13. Engaging with Local Communities - Fran Igoe
1 like1,469 views
The presentation discusses the development of the Local Authorities Waters and Communities Office's approach to public engagement regarding water management in Ireland, highlighting community participation initiatives and various projects across different counties. Key issues identified include erosion, pollution, and lack of coordination among agencies, with community members actively involved in restoration and conservation efforts. The aim is to improve local water bodies while fostering partnerships and raising public awareness through collaborative projects and educational outreach.
![Walking
2%
[CATEGORY NAME]
[PERCENTAGE]
Angling
9%
Fisheries
4%
Heritage
2%
Engineering
1%
Tidytowns
4%
Farming
4%
[CATEGORY NAME]
<1%
GWS
2%
Public
29%
Comm.Dev.
1%
Comm. Group
9%
Business
1%
LA
5%
ElectedOfficial
11%
Env. Group
2%
[CATEGORY NAME]
<1%
Media
1%
Other
7%
Attendees to the River Suir Public Meetings (n=351)
Elected
member
Farming
Public
TidyTowns
Heritage
Fisheries
Local
Authority
Community
Group
Other Walking Kayaking/canoeing
Who came?
Angling](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/13-170303160850/85/13-Engaging-with-Local-Communities-Fran-Igoe-31-320.jpg)
![Conservation importance: NATURA 2000
Features of
Interest
• Coastal lagoons
[1150]
• Embryonic
shifting dunes
[2110]
• Shifting dunes
along the
shoreline with
Ammophila
arenaria (white
dunes) [2120]
• Fixed coastal
dunes with
herbaceous
vegetation (grey
dunes) [2130](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/13-170303160850/85/13-Engaging-with-Local-Communities-Fran-Igoe-48-320.jpg)
13. Engaging with Local Communities - Fran Igoe
- 1. Engaging with Local Communities, experience to date! Presentationto Catchment Management Network Meeting 24th February 2017 Fran Igoe, Southern Regional Coordinator, Local Authorities Waters and Communities Office
- 2. Presentation Overview • Developing LAWCO’s approach to public engagement • River Suir PE Pilot • Learnings to date • Examples of community participation to date
- 6. What is the role of the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office? 1. Coordination & Support LA’s 2. Mobilise Community Participation – Participation, not consultation – Development of RBMP’s – Implementation Actions – Local water enhancement activities 3. Support to Minister & EPA
- 7. Approach • Awareness raising • Public engagement • Public participation (enabling) • Partnership networking • Targeting priority areas where possible • But also :- protect existing status
- 8. CommunityParticipation National organisations • Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) • Public Participation Network (PPN) – NGOs • Leader Companies – Irish Local Development Network(ILDN) • Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS) • Group Water Schemes • Rivers Trusts, Friends of etc, etc, etc ………….
- 9. CommunityParticipation Local organisations/communities • Local Communities Groups • Farming interest (Macra, Teagasc, IFA,ICMSA etc) – inc Locally Led • Fishing (TAFI, NARA, FISTA, local clubs) • Heritage + Tourism interests • Coastal communities • Gaeltacht areas • TidyTowns • Environmental NGOs e.g., SWAN, Coastwatch, An Taisce, etc. , Birdwatch, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group etc • Wildlife groups (IWF, Nature Networks etc) • Recreational Groups (Walkers, Kayakers, Canoeing clubs, sailing andboating etc)
- 10. Buildingon existinginitiatives • Looking for collaborations and joined up approaches • An Taisce Clean coasts, Blue Flag, Green schools • Coastwatch networks and monitoring • Farm events, • Heritage days • Leave no Trace • LA Environmental Awareness Officers • Community and enterprise • Universities and schools events
- 11. Developing Local Partnerships through doing? • Networksrepresenting communities • LEADER/FLAGS/otherfunding opportunities • Other potential funding synergies (e.g., SICAP) initiatives • Community awareness raising etc • Potential to develop larger projects and national strategies (e.g., Ecogym)
- 12. Water/biodiversity Project examples General Amenity • Beach clean • River/ coastal walk • Amenity area/ picnic area • Bird watching • Canoe/kayaking Public awareness • Leaflet of local information • Pride of place/Tidy towns project • Schools • Citizen science • Targeted surveys Restoration/conservation • Planting of trees • River restoration works • Fish passage • Invasive species control • Silt trapping Could tie in with Programme of measures under the Water Framework Directive
- 13. List of projects/potential projects Co. Mayo: R. Moy association formed and launched on Wednesday in Mount Flacon Hotel in Ballina – going to develop “plan” for R. Moy Bangor Erris – community group looking at projecton OwenmoreRiver Community group inquiring about projecton Lough Cara – GMITalso engaged Co. Kildare R. Ryewater – Kildare meth border, community group (with assistancefromKildareLA) doing sampling on river and looking at how they can improveriver. Co. Dublin: R. Mayne– North Dublin, community activist trying to establish group with a view to establishing a walk along river fromairportto coast. Santry / Naniken Rivers –Dublin City Co proposing project–with assistanceof LAWCO, projectwill be community led Co. Donegal: Cloughaneely Angling Association, North Donegal: soughtfunding for controlof Invasivespecies along River Corridors Inishown Rivers Trust–education and outreach Co. Monaghan: River Blackwater CatchmentTrust: control of Invasivespecies along River Blackwater River riparian vegetation management (fencing and address negativeimpacts of Tunnelling), River Restoration (habitat restoration and bank stabilisation) on the Mountain Water River. Emy & District Anglers interested in automated flow monitoring and potentially flow controlat the heavily modified Emy Lough & a weir rehabilitation, re-establish ecological sustainableflows in the river. Co. Leitrim- Erne Rivers Trusts - a scientific review of the River Erne and how the Salmon numbers could be restored Coast:Coastwatch – public meetings animation/training for draftRBD – adopt a coastalstream and managed sustainably into the future.
- 14. List of projects/potential projects Co. Mayo: R. Moy association formed and launched on Wednesday in Mount Flacon Hotel in Ballina – going to develop “plan” for R. Moy Bangor Erris – community group looking at projecton OwenmoreRiver Community group inquiring about projecton Lough Cara – GMITalso engaged Co. Kildare R. Ryewater – Kildare meth border, community group (with assistancefromKildareLA) doing sampling on river and looking at how they can improveriver. Co. Dublin: R. Mayne– North Dublin, community activist trying to establish group with a view to establishing a walk along river fromairportto coast. Santry / Naniken Rivers –Dublin City Co proposing project–with assistanceof LAWCO, projectwill be community led Co. Donegal: Cloughaneely Angling Association, North Donegal: soughtfunding for controlof Invasivespecies along River Corridors Inishown Rivers Trust–education and outreach Co. Monaghan: River Blackwater CatchmentTrust: control of Invasivespecies along River Blackwater River riparian vegetation management (fencing and address negativeimpacts of Tunnelling), River Restoration (habitat restoration and bank stabilisation) on the Mountain Water River. Emy & District Anglers interested in automated flow monitoring and potentially flow controlat the heavily modified Emy Lough & a weir rehabilitation, re-establish ecological sustainableflows in the river. Co. Leitrim- Erne Rivers Trusts - a scientific review of the River Erne and how the Salmon numbers could be restored Coast:Coastwatch – public meetings animation/training for draftRBD – adopt a coastalstream and managed sustainably into the future.
- 15. River Suir: Pilot project Public engagement • R Suir catchment • 16 Public meetings • 4 Counties (4 LA’s) • Initially 6 meetings/Tipp (OPW CFRAMs PCDs) • Awareness, WFD, LAWCO, -communitywork -Feedback for RBD -Catchmentpartnership?
- 16. What does the Waterford Estuary and your local rivers mean to you in Dunmore East? Haven Hotel, Dunmore East, December 12th 2016
- 18. River Suir - European importance Crayfish Salmon Freshwater Pearl Mussel Otter
- 19. Small coastal streams are important habitat for young sea trout (IFI)
- 20. New forestry approach for farmers with land along river banks (potential buffer zones- recreational areas) Promotion of practical “participation”initiatives - how communitiesand landowners can get involved
- 21. Clonmel Carrick-on-Suir River Nire Waterford Piltown KIlsheelin R. Nire contributes 28% of Suir trout stock Source: Massa-Gallucci and Mariani (2011) A genetic study of the mixed trout populations of the Boyne and Suir River catchments. Ballymacarbry
- 22. Golden The River Suir Catchment Thurles Cahir Tipperary town Piltown Carrick-on-Suir Ardfinnan Templemore Holycross Newcastle Clonmel Knocklofty Waterford Ballymacarbury Ballyhack/Arthu Portlaw DuncannonDunmore East Freshwater Transitional Coasta
- 30. • Joib • LA Environmentstaff also in attendance to lend backup • Joint presentationgiven with Wexford CoCo (Mairead Shore/Brendan Cooney) on priority waterbody (Duncannon) • Input from Coastwatchalso • 18 localNewspaper articles • 6 Radiointerviews
- 31. Walking 2% [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE] Angling 9% Fisheries 4% Heritage 2% Engineering 1% Tidytowns 4% Farming 4% [CATEGORY NAME] <1% GWS 2% Public 29% Comm.Dev. 1% Comm. Group 9% Business 1% LA 5% ElectedOfficial 11% Env. Group 2% [CATEGORY NAME] <1% Media 1% Other 7% Attendees to the River Suir Public Meetings (n=351) Elected member Farming Public TidyTowns Heritage Fisheries Local Authority Community Group Other Walking Kayaking/canoeing Who came? Angling
- 32. Towards connecting communities in the Suir Catchment
- 33. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Losing link with river Lack of surveillance and prosecution Erosion of river banks Water Quality Issues Pollution & flytipping Navigation Decrease in fish stock and biodiversity Flooding No swimming/lifeguards Education & awareness raising Invasive Species Sewage River Access Silt, gravel and vegetation Tunnelling and trees in river Governance of Rivers - too many Agencies Lack of joined up thinking Most commonly cited issues raised at River Suir Public Meetings 2016 (n=16) No of meetings issue raised
- 34. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Losing link with river Lack of surveillance and prosecution Erosion of river banks Water Quality Issues Pollution & flytipping Navigation Decrease in fish stock and biodiversity Flooding No swimming/lifeguards Education & awareness raising Invasive Species Sewage River Access Silt, gravel and vegetation Tunnelling and trees in river Governance of Rivers - too many Agencies Lack of joined up thinking Most commonly cited issues raised at River Suir Public Meetings 2016 (n=16) No of meetings issue raised
- 35. LAWCO Ardfinnan Paddlers Waterford CoCo – Heritage Officer Tipp CoCo Carrick Adminstrator Tipp CoCo Environment Clonmel Canoe Club Clonmel Canoe Club Blueway Dev Officer Tipp CoCo Sports Partnership NPWS Tipp CoCo Inland Fisheries Outsideof Picture Tipp CoCo Heritage Officer LAWCO Community participationin biosecurity planning
- 36. IFI Fisheries EnvironmentalOfficer Laune Angler Laune Angler LAWCO LAWCO LAWCO Kerry CoCo Planning Kerry CoCO Biodiversity Officer IFI Assistantinspector IFI RegionalDirector Working to bridge planning requirements and community aspirations River Laune: - potentialhydromorphogical pressurevs environmental benefit a potential model?
- 37. Source: EPA / Teagasc 2006 indicative soil type map Slide courtesy Katie Tedd River Blackwatercatchment RiverAllow River Funshion River Blackwater Other Catchment Meetings shoots of networks forming? River Allow meeting (7/12/16) River Lee catchment Reps from three catchment were present
- 38. Communities already providing information on: • Invasive species • Pollution issues • Land management issues • Biodiversity information • Detailed trout genetic information that may be useful for prioritisation of High Status sites
- 39. Community activity Practical example 1 Hydromorphologicalpressure (drainage)
- 40. OPW R. Suir Consultations • River Suir Pilot for OPW • Consultations complete- flood management options proposed • We notified attendees on deadline (Dec 13th), sent them the draft CFRAMS and how to comment • Some proposed options include dredging of river = hydromorphological pressure • Not only did we increase their consultations on the PCDs but also online submissions
- 41. Community submission – Fethard Tourism and Business Group – Clashawley and Killusty Anglers – Fethard Heritage – Fethard Commuity Group OPW preferred option = embankment, wall and >1km dredging Clashawley = important Salmon and trout river Above submission identified other options which may reduce/eliminate the need for dredging: 1. Modification on existing road bridge and 2. Replacement of foot bridge Potential: avoid hydromorphological pressure/deterioration
- 42. River restoration/community amenity Community activity Practical example 2 The Well of Ara Project
- 43. The bigger picture? 1. Reconnect community with river 2. Tie in with Town and Village Renewal scheme 3. Help underpin efforts to address industrial and urban pollution issues 4. Help support upstream buyin to planned Agri-investigations Location of proposed walk Coop Predominantlyfarmland
- 45. • Public meeting in Tipperary Town • 3 Radio interviews – one specific to project • Presentation to School Board of Management • Update – Board in principal in agreement of proposal – referring now to board of trustees.
- 46. Invasive species removal Community activity Practical example 3
- 47. Kilkeran Lough/lagoon: Castlefreke • Small coastal catchment • Atypical in a number of aspects • Key stakeholders – Farmers – Environmentalists – Anglers? – Rowers – Surfers – Wider community
- 48. Conservation importance: NATURA 2000 Features of Interest • Coastal lagoons [1150] • Embryonic shifting dunes [2110] • Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) [2120] • Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes) [2130
- 50. River
- 52. Kilkeran Lough: Castlefeakle • H balsam risk high • Small area • Vulnerable catchment to colonisation • Visit on 4th Aug’ 16 • Removed in 24th Sept 16
- 53. Around the country • Rivers Trusts seem to be gaining some traction. • Other catchment arrangements also evolving. • Interest from Agri-food sector – Environmental Stewardship • Local Authority initiatives: – Meath CoCo setting up a catchment management group for the beach at Laytown-Bettystown. – Wicklow CoCo developing a ICM pilot catchment project. Dublin City are establishing a WFD office. – Wexford CoCo established “farmer friendly” catchment approach to catchment draining onto Duncannon Beech
- 54. Communication Strategy • Traditional Media Social media • EPA media (App) • Catchment.ie
- 56. Conclusion • Public interested – Water based activities – Heritage – Economy/tourism – Peoples concerns are local • River Basin Management Plan – People feel there is a “lack of joined up thinking” in water management in Ireland – Making the WFD relevant – Public participation key – Careful thought into how public can be engaged
- 57. IF you are going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big!
- 58. THANK YOU
- 59. THANK YOU
- 60. • Peoples concerns are “local”, not national,not regional, we have to assist in delivering the “local” action and also translating these into programmes, priorities and policy where required.