FEEDER STREAMS TROUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT 2010,2011

Following on from the recommendations which were issued by the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards when they carried out a fish stock survey of our water in 2005 (cost €16,500 sponsored by Kelt and the TSAA) the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association (TSAA) in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) conducted a Liffey Habitat Enhancement Scheme for salmon on the main channel of the Liffey in 2007 at a cost of €14000 which was sponsored by Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council. This work is detailed in another section of our website.  In 2009 the Association decided to concentrate on Trout Habitat Enhancement work on our feeder streams of the Liffey and in the first instance the feeder streams flowing through the Factory (Old Woollen Mill) land as these streams are at the head of our Fishery.
In 2009 the TSAA used the professional expertise of the ERFB to draw up a work schedule and this was presented to Kildare County Council with our application for funding under the KTK Inert Landfill Funding Scheme.  In 2010 the Association received €5,500 from this fund to carry out the work.
Permission was acquired from the owners of the Factory land and the initial clearing of scrub to allow access by man and machinery to the Tail Race commenced on the 17th August 2010. On the 9th September 2010 the Tail Race was electrofished by Fergal Caffrey and Maurice Carolan of the ERFB to establish a trout population baseline for future comparisons and a number of trout fry were counted, measured and returned to water.
On the 13th September 2010 a mini-digger and dumper arrived on site and the serious work began of removing fallen trees and all sorts of debris from the stream. Six bags of mainly drink cans were removed from the stream area and these were left at the Liffey Bridge for collection by Kildare County Council staff.  Gravel and small boulders obtained from KTK were drawn from the Kimmeens and distributed into the stream. A couple of delays occurred due to a track coming off the mini digger twice but the work with the machines continued until 21st September when the machines were returned to the hire company Haven Hire.
Some of the heavier timber near the stream was cut by chainsaw to allow more light into the stream area and brambles were also cut.  The heavy growth at the mouth of the stream was thinned out and silt removed by Des, Myles and Tommy of the TSAA.
Water cress was removed from the upper portion of two streams from the 23rd September 2010 until the final big push on Saturday 2nd October 2010 when a crew from the TSAA (Des, Gary, Dave, Niall, Barry and Tommy) finished the work of removing some reeds that were blocking the flow of the streams and clearing the streams of all lodged debris which resulted from the clear out. Meanwhile Joe and Myles carried out repairs to Fr. Charles holy well.
A fish pass was constructed the following week by the ERFB to allow trout reach the upper section of one of the streams and grass seeds were spread on the ground that was disturbed by the enhancement work. 

Three of the six sacks of litter collected from site (not inside factory buildings) 

Mini digger working on stream

Adding spawninggravel to stream

Continue reading "Feeder Streams Trout Habitat Enhancement 2010 &2011" »

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Following the Part 8 approval of the Ballymore Eustace proposed new sewage treatment plant by Kildare County Council on Monday 30th June 2008 a meeting was arranged between the following parties, Kildare County Council, Consultants Nicholas O’Dwyer and the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association.

The meeting took place at the site of the existing sewage treatment plant at The Strand, Ballymore Eustace on Tuesday 8th July 2008 at 11. 00a.m.
Present for Kildare County Council Water Services were Alan Dunney and Clodagh Lyons. Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultants were represented by Terry O’Flannagan.
The Association was represented by Gary Bolger, Myles Byrne and Tommy Deegan.

Continue reading "Ballymore Eustace proposed new Sewage Treatment Plant" »

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On Saturday 27 August 2011, the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers' Association will be hosting a day of wildlife discovery in the River Liffey at the River Walk in Ballymore. Billy Flynn Ecologist, Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants will show how to identify the many fascinating creatures that are part of our river’s wildlife.  He will also be looking at and identyfying the wildflowers and plants that can be found right in the middle of one of Kildare’s prettiest villages.  The day is part of national Heritage Week and is kindly supported by Kildare County Council.  

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Irish Times Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ballymore Eustace scheme cleared in court to go ahead

THE SUPREME Court has cleared the way for a development of houses, shops, a creche and a medical centre at Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare.

The five-judge court yesterday upheld arguments by Abbeydrive Developments Ltd that it was entitled to a default planning permission for the proposed development because of the failure of Kildare County Council to decide on its planning application within the eight-week period set down by law.

Abbeydrive applied for the permission on December 2nd, 2002, and, unless there was a request served for further information, the eight-week period expired on February 5th, 2003. A notice for further information was served by the council a day later.

Abbeydrive argued in the High Court that the council’s failure to decide within the eight-week period entitled it to default permission but Mr Justice Roderick Murphy rejected that argument.

Abbeydrive appealed that 2005 judgment to the Supreme Court which yesterday allowed the appeal. It adjourned the issue of what order should be made in the case.

Mr Justice Nial Fennelly said the dispute in the appeal arose from the nature of the proposed development. While almost entirely residential, it also included a very small two-storey community facility comprising a creche, neighbourhood shops and a medical centre. That facility represented some 0.2 per cent of the total floor area of the proposed development.

The judge noted the relevant zoning area in the Co Kildare development plan 1999 was described as “solely residential” but the council’s senior planner had accepted this proposed development was “open for consideration”. The judge said Article 34.8 of the Planning Act 2000 provided a default that permission could be granted where a planning authority had failed to make a decision within eight weeks.

Mr Justice Fennelly ruled that the High Court had erred as a valid permission could have been granted through an exercise of discretion by the council in favour of Abbeydrive. It was not open to the High Court to impose a limitation on the effect of Article 34.8, except on the basis of legal power.

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers' Association on the 31st July 2009 wrote to the Kildare County Manager asking what notice Kildare County Council will serve on the Association in order to allow the Association to exercise its appeal of the default planning permission to An Bord Pleanala. We were informed by Kildare County Council that there is no appeal process. Despite this, the TSAA lodged an appeal dated 12th August 2009 to An Bord Pleanala. The Association were notified by An Bord Pleanala by letter dated 9th September 2009 that "Section 37(1)(d) of the 2000 Act provides that ythe appropriate period for the making of an appeal means the period of four weeks beginning on the day of the decision by the planning authority.

In this case the decision of the planning authority was on 5th February 2003, and the last day for receipt of an appeal was 14th March 2003. However, your appeal was received by the Board on 13th August 2009 and it is regretted that it must, therefore, be regarded as invalid---"

An Taisce also lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala and their appeal was also regarded as invalid. They informed the TSAA on the 15th September 2009 that they were taking legal advice on the matter. An Taisce later told us that they would "involve you in any discussion with lawyers on a "without prejudice" basis."

The case was up before the Supreme Court on Monday 19th October 2009 and was adjourned to consider further written pleadings on what should be the date of and form of any order for a default permission. An Taisce got the right to plead and informed the TSAA (19/10/09) that they will be sending in a written submission. They recommended that the Association should seek the same. The Association replied, also on the 19th October 2009, asking if we could use the An Taisce solicitor and also the likely cost of same. An Taisce replied that the cost would be substantial and that they were preparing an affidavit to present to the Supreme Court.

The Association then sent the following letter to the Chief Justice.

         Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association                  

                                                                         Broadleas,
                                                                         Ballymore Eustace,
                                                                         Co. Kildare.
                                                                         4th November 2009
The Hon. Mr. Chief Justice John L. Murray
Supreme Court,
Four Courts,
Inns Quay,
Dublin 7.

Re:     The Supreme Court

                                                                    Record Number: 091/2008
Between:

Abbeydrive Developments Limited

                                                                     Applicant / Appellant
- and –

Kildare County Council

                                                                     Respondent

Dear Mr. Chief Justice Murray,
On the 22nd July 2009 the Supreme Court upheld arguments by Abbeydrive
Developments Limited that it was entitled to a default planning permission for a development of houses, shops, a creche and a medical centre at Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, (planning ref; 02/2308) because of the failure of Kildare County Council to decide on its planning application within the eight-week period set down by law.

On hearing the Supreme Court decision, the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association by letter dated 31st July 2009 (Appendix 1) asked  the planning authority Kildare County Council what noticed it would serve on the Association in order to implement our right to appeal the default planning permission to  An Bord Pleanala.  Kildare County Council replied by letter dated 5th August 2009 (Appendix 1) that there was no appeal process.  The Association felt aggrieved at this response as the Kildare County Council website informed us that the planning application Ref No. 02/2308 was deemed withdrawn due to a lack of response by Abbeydrive Developments Limited, within the specified time period, to a request by the Planning Authority for further information.

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association dated 12th August     2009 appealed the default planning permission to An Bord Pleanala. An Bord Pleanala returned our appeal with an accompanying letter dated 9th September 2009 (Appendix 2) stating that the decision of the planning authority was on 5th February 2003 and that our appeal was not made within the period specified for making the appeal.  The Association is at a loss to understand how the decision of the planning authority can be put down as on the 5th February 2003.

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association are not in
a position to incur or be exposed to legal costs.  However the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association respectfully requests the Supreme Court to address and confirm our entitlement to appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

Thanking you.

Yours truly,

Thomas Deegan     
Honorary Treasurer

Similar correspondence has been sent to The Hon. Mrs. Justice Susan Denham."

The Private Secretary to the Chief Justice replied by letter dated 6th November 2009.

"I refer to your letter of the 4th inst.,addressed to the Chief Justice and similar correspondence which has been sent to the Hon. Mrs Justice Susan Denham.

I am requested to point out that neither the Chief Justice nor members of the Court can enter into correspondence concerning previous decisions of the Court. The function of the Court is to hear appeals brought before it in accordance with law. The Supreme Court has no function in relation to the giving of legal advice. Regrettably therefore it would be inappropriate to respond to your request.

Yours sincerely" 

The case was up before the Supreme Court on the 18th February 2010 and the following article from the Irish Times snyopsises the Court proceeding.  

"The Irish Times - Friday, February 19, 2010

 Court puts development for Ballymore Eustace on hold

MARY CAROLAN
THE SUPREME Court has upheld arguments by An Taisce that the question of whether a housing and retail development at Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, should be put on hold until the High Court determines a key issue in the case. The five-judge court yesterday found “exceptional and unusual circumstances” required the court to revisit its own declaration last year that Abbeydrive Developments Ltd is entitled to default planning permission for its proposed development of houses, shops, a creche and a medical centre at Ballymore Eustace.
That decision is now on hold pending a future High Court decision, and a possible Supreme Court decision on appeal, as to whether a default permission may be legally granted in the absence of an environmental impact assessment as required by a European directive.
The 2009 Supreme Court declaration, upholding a 2005 High Court decision, was granted on grounds of Kildare County Council’s failure to make a decision on Abbeydrive’s planning application within the eight-week period set down by law.
Abbeydrive applied for the permission on December 2nd, 2002, and, unless there was a request served for further information, the eight-week period expired on February 5th, 2003. A notice for further information was served by the council a day later.
The Supreme Court granted its declaration in July 2009 but had not made final orders in the case because An Taisce raised concerns.
An Taisce, which was incorrectly told by the council in 2007 the planning application was deemed withdrawn and was unaware of the legal action until it read a newspaper report in July 2009, raised concerns a default permission in the circumstances of the case was contrary to European law. An Taisce argued the proposed development, because it was subject to the requirements of a 1985 European directive relating to Environmental Impact Assessments, could not be the subject of a default permission.
It said a valid permission could not have been given because of the council’s failure to assess the EIS submitted by Abbeydrive."

An Taisce won its case.  The default planning permission is now void.  Abbeydrive are in liquidation but have sold the site on to another developer, so keep an eye out for the next planning application.

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SUBMISSION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PO Box 3000,
Johnstown Castle,
Co. Wexford,

Re: Application by Kildare County Council for a Waste Water Discharge Licence for the Ballymore Eustace Waste Water Treatment Plant discharge into the River Liffey.
(Register No. D0238-01)

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association wishes to make the following submission on Kildare County Council’s application (in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007) to the Environmental Protection Agency for a Waste Water Discharge Licence (WWDL) in respect of the discharge from Ballymore Eustace Waste Water Treatment Plant into the River Liffey.

The Association feels that there is something wrong in Kildare County Council applying for a WWDL for a proposed new sewage treatment plant that has not yet been sanctioned by the Department of the Environment.  We believe that Kildare County Council should have to apply for a WWDL for the existing overloaded Sewage Treatment Plant at The Strand, Ballymore Eustace.  The EPA would have no option but to refuse such a licence and in so doing would highlight Kildare County Council’s negligence for many years in not providing proper sewage treatment facilities in Ballymore Eustace and for allowing raw sewage to pollute the River Liffey upstream of the abstraction point to a large drinking water supply plant at Leixlip.  What is the status of the existing discharge if Kildare County Council is not seeking a licence for same?  Is it now an illegal discharge in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007?

The Association has for over thirty years been asking Kildare County Council to upgrade the existing sewage treatment plant at the Strand, Ballymore Eustace but without any success.  The sewage plant regularly discharges raw sewage into the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace Bridge and a sewage fungus has built up downstream of the discharge point.  We are therefore hopeful that the Department of the Environment will sanction the construction of the proposed new Waste Water Treatment Plant at the Kimmeens, Ballymore Eustace and put an end to the present disgraceful discharge into the Liffey.

We are concerned however about the combined effects of the Wicklow County Council’s Blessington Waste Water Treatment Plant discharging into Golden Falls Lake just upstream of Ballymore Eustace village and Kildare County Council’s proposed WWTP discharging into the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace.  The flow of the River Liffey at Ballymore Eustace is controlled under the terms of the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 which allows the ESB to release  “compensation water” up to 1.5 cubic metres per second when the level in Poulaphouca Reservoir is below “low water level” i.e 581ft O.D.  The ESB may, if it suits their purpose, also shut off the flow of the Liffey completely.  However, under normal circumstances (i.e. water level in Poulaphouca Reservoir above 581ft O.D.), the ESB releases 1.5 cubic metres of water per second to maintain the flow of the Liffey and when generating electricity at Golden Falls Hydro Electricity Generating Station the ESB releases 30 cubic metres of water per second referred to locally as ‘flood water’.  There are therefore, only two flows to the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace, 1.5 m3/sec and 30 m3/sec.  For the past three years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the ESB has released a flow of 1.5 m3/sec. for 91.54%, 86.53% and 79.32% of the time respectively, and this includes the two extremely wet years of 2007 and 2008.  Dublin City Council are presently constructing a massive upgrade and extension of their Water Treatment Plant at Ballymore Eustace that will allow them to abstract 318 million litres of water per day (70 m.g.d.) from Poulaphouca Reservoir, so it is likely that the percentage times for a release of 1.5 m3/sec to maintain the flow of the Liffey will increase in future years.  It is imperative therefore that the assimilative capacity of the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace is based on a flow of 1.5 cubic metres per second.

(Note: On Thursday 9th April 2009 the flow of the Liffey was completely shut off due we were informed by the ESB to a power failure at Poulaphouca Power Station which in turn tripped Golden Falls Power Station.  It appears that the valve which discharges the compensation flow to the river closed and could not be reopened by remote control from Turlough Hill.  The ESB had to send a staff member to Golden Falls to reopen the valve manually to get the Liffey flowing again.  While it is perfectly legitimate under the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 for the ESB to shut off the flow of the Liffey, how can this be allowed to happen?  A ‘fail-safe’ system  must be installed as a matter of urgency.  To allow anybody to shut off the flow of the Liffey must be unconstitutional and be in breach of the Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive)

The Association is totally opposed to the Applicant, on page 24 of the Design Report, using the mean river flow to calculate the assimilative capacity of the Liffey in terms of phosphorus. The Molybdate Reactive Phosphorus (MRP) concentration reported under the Phosphorus Regulations Quality Standards for Rivers, is a median value, not a mean value and the two values can differ significantly.  Using the same formula as the Applicant to determine the waste assimilative capacity of the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace using 1.5 m3/sec as the river flow gives the following result.

WAC = (Cmax – Cback) X F95 X 86.4 
 
WAC = Waste Assimilative Capacity (kg/d)
Cmax = Maximum Concentration (mg/l)
Cback =Background Concentration (mg/l)
F95 = 95 Percentile Flow (m3/s)
86.4 = Conversion Constant

WAC = (0.03 – 0.01) x 1.5 x 86.4 kg/d MRP
 = 2.59 kg/d MRP

The Association believes that since a MRP concentration of 0.03 mgP/l would only achieve a Biological Quality (Q) Rating / Q Index of 4, (S.I. No.258 of 1998) a more ambitious target, i.e. Q Index 4 – 5, should be the aim.  This would lead to the following calculation:

WAC  = (0.02 – 0.01) x 1.5 x 86.4 kg/d MRP
 = 1.3 kg/d MRP

Examining the Ortho-Phosphate (mgP/l) figures in Wicklow County Council’s Water Analysis of Golden Falls Lake for the first six months of 2007 it appears to the Association that a background MRP concentration of 0.01 mgP/l is too conservative and a more likely figure is 0.015. This would change the above examples of Waste Assimilative Capacity for Phosphorous to 1.94 kg/d and 0.65 kg/d respectively.  The Association, therefore believes that the Applicant’s Waste Assimilative Capacity figure of 10 kg/d Total Phosphorus for the River Liffey at Ballymore Eustace is erroneous and dangerously too high.  Also, analysis submitted by the Applicant for water samples taken from Ballymore Eustace Upstream of the present Sewage Plant on the 13/11/08 and 23/11/08 show Ortho Phosphate concentrations of 0.05 mgP/l and 0.04 mgP/l respectively, and would lead one to believe that the Waste Assimilative Capacity of the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace has already been used up by Blessington WWTP discharging into Golden Falls Lake.

The Association is also concerned that the concentration of Total Phosphorus in Golden Falls Lake for the first six months of 2007 averaged 0.11 mgP/litre, and is off the radar with regard to the Phosphorus Regulations, Water Standards for Lakes (S.I. No. 258/1998).  Also, analysis of samples taken from the River Liffey at Ballymore Eustace Upstream of the present sewage treatment plant discharge point on the 13th and 23rd November 2008 and submitted by the Applicant show Total Phosphorus concentrations of 0.09 mgP/l and 0.07 mgP/l respectively.

Since the beginning of March 2009 (at least) the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace is polluted with an algae growth, which the Association believes is being caused by nutrients from the Blessington WWTP discharge into Golden Falls Lake.  While we are hopeful that this scum like algae is not having a detrimental affect on the spawning gravels or aquatic fly life, it is seriously reducing the recreational value of the Liffey and is unacceptable.

The Association respectfully requests the EPA to consider the combined effects the Blessington WWTP and the proposed Ballymore Eustace WWTP will have on the water quality of the River Liffey before issuing a Waste Water Discharge Licence.  We also request the EPA to set strict upper limits with regard to Phosphorus discharges from the WWTP.  A comprehensive monitoring programme of the WWTP and the Liffey downstream of the discharge point must be put in place. Anglers retrieve lines by hand through the water and often eat sandwiches at the riverside so it is important that Faecal Coliforms and Total Coliforms counts are carried out, and in the interest of health and safety, all results must be made available to the public on a monthly basis via the internet or by some other easily accessible means.

______________________________
Gary Bolger,
Honorary Secretary,
Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association
Barrack Street,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co. Kildare.
22nd April 2009

The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) sent in a submission dated 3rd September 2009. The EPA on the 30th September 2009 requested Further Information from Kildare County Council and the Council replied dated 28th January 2010.

As part of threir reply Kildare County Council stated as follows  "(ii) Kildare County Council has submitted an updated Assessment of Needs for "Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012" to the DoEHLG (on 23/10/09). Included in this assessment is the new WWTP for Ballymore Eustace, which has been identified as a needs priority for some time. The estimated project cost is €2.5m. The scheme is currently being processed under the Serviced Land Initiative Programme and there is recognition of the possibility that this project may need to transfer to the main capital investment projects list having regard to current funding shortfalls.

The EPA granted a WWDL for the Ballymore Eustace Sewage Treatment on  February 2011.  The Licence specifies that the sewage treatment plant must be operational by December 2012.

Comparison of Discharge Parameters, Proposed New Plant and Old Plant (mg/l)

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers sent the following letter to various relevant authorities.

Continue reading "KCC Application to EPA for WWDL, Ballymore Eustace" »

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An Bord Pleanala were due to make a decision on our appeal against the decision of Kildare County Council granting planning permission to Dublin City Council for the construction of a new Sludge Treatment Plant at Bishopsland, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare in November 2008 and this decision was put back until the 5th January 2009.

However in a surprise move, An Bord Pleanala by letter dated 19th January 2009 have requested Dublin City Council to submit the following information.

"The Board has examined the appeal and is of the opinion that certain information is necessary for the purpose of enabling it to determine the appeal.

The Board considered that further, more detailed and comprehensive, information is required in respect of the physico-chemistry nature of the current process wastewater stream and, on completion of the proposed sludge treatment plant, in respect of any anticipated changes in the composition of the wastewater stream...

(a) entering the wastewater management plant, and (b) prior to discharge to the River Liffey.

In accordance with section 132 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and having regard to article 73 of the Planning and development Regulations 2001you are required to submit, on or before 2nd March, 2009, the following information:
1.       Submit a comprehensive report of water quality monitoring activities, including sample records, in relation to the composition of the current wastewater stream and of the receiving water after final discharge.

2.       Although the Board recognizes the functional advantages of the proposed siting of the new facility beside the existing sludge treatment plant, it considers that an alternative, more satisfactory location might be available within the substantial landholding of the applicant at this location.

In addressing this matter you are requested to examine possible alterative site locations and to provide a detailed evaluation of the alternatives considered, the submission should be accompanied by relevant site plans, section drawings and photomontages."

Also by letter dated 19th January 2009 An Bord Pleanala have invited the Trout and Salmon Anglers' Association to make a submission or observation on the following:

"The Board proposes to take into account the following:

1.    The Board noted that the proposed development is situated outside the existing treatment plant boundaries and at an elevated and visually prominent location within the River Liffey Valley. Having regard to the visual character and scenic/recreational value of this open, rural landscape the Board considered that the proposed structure and site boundary fencing, by reason of scale bulk, materials and design, would be visually obtrusive and incongruous in the landscape and thereby, might seriously injure the visual and recreational amenities of the area, particularly in views from the Golden Falls Reservoir and lands further to the south.

2       Furthermore, and having particular regard to the proximity of the site to a substantial bowl barrow archaeological feature - Recorded Monument (KD029:051) - the Board considered mat me proposed development might be unduly close to the monument and interfere with its setting and, thereby, detract from the archaeological interest of the area. The proposed development might, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

In accordance with section 137 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 you are invited to submit any submission or observation that you may have in relation to the matters raised on or before 16th February, 2009. Any submission or observation you make should be confined to the issues specified above as the Board cannot consider comments that are outside the scope of the matter(s) in question. Your submission in response to this notice must be received by the Board not later than 5.30 p.m. on the date specified above."

The Association has responded by letter dated 7th February as follows:

"Thank you for your correspondence dated 19th January 2009.

On behalf of the above Association I wish to make the following submission.

With regard to item No. 1 in your correspondence, the above Association is in agreement with the view expressed and that  “The proposed development is situated outside the existing treatment plant boundaries and at an elevated and visually prominent location within the River Liffey Valley.” In fact the proposed development is on the summit of the hill overlooking Golden Falls and can be clearly seen from Golden Falls Reservoir and from as far away as the Hollywood hills.

We believe that the proposed development would be visually obtrusive and would injure the visual and recreational amenities of Golden Falls Reservoir.  The proposed development would ‘stand out like a sore thumb’ as viewed from Golden Falls Reservoir.

With regard to item No. 2 in your correspondence we are of the opinion that a ‘safety first’ or ‘precautionary principle’ approach must be adopted.  If there is any chance of interfering with the setting of the bowl barrow archaeological feature (Recorded Monument KD 029:051) then an alternative location for the proposed development must be found."

We were very surprised to received further correspondence dated 24th February from An Bord Pleanala along with a copy of queries received by An Bord on the 28th January 2009 from Dublin City Council's Consultants plus a copy of the statutory notice issued by An Bord Pleanala with An Bord's responses to the queries dated 24th February 2009.

The Association on the 16th March 2009 made a submission and observation on this correspondence with photographs of the views of the proposed site from five locations south of the site and including a flow diagram of the present Sludge Treatment Plant.

An Bord Pleanala granted the following planning permission with conditions dated 28th August 2009.

"AN BORD PLEANALA

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTS 2000 TO 2007

Kildare County
Planning Register Reference Number: 08/520

An Bord Pleanála Reference Number: PL 09.229575

APPEAL by Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers Association of Barrack Street, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare and by The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board of 15a Main Street, Blackrock, County Dublin against the decision made on the 21st day of May, 2008 by Kildare County Council to grant subject to conditions a permission to Dublin City Council care of Colum McGaughey of Room 412, Floor 4, 68-70 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin in accordance with plans and particulars lodged with
the said Council.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: The construction of a new sludge treatment plant comprising one number sludge treatment building, three number thickened sludge storage tanks, one number dried sludge storage silo and associated site infrastructure at Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant, Bishopsland, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare.

DECISION

GRANT permission for the above proposed development in accordance with the said plans and particulars based on the reasons and considerations under and subject to the conditions set out below.

MATTERS CONSIDERED

In making its decision, the Board had regard to those matters to which, by virtue of the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations made thereunder, it was required to have regard. Such matters included any submissions and observations received by it in accordance with statutory provisions.

REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Having regard to:

(a) the provisions of the Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area and the objectives of the planning authority, as set out in the current Kildare County Development Plan, which seek to facilitate the upgrading of the water supply infrastructure within the county and the region,
(b) the close proximity of associated infrastructural facilities within the adjoining
water treatment plant, and
(c) the proposed measures for the treatment and discharge of water to the River
Liffey,
it is considered that the proposed development would contribute to the provision of an enhanced public water supply for the region and, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, would be acceptable in terms of its impacts on the visual amenities and archaeological interest of the area and on the water quality of the River Liffey and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

CONDITIONS

1. The layout and design of the proposed development shall be modified as
follows:
(a) The proposed fenceline along the south-east boundary of the site (approximate length -55 metres) shall be relocated in a north-westerly direction and shall be aligned so that it does not encroach on the line of the existing ditch/bank which terminates at the ‘bowl barrow’ recorded monument.
(b) The layout of the south-east corner of the proposed sludge treatment building shall be redesigned to ensure that no part of the building lies within five metres of the re-aligned fenceline. The location/footprint of the western perimeter of the redesigned building shall not extend beyond that indicated on the Site Layout Plan (Drawing Number PL022-Revision P01) which was received by An Bord Pleanála on the 19th day of March, 2009.
Detailed drawings (to a scale of not less than 1:200) indicating the proposed method of compliance with these requirements shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority prior to the commencement of development.

Reason: In order to protect existing natural features within the site and the
visual amenities of the area.

2. Prior to commencement of construction, details of the materials, colours and textures of all the external finishes shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority. The colour of the elevations may not be altered at any time without the prior written agreement of the planning authority.
Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and the protection of the rural character of the area.

3. Water supply and drainage arrangements, including the disposal of surface water, shall comply with the requirements of the planning authority for such works and services.
Reason: In the interest of public health and to ensure a proper standard of development.

4. Construction works at the site shall be carried out in accordance with the “Requirements for the Protection of Fisheries Habitat during Construction Works at Rivers Sites” (available at www.fishingireland.net).
Reason: In order to protect the watercourse from pollution and in the interest of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

5. Pre-development testing shall consist of the following:
(1) The developer shall engage the services of a suitably qualified archaeologist (licensed under the National Monuments Acts 19301994) to carry out pre-development testing at the site. No sub-surface work shall be undertaken in the absence of the archaeologist without his/her express consent.
(2) The archaeologist shall notify the National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in writing at least four weeks prior to the commencement of site preparations. This will allow the archaeologist sufficient time to obtain a licence to carry out the work.
(3) The archaeologist shall carry out any relevant documentary research and may excavate test trenches at locations chosen by the archaeologist, having consulted the proposed development plans.
(4) Having completed the work, the archaeologist shall submit a written report to the planning authority and to the National Monuments Service for consideration.
(5) Where archaeological material is shown to be present, preservation in situ, preservation by record (excavation) and/or monitoring may be required and the National Monuments Service will advise the developer with regard to these matters.

(6) No site preparation or construction work shall be carried out until after the archaeologist’s report has been submitted and permission to proceed has been received in writing from the planning authority in consultation with the National Monuments Service.
Reason: To ensure the continued preservation (either in situ or by record) of features or other objects of archaeological interest which may lie within the site.

6. The site shall be landscaped in accordance with a tree survey and landscaping scheme which shall be submitted to the planning authority for agreement before development commences. This scheme shall include:
(a) A plan to scale of not less than 1:500 showing

(i) the trees to be removed and those to be retained, indicating species, heights, crown spread and condition,
(ii) the species, setting and height of all new planting which shall provide for deciduous trees within the site boundary fence and additional deciduous trees along the line of the existing ditch/bank which lies to the south-east of the realigned site boundary.
(iii) proposals for levelling, mounding and surface treatment of external areas including hard surfaced areas.
(iv) landscape management plan to include details of the measures to protect existing trees and shrubs during the construction phase; and
(v) a timescale for the implementation of this scheme.
Reason: In the interest of visual amenity.

7. The proposed overground oil storage tank shall be adequately bunded to protect against spillage. Bunding shall be impermeable and capable of retaining a volume equal to 1.5 times the capacity of the tank. Filling and take off points shall be located within the bunded area.
Reason: In the interest of public health and safety.

8. (a) Comprehensive monitoring arrangements relating to the volume and quality of the treated filtrate and supernatant wastewater discharges to the River Liffey shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority prior to the commencement of development. In this regard, the process wastewater shall be treated to ensure compliance with the parameter limits which shall be specified by the planning authority having regard to the River Liffey Catchment Management Plan under the Water Framework Directive.
 

(b) The agreed monitoring regime shall provide for sampling, at regular, specified, intervals of the following:
(i) Supernatant from the sludge thickening tanks.
(ii) Spillway contents, including the combined filtrate, supernatant, washwater and surface water from the plant, prior to discharge.
(iii) Water in the Golden Falls Reservoir, upstream of the spillway discharge from the plant.
(iv) Water in the River Liffey, downstream of the spillway discharge from the plant.
(c) The physico/chemical parameters to be monitored shall include the following: Colour, Turbidity, Aluminium, Suspended Solids and PH.
(d) The data generated from this sampling/monitoring regime shall be forwarded to the planning authority at regular, specified, intervals and shall be made available for public inspection.
Reason: In order to protect the quality of the water in the River Liffey in the interest of public health and recreational amenity, including angling.

9. The developer shall pay to the planning authority a financial contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the planning authority that is provided or intended to be provided by or on behalf of the authority in accordance with the terms of the Development Contribution Scheme made under section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The contribution shall be paid prior to the commencement of development or in such phased payments as the planning authority may
facilitate and shall be subject to any applicable indexation provisions of the Scheme at the time of payment. Details of the application of the terms of the Scheme shall be agreed between the planning authority and the developer or, in default of such agreement, the matter shall be referred to the Board to determine the proper application of the terms of the Scheme.
Reason: It is a requirement of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that a condition requiring a contribution in accordance with the Development Contribution Scheme made under section 48 of the Act be applied to the permission.

Member of An Bord Pleanála Margaret Byrne duly authorised to authenticate the seal of the Board.

Dated this 28th day of August 2009.

The Association is delighted with An Bord Pleanala's permission and looks forward to seeing the comprehensive monitoring arrangements which must be put in place.

The Association wrote to the Director of Services Kildare County Council asking that we be given an input into the monitoring arrangements that must now be drawn up and the Director replied inter alia by letter dated 16th September 2009 " Please be assured that they will be in contact with relevant officials from Dublin City Council in order to have an input into the plans and proposals relating to monitoring arrangements as envisaged in the parent planning permission.  I am also pleased to advise that Mr. Holligan will liase directly with you in this regard." 

So far so good?

Continue reading "New Sludge Treatment Plant, Dublin City Council" »

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At a River Liffey Workshop at Carton House on the 4th September 2008 anglers were astonished to hear Dr. Paddy Gargan of the Central Fisheries Board state that in the past 20 years survival of salmon at sea had declined from 20% survival rate to 6% survival rate.

In order to investigate the increasing mortality of salmon at sea the European Union has in 2008 funded a multi million euro research project to look at what is happening to salmon survival at sea.

Marine research vessels from Ireland, Norway, Iceland and Canada will spend the next two years looking at salmon distribution, feeding, location, etc at sea and collect a wide range of parameters including temperature, food availability etc. Salmon captured will be traced back to home rivers by looking at the genetic make up of their scales. The Irish boat the Celtic Warrior was very successful on a cruise in May 2008 at capturing salmon post-smolts up as far as Faroes.

For more information click on www.salmonatsea.com   

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At an 'Alien Invasive Species Information Seminar' organised by Kildare County Council Heritage Department on the 20th November 2008 concern was expressed that the spread of alien or non-native plants and animals was causing problems to Kildares native wildlife countryside, forestry, rivers and lakes. Mention was made of Japanese Knotweed which has already invaded Ballymore Eustace at The Strand, Factory and Oliver Plunkett Street. It can grow through tarmac, concrete in houses etc and can cause serious economic problems. It can spread from tiny fragments of the plant or root of the plant so on no account should it be cut or flailed to eradicate it. It can be killed by use of a systemic weedkiller such as Roundup.

Other alien species such as Giant Hogweed were mentioned and alarmingly for Liffey Anglers, that Zebra Mussels have now invaded the Grand Canal.

For more information visit www.invasivespeciesireland.com.

or click on Links and then click on Invasive Species. 

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The Draft Eastern River Basin District Management Plan and Programme of Measures (PoM's) was launched on the 22nd December 2008.  The Draft Plan will be subject to a six month public consultation period closing on the 22nd June 2009.

The following submission has been sent by Thomas Deegan, Member ERBDAC. 

"Submission on the Draft Eastern River Basin District Management Plan

River Basin Management Plan Comments
Project Co-ordinator, ERBD Project Office,
Dublin City Council, 68-70 Marrowbone Lane,
4th Floor, Dublin 8.

I have previously pointed out my concerns about the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 at the Water Matters Report 2007 and Working Draft Eastern River Basin District Management Plan stages but these have been totally ignored.

The Draft Eastern River Basin District Management Plan (ERBDMP) launched on Monday 22nd December 2008 once again fails to address or even mention problems associated with the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936.  All the costly Programme of Measures proposed for the River Liffey are absolutely useless as long as the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 remains in place un-amended.  The problems associated with the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 should have been addressed when the Water Quality Management Plan for the River Liffey Catchment was being drawn up by the Eastern Region Development Organisation (ERDO) but for reasons best known to ERDO they failed to do anything about them apart from ignoring the existence of the Act. The Draft Eastern River Basin District Management Plan is now following suit. 

There appears to be a sinister attempt to wipe the ESB off the Liffey as they don’t get a mention and it appears from reading the Draft ERBDMP that the Liffey was impounded only for public water supply and not for hydro electricity generation as well.  I don’t believe it is a coincidence that in a Report published in March 1985 by the Eastern Region Development Organisation on the Eastern Region Settlement Strategy 2011 in Appendix No.10 Sanitary Services we read “Dublin Corporation, who control the works at Ballymore Eustace have plans to develop the source to its ultimate capacity.  These proposals not only allow for significant development of the water treatment facilities at Ballymore Eustace but also call for Dublin Corporation to take over management of Poulaphuca Lake from the Electricity Supply Board.”  Elsewhere it states “it is important that Dublin Corporation assume control of the management of the reservoir.”  Is the ERBDMP a backdoor attempt to give Dublin City Council control of the management of Poulaphouca Reservoir by highlighting the water supply aspect and downgrading hydro electricity generation to the point of trying to wipe the ESB off the Liffey?  The ERBDMP, with regards to the Liffey, is totally biased towards public water supply.  The middle Liffey is dependant on generation floods released by the ESB to survive as a viable fishery and amenity.  Also, future development in County Kildare is also dependant on the constant release of generation flood water by the ESB to dilute and assimilate the discharges to the Liffey as it flows through the County.

Looking up the Draft Programme of Measures for the Liffey WMU  it states:
“River Liffey
Reason for designation: Flood Defences
Status: Good Ecological Potential
Measures for Rivers downstream of Reservoirs: Re examine compensation flow from ecological perspective. Implement a gravel loosening or gravel transportation from behind dams to the river (in consultation with Regional Fisheries Board and National Parks and Wildlife Service as appropriate.)”

It is hard to see how the Status can be described as “Good Ecological Potential” when raw sewage enters the River Liffey from Kildare County Council’s dilapidated sewage treatment plant at Ballymore Eustace and Osberstown WWTP also has its problems.  A study of the combined effects of three polluting local authorities discharging into a controlled flow Liffey at Ballymore Eustace should be undertaken and published.

The compensation flow for the Liffey downstream of the Reservoirs is set by the terms of the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936, which states in Section 6 of the Schedule to the Act “The Board shall at all times (including times at which the level of water in the Reservoir is below low water level as hereinafter defined) be at liberty to discharge water from the Reservoir in such a manner as the Board may think fit at a rate not exceeding 1.5 cubic metres per second averaged over each week from noon on Monday to noon on the following Monday as flow for compensation (hereinafter referred to as “compensation water”) as compensation water to the river downstream of the dam.”  That is the law of the land as it stands so there is no need to re-examine but there is a need to amend the Act so that no one or no body has the right to shut off the flow of the Liffey at Poulaphouca.

What is the point drawing up a Programme of Measures so long as the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 allows the ESB to reduce the flow of the Liffey at Poulaphouca.  Not only can the ESB reduce the flow of the Liffey, they can even shut off the flow of the Liffey if that suits their purpose.  If they were to reduce the flow, or God forbid, shut off the flow, the Liffey would become little better than a sewer and all the listed Programme of Measures could do nothing to prevent the pollution of the Liffey and the extinction of aquatic life and habitat that would result.

Also, under the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 there is no obligation on the ESB to keep the water level in Poulaphouca Reservoir above 581 feet O.D.  At a water level of 581 feet O.D. Dublin City Council would not be able to abstract the proposed 70 mgd public water supply from the Reservoir. A level of only 581 feet O.D. would destroy the Reservoir as an amenity and would also wipe out a number of habitats but the Draft ERBDMP sees fit to ignore the existence of this legislation.    

It also appears to me that any Act that allows any person or body to shut off the flow of any river is unconstitutional and would certainly start a war in parts of the world.  We hear, almost daily, calls for the ESB to be privatised and this makes an amendment of the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 more urgent than ever.

To undertake gravel loosening or any other work on the River Liffey or behind the Dams without consulting the ESB would be totally irresponsible from a health and safety perspective but once again the ESB does not get a mention.

I am also concerned at the treatment of Golden Falls Lake in the Draft ERBDMP.  One minute you see it and the next minute its gone.  It appeared in the ERBDMP Working Document issued to Advisory Council Members and the initial Draft.  I mentioned in a submission on the Working Document that Golden Falls was a buffer lake to control the huge water flows that emit from Poulaphouca Hydro Power Station (30MW) when that Station is on full load.  The water is then released into the River Liffey at a much reduced flow through Golden Falls Hydro Power Station (4MW).  When I mentioned that there was no public water supply taken from Golden Falls Lake it appears to have vanished from the Draft ERBDMP and helps to confirm my view that there is an attempt to wipe the ESB and Hydro Electricity Generation off the Liffey.  There are a number of discharges directly into Golden Falls Lake.  The most notable discharge is from Wicklow County Council’s Blessington Waste Water Treatment Plant (P.E. 10,000).  Due to operating conditions on Golden Falls Lake it is most unsuitable for a discharge of this nature and in the year 2000 the EPA reported that Golden Falls Lake was Hypertropic i.e. a very high level of pollution.  Yet the Draft Programme of Measure for the Liffey WMU has this to say:
“Golden Falls
Reason for designation: Impoundment for drinking water supply.
Status: Less than Good
Measures: None Identified”

As stated above, Golden Falls was not impounded for a drinking water supply but there is still a need to ensure that the discharge from Blessington WWTP does not pollute the Lake.  It was reported when the level of Golden Falls was lowered in 2002 that a twenty feet high sewage sludge bank has built up at the Blessington Sewage Treatment Plant discharge location with lesser build-ups downstream.  The Programme of Measures should include Wicklow County Council having to investigate and if necessary, clean up the sludge.
 
Full tertiary treatment, nutrient removal and extensive monitoring arrangements are a must for Blessington WWTP and an alternative location for the discharge should be found.  Further, Wicklow County Council should be barred from allowing further discharges into Golden Falls Lake.

Trusting that this time my submission will not be ignored. 

__________________________
Thomas Deegan,
Member ERBDAC
Broadleas,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co. Kildare.
12th February 2009

Copy to;   Mr. Padraig McManus, Chief Executive, ESB
  Mr. Michael Malone, Manager, Kildare County Council
  Mr. Eddie Sheehy, Manager, Wicklow County Council
  Mr. Pat Doherty, CEO, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
  Mr. Gary Bolger, Hon. Sec. Ballymore Eustace TSAA
  Mr. Denis Madden, Hon. Sec. Clane TSAA
Cllr. Michael Deely, Hon. Sec. North Kildare TSAA
Cllr. Billy Hillis KCC"
  
It is important that all angling clubs and/or anglers study the Draft Plan and make submissions. Details of the Programme Of Measures for your Local Area e.g. Liffey, Ryewater, Boyne, Blackwater Upper, Blackwater Lower, Dodder, Nanny etc are described under the various Water Managements Units  

For more information on the Eastern River Basin District  and the Draft Management Plan and various other documents go to Links and then click on Eastern River Basin District. 

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Continue reading "Down by the River 2008" »

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To obtain a copy of the free book 'Trout Flies for Irish Waters' go to Links and click on Central Fisheries.

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Wicklow County Council have applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a Waste Water Discharge Licence to discharge effluent from Blessington Sewage Treatment Plant into Golden Falls Lake.

The Association by letter dated 5th September 2008 made a submission to the EPA on the application.
"Re: Application by Wicklow County Council for a Waste Water Discharge Licence for the Blessington Waste Water Treatment Plant discharge into Golden Falls Lake.
(Register No. D0063-01)"

Extracts "On behalf of the above Association I wish to make the following submission on Wicklow County Council’s application (in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007) to the Environmental Protection Agency for a Waste Water Discharge Licence in respect of the discharge from Blessington Waste Water Treatment Plant into Golden Falls Lake."

"The Association respectfully requests the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stringent tertiary treatment limits, nutrient removal conditions and monitoring arrangements, on Blessington Waste Water Treatment Plant Discharge and to consider possible alternatives to discharging into Golden Falls Lake just upstream of Ballymore Eustace.  Such alternatives might include discharging to Osberstown via Naas or discharging to Ringsend via City West.  Compensation packages would of course have to be negotiated with the relevant Local Authority."

The Association has also sought the support of many other bodies.

An Taisce made a submission dated 19/09/2008 and Ballymore Eustace CDA made a submission dated 22/9/2008. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) made a submission dated 3/9/2009 and S. Deegan made a submission dated 12/11/2009.

The EPA on the 19th June 2009 requested Further Information from Wicklow County Council but no reply appears on their website.

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Four members of the Association met with three officials of Kildare County Council Water Services Department on the 21st February 2008.    Items discussed included the proposed new sewage treatment plant and pumping station for Ballymore Eustace, implementation of conditions imposed by An Bord Pleanala in granting planning permission to Dublin City Council for the new development taking place at the Waterworks, Blessington Sewage Treatment Plant discharge into Golden Falls Lake and the pollution of Golden Falls and Poulaphouca Reservoir, Barrack Street Close and various other bits and pieces that cropped up on the day.  The group visited the various locations of interest and concern.  The Council officials answered some of our queries and concerns and promised to get back to us with all the outstanding answers. The Association wishes to thank the Director of Water Services Kildare County Council for facilitating the meeting.

The Brook of Donode at Coughlanstown was restocked with 12000 unfed salmon fry on 28th March and the Ardenode/Lemonstown stream was restocked with 18000 unfed salmon fry on Saturday 5th April 2008.  Our thanks to the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and Pat O’Molloy of the Islandbridge hatchery and all the helpers that turned up.

RestockingArdenode/Lemonstown Stream, Martin Kelly, James Mulryan and Bridget Hayes.

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With the introduction of the ban on drift net fishing at sea for salmon and the prohibiting of angling for salmon on the River Liffey until such time as salmon stocks reach their conservation limit (4000), the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association considered the time was opportune to undertake a major habitat enhancement programme on the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace. The programme of work was drawn up and supervised by The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (Martin Kelly and Fergal Caffrey with advice from Dr. Martin O’Grady Central Fisheries Board) and took place during the month of September 2007.  The enhancement programme consisted of raking the existing gravel bed of the Liffey to rid it of settled out solids and loosen the gravel in order to make it more conducive to salmon spawning (redd/nest making). Because the Liffey is harnessed by the ESB at Poulaphouca and Golden Falls upstream of Ballymore Eustace, gravels that are normally washed downstream from the upper reaches do not make it to Ballymore and so it was necessary to import trailer loads of gravel into the Liffey to replace what was washed away over the years.  Boulders were  introduced into the River to act as holding or resting stations for both salmon and trout and holding pools (deep pools) were also being introduced.  The boulders will submerge further as flood waters scour the gravel bed around them.  Many dead and fallen trees were removed from the River and the reaction of the public to the enhancement work was very favourable. 
The Himac was operated by Roger Smith and the tractor and trailer for transporting the gravel and boulders was driven by Ned Walsh.
The Association wishes to thank the following for allowing the machinery access to the River through their property:- Elizabeth and Peter Pearse (Driver’s Ford), James and Matt Purcell (The Strand and Inch), Ballymore Eustace Handball Club (Car Park), Ballymore Eustace Community Development Association (CDA) (Riverside Walk), Larry Glancy (The Strand), Kildare County Council Water Services (Sewage Plant Yard), Pat Lawlor (Purcell's Inch), Paddy Nolan (Doran’s Park), Gary and Roisin Murphy Mountcashel (Kane’s Ford, Inch na Cailin and Marl Hole Car Ford), Kevin Keenan (Kane’s Ford), Johnny Murphy Coughlanstown (Ferny Inch) and Tim Ronaldson.  Also, thanks to the ESB for facilitating us with low water in the Liffey during working hours despite the fact that Poulaphouca Reservoir was chock-a-block with water after the wet summer.
The habitat enhancement work cost €14000 and was funded by Dublin City Council Engineering Department and Kildare County Council Heritage Department to whom we are very grateful.  (The Liffey Valley Meander Belt i.e. Skaw Banks, is designated a Natural Heritage Area)
Hopefully all will be rewarded by the sight of salmon spawning in these areas in the years to come. 
The Association also appreciates similar enhancement work undertaken by Sean Mulryan under the supervision of Peter Lynch with advice from the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board where his land borders the Liffey at the Ferny Inch and Ardenode/Coughlanstown.

Continue reading "Liffey Habitat Enhancement 2007" »

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River Liffey, Fish stock survey from upstream of Ballymore Eustace (Driver’s Ford) to disused Railway Bridge at Harristown, September 2005.
 
                                      
       W.S.T.Champ
       Central Fisheries Board,
       Swords Business Campus,
       Swords,
       Co. Dublin 
                                                          
                                                                February 2006 

Summary
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board was commissioned by Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers Association, with financial assistance from KELT - Kildare Leader Group, to carry out an investigation of the fishery in the Upper Liffey from Driver’s Ford (u/s Ballymore Eustace) to the disused railway bridge at Harristown. The survey was carried out from 12th to 15th September with the assistance of staff from the Central and Shannon Regional Fisheries Boards.
Quantitative surveys of the trout and salmon stocks were completed at two locations on the main river and on two tributary streams (the Lemonstown and the Brook-of-Donode). The Liffey upstream of Ballymore Eustace, although lightly stocked (about 8 young salmon and 8 trout per 100m²), showed a significant improvement in fish numbers and water quality compared to an earlier survey at this location in 1987. The second location, a shallow glide/riffle area about 2km downstream of the town bridge (at the ‘Horseshoe’ (Ferny Inch)) carried a very good stock of juvenile salmon (over 79 per 100m²). The Lemonstown stream section contained 45 trout and 19 young salmon (64 salmonids per 100m2); the Brook-of-Donode supports a similar salmonid population density (62 per 100m²) trout constitute the bulk of the stock (57 per 100m²) but young salmon (5 per 100m²) also occur in this small tributary.
The remainder of the river from Driver’s Ford to the old railway bridge at Harristown was fished qualitatively using 2 to 5 boats over three days. Section 1, the Ford to the ‘Horseshoe’; Section 2, the ‘Horseshoe’ to the ‘gas pipe crossing’ at Liffeydale/Cloughanstown and Section 3, from the ‘gas pipe’ to the railway, were each divided into sub-sections when fishing was interrupted at shallows. Details of fish encountered, instream and bankside features were recorded throughout. Mature bankside trees the branches of which frequently extended out over or trailed in the water, fallen timber in the river and deep water militated against effective fishing with the electrical apparatus. Trout (one possible individual to 3lb (1.36kg)) and juvenile salmon dominated the fish community. Young salmon were common at every shallow but no adult salmon was encountered. Only occasional perch and roach were noted and they are not a significant element of the fish community currently.
Trout especially, but salmon fry and parr also to a lesser degree, appear to be growing more quickly than previously. This was particularly evident in the waters around Ballymore Eustace where water clarity and quality generally has improved considerably in the vicinity of the Wastewater Treatment Works (the improvement in water clarity was evident down to the ‘gas pipe crossing’ and beyond) compared to 1987. However, in September, the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, using the EPA macroinvertebrate quality rating system, still assessed the water quality of the river as slightly polluted (Q3-4) to moderately polluted (Q3), at four locations from Driver’s Ford to the railway bridge.
Several sections of particularly good salmon spawning gravel were noted throughout the BTSAA waters and it is possible that spawning occurs at almost every riffle. While the gravels in some areas were loose, suitable deposits in many riffles and shallow glides were compacted due to extensive growths of water crowfoot (Ranunculus sp.).
Several deep holding pools for salmon occur along the 8km of BTSAA waters but no adults were encountered. It is most probable, had such fish been present, they would have been recorded in the survey. Details of the salmon spawning redd counts provided by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board show salmon spawning occurs consistently, albeit at varying levels, in the BTSAA fishery every year. Very good stocks of juvenile salmon occur at some locations and the species is well distributed   at every shallow from Driver’s Ford to the railway bridge. It appears that adult salmon had just not arrived in this part of the river on this occasion at the time of the survey but adults were present in September 1987 when the stretch upstream of Ballymore Eustace was examined. Information received from the fish counters on the Liffey show a decline in salmon runs recently relative to the 1980s and 1990s. The numbers of adult salmon returning to spawn in the river Liffey are substantially below the Conservation Limit.

Continue reading "Fish Stock Survey" »

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