Report of 5 th Meeting of WFD Co-ordination Group 4 th September, 2001

Transcription

1 Report of 5 th Meeting of WFD Co-ordination Group 4 th September, 2001 Attended Brian Leech, Chairman (DELG) Gerry Flannery, (DELG) Michael Layde, (DELG) Mary O Brien, (DELG) Peter Britton, (LGCSB) Margaret Keegan, (EPA) Eva Cahill, (EPA) Larry Stapleton, (EPA) Paul Toner, (EPA) Ken Irvine, (TCD) Apologies John Sadlier (DELG) Gerry Wynn, (DETE) Billy Moore, (CCEA) Conor Clenaghan, (EPA) Jim Bowman, (EPA) Jacqueline Doyle, (MI) Jim Ryan, (Duchas/AHGI) Evin McGovern, (MI) Donal Daly, (GSI) Geoff Wright, (GSI) Matthew Sinnott, (DAFRD) Philip McMahon, (DMNR) Trevor Champ, (CFB) Mark Adamson, (OPW) Angus McRobert, (EHS NI) Pat Duggan, (DELG) Martin Farrell, (DAFRD) Liam Gleeson, (DELG) Kevin Clabby, (EPA) Introduction: Dr. Leech, (DELG) welcomed the participants to the 5 th meeting of the Co-ordination Group especially anyone attending for the first time. 1. Minutes: The draft minutes of the 4 th meeting were agreed. Matters arising: None 2. Update on Common EU Implementation Strategy for WFD: It was reported that the EU Co-ordination Group will meet on 17 th September, 2001 and that report would be circulated by to members of the Irish WFD Co-ordination Group. 3. North South Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Mr. McRobert (EHS) reported that the TAG has not met since the last meeting of the WFD Co-ordination Group Meeting. The significant advance since the last meeting is that TAG are preparing a PowerPoint Presentation to be presented to the North South Ministerial (Environment Sector) meeting in October, The presentation is in relation to the general progress being made for the delineation of North/South River Basin Districts. This will be the first time for the Ministers to be acquainted with the huge burden that the WFD will generate both politically and administratively. Mr McRobert, (EHS) said that NI hopes to have a NI Co-ordination Group set up

2 shortly and that they also hoped to commence their initial public consultation in October, UK Developments: Mr. McRobert, (EHS) reported that there is concern in the UK in relation to the costs of implementing the WFD. Scottish Executive and DEFRA are looking at more technical aspects. (Annex II and Annex V). Consideration is being given for separate WFD implementation in devolved administrations (Scottish/Wales/England/NI). Marine progress is very good but special considerations arise in the delineation of cross border rivers/lakes in the UK. Primary Legislation is required in Scotland. The second round of Public Consultation is being commenced in the UK which will be geared towards the technical aspects of the Directive. The first round was mainly in relation to the general aspects of the Directive. The following items were mentioned: cost implication of the WFD. what limit for territorial waters when does no further deterioration come into effect when has progress to be made. Mr. Layde, (DELG) said that in the new draft Water Services Bill that he was happy that we were addressing the requirement of the WFD. 5. Water Framework Directive Seminar: Mr. Flannery (DELG) reported that the proposal for a two-day seminar had been reviewed and that it had now been agreed to split the seminar into two separate one-day seminars. The first one-day seminar will be mainly for local authorities and the second day will be all stakeholders. Dr. Leech, (DELG) said that copies of the proposed agenda for the Seminar are included with the papers distributed for the meeting and any comments in relation to this can be made directly to Mr. Flannery. 6. Interim Report of Irish Groundwater Working Group: Copies of the interim report were included with papers circulated for the meeting. DELG will arrange for hard copies of an updated version to be circulated to each member of the Working Group. Mr. Daly, (GSI) presented the report to the meeting. Copies of the PowerPoint presentation are attached to these minutes for information. Following the presentation a short discussion ensued. Mr. Britton (LGCSB) asked would the groundwater bodies link across catchments. Mr. Daly said that in most cases the divide will be the topographical divide with the Shannon and Western RBDs being the exception. Mr. Daly confirmed that the funding for the groundwater project via the suspense a/c set up for the purpose complied with public procurement.

3 7. Update on activities of other Irish Working Groups: Lakes/Rivers: Dr. Toner, (EPA) reported that work was progressing well with focus initially being on typology Rivers and Lakes types identified in initial review. Main work being carried out by the TAG Working Group. Characterisation System B of the WFD. Dr. Toner reported problem with reference conditions in rivers. Priority Substances should not be present. A large amount analytical work is required and facilities are not good in ROI. Dr. Toner said that Mr. Bowman, (EPA) has attended Swedish meeting on Reference Conditions at which no firm conclusions concerning reference conditions has been reached. Intercalibration is crucial to ensure that Irelands data compares well with other EU MS. Pressures and Impacts: Margaret Keegan, (EPA) attended on behalf of Conor Clenaghan, (EPA), who was absent due to illness. Ms. Keegan said that it was important that the Pressures and Impacts Group had links with all the other Working Groups. Ms Keegan distributed two papers to the meeting; a proposed framework for the Pressures and Impact Working Group and a outline methodology. Ms Keegan invited urgent proposals for membership of the Pressures and Impacts Group as work needs to be progressed quickly. It was agreed that Ms. Keegan should be contacted directly with proposed membership nominations. Transitional/Coastal Waters: Evin McGovern (MI) reported that on transitional and coastal waters. Gap in ROI capability to monitor Priority Substances. Typology: no progress with EU Groups (next meeting 20 th September, 2001) NS TAG and UK groups have made good progress. There is a need to identify data required for marine/coastal typology and there is a severe lack of resources. Ms. Doyle (MI) raised her concerns in relation to resources both human and funding. Ms. Doyle indicated the MI can t participate properly without additional resources and that this has been raised at the NS TAG meetings.

4 Trevor Champ supported comments on the lack of resources. Mr. Flannery said that it was up to each Department to identify their role in the WFD and identify what resources they need and approach their Department or Parent Department to have the funding included in the relevant Departments estimates. Mr. Sinnott, (DAFRD) indicated that Teagasc will need to be approached formally regarding the use of their soil maps. He said that Teagasc was aware informally. Mr. McRobert reported that NI have the same pressures. Lead individuals are under great pressure. Ms Doyle, (MI) said that the work was at a critical stage and additional personnel were needed to access data and identify gaps. It was agreed that the Steering Group should meet to discuss this matter. This is to be arranged by the DELG. Fish Stock Assessment: Mr. Champ, (CFB) reported that their Board was under going a Human Resources review and following on from the previous discussion that the need for staff for the WFD had been identified but that the request had been refused. Mr. Champ reported that new methodologies are required for WFD e.g. acoustic fish stock assessment, which are more wildlife friendly. Roach had been introduced to Lough Melvin and Lough Conn and stocks are expanding, replacing and interbreeding with the native rudd. This is a problem that the Fisheries boards will need to look at. No fish stock assessment report available yet; under discussion between CFB and MI. It is proposed to hold a fisheries workshop in September or October 2001, to discuss WFD implementation methodology, etc. Mr. Champ hopes that by late October they will have identified Fish Agencies requirements and how they will deliver on these and how to better use available resources. Geographical Information Systems/IT Compatibility: Ms Cahill, EPA reported that Catchment Envisage is being evaluated. Steering Group is collecting data from various organisations in order to identify any gaps in information. Ms Cahill requested that questionnaires previously issued would be returned as soon as possible.

5 Dr. Leech asked Matt Sinnott, (DAFRD) whether DAFRD would provide data on agricultural information. Dr. Leech said that this had been raised at at least two previous meetings. Mr Sinnott responded by saying that the names of the two Principal Officers involved would be given to the Co-ordination Group. He said that requests for data should be more specific. He pointed out that different data is held for different schemes but that information could be provided. Ms. Cahill, (EPA) suggested a meeting with consultants, Agriculture, LGCSB, catchment people and the DELG to determine exactly what data is required. CSO may also have some data. Need to identify what real data is available. Mr. Britton, (LGCSB) emphasised the need for national body e.g., EPA to define RBD boundaries and there was a similar need for coastal waters. Mapping is very important. There is no EU meetings on IT Standards to date. Date of next meeting: Thursday, 11 th October, 2001 in the Royal Dublin Hotel. Other Developments: DELG reported that since the last meeting that approval in principle had been given to projects for the Shannon RBD, Eastern RBD and Western RBD. Proposals were shortly expected of a South Western RBD. The delineation of IRBDs is progressing. The Final Report on the Lough Derg - Ree project had been launched 11 th July, AOB: Mr. Stapleton, (EPA) reported that there was a good response to the R+D projects. Mr. Stapleton said that he would provide the TCD Report, which was now complete, for comment. DELG to report to Group members. Items for next meeting: R&D Projects TCD Report