One of Co Sligo's most scenic areas on the shores of Lough Gill is to be enhanced with plans by Coillte to clear away a plantation of conifers and replace them with native broadleaf trees.
The area at Doonee on the south-west shores of Lough Gill was once an old woodland site with such native species as oak, ash and birch, but in 1948 it was planted with conifers, mainly Sitka spruce.
The State-owned company now has a policy of planting 10 per cent broadleaves, a figure regarded as too low by critics of Sitka spruce and other non-native conifers.
Coillte's forest manager at Doonee, Martin Ruane, said that apart from ensuring the survival of the young trees over the first four years, the new woodland would be left to nature. Fertiliser would only be used on a "need-for" basis and in consultation with the fisheries board and Dúchas.
"Our long-term aim is to create as natural a woodland as possible," he said.
The decision by Coillte to replace the conifers at Doonee with native broadleaves reflects the fact the area is highly sensitive. Lough Gill and an area of land at Doonee are classified as a Special Area of Conservation under an EU habitats directive.
An EU-funded management plan for the Lough Gill catchment area by Sligo and Leitrim County Councils recognised the lake as one of the area's most important assets. As well as being a major tourist attraction - Yeats's poetry being no small help in this regard - it is also a source of drinking water.
One of the plan's recommendations stressed the importance of planting native broadleaf trees and of expanding nature trails.
An existing nature trail and conservation area near Dooney Rock will not be affected by the felling. All of the 48-hectare area to be cleared is south of the Sligo-Dromahair road which runs along the southern shores of the lake.
The existing conifers at Doonee have reached maturity, and storm damage has also occurred in sections close to the road.
For safety reasons all the roadside trees on this southern side will be removed, including some broadleaves which have been "drawn up" by the surrounding conifers.
Coillte says it is hoped that it will be possible to retain a group of native oaks growing on the west of the site if it is deemed safe.
Felling will start over the coming months and will continue for up to a year. Replanting is expected to start in autumn 2003 and should take about three months to complete.
Mr Ruane said species would include oak, ash, birch, rowan, cherry, hazel and Scots pine, the proportion of each depending on soil fertility. It was hoped to have 80 to 90 per cent broadleaf if not more.
He said Coillte had adopted sustainable forest management as its guiding principle in managing its properties.
Discussions have been held with Sligo County Council and Dúchas, and Coillte is also inviting comments from the public.
More information on Coillte's activities can be obtained from www.coillte.ie