Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Conference

In a story covered in the Argus and the other papers, the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is running a conference entitled Sustainable Jobs in Dundalk and Beyond (links to programme from Heritage Council web site: 2.8 M download). According to Chamber CEO Bill Tosh: "We have put together a full programme. We're clearly setting out our stall to claim this region's leadership in sustainables, with the launch of the National Centre of Excellence by Minister Eamonn Ryan. We are also pinning our hopes that our heritage, unspoiled as it is, along with logistics will be two of our strongest sectoral suites for economic development."

Abstracted from the programme

The conference will take place on Tuesday February 10th 2009 at the Crowne Plaza. A place at the conference costs € 100, to book a place call Fiona at (042) 9336343 or e-mail fiona@dundalk.ie.

Sustainability in the context of sustainable development is an increasingly urgent objective of County Louth and one which is now mandated by EU law: "
"Article 174 of the Treaty provides that Community policy on the environment is to contribute to, inter alia, the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the protection of human health and the prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources and that it is to be based on the precautionary principle. Article 6 of the Treaty provides that environmental protection requirements are to be integrated into the definition of Community policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development."

"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.

Good News for Recycling in Blackrock

According to the Argus newspaper, in a survey conducted by Rehab Recycle, Blackrock set a record as the top glass recycling site in the county - full story here. Information about the tonnage of waste collected for recycling can be found here. For example the total weight of cans for 2008 was 54 tonnes.

County Louth is reported to have one of the highest prosecution rates for dumping in the country, which is commendable, however egregious episodes of dumping are still regular. For example on a recent visit to Racecourse Road north of Dundalk, the ditch on either side was strewn with not only domestic rubbish, but in one instance, several sacks of used motor oil filters.

Oil filters dumped in a waterway at Racecourse road

New Water Conservation Regulations

Yesterday's Irish Times reported that the Minister for the Environment had signed new regulations dealing with the conservation of water. The new regulations under Section 56 of the Act give new powers to authorities to regulate the conservation of water by issuing orders prohibiting hosing gardens, car washing, irrigation of crops, etc in instances of water shortages. In the case of non compliance on the spot fines up to 5000 Euros may be imposed, as well as arrest without warrant by a member of the Gardai You have to wonder why these regulations are being brought in now.

The reason is probably related to the fact that over the next decades Ireland will face water shortages triggered by global warming. According the a report commissioned by the EPA, rainfall predictions by mid-century in Ireland are as follows:
"Overall increases of 11% in precipitation are predicted for the winter months of December–February. The greatest increases are suggested for the north-west, where increases of approximately 20% are suggested by mid-century. Little change is indicated for the east coast and in theeastern part of the Central Plain."
So we can expect little change in winter rainfall...however the report goes on:
"Marked decreases in rainfall during the summer and early autumn months across eastern and central Ireland are predicted. Nationally, these are of the order of 25% with decreases of over 40% in some parts of the east."

In summary the report, the only one to date to make a detailed regional assessment, suggests a decrease of up to 40% rainfall in the summer months and no increase of rainfall in the winter months. The implications for County Louth are obvious - we are likely to face droughts and shortages of water during the summer months over the coming decades.

Waste Facility at Hackballscross

The Argus newspaper reports today that residents at Hackballscross are concerned about a proposed landfill and waste management facility at Clonaleenan. According to the article: "Local resident Frank Woods commented: 'the experience with these facilities is that they bring a major increase in traffic, dust, litter, vermin, noise and pollution. 'Longer term they pose a major threat to surface and ground water systems and would affect a very large area.'Anyone wishing to find out more about this campaign can contact Frank Woods on 087-2671944 or email fgwoods@eircom.net."

The full story is here: http://www.argus.ie/news/residents-vow-to-fight-landfill-plans-1578109.html with a related piece in the Dundalk Democrat here: http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/dundalknews/Residents-hold-protestover-waste-risk.4780586.jp.

Details of the Regional Waste Management Plan can be found here: http://www.meath.ie/LocalAuthorities/Publications/EnvironmentPublications/NorthEastRegionWasteManagementPlan2005-2010/