Nationwide Meetings to select Environmental Representatives for new River Basin Water Advisory Councils

Environmental Reps. for New Water Advisory Councils

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) is co-hosting, with its member environmental groups* a series of meetings nationwide to select the environmental representatives to go forward for seven water Advisory Councils; one in each of seven regions (River Basin Districts) throughout the country.

What’s the purpose of the meeting and who should attend? The purpose of the meetings is to select the best qualified nominees from the environmental community, which we will then put forward to represent the environment on the River Basin District water Advisory Councils. If you are interested in how the rivers, lakes, bays and groundwater of your region are managed and you would like a say in who should represent the environment on the new Water Advisory Councils, to promote sustainable water management, then this meeting is for you. You may even be interested in putting yourself forward for the Council. If so, then your participation in one of these meetings is particularly welcome. Contact info@swanireland.ie for all the information you need and see the Events tab of the VOICE website for locations and times of the meetings.

River Basin Planning - Participation of Environmental Groups

River Basin Management Plans for the rivers; lakes; coastal and groundwaters of the country will come into force in 2010. These will set out measures to get the waters of all seven regions up to good status, as required by European law (the Water Framework Directive). Past experience shows that implementation of these Plans is far from guaranteed and that vigilance on the part of environmental groups will be necessary to ensure words translate into action. Water Advisory Councils in each region provide an opportunity for us to participate in, and ensure the best implementation of the Plans.

What are the Water Advisory Councils?

These are statutory bodies set up in 2005 to provide an opportunity for public input into the river basin management process. They are made up of Councillors from all the local authorities in each River Basin District[1][1]and stakeholder representatives of various interests including farming; business; recreation and water protection. Their role is to consider matters relating to the river basin management process and other matters relevant to the protection and use of the aquatic environment and to advise and make recommendations on these matters to the relevant public authorities.

Selection Process

The term of the first Councils finished in early 2009 and a public call for stakeholder nominees for new councils is expected in mid February 2010. SWAN, in conjunction with its member organisations, will be co-ordinating the selection of nominees to go forward to the water Advisory Councils, through this series of facilitated meetings. Anyone who is interested in who will represent the environment sector on these Councils and would like to participate in the process of selecting these representatives in their region is encouraged to attend.[1] For example the South Eastern RBD comprises Counties Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford, South Tipperary, Laois, North Tipperary, Kildare, Offaly, Wicklow, Limerick, Cork and Waterford City Council.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Bojana at info@swanireland.ie and be sure to see the events calendar for dates and venues for the SWAN meetings.