Concerns aired over dredged dump site

FEARS over plans by Warrenpoint Harbour Authority to create a new ‘ licensed disposal site’ for dredged material within Carlingford Lough were raised at the June meeting of Dundalk Muncipal District.

Cllr. Mark Dearey told members that the harbour authority had applied to the Department of Marine and Fisheries in the north to start putting their dredged material in a new location closer to Killowen, as opposed to out at sea.

He argued that Louth County Council should have been contacted about the proposals which will impact on the broader Lough, even though it is a site closer to the north.

Cllr. Peter Savage agreed, adding that the impact in fishing and the shellfish industry would have to be considered when looking at plans for the new disposal site

Cllr. Dearey added that he ‘found it extraordinary’ that the department had found there was no need for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) but that it would only require a Site Characterisation exercise.

He explained that this was essentially a ‘scoping exercise’

Director of Service, Frank Pentony told members that he had only been made aware of the issue by Cllr,. Dearey.

But he said that notice of the site exercise had been given to Louth County Council a number of weeks before, with a request for a response from potentially affected parties.

Members heard that the cut off date for the response was Wednesday June 7th, which was the day after the committee meeting.

Concerns were raised that this left ‘ little time’ for the local authority to reply to the department outlining the issues they had outlined.

Cllr. Peter Savage added ‘I think this should be a well thought out response. We should detail good reason for our concerns.’