Presentation to Dublin City Council Environmental SPC 27 th June 2018

Transcription

1 River Basin Management Plan for Ireland ( ) Presentation to Dublin City Council Environmental SPC 27 th June 2018 Gerard O Connell, Engineer-in-Charge, Water Framework Directive Office

2 Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000 Legal framework to protect and restore clean water.. and to ensure its long-term, sustainable use. Three cycles 1 st Cycle: (minimal community engagement) 2 nd Cycle: (2 years behind) 3 rd Cycle: to achieve good ecological status in all waters.

3 Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000 Develop River Basin Management Plans Identify the pressures on water quality Set out the programme of measures to address these significant pressures. Public consultation and engagement

4 Need for better evidence base (EPA characterisation work) First cycle too ambitious Key Learnings from 1 st Cycle Plan fragmented institutional structures no single body having ultimate responsibility Single RBD with national plan the responsibility of Minister New governance & implementation structures right Local Authorities central to this Need for improved communication & public engagement Consultation central to development of draft Plan Specific resource developed through setting up the Local Authority Water and Community Office (LAWCO).

5 River Water Quality, past, now, future? 100 Expenditure billion? 95 Farm Buildings % river channel length at sa atisfactory status REPS Water Urban Waste Water ? 2015?

6 EPA Characterisation Detailed assessment of 46 catchments with 4,829 water bodies 57% of rivers and 46% of lakes at less than good status

7 River Basin Management Plan RBMP, NIS, SEA and Exec Summary launched by Minister Eoghan Murphy on 17 th April Communications through Local Authorities Water & Community Office (LAWCO) Feb August priority areas for action. Framework for co-ordination between LA s and public agencies to achieve water quality improvements. Local Authority Waters Support & Advice Team (LAWSAT), 35 Scientists + 30 Agricultural Advisors + 8 specialist advisors. An Foram Uisce to discuss, to raise awareness of water issues.

8 Objectives & Priorities Good ecological status for all waters Priorities identified in the Plan: - Compliance with existing EU legislation (e.g. UWWTD Euro 1.7bn investment in 250 waste water treatment plants to 2021) - Prevent deterioration - Meet water objectives for protected areas - Bathing areas, drinking waters, shellfish, SACs etc - Protect high status waters - Supporting measures implemented in approximately 600 to 700 prioritised water bodies

9 Programme of Measures (Ch. 7) Agriculture Septic tanks Urban waste water Forestry Extractive industry incl. peat harvesting Invasive alien species Physical modification Water abstractions Industry Waste Historically polluted sites Water treatment Land Use Planning, Flood Risks, Climate Change, Hazardous chemicals, etc.

10 Implementation of basic measures Implementation Strategy Supporting measures targeted at priority water bodies Regional structure in coordinating resources across agencies and other stakeholders Evidence based approach Community engagement and awareness (Local Authority Waters and Communities Office - (LAWCO)) (National Water Forum) (Local Authority Water Support & Advice Team (LAWSAT)) (Agricultural Advisors)...the right measures in the right place

11 Role of LAWCO

12 Community Waters Officer Locations Mick Kane Jimmy McVeigh Karen Kennedy Gretta McCarron Catherine Seale Aoife McGrath Basil Mannion Sinead Hurson Ruairí Ó Conchúir Ann Phelan Bláithín Ni Ainín Kieran Murphy Head Office - Clonmel

13 National Water Forum Facilitate stakeholder engagement on all water issues. Inform public views on the links between Clean water supplies Good water quality Public Health The Value of water as a resource

14 Local Authority Water Survey and Advice Team Surveying under pressure water bodies. Locating and reporting on pressures. Employing specialists where required. Working with local authorities and other agencies. Proposing plan for improvement of water bodies. Teams based in each of five regions.

15 Implementation Structure

16 Role of Local Authorities Coordinated delivery of measures at regional and local level Tracking progress and effectiveness of measures Annual reporting of progress Ensuring public and stakeholder engagement in implementation Integrated approach across functional areas Supporting national policy development and implementation

17 Communication & Engagement Previous consultations highlighted need for: (i) Better engagement in water policy at national level (ii) Facilitation of public and stakeholder engagement at local level Response to above in draft RBMP (i) National Water Forum will feed into WPAC and other structures (ii) Local Authority Waters and Community Office (LAWCO) to drive public participation and consultation (iii) EPA/DHPCLG/LA networking & knowledge sharing (iv) catchments.ie website

18 Community Engagement (LAWCO) Public meetings to be held in local areas (c. 100) To be completed by end of August 2017 Include a focus on local issues

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21 Dublin City Council Area 1. Dodder and Santry Rivers are level 1 prioritised. 2. A study is also being carried out on the Camac River. 3. Yearly action plans are developed for the above three rivers which involve desktop, ground and water quality surveys. 4. Consultations with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal County Councils are required on each of these three river studies. 5. Merrion and Sandymount beaches are specifically mentioned in the Plan and investigations are ongoing to improve their water quality status with a number of stakeholders. 6. Maintenance of all high priority areas and status of existing waterbodies.

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