COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, March 16, 2009

HEADED ITEM NO. 9

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

EASTERN RIVER BASIN DISTRICT

DRAFT RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN

The constituent local authorities of the Eastern River Basin District (ERBD) have prepared a Draft River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures for the ERBD which gives effect to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC as transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003) as amended by the European Communities (Water Policy) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 219/2008). The purpose of the plan is to maintain the “high status” of waters where it exists, prevent any deterioration in the existing status of waters and to achieve at least “good status” in relation to all waters by 2015.

The area of the ERBD takes in all or part of counties Cavan, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, Fingal, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Offaly, South Dublin, Westmeath, Wicklow and Wexford.  It encompasses hydrometric areas 7, 8, 9 and 10.  This is the basin district for several significant bodies of water.  Some of the better known rivers are the Boyne, Liffey, Nanny, Devlin, Vartry, and Avoca.  There is extensive coastline with well-known high-amenity bays and beaches e.g. Dublin Bay and Brittas Bay.  The main water features are:

The ERBD is the most densely populated of all Ireland’s RBDs.  The economic expansion of the recent years has given rise to a growth in population, especially the expansion of the Dublin commuter belt.

 In compliance with the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435 of 2004), a Strategic Environment Assessment is being carried out on behalf of the ERBD constituent local authorities, and an Environmental Report has been prepared assessing the likely significant environmental impacts of implementing the Draft Plan and Programme of Measures.

 A Habitats Directive Appropriate Assessment under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC has also been undertaken to ascertain if the Draft Plan and Programme of Measures could significantly impact on any site designated for conservation as part of the Natura 2000 network.

 Copies of the Draft Plan and Programme of Measures, the associated Environmental Report and the Habitats Directive Assessment can be downloaded from www.erbd.ie. A copy of the draft Plan is available for inspection at the Environmental Services Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 during office hours.

 The constituent local authorities now invite written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Plan, associated Environmental Report and Habitats Directive Assessment. Written submissions should be forwarded for the attention of Mr Ray Earle , Project Co-ordinator, Eastern River Basin District Project c/o Dublin City Council, 4th Floor, 68-70 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8. Tel: 01-222 4274. email: comments@erbd.ie on or before 22nd June 2009. These submissions / observations will be taken into consideration before finalisation of the Plan.

 This notice is issued in accordance with Article 14.2 of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722/2003) and Article 13 of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 435/2004), on behalf of the constituent local authorities (Dublin City Council, Kildare County Council, Meath County Council, Wicklow County Council, Cavan County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Louth County Council, Offaly County Council, South Dublin County Council, Westmeath County Council and Wexford County Council).