How does Leitrim County Council propose to insure that further developments in the Lough Allen water catchment area do not impact further on the ecological status of this lake which is a Priority Area for Action.
Minutes:
"How does Leitrim County Council propose to ensure that further developments in the Lough Allen water catchment area do not impact further on the ecological status of this lake which is a Priority Area for Action."
Report by Head of Finance & Water Services
"Lough Allen is one of 10 areas contained (wholly or partially) within Co. Leitrim identified under the River Basin Management Plan as a Priority Area for Action. Lough Allen is in Catchment 26A of the Upper Shannon. Following the 2nd cycle of the Water Framework Directive, this sub-catchment is identified as “at risk” of not meeting the good ecological water status by 2027.
The Council has very little influence over agriculture and forestry activities which are identified as significant pressures and affects no regulatory control, as both are controlled by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and the Marine. The impact of the discharge from the Drumshanbo wastewater treatment plant is a matter for Irish Water and the EPA. The Environment Department regulate and enforce the law in relation to pollution and discharges to the surface waters.
Leitrim County Council works with all relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate measures are taken to provide adequate protection of water quality. This work includes working with the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and other agencies, stakeholders and the public to restore water quality status in Areas for Action identified. LAWPRO supports local communities to get involved in caring for their local waters and participate in decision making and river basin management plans. The regional co-ordination unit for the Border & Western Region of LAWPRO is based in Carrick on Shannon. The Community Waters Officer is working on the ground in this catchment to inform landowners, farmers, home owners, foresters, etc. of their responsibility.
The new draft County Development Plan will be used to further manage development in areas where the water body is sensitive. All 10 areas identified under the River Basin Management Plan as a Priority Area for Action will be highlighted. Applicants will be required to complete a Water Protection Plan Checklist and a site Drainage Plan which highlights the status of the draining waterbody. However, this only relates to developments which require planning permission.
All developments that require planning permission will have to comply with the relevant environmental legislation and are assessed as such by the Planning Authority. Planning applications seeking to propose development which could impact on water quality are referred to the Environment Department for comment. The recommendations of the Environment Department, when received, are taken into account in the decision making process.
The Planning Authority will have regard to the surface water quality of the catchment in which proposed afforestation developments are located when applications for consent are referred to the Local Authority for comment. It is also the intention of the Environment Department to begin submitting their view of the impact of such developments on the water quality of catchments to the Planning Authority which is a welcomed development. This will include requiring reforestation of former conifer plantations with high forest native woodland where water sensitivities are high or along high status objective waterbodies at risk of decline due to forestry, under the Water Framework Directive."
Cllr Justin Warnock outlined his concerns for Lough Allen and the impact the recent landslide from Shass Mountain has had on the water quality. He added as Lough Allen is the first water body on the River Shannon it is very important that water quality is maintained as this has an impact on the entire river downstream. He outlined his view that the objective should be to improve from moderate status to good status.
All members supported the motion.