In 2019 annual report the CEO notes, a dedicated ecologist was recruited to further Waterways Ireland’s commitment to sustainable management of our navigations and to prioritise ways in which we can manage our natural assets to combat the Biodiversity Crisis
Pre AIE: request copy of Waterways Ireland biodiversity strategy
In 2019 annual report the CEO notes the “Preparation of a water management strategy was informed by anticipated changes in proposed new Water Abstraction legislation”
Pre AIE: request copy of Waterways Ireland water management strategy, including any submissions related to water abstraction and/or pumping stations
Notes
Waterways Ireland manages assets which were valued at almost €1 billion. This valuation represents the cost of rebuilding the infrastructure which passes through high value habitats and contributes in many ways to their physical surroundings, water management, local communities and the national economy.
The inland waterways support ecological biodiversity. 80% of its landholdings are within a European designated site and the green infrastructure of the waterways provide vital ecosystem services.
The Body continues to work closely with Irish Water and Westmeath County Council regarding water pumping for the Royal Canal. Lough Owel, the primary water source for the Royal Canal, is also a source for mains drinking water and the bodies work together to balance all of the interests.
The Body responded to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government regarding proposed water abstraction licensing which as proposed at consultation could jeopardise traditional water supplies for the inland waterways network. (2018 Annual Report)
Work with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to secure existing navigation water supplies in light of new Abstractions Legislation being proposed. Waterways Ireland continued to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the Water Abstraction Bill for the protection and fulfilment of the statutory undertaking for which Waterways Ireland was established under the British Irish Agreement Act, 1999. It is essential that the proposed Water Extraction Bill give special recognition to Waterway Irelands position given our organisations remit and range of activities. (2019 Annual Report)
Pump locations (not comprehensive list)
Richmond Harbour on the Royal Canal has a pump delivering 225 l/s from the Cramlin River
The Grand Canal is supplied with water from the River Brosna into Shannon Harbour over locks 35-36
Pump delivers water from Lough Allen across Drumshanbo and Drumleague Locks to maintain water levels for navigation on the Lough Allen canal
Pumping station at locks 16-18 on the Grand Canal
Dear AIE Officer
Request under the AIE Regulations for an electronic copy of the following documentation
1) Any communication related to the decision not to conduct environmental assessment related to bank vegetation removal for the following four projects
2) Any communication with OPW related to project funding / resources for the (4) projects
https://www.waterwaysireland.org/Pages/Appropriate-Assessment-Screening-Determinations.aspx
AIE (28/2/22)
Tender
On the 24th of March 2021, Waterways Ireland in working in partnership with the four Local Authorities (Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, and Longford) officially launched the Royal Canal Greenway. The Greenway is the latest of a range of greenway options available in Ireland. It is a product of scale, the longest of its kind, stretching for 130km from Maynooth to Longford Town / Cloondara alongside the tranquil and historic Royal Canal. It has potential for local / community use as a recreational space, to attract domestic visitors from Ireland, and to cater for an international audience, interested in completing a long-distance experience.
A steering group (the “Steering Group”) has been established to co-ordinate the development, activation and marketing of the Royal Canal Greenway comprising Waterways Ireland, Longford County Council, Westmeath County Council, Meath County Council and Kildare County Council.
Waterways Ireland wishes to learn from and build upon the experience gained in undertaking this project as it is anticipated that the initial contract in respect of the Royal Canal Greenway will be the first in a series. Waterways Ireland and partner agencies are developing other long distance multi-activity trails alongside its canals which will be branded as either Greenways or Blueways.
Waterways Ireland has determined that AA is not required for three of their own projects
| Year | Waterway | Project | Link |
| 2022 | Royal Canal Navigation | Royal Canal Embankment Repair, The Downs, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | View here |
| 2022 | Shannon Navigation | Vegetation Maintenance Cutting on the River Shannon, Co. Leitrim and Co. Roscommon | View here |
| 2022 | Shannon Navigation | Vegetation Maintenance Cutting, Marlborough to Victoria Lock, Co. Offaly | View here |
AIE Request (30/1/22)
Under the AIE Regs to request any communication related to the decision not to conduct environmental assessment related to bank vegetation removal for the following three projects
Under the AIE Regs to request any communication with OPW related to project funding / resources for the same
https://www.waterwaysireland.org/Pages/Appropriate-Assessment-Screening-Determinations.aspx
March 2022, additional project added (Barrow)
| Year | Waterway | Project | Link |
| 2022 | Barrow Navigation | Site Investigation Works, Ardreigh and Bestfield Overflow Weirs, Athy, Co. Kildare | View here |
| 2022 | Royal Canal Navigation | Royal Canal Embankment Repair, The Downs, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | View here |
| 2022 | Shannon Navigation | Vegetation Maintenance Cutting on the River Shannon, Co. Leitrim and Co. Roscommon | View here |
| 2022 | Shannon Navigation | Vegetation Maintenance Cutting, Marlborough to Victoria Lock, Co. Offaly | View here |
Mia Donnelly, NUI Galway, 2018
The national WFD monitoring programme for canals has been in place since 2006.
A review of this programme was undertaken by Waterways Ireland in tandem with the risk characterisation process for canals in 2017. This review concluded that the existing programme for canals was substantially fit for purpose; however, some amendments were required to the delineation of canal water bodies and to the sampling methodology.
The current WFD monitoring programme for canals includes 44 monitoring sites in 15 Artificial Water Bodies (Map below).
A number of water quality elements are assessed under the WFD to classify each canal water body according to its ecological potential.
Biological quality elements such as aquatic plants and invertebrates are sampled annually while physico-chemical parameters are sampled four-times per annum.
