ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE TO PROTECT, CONSERVE AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT IN COUNTY CARLOW.

Progress on the implementation of the various elements of the South East Waste Management Plan is a significant part of the Waste Management Programme.  The Joint Waste Management Plan for the South East covering the period 2006 to 2011 was adopted in June 2006 and reflects changes in population, waste arisings and infrastructural requirements. The objective of the Plan is to secure the best environmental management of waste generated in the region. This is contingent on a number of specific policies as follows:-

1. Public Awareness and Education
2. Prevention and Minimisation
3. Waste Collection and Charging
4. Waste Recovery and Recycling
5. Waste Treatment/Final Disposal
6. Priority Waste Streams
7. Unauthorised Waste Activities
8. Policy on Joint Management and Procurement

 

Some of the main objectives of the plan are:

1. A new focus on bring centres with the emphasis on quality of location, presentation and range of receptacles and materials accepted.
2. In relation to dry recyclables the region will support a new existing facility operated by Waterford County Council at Dungarvan.
3. In relation to organic waste the region will support existing composting facility operated by Waterford City and will promote the provision of additional facilities as necessary.
4. Provide an integrated waste facility incorporating thermal treatment and energy recovery by 2011 with a capacity to meet the residual waste disposal needs of the region.
5. Prepare a register and carry out an assessment of sites at which disposal and recovery activities have been carried on.

In 2006 Carlow County Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment organised a scheme for the collection of farm plastics.  A total of  318 tonnes of plastic was collected for recycling.

During 2006 the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Unit logged and investigated 1,773 complaints from the public.

Each complaint received in writing, by e-mail, telephone and at the public counter is logged onto the environmental complaints database. All complaints are then referred to the Enforcement Team, or other relevant staff member for investigation.  A statutory notice, warning letter or other relevant action, may be required following investigation and depending on the nature of the complaint.

During 2006 inspections were also carried out in accordance with the Packaging Regulations, WEEE Regulations and Plastic Bag Regulations.

Public Awareness and Information is one of the components of the Joint Waste Management Plan for the South East. The target audiences for awareness, education and communications programmes are domestic households, youth, commerce and industry, agricultural sector, construction sector, waste industry and community leaders and representatives.

Activities undertaken in 2006:

1. Talks were given to Communities around the County on themes of household waste management, composting and energy saving. Support and guidance was given to Groups involved in the Pride of Place and Tidy Towns Competitions.
2. Mondays were dedicated to tours of Kernanstown Recycling Centre for Schools.
3. The Council continued to co-ordinate the Green Schools Programme with An Taisce.  Visits were made to Primary and Secondary Schools involving workshops, demonstrations and presentations. Two Green Schools Teacher Seminars held in February 2006
4. A presentation was made to farmers as part of the REPS training scheme, links were made with the farming programme on local radio.
5. As support for the foregoing activities the Council continue to develop and circulate information leaflets on the Location of Recycling Banks, Kernanstown Recycling Centre, A Guide to Waste Management Packaging Regulations, Household Waste, Home Composting and Backyard Burning
6. County Development Board Race Against Waste Seminar – May 2006
7. Three schools were awarded their first green flag in 2006.

The Environmental Strategic Policy Committee met on four occasions during 2006 and considered a number of issues including the following:

1. Implementation of the End of Life Vehicle Regulations, 2006
2. Best Practice Guidelines for Construction and Demolition Project
3. Farm Plastic Collection Scheme.

The South Eastern River Basin District Management System was the first River Basin District Management System to be established in Ireland in response to the new EU Water Framework Directive 2000.   Under the 2003 Water Policy Regulations, which implement the EU Water Framework Directive, Carlow County Council was designated the lead authority in the administration and development of the system on behalf of 13 local authorities in the southeast. It is one of 8 River Basin Districts covering the whole island of Ireland.

The aim of the project is to establish an Integrated Monitoring & Management System for all waters (rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters) within the South Eastern River Basin District, to develop a dynamic programme of management measures and to produce a River Basin Management Plan to achieve the overall objective of the Water Framework Directive, which is to attain good ecological and chemical status for all waters by 2015.

The project, with a cost of €11.25m, is being funded through the National Development Plan, with a completion date of December 2008.
During 2006 a monitoring program was developed to monitor and assess the condition of our waters in the South East and this program of monitoring will commence in January 2007. Work is ongoing on the production of a Significant Water Management Issues Report which is due to be published in June 2007 and which will be a template for the River Basin Management Plan.
Work is also ongoing on developing an environmental management system and  geographic information system for the River Basin. The River Basin also participates in a number of Water Framework related national studies such as on-site wastewater treatment systems, dangerous substances usage/monitoring, setting chemical water standards and others.
The newly established River Basin District Advisory Council also met for the first time in early 2006. Its terms of reference are; to consider matters relating to the preparation of river basin management plans and to other matters relevant to the protection and use of the aquatic environment and water resources in the district and to advise and make recommendations on these maters to the relevant public authorities. Membership of the Advisory Council consists of 32 local authority elected members and 13 people representing sectoral interests in the south east.

A cornerstone of the Water Framework Directive is to have public participation in the river basin projects and staff of the river basin regularly give presentation to and seek consultation with all interested parties. Further information on the river basin project may be obtained by logging onto www.serbd.com or from the offices of the project at Liddiard House, Burrin Road, Carlow (059 914 3618).

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Waste Management:

Recycling Facilities: