This Water Action Plan (third-cycle pan up to 2027) sets out a roadmap to restore water quality of Ireland’s water bodies in line with European's Water Framework Directive. This Plan enhances and builds upon the work of the first and second-cycle plans and focuses on protecting and restoring water quality by preventing and reducing pollution, by restoring the natural ecosystem functions of rivers and by continuing to invest in water infrastructure. Where necessary, this Plan addresses the shortcomings experienced during the implementation of previous plans. The responses to shortcomings addressed include, for example, strengthening the incorporation of the integrated catchment management approach, improving the environmental ambition, improving the evidence base for ‘targeting the right measures in the right place’ and securing dedicated resources to deliver these, increasing environmental enforcement and compliance, and strengthening the governance structures. Key is accountability of each implementing body to deliver on the water action targets in the programme of measures. Each agency and authority will be required to monitor and report publicly on its progress. This Plan will help mobilise a joint effort of the State, local authorities, public sector agencies, public and private sector companies, environmental organisations, farm organisations and the people living in each river catchment. The Plan follows an ‘Integrated Catchment Management’ approach. Integrated catchment management approaches will be used to identify and decide on further specific measures for each water body, where they are required in addition to those set in this plan. These will be included in the 46 Catchment Management Work Plans, which will be used to locate measures within each catchment. Sectoral Action Work Plans will be developed by each of the sectors who are responsible for a specific pressure, for example; Agriculture, Forestry, Urban Wastewater. The Catchment Management Work Plans and supporting Sectoral Action Work Plans will be developed with an increased level of public participation through new Catchment Community Fora, in which communities can engage with and understand what is happening in their local water body or catchment, and to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders. The Plan sets out in Chapter 4 measures required to achieve the environmental objectives of the Plan as specified in Chapter 3. Measures commenced in Cycles 1 and 2 will continue to be implemented. Management measures are required to protect and restore natural waters. These measures are many and diverse. They include the implementation of eleven existing EU Directives such as the Nitrates Directive and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Chapter 5 sets out specific measures if the third cycle addressing various pressures on water resources such as from agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, etc. The Plan is also about protecting and restoring estuarine and coastal waters (waters that extend one nautical mile from a baseline) and fish passage.
Irlanda · 2024-01-01