"Sea of Filth"

FG Councillor Anne Dillon-Gallagher has complained of a major dumping episode near the recycling centre at Mell in a report in the Drogheda Independent. According to the article, "Cllr Dillon-Gallagher said we must consider the cost, not just in monetary terms but also to the environment.
'We have to get across to the public that it is their civic duty to report this illegal activity to the environment section of the council,' she said."

In a similar story in the Dundalk Democrat, SF Councillor Ian Dooley has highlighted the same issue. According to the piece, "people who witness or know of illegal dumping to contact the litter hotline on (free phone) 1800 20 26 06."

Perhaps the apparent recent increase in illegal dumping is due to the economic downturn, however there can be no excuse. The impact of a single bag of domestic waste in terms of clean-up and longer term impact on the environment, especially if waterways are affected, is inestimable. Some materials such as plastic can persist in the environment for hundreds of years - in fact it is estimated that every piece of plastic ever manufactured is still in existence, much of it in the sea, barring what was incinerated. Food waste attracts rats that bring diseases such as Weil's disease. Other waste is toxic and may contaminate ground water. But most of all rubbish is unsightly and offensive.

It is an offence to dump any kind of waste and waste is very broadly defined under the Waste Management Act eg "Products for which the holder has no further use." Penalties range up to 10 million Euro fines and 10 years in jail.

Any dumping episode can also be reported to the EPA on 1850 365 121 where callers can give information anonymously to a trained operator 24-hours a day. All of these calls are followed up by the Gardai, EPA and local authoraties.

Destruction of Conservation Area Stopped

Alert Blackrock citizen Brian Hopper stopped illegal works by An Bord Gais on a Special Area of Conservation located just north of Blackrock in Marsh South, an area known as The Loakers according to a story in the Dundalk Democrat. Apparently they were unaware that they were not permitted to carry out works in that area. The matter was resolved following the intervention of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, tel 018882000.

This episode is a salutory lesson in how members of the public can play a vital role in environmental protection. There are several protected areas in County Louth including Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas and it is an offence to carry out any works, dumping (even of clean top-soil) or any other activity that might interfere with the integrity of, or disturb wildlife in, the area in question.

Conservation Areas around Blackrock.

Bord Refuses Permission for Houses in Dundalk

According to the Argus newspaper:

"Permission for 186 houses on the Carrick Road has been refused by An Bord Pleanála.
This follows an appeal by Willow Grove Residents' Association against the decision made on March 13th by Dundalk Town Council to grant subject to conditions a permission to McCaughey Developments of Carrickmacross Road, Dundalk."

The area is question, known as Mounthamilton, is located here. It is a low lying woodland area with exposed rock and given its location near the town, is of particular ecological interest according to the Councils own ecological survey of the area...although that was not the reason for the development being refused. According to the inspector, "Having regard to the layout and design, it is considered that the proposal would result in substandard development with respect to the provision of quality, usable public open space and by reason of the prevalence of car dominant roads and lack of connections and permeability for pedestrians and cyclists. This is considered to be contrary to the aims and objectives of the Dundalk South West Area Local Area Plan. The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the amenities of the area and of future occupiers of the development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

Typical clearing in Mounthamilton woodland

However because the area is zoned premature for development, there is still a possiblilty that some future application would be successful. In the light of this eventuality perhaps it would be a good idea for the County Council to address the value of this area not just as a public amenity and wildlife refuge near the heart of the town, but also as a possible sump to relieve surronging housing from possible future flooding events.