequester more carbon in future years. The features which form a combination of peat hags, artificial drains, flatter and gently sloping areas of micro-erosion and naturally eroding gullies across the site are to be restored using a variety of techniques and form the most extensive areas to be restored. Detailed maps and restoration treatments are included with this tender. The site has been assessed and requires a combination of work using a range of machinery of appropriate size on extra wide low ground pressure tracks for peat-based techniques and manual construction by hand of plastic pile, wooden and coir log dams. A range of techniques will be employed to treat the features in this area, these are detailed within the tender specification. It is anticipated that machine work will be the preference, although there are some, sensitive areas that will require hand work. Required materials will be moved into the area with a suitable ATV. We have chosen a variety of restoration techniques that are suitable for this site which are set out in the below specification. The supplier will be expected to use their expertise in peatland restoration to adjust restoration techniques if the ground conditions require this. A site visit with RSPB staff is strongly recommended as part of the tendering process which all suppliers wishing to tender are asked to attend. This will be held on 25th June 2024, meeting at the Forsinard Field Centre. The day will consist of an overview of the plans at the field centre followed by a site visit to Nam Breac 1 where the works are to be undertaken. Booking for the suppliers meeting is essential and if you wish to attend, please email Jane.shadforth@rspb.org.uk Please note that these works are subject to: 1. The successful award of a Peatland Action grant application which was submitted in May 2024. On receipt of a successful application the supplier winning the tender will be awarded. 2. The results of RSPB’s peat slide risk assessments being reviewed by Peatland Action. Depending on the review outcome, this area may be removed from scope or the restoration redesigned. 3. Buffering of a number of shieling sites and a sheepfold close to the River Dyke identified by the RSPB archaeologist. These are not impacting any restoration features, but will impact the access routes across the site. An exclusion buffer has been created on relevant maps. 4. The results of protected species surveys. In particular, if otters or watervoles are found to be present, some buffering of restoration features may be required. 5. Highland Council decision on Prior Notification. 6. Operational consent from SEPA of the watercourse impoundment between NC 85022 47466 and NC 85130 47464. 7. Discussions with SEPA regarding restoring features which are close to the site’s watercourses. [N.B.: A small reduction in the restoration scale will apply depending on appropriate restrictions].