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Western River Basin District Project

County Sligo forms part of the Western River Basin District, one of eight River Basin Districts on the Island of Ireland. Other Local Authority areas in the Western River Basin District include some or all of the counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Clare and the city of Galway.

The River Basin Districts were set up as part of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, a framework setting clear objectives to ensure that “good status” will be achieved for all European waters by 2015. The directive applies to Europe’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and ground waters. Each River Basin District must develop a management plan for the protection and improvement of all it’s waters within it’s district.

Galway County Council is the lead Authority for the Western River Basin District Project. A Project Steering Group and Project Management Group have been set up and a characterisation report has been prepared by consultants for the project, ESB International, indicating the main pressures and threats to achieving the required water quality status for all waters within the basin.

The production of the Management Plan will involve major consultation with the public. Consultation will be through public meetings, the press and through direct communication. Following consultation, the draft plan will be available at the end of 2008, with the final management plan published in 2009. The plan will outline a programme of improvement and protection measures in order to achieve the required “good status” for all our waters within the required timeframe.

The ultimate success of the management plan will depend on the participation of all citizens, organisations and industries within the Western River Basin District in the consultation and ultimate implementation process. This is an opportunity to ensure the quality of our water for future generations. For access to further information contact www.wfdireland.ie and www.westernrbd.ie
 

 
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