COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor S. Holland

"That the Chief Executive liaise with EPA catchments on the River Basin Management Plan on eradication of the Japanese Knotweed (and any other invasive species) which is prevalent along Whitechurch Stream, and to report back to this Area Committee on it."

REPORT:

"As reported previously to the County Council and Area Committee meetings in 2016 and to date in 2017, an exercise to survey and map locations where Japanese Knotweed is in existence in the County is under way.  To date the Dodder river has been surveyed and mapped in its entirety while the Owendoher River and Whitechurch Stream have been surveyed and mapped in part.  The surveying and mapping on the Owendoher River and Whitechurch Stream has now recommenced and will be completed soon while the survey of the Dodder will be reviewed to determine if any changes have occurred since it's completion. In addition to these areas there are a number of known locations around the County where Japanese Knotweed is in existence and these have been mapped and are the subject of an existing treatment programme.  While some treatment of areas on the Dodder, Owendoher and Whitechurch stream has occurred in the past it is planned that an extensive treatment programme, informed by the information gleaned from the surveying and mapping exercise, will commence in September of this year and will run for the recommended period of 4 to 5 years until such time as the problem has been eradicated.  It is known that the problem exists on private property in some areas and the Council intends to inform owners or property affected in this way. As requested the Council will make a submission on the matter of invasive species including Japanese Knotweed under the River Basin Management Plan process."