Good Practice Example: Duhallow LIFE In 2009 the Kanturk Angling Club, IRD Duhallow Ltd, and the Southern Regional Fisheries Board (now Inland Fisheries Ireland), recognised the need for a broader holistic approach in order to protect the most sensitive species, the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, and other vulnerable species such as the Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout.
The Duhallow LIFE project took a people centred view by including the community at its core. Conservation actions were carried out on a large scale, sometimes spanning the farms of hundreds of landowners. For example, the invasive species Himalayan balsam was removed from almost 40km of river bank, fencing to protect against debris left by flooding and silt traps to prevent pollution were provided to protect the spawning beds of fish and Freshwater Pearl Mussel habitat. Education was a major element of the project with 41 schools visited in the area.
Before works 2012
Same Site 2013
Good Practice Example: Local Authority Waters Programme The Programme is a shared service working with local authorities and state agencies to develop and implement Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan. The focus of this work is to protect and improve water quality in rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters.
as LEADER and Local Agenda 21. The Community Water Development Fund, managed by the Programme, also supports community-led projects. By looking at the experiences of the Rivers Trusts across Ireland and the UK, and the Rural Development Companies, the benefits of community stewardship in relation to water management are apparant. It will continue to require all stakeholders including local authorities, public authorities, Non- Government organisations and communities to cooperate and work together for common goals.
The Programme provides a necessary link between active communities and various funding streams, such
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
145
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker