National Agri-Environment Conference 2018 Water Quality - A Collaborative Effort To Meet Our Shared Objectives Ruairí Ó Conchúir - Lady Gregory ...
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National Agri-Environment Conference 2018
Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort, Co. Galway
Water Quality - A Collaborative Effort
To Meet Our Shared Objectives
Ruairí Ó Conchúir
25th October 2017
Overview of Presentation 1. Background 2. Catchment Management Policy and Plans 3. Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) & ASSAP 4. Water Quality & Catchment Planning – Areas for Action 5. The Role of EIPs 6. Mulkear EIP - Farmer Involvement in Improving Local Water 7. Summary
Background
BurrenLIFE – Farming For Conservation Programme
So why has the Burren Farming Programme Been So Successful?
MulkearLIFE project – Mulkear Catchment - Lower Shannon
2009 to 2015
Work to Improve Water Quality
Proven Role For Catchment Management
in the Mulkear Catchment?
Community Engagement & Partnership Building:
Mulkear Catchment Management Group
Me, NPWS, OPW, Limerick CCC, Teagasc, IFI
3rd Level, Local farmers, Local Anglers, Tourism
(Missing: ESB, Tipp Co. Co., Dept. of Agric.)
Catchment Management Policy and Plans
• New approach
• Collaborative approach
–Everyone working together
• Ambitious but realistic
Overall objective:
Good Quality in all watersWater Framework Directive
➢ River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs)
➢ Programmes of Measures (PoMs)
➢ Six year cycles
1st cycle 2nd cycle 3rd cycle
2009 -2015 2016 -2021 2021 -2027
Step 1 - Catchment characterisation – defining the problems.
Step 2 - RBMP & PoMs – setting targets and programmes.
Step 3 - Implement measures – delivering improvements.
Step 4 - Monitor and evaluate – gather data and information.
Step 5 - Report to EC – summary of progress and outcomes.
12A New Approach for 2016 - 2021 Cycle
1 River Basin District: 46 Catchments, 583 Sub-
catchments, 4,832 water bodies.
4.78 million people: 33% in cities, 29% in towns,
38% rural areas.
Protected areas: 134 designated bathing waters, 64
shellfish waters, 358 SACs with water dependency.
13Improvements and Disimprovements
2007-2009 to 2013-2015
River Water Body Ecological Status Changes 07/09 to 13/15
1400
1232
1200 1089
No. River Water Bodies
1000
800
600
435
400 349
200
45 74
4 6
0
3 classes 2 classes 1 class No change 1 class 2 classes 3 classes Unassigned in 1
or both periods
Improved (398) Stable Disimproved (515) No data
398 515• Detailed assessment of 46 catchments with 4,882 water bodies • 45% of rivers and 54% of lakes at less than good status • 32% of water bodies are “at risk” of losing their status • 53% of “at risk” waterbodies are subject to more than one pressure
Significant Pressures (EPA Data)
Public Consultations Draft River Basin Management Plan April-July 2017
Public Meetings – April to July 2017
Characterisation
Workshops
2017The right measure
in the right place…
• Implementation of measures • Community awareness and
targeted at priority water engagement is key
bodies • Build knowledge/expertise for
• Regional structure to 3rd cycle RBMP
coordinate resources across • Evidence based approach –
public bodies and agencies Science and local knowledgeThe River Basin Management
Plan for Ireland (2018-2021)
Published
April 2018Expected Outcomes
• Comprehensive programme of measures in place
• A total of 190 Areas have been prioritised for action
(2018-2021). These include a total of 726 water
bodies. Improvements are expected in all.
• Conservatively estimate that 152 additional water
bodies in AAs (10% of all at risk water bodies and
21% of those in AAs) will show improvement in
status by 2021 with further improvements thereafter
• Progress with urban waste water and agricultural
measures particularly important
• Key objective is to build the foundations and
momentum for delivery in the long-term
• Regional work programmes to be developed by local
authorities
• The new governance structures will underpin effective
implementation
• Ongoing management of the process is essential
22Agriculture
• New strengthened and balanced NAP (2018-2021)
– New strengthened water protection measures
– Achieving optimum soil fertility and improving nutrient use efficiency
– Simplification of the regulations for improved implementation
– Enhanced Knowledge Transfer
– Limited adjustments to nutrient allowances and application
• New Sustainability & Advisory Support Programme (30 sustainability
advisers) will promote;
– Best practice in 190 prioritised Areas for Action
– Best practice within the dairy sector through the Dairy Sustainability Initiative
– Launched by Ministers and Dairy Industry on 29 November 2017
• Continued targeting of the RDP
• SMART Farming Initiative
23Priority Areas for Action
• 46 catchments in the country.
• 5 Regional Catchment Characterisation
workshops in 2017.
• Built on EPA evidence.
• All 31 LAs involved.
• Relevant public agencies involved.
• Expert local knowledge and discussion.
• 190 Priority Areas for Action (PAA’s)
identified.
For more information see
www.watersandcommunities.ie
24Local Authority Waters Programme
(LAWPRO)
www.watersandcommunities.ieThe Waters and Communities Office:
Our Role
• To work with Local Authorities in coordinating water quality activities
across the regions
• To encourage public bodies, sectoral interests, NGO’s and local
communities, to share knowledge and work together to protect and
manage our natural waters
Why?
Because Healthy Waters Supports…
Our Health, Our Wellbeing and
Our Communities….Staff and Office Locations
Sean Keating, Director 12 Community
Tipp County Council Waters Officers
3 Support Staff
Sheevaun Thompson
3 Regional Coordinators
Alan Walsh
Bernie O’Flaherty - Border
Michael Pollard Ray Spain - Mid Region
Fran Igoe - South RegionRuairí Ó Conchúir:
Clare, Limerick & North Tipperary
Based in Limerick
My
Operational
Area
29Local Authority Waters Support and Advice Team
• The Waters Support and Advice Team was established as a
measure under the RBMP 2018-2021
• It is a Local Authority shared service working on a regional
basis.
– Border, Midlands and East, West, South East and South
West
• The Teams will be undertaking local catchment
assessments, walking the streams, assessing water quality
and identifying areas where local measures can improve
water quality31
Next Steps: • LA Waters Support and Advice Team will carry out local catchment assessments to try to identify where the problems are, at local level. • Work with the relevant bodies to identify suitable measures to break the pathways for pollutant transfer to the river
Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory
Programme
• 30 new Agricultural Advisors.
• Funded by DHPLG, DAFM and the Dairy Co-ops.
• Staff work under Teagasc and the Dairy Co-ops.
• Link with LA waters teams in the PAAs
– (where agriculture is the significant pressure).
• Work one-to-one with farmers to offer free
advice and solutions.
• Best agricultural practices in the PAA
33Key Messages regarding Water Quality
based on Current Data
➢ General Water Quality in Ireland has been static since
the commencement of the Water Framework Directive.
➢ There have been improvements in the Worst of the
Worst (Serious Pollution) in Rivers.
➢ There have been significant declines in the Best of the
Best (e.g. Q5 sites on rivers).
➢ This is a significant challenge to be addressed.River Basin Management Plan
Implementation Timeframes
➢ Plan was launched April 2018
➢ Will run until 31st December 2021
➢ 2018 ( 2 months)
➢ 2019 (12 months)
➢ 2020 (12 months)
➢ 2021 (12 months)
➢= 38 months of implementation
We Need To Get Busy 35Websites: www.watersandcommunities.ie Water Quality & Catchments Newsletter: www.catchments.ie
The River Basin Management Plan
(2018-2021) & EIPSDuhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments (Allow Project)
• The aim is to restore the status of a high status objective waterbody not meeting its objective in an
agricultural catchment (River Allow, Duhallow Co Cork) through a collaborative locally-led farmer focused
approach, between farmers with experience of high status bespoke conservation measures and those with
none, and protect high status waterbodies meeting their objectives. The specific objectives are:
• Restore and protect high status objective waterbodies in the project target area.
• Develop and implement a three tiered locally-led results based payment scheme for farmers in high status
catchments.
• Implement bespoke (and other) measures to achieve the integrated catchment management impact
required through knowledge exchange between farmers with target waterbodies.
• Develop and implement an on-farm citizen science approach with the farmers.
• Incorporate biodiversity and greenhouse gas payments within the measures.
• Carry out catchment visioning on the importance of high status to the local farming through knowledge
exchange and the wider community through public engagement.
• Inform national policy and programmes on best practice for the management of high status waterbodies
within agricultural communitiesAllow 30
Allow 50
Owenanare 20
Owenkeal
Dalua 30
Brogeen
Blue arrows = high status objective water bodies
i.e., within blue dot catchment programme.
Note Dalua 30 less than high status and
Lower Allow at Poor statusMain Case Study
The Mulkear EIP
Innovation, Technology & Knowledge Transfer for Farmer
Led Enhancement of Water Quality, Instream Habitat and
Riparian Management in the Mulkear CatchmentTimeframe: 5 Years (Jan. 2019 to Dec 2023) (EIP Project Plan)
Budget: €1.33m
Partners: EIP Operational Group Members: Mulkear Catchment
Limited, IFA (Local & National), ICMSA, Teagasc,
ASSAP, LAWCO, Limerick City & County Council,
Tipperary County Council, Dairygold, Freshgrass Group,
Agricultural Consultants Association, Forestry Owners
Association of Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology.
Others: LAWSAT, Limerick Institute of Technology, Inland
Fisheries Ireland, local Vet and local “Farm Champions”.Key Local Champions
Key Issues for Mulkear Farmers in planning of the EIP Word Cloud of Key Emerging Issues for Mulkear Farmers in the planning of the EIP (Aug. 2018)
Partnership : EIP, Mulkear Farmers, IFA, ICMSA, Teagasc,
LAWCO, LAWSAT, ASSAP, Dairygold and
two Local Authorities
Water Quality: Farm Viability, Sustainable Water Management,
Biodiversity
Innovation: Innovative Pilot, Catchment Sensitive Farming
Farm Level: Breaking the Pathway, Source-Pathway-Receptor,
Future Proofing, Yard and Field Measures,
Climate Change Measures,
Catchment Level: Uplands and Lowlands, SMART Farming
Community Based: Environmental Education, Conservation
Volunteers, Citizen ScienceOverarching Objectives - Deliver a catchment sensitive approach to farming in a catchment which is “At Risk”. - Support local farmers to stay farming while working to achieve good water quality.
Key objectives:
(i) Build farmer capacity to id & mitigate agricultural impacts on water quality through practical
on-farm measures and shared learning in catchment sensitive farming discussion groups.
(ii) deliver a collaborative partnership model to enable EIP partners, using the source-pathway-
receptor model, to collectively identify key water quality concerns in the catchment.
(iii) collate data generated from local catchment assessments to mitigate the risk from the major
sources and pathways identified while developing baseline data for monitoring.
(iv) deliver a highly innovative collaborative approach to catchment sensitive farming with local
farmers inputting into the co-design and development of appropriate mitigation measures.
(v) celebrate the Mulkear via a community based outreach programme based on improving local
water quality, biodiversity and riparian management.Mulkear Catchment Limerick City
Sub Catchments in this Catchment
Limerick CityWaterbodies (Rivers) Limerick City
Mulkear Catchment - Lower Shannon SAC
Priority Areas for Action & Water Quality in the Mulkear Catchment
(Source: https://www.catchments.ie/maps/)
↑N
Co. Tipperary
Co. Limerick Inch (Bilboa) →
Limerick City
← Bilboa
← Toem and
Cappawhite
← Mulkear
Dead & Cauteen →Water Quality Mulkear Catchment - Lower Shannon SAC
At Risk Water Bodies
(Source: https://www.catchments.ie/maps/)
↑N
Co. Tipperary
Co. Limerick
Limerick City
Inch (Bilboa) →
← Bilboa ← Toem and
Cappawhite
← Mulkear
Dead & Cauteen →
Figure No. 9. Water bodies ‘At Risk’ of not meeting WFD objectives in the Mulkear Catchment
(Source: https://www.catchments.ie/maps/)The Mulkear EIP 2019-2023
Innovation – 9 Areas of Innovation (Big & Small) The project has already delivered a highly innovative bottom-up collaborative approach with local farmers inputting in the co-design and development of the project proposal. Innovation is considered the cornerstone of the Mulkear EIP. 1. Innovation In Approach: Mulkear EIP OG - highly committed, experienced and multi-skilled body of farmers and catchment management specialists. 2. Innovation In Local Catchment Assessment – Putting Theory Into Practice: A meaningful and practical suite of on-farm measures and innovation in local catchment assessment. It will develop local catchment assessments to allow for the identification of pollution concerns at a farm, sub-catchment and catchment level. This work will greatly assist in the further refinement of getting “the right measure in the right place”.
Innovation – 9 Areas of Innovation (Big & Small) 3. Results Based Payments Approach: To reward farmers in proportion to the environmental outcomes they provide and the value of the service delivered. Used where the farm risk assessment demonstrates a need for a particular type of measure – moving away from the limitations of ‘one-size fits all’. 4. Reverse Auction Approach: A type of auction where the roles of the buyer (the Mulkear EIP) and seller (local Mulkear farmer) are reversed. Mulkear farmers will be invited to bid for what they are willing to be paid to undertake measures to support catchment sensitive farming and improve water quality.
Innovation – 9 Areas of Innovation (Big & Small) 5. Digital Story Telling Initiative (DSTI): The DSTI will allow local farmers to tell the story of catchment sensitive farming in the Mulkear and the interrelationship between water quality, farming and the natural and cultural heritage of the Mulkear Catchment. 6. Use of Drones: Drones will be used for river corridor assessments and survey work in target areas e.g. tunnelling along river corridors, unrestricted river access points, bank erosion and slippage, the identification of possible “Sources” in different weather periods, and actual “Pathways” in wet weather periods. 7. Network of River Champions: The EIP will establish of a Network of River Champions at a farm level, community and agency level. This Network will be supported by a citizen science programme.
Innovation – 9 Areas of Innovation (Big & Small) 8. Mulkear Conservation Volunteers: The Mulkear EIP will re-establish the Mulkear Conservation Volunteers to help protect, manage and enhance the natural heritage of the Mulkear Catchment. 9. Local and National Awards: The Mulkear EIP will establish an annual award programme entitled the “Mulkear Catchment Sensitive Farmer Award” to acknowledge and support farmers who show real commitment to farm to improve natural water bodies and biodiversity. The Mulkear EIP will also annually nominate a Mulkear farmer to the recently established National Farming for Nature Award.
Without The Support of Local Farmers None of the Work Could / Will Happen
Farmers Are Our Key Partners On The Ground
Work With Farmers ➢ Improvement of water quality in affected areas by cattle disturbance due to trampling and faecal disturbance • Benefit: Farmers, Water Quality, Salmon, etc
Work With Famers In the Mulkear Catchment
➢ Work with Farmers to promote good water
stewardship & riparian management
➢ Farms subsequently to act as demo farmsEnvironmental Education Programme in Schools & the Wider Community
Creating Awareness Amongst School Children ➢ Importance of having school children engaged in their own local environment, local biodiversity and Leave No Trace ➢ TT have an opportunity to provide leadership on environment educational & linking with Green Schools Programme locally
Conclusion • Public participation is a core element of the River Basin Management Plan and the WFD. • Better water management is dependent on a high level of community participation. • Successful EIP projects – bring about local level improvements, a sense of pride of place & satisfaction. • Benefits – to the environment, health & well being and the local economy.
Thank You For Listening
Ruairí Ó Conchúir
(085 808 3715
roconchuir@lawco.ie
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