Nutrient enrichment from natural and artificial fertilisers often seeps into watercourses. This can lead to eutrophication problems – where water becomes overly enriched with nutrients. Planting and felling operations can lead to increased loading of suspended solids and acidification of watercourses. Peat harvesting still takes place in some areas. It can lead to an increase in sediment-loading in receiving waters.
Many of the consultations received by the Agency under the agriculture and forestry category concern poultry housing or cattle sheds. Forestry applications normally relate to felling operations and access tracks.
