Small Scale Wetlands Pond

Ponds and wetlands serve as diverse habitats for plants, insects, birds, mammals, and amphibians, while also acting as natural water filters. They slow water flow, deposit particles, and promote microbial degradation of pollutants in environments with high organic matter. This measure aims to create new wetlands and/or ponds to capture sediment, phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) losses along flow pathways
to waters.

REQUIREMENTS
1. Small Scale Wetland Ponds must be no greater than 0.2ha in size. If larger than this they will become ineligible features under BISS (Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme).
2.An individual small scale wetland pond can be applied for in conjunction with ACRES measures Low Input Grassland, Extensively Grazed Pasture and Management of Intensive Grassland Next to a Watercourse where the reduced ACRES rate is applied for (see below).
3. Ponds and wetlands are most suitable on impermeable soils where infiltration is limited. Where infiltration is insufficient to hold water permanently, consider a willow filter bed instead.
4.Wetlands should be designed to remain permanently wet and allowed to naturally revegetate with native wetland species such as reeds, bulrush, and flag iris (see Appendix 8). Where possible, collect the seed heads of common reed, bulrush, etc., and use them to encourage new growth.
5.Consideration must be given to the proximity and hydrological connectivity to nearby Natura 2000 sites, including the size of existing habitats/wetlands and any archaeological features, before installing small-scale wetland ponds.
6.It should be noted that these small-scale wetland ponds are not the same as constructed wetlands and do not require planning permission or a discharge licence. They are not designed to handle nutrients that must be collected under the GAP regulations, such as silage effluent, soiled water, dairy washings, slurry, etc.
7.Do not locate small-scale wetland ponds in areas of existing ecological benefit or in floodplains.
8. Small-scale wetland ponds should be fenced off from livestock, with a gap left for maintenance access. Fencing can also be applied for under Measures 30 and 31.

Channel Filter Pond and Wetland

PAYMENT RATE
• Small scale wetland establishment – €800/unit (ACRES reduced rate €627).
•Example sizing = 10m X 6m X .5m. Min 1 and Max 3.

VALIDATION
Relevant geotagged photo showing clearly the measure that has been applied for & proof of costs.

See below guidelines on creating a Small Scale Wetlands Pond

Pond Construction and Management Guidelines leaflet_GMooneyUCD2026

Pond creation and management Guidelines_GMooneyUCD2026

Small Scale Wetland Pond