Natural waters are under threat - open meetings on Draft River Basin Management Plan

Members of the public are being encouraged to give their views on water quality through a number of open online meetings being held around the country as a part of the public consultation on the Draft River Basin Management Plan.

The consultation is currently open and members of the public or interested parties can make submissions online until March 31st via www.gov.ie or through the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO).

LAWPRO works with the 31 local authorities in Ireland, assessing the condition and health of our rivers. While some rivers have improved, unfortunately half the rivers and lakes in Ireland are failing to meet good water quality standards.

Agencies responsible for protecting Ireland’s rivers have found that issues with urban wastewater, agriculture and forestry are the leading causes of pollution in our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters.

The Draft River Basin Management Plan sets out an increased ambition for how water quality is managed in Ireland. There are 4,842 water bodies in Ireland, organised in 46 catchment areas and 54% of all water bodies are considered to be at risk of not meeting Water Framework Directive objectives by 2027.

The Fermoy MD and Kanturk-Mallow MD meeting regarding the Blackwater Catchment is to take place on Thursday, February 17 at 7.30pm. For West Waterford, the Dungarvan-Lismore and Comeragh meeting will take place on February 22 at 7.30pm. The East Cork Area will be accommodated on Wednesday, February 23rd.

The Cappamore-Kilmallock and Newcastle West MD will meet on February 24, while the Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel-Tipperary MDs will meet on Thursday, March 3, both at 7.30pm.

URGENCY

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD, has encouraged members of the public to submit their views on the draft River Basin Management Plan online.

“We all recognise the pressures and risks to our water and the Draft River Basin Management Plan sets out ambitious plans to make improvements to our water quality. We recognise that more needs to be done, as a matter of urgency.

“Extensive engagement on this plan is already underway with stakeholders and I am asking the public to make their views count on this important issue,” Minister O’Brien said.

LAWPRO will hold 62 online consultation meetings throughout the country over the next month.

At these virtual meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from LAWPRO representatives on the factors affecting water quality in their local area, with an opportunity for local stakeholders and members of the public to share their view on the Government’s Draft River Basin Management Plan.

“Through our digital campaign and in public meetings, we’re asking the public to think about water and how it is used in their daily lives and recreation, but also its role in sustaining communities and in the face of climate change. I’m hoping for a great response to this public consultation and encourage people to get involved either through the LAWPRO local approach or the Department’s at www.gov.ie/draftRBMP,” Minister O’Brien added.

REGISTER

Readers are asked to register and attend one of the consultation meetings being held this February or early next month. The meetings will provide vital information on the Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027, a questions and answers session, and a discussion on local issues.