Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Section 63)

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63.—(1) Where the Agency (the EPA) is of opinion that a local authority has failed to perform a statutory function of that authority in relation to environmental protection, or has performed that function in an unsatisfactory manner, the Agency may request a report within a specified period from the authority in relation to the matter and the local authority shall comply with the request.

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/7/section/63/enacted/en/html

AIE (03/05/22)

Under the AIE Regs to request a list of all EPA requests made to local authorities under Section 63 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 for 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date

Under the Act these requests are made where a local authority has failed to perform a statutory function of that authority in relation to environmental protection, or has performed that function in an unsatisfactory manner

EPA Newly Assigned Waterbodies under the WFD

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The following waterbodies were unassigned in 2021, so logically these are now assigned in the new update (April 2022)

WFD-Unassigned-RSBsDownload

Extracted via EPA mapping interface

WFDStatus_RWB_20132018Download
WFDStatus_CWB_20132018Download
WFDStatus_LWB_20132018Download
WFDStatus_GWB_20132018Download
WFDStatus_TWB_20132018Download

EPA Map: Licensed Peat Extraction Installation Boundary

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AIE: OEE AIE 2022 17

Abstract: This dataset demonstrates the location name and area of bogs licensed for the extraction of peat by Bord na Mona under nine separate licences.

Data Purpose: To facilitate the identification of the location and area of licensed peat extraction site boundaries.

https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/

The concerned records have been published to the EPA website and are available at EPA Maps. To find the records, look in “WMS Layers” for “Licensed Peat Extraction Installation Boundary”.

2022-04-20_Decision-Letter-_OEE-AIE-2022-17Download

Presentation on EPA Enforcement Activities

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Useful overview of the OEE division of EPA

> 1500 inspections/yr
10-20 prosecutions/yr

24 active cases before the courts
• 11 District Court
• 2 Circuit (via DPP)
• 11 High Court

Environment and Public Purse protected from Environmental Liabilities and Damage from Regulated Sites

No regulated activity having an impact on the environment or public health (water/air/odour)

Reduced GHG emissions from regulated activities

Unauthorised peat activities ceased

Improved and consistent Local Authority environmental performance delivering better compliance and environmental outcomes

OEE functions and resources aligned to be responsive and adaptable to meet emerging challenges

OEE Leadership team working collaboratively to foster a culture of innovation, support, flexibility and responsiveness across the OEE

Improved engagement and interaction with the regulated community and other Stakeholders

Improved access to information for the public

Record-No-2-Presentation-on-EPA-Enforcement-ActivitiesDownload

EPA: Sampling and analysis of groundwater

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Source: tender for services, https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/207062

EPA’s national groundwater quality Water Framework Directive monitoring programme

Groundwater sampling and field parameter analysis for all samples and microbiological analysis (for approximately one in four samples) at 270 sites

The EPA’s national groundwater quality monitoring programme consists of a total of approximately 260 to 290 monitoring sites, the majority of which are abstraction points for Public or Group Water Supply Schemes

EPA also plan, for the first time, to include 5 turloughs, to be monitored by shore based grab samples

The EPA’s Regional Laboratory in Dublin undertake analysis for metals, with all other parameters being analysed in the EPA’s Regional Laboratory in Monaghan

The parameters for field analysis are pH, Electrical Conductivity (Specific at 25°C), Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l and % Saturation), Temperature and Redox Potential.

Required to take samples for the microbiological parameters Total Coliform Bacteria and E.Coli at each of the 270 monitoring sites

The majority of samples (120) are from pumped boreholes. Samples from wells and boreholes are taken at the appropriate tap, i.e. at a location prior to water treatment in the pump house.

67 grab samples from springs. Samples from spring locations are taken close to the source using a sampling pole rather than at the pump house

There are 5 samples to be taken from Turloughs. Grab samples will be taken from the shore using a sampling pole, or similar sampling device e.g. 5 litre bottle thrown from the shore.

Poorly Productive Aquifer (PPA) sites: there are 76 monitoring locations located within nine catchments, with the monitoring points in each catchment located in relatively close proximity to each other. 68 of these are purged groundwater samples, 8 are grab samples from surface waters.

PPA Sites:

Nuenna

Dipsey

Ryewater

Mattock

Glencastle

Gortinlieve

New Village

Turlough sites (5)

Castleloye, Newtown, Co. Sligo

https://goo.gl/maps/a3gThnaR7ahsy3x76

Kilquire Lower, Co. Mayo

https://goo.gl/maps/NWZkhPEREZodwfup7

Kiltiernan East, Tyrone Avenue, Co. Galway

https://goo.gl/maps/tSYMKG2A7DqYtwqF6

Rahasane, Carrigeen, Co. Galway

https://goo.gl/maps/whVUcaPCLEu1b7SYA

Doonowen, Co. Galway

https://goo.gl/maps/nkHDBq4zc1HVYuHw6

Download EPA groundwater monitoring points in Excel:

EPA-groundwater-monitoring-pointsDownload
1-RFT-Request-for-Tender-Open-Contract-2022-GWMP_FinalDownload

AIE: Aughinish Alumina Financial Provision Requirement Documents (CRAMP & ELRA)

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EPA reasons for Decision (Redactions)

Costings and financial details have been redacted as the public interest in favour of release does not outweigh factors against release, specifically in relation to:
• The protection of commercially sensitive information.
• Allowing companies provide the EPA with confidential information without fear of release.
• In not preventing or impeding a company from the effective pursuit of their legitimate business.

Schedule of records released under AIE

AIE-2022-08-Schedule-of-RecordsDownload

CRAMP: for the orderly closure, decommissioning and aftercare of the Aughinish facility

Costings split 50:50 between liabilities for the Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (red mud stack), and liabilities for the main process plant

Note: how are “Parental Guarantees” enforced, eg overseas parent, parent is non compliant/gone bust, or subject to sanctions? Are these funds lodged in a place where only EPA can access ? In this case United Company Rusal IPJSC may have issues in paying ?

2021-06-01_Director-Signed-Approval-Memo_RedactedDownload

Closure & Restoration/Aftercare Plan (CRAMP) for Aughinish Alumina

P0035_Aughinish-Alumina_CRAMP_RedactedDownload

Environmental Liabilities Risk Assessment (ELRA) for Aughinish Alumina

P0035_Aughinish-Alumina_ELRA_RedactedDownload

SEA of Local Authority Land Use Plans – EPA Recommendations and Resources

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This document provides key EPA recommendations for Local Authorities to consider when carrying out Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of land-use plans at county and local level. It also includes information on recently published EPA reports and links to other relevant resources.

EPA-SEA-LandUse-Recommendations-Guidance_2022-1Download