Peatland Restoration Works for Coillte
AI Summary
Coillte CGA, Ireland’s national forestry agency, is inviting suitably qualified contractors to enter a panel for the delivery of its Peatland Restoration Programme across the Coillte estate. The programme is a key element of Ireland’s commitment to rewet state‑owned lands under EU Climate Action objectives, aiming to restore peatland habitats through a combination of manual interventions and excavator‑based operations. The tender covers two distinct lots: Lot 1 requires manual peatland restoration works, while Lot 2 focuses on excavator‑led restoration activities across multiple sites.
Lot 1 will involve manual works primarily in recently clear‑felled areas and along aquatic watercourses, where contractors will install silt traps, construct leaky and furrow dams, perform sediment control and erosion prevention measures, conduct limited chainsaw operations, and distribute materials using muskeg or other low‑impact methods. Lot 2 requires experienced operators to undertake tree removal, drain blocking with peat dams, stump levelling, surface smoothing, road construction and maintenance, bridge and culvert installation, sediment control including silt traps and roadside check dams, brash management, windrowing, scrap mounding, and other excavator‑related restoration tasks.
The restoration projects range from 43 to 780 hectares, with individual implementation programmes spanning 3 to 10 years, and are expected to commence from Q4 2026 subject to statutory consents and approvals. Work will be carried out on an as‑required basis, with an anticipated minimum of approximately 30 days per annum, and contractors may be required to work alongside harvesting teams, although conventional timber harvesting is excluded from the scope. Low ground pressure 14‑t and 20‑t excavators are required.
Description
Additional information: Scope of Works Lot 1 – Manual Peatland Restoration Works Works will primarily be undertaken in recently clear-felled areas and along aquatic watercourses where sediment control measures are required. Contractors will be responsible for implementing a range of manual restoration activities, including: • Installation of silt traps • Construction of leaky dams • Installation of furrow dams • Sediment control measures and erosion prevention works • Limited chainsaw operations where required • Distribution of materials using muskeg or equivalent low-impact methods • Associated environmental protection measures and site housekeeping activities Detailed site plans identifying the location and quantity of required measures will be provided by Coillte. Work will be undertaken on an as-required basis, with an anticipated minimum requirement of approximately 30 days per annum. Lot 2 – Excavator-Based Peatland Restoration Works Coillte intends to appoint experienced contractors to deliver excavator-led restoration projects across multiple sites. Typical activities may include: • Tree removal (mulching and/or fell-to-waste) • Drain blocking using peat dams • Stump levelling • Surface smoothing and reprofiling • Road construction, maintenance and upgrades • Installation of bridges and culverts • Movement and distribution of materials • Sediment control measures, including silt traps and roadside check dams • Brash management within buffer zones • Windrowing and scrap mounding • Miscellaneous excavator works associated with peatland restoration projects Works will typically require 14-tonne and 20-tonne low ground pressure (LGP) excavators suitable for sensitive peatland environments. Conventional timber harvesting operations are excluded from the scope but restoration contractors may be required to work alongside harvesting teams. Programme Information The peatland restoration projects range in size from approximately 43 hectares to 780 hectares. Individual projects have consented implementation programmes ranging from 3 to 10 years. Restoration works are expected to commence from Q4 2026, subject to statutory consents and approvals.
Place of performance: IE051
Lot: PAR-0001
Title: Peatland Restoration Works for Coillte