Mr Gerard Hannon Senior Environmental Executive Technician in the Environment Unit gave a presentation to the Members on the Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027:

·         A national plan that aims to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater, and coastal waters for the benefit health, biodiversity, climate, communities, and jobs.

·         The National picture shows just over half (53%) of surface waters are in good or high ecological status

·         There are 4,842 water sources measured nationally including rivers, lakes, canals, coastal & transitional waters and groundwater - 1,603 require restoration measures to meet WFD quality, 1,256 are in review and 1,983 categorised as not at risk.

·         In Roscommon, Water quality is not improving at a fast enough rate. There have been significant changes in water quality over time (EPA reporting periods).

·         Roscommon rivers ‘at risk’ of not meeting the water quality objectives show pressures on water quality of agriculture, hydromorphology etc.

·         The main themes of the plan:

o   Increased national ambition to halt the decline in water quality and reverse the damage.

o   Integrated Catchment Planning – a specific plan put in place for each of the 46 river catchments (hydrometric areas) in the country.

o   Proposed County level implementation plans.

o   Greater coordination and collaboration between State agencies, local authorities, and LAWPRO.

o   Delivering multiple benefits for nature, air quality, climate change, and local communities. 

·         12 actions focused on urban wastewater treatment plants and run-off from urban areas including Irish Water Investment, investment in unsewered villages, review of EPA discharge licences and promote sustainable urban wasterwater  systems nationally and protect bathing waters.

·         Key actions focused on Agriculture include:

o   New GAP Regulations to address impacts on water quality

o   Proposals for a stronger and more effective Nitrates Action Programme, with tighter controls on nitrogen inputs,

o   Establishment of a chemical fertiliser register and improved enforcement and compliance of Nitrates Regulations by local authorities

o   CAP strategic plan to be submitted to EU in January 22, aims to deliver and reward positive environmental outcomes

o   Increased focus on sustainability across all advisory services

o   New authorisation system for instream engineering works to strengthen controls on land drainage practices and their enforcement

·         Hydromorphology/ Physical alterations include:

o   Comprehensive new legislation and management system being developed:

o   Controlled Activities for the Protection of Waters regime

o   DHLGH to establish a restoration programme to mitigate negative impacts of past construction

o   Implement actions in the Lower Shannon at the hydroelectric scheme in Parteen and Ardnacrusha

·         Domestic Wastewater systems:

o   Grants for upgrades to septic tanks – a review of uptake of existing schemes will be undertaken

o   National Inspection Plan – local authorities will continue to prioritise inspections in areas of greatest environmental and public health risk

·         Key Messages for County Roscommon:

o   Agriculture – poor practices and not necessarily linked to intensive farming; small transgressions can have a large impact on water quality in sensitive environments.

o   Hydromorphology – well intentioned but possibly inappropriate drainage works leading to excessive build-up of sediment.

o   Land-spreading still a concern – promote best practice.

o   Successes – private group water supply and community-based involvement such as the Mid-Roscommon Group scheme.

·         Selected Plan Measures include:

o   LAWPRO, in consultation with all stakeholders, will produce templates for the catchment management plans that will be put in place for each of the 46 hydrometric catchments (Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir in Kilkenny).

o   Each local authority will put in place a County level plan.

o   Carry out a review of Local Authority Resources to put in place appropriate resources to support individual local authorities in fulfilling their role in water quality protection and restoration.

o   The Department, along with the governance tiers, will continually review progress in implementation of measures and the distance to the 2027 target.

o   DHLGH will finalise new water and planning guidance.

o   Focus on nature based solutions

o   Complete a review of the National Inspection Plan (NIP) 2018-2021 to inform the next NIP for the period 2022-2027. Prioritise inspections to areas of greatest environmental and public health risk and secure upgrading works where required.

o   DHLGH will deliver a multi-annual investment programme to provide wastewater infrastructure for un-sewered villages.

o   The Department, together with the Department of Rural and Community Development, will develop and publish in 2024 a Rural Water Services Strategic Plan for the period 2025 to 2050.

The Department will strengthen water protection provisions where necessary in relevant sectoral policies. These include water services policy, spatial planning policy, agricultural policy and aquaculture policy.

LAWPRO – Online Public consultation events  - 2^nd and 8^th  March @ 19.30pm

The members welcomed the presentation and the Cathaoirleach noted the importance of good water quality for tourism and fishing and that many rivers are overgrown.

The members discussed the presentation as follows:

·         What is the proposals for unsewered villages – septic tanks or treatment plants?

·         There are a number of successful group water schemes in the county but poor uptake on group sewerage schemes and is there anything that can be done to encourage houses to join existing schemes?

·         It is important that submissions are made to the plan

·         There are no grants available for septic grant upgrades unless they are inspected as part on the National Inspection Plan.

·         Teagasc need to inform farmers of best practice

·         Bordna Mona should be required to remove silt from the River Shannon.

·         It is welcomed that there are some measures that are working as the position has stabilised in some areas.

·         What are the main problem areas in agriculture as it appears to be a major contributor.

·         Lack of drainage is an issue that needs to be addressed – need a National Drainage Scheme.

·         There is a lack of a meaningful plan long term for unsewered towns and villages.

·         Rivers are an important resource and there appears to be a lack of understanding of where water from land goes.

·         Farmers are the custodians of lands and need to be rewarded or incentivised to continue to do this to the best of their ability and clean water and air is needed to produce good quality food – a fundamental change in thinking is required.

·         Illegal dumping is an issue and has been a particular problem on shores of Lough Gara– CCTV and drones need to be employed to identify offenders, who are often repeat offenders.

·         The statistics for pollution include the latest review done 2013 – 2018 – what is the actual % change?

Mr. Hannon replied to comments as follows:

·         Land Use in Roscommon is a predominant factor to be addressed including increased engagement with farmers and appropriate advice on nutrient input and when to landspread (6c soil temperature and not air temp)

·         The main issue with septic tanks is failure to empty and lack of maintenance

·         Irish water and the Department are currently assessing group sewerage schemes facilitation.

·         Pollution mapping is available on the EPA website catchmentmaps.ie

·         All queries should be included in a submission on the Plan.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

IT was AGREED to write to Bord na Mona regarding removing silt in the River Shannon.