1 of 48

New National Barriers Mitigation Programme��

Colin Byrne (Water Division, DHLGH)

Alan Cullagh (Fisheries Development, IFI)

​

12th November 2023

Salmon Watch Conference,

Castleconnell, Co Limerick.

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

1 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

2 of 48

​

  1. Introduction
  2. Ireland’s River Basin
  3. Our Water Resources
  4. Implementation of Second Cycle Plan
  5. Programme of Measures – how we protect & restore water
  6. What happens next?

Appendix 1 – Correlation table with Annex VII and Directive Text

Appendix 2 – Full List of Proposed Measures

Appendix 3 – List of Areas for Action

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

2 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

3 of 48

Water Status: our most significant pressures

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

3 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

4 of 48

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is establishing a National Hydromorphology Programme

The Programme will be supported by a Hydromorphology Expert Group:

​

Programme of Measures

  • The Environmental Protection Agency
  • The Local Authority Waters Programme
  • The Office of Public Works
  • Teagasc
  • Inland Fisheries Ireland
  • Irish Water
  • Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (Inland Fisheries Division)
  • Electricity Supply Board
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
  • An experienced academic expert
  • Waterways Ireland
  • The County and City Management Association

​

  • DHLGH (Chair) - Water, Heritage and Planning Divisions

 

 

 

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

4 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

5 of 48

    • Scoping the optimum environmental management framework for activities posing a risk to the hydromorphological conditions of water bodies;
    • Advising the Minister on policy and legislative needs required to give full effect to the provisions of Article 11(3)(i) of the Water Framework Directive;
    • Assisting in the preparation of a work programme and associated timelines for the delivery of (1) a new regulatory framework for the protection of waters from hydromorphological pressures (physical impacts), and (2) the establishment of a national mitigation/restoration programme.

Focus of the National Expert Group

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

5 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

6 of 48

    • Advising on the establishment of a National Restoration Programme to mitigate the impacts of existing hydromorphological pressures in or near water bodies.
    • Overseeing (1) the implementation of the Lower River Shannon Roadmap (see Action 47) and (2) the pilot project to mitigate the Annacotty Weir on the Mulkear River in County Limerick (see Action 46).
    • Whilst a new comprehensive environmental management framework is developed for activities posing a risk to the hydromorphological condition of water bodies, the Expert Group will:
          • Serve as a forum for information and best practice exchange between organisations with a role in managing hydromorphological pressures; and
          • Identify interim solutions which can be readily implemented during the third RBMP cycle to assist in managing hydromorphological pressures.

​

Focus of the National Expert Group

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

6 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

7 of 48

    • Planning and Development Act (2000)
    • Planning and Development Regulations (2001)
    • The Arterial Drainage Acts (1945 and 1995)
    • The Local Authorities (Works) Act (1949)
    • EIA (Agriculture) Regulations (2011)
    • Fisheries Act (1959)
    • Foreshore Act (1933)

​

Legislation likely to be impacted by the review

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

7 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

8 of 48

    • A new national barriers mitigation programme will be established in 2023.
    • Inland Fisheries Ireland will establish a newly resourced Barriers Mitigation Division in 2023.
    • The programme will be overseen by the new National Hydromorphology Expert Group.
    • The initial focus will be on barriers but will expand to other pressures following scoping by the new National Hydromorphology Expert Group.
    • A minimum of 5% of problem barriers (approximately 270) will be removed or modified during the cycle
    • Detailed planning and prioritisation of barrier removal/mitigation will be led by IFI at catchment level during 2023 as part of the preparation of Catchment Action Plans led by LAWPRO. IFI will develop a supporting mitigation programme.
    • Effective monitoring before and after restoration/mitigation will be undertaken.
    • DHLGH will shortly submit a Memo to Government seeking approval of funding. A minimum investment of €50 million is anticipated.

​

New National Barriers Mitigation Programme

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

8 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

9 of 48

National Barriers Mitigation Programme - Flagship Pilot Projects

Pilot project

Catchment

Objective

Ardnacrusha Parteen Hydroelectric Scheme

Shannon River, Co. Clare

The pilot project will use state-of-the-art technical solutions to improve fish passage through the largest hydroelectric scheme in Ireland based on the approved Roadmap. The pilot project will be undertaken under the National Barriers Mitigation Programme with co-funding from the Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

 

Dodder catchment scale multiple barrier mitigation

Dodder River, Co. Wicklow and Dublin

This pilot project will aim to open up this heavily urbanised catchment to migratory fish species by mitigating the five most significant barriers in the lower reaches.

 

Annacotty Weir fish passage mitigation

Mulkear River, Co. Limerick

The pilot project will provide an opportunity to test a collaborative and ecology focussed design approach. The pilot will also test enhanced community engagement opportunities that go beyond the standard consultation practices involved in the planning process.

 

Clohamon weir and tailrace - fish passage mitigation

Slaney River, Co. Wexford

 

This pilot project will aim to improve fish passage at a medium scale hydroelectric scheme through a collaborative initiative with the local community under the National Barriers Mitigation Programme.

 

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

9 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

10 of 48

Roadmap for the Lower Shannon - Fish Passage Improvement

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

10 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

11 of 48

1. New fish pass at Parteen Weir:

  • Concept designs were developed for a new multi-species fish pass at Parteen Weir (Optimum solution: vertical slot fish pass).
  • Engineering, planning, cost and environmental assessments are needed to progress the project.

Roadmap Recommendations

Source: M. Redeker

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

11 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

12 of 48

2. Environmental Flow Study Period:

  • An outline Eflow approach has been developed that needs to be expanded to a fully detailed plan with appropriate monitoring and oversight, through consultation with stakeholders.

​

3. Tailrace Barrier Feasibility Study:

  • Blockage of the tailrace for upstream migrating fish and entire fish diversion into the Old River Shannon needs further study.
  • Four options are proposed including a screen barrier, a barrier dam, an electric barrier and hybrid electric barrier.
  • All are feasible but engineering, planning, cost and environmental studies are needed to identify the optimum solution.

​

Roadmap Recommendations

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

12 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

13 of 48

4. Downstream Fish Protection:

  • Needs further study.
  • Several options are proposed including a bypass facility, a partial depth guidance facility, turbine and weir management and a full-depth barrier and bypass (at a number of possible locations).
  • All are feasible but engineering, planning, cost and environmental studies are needed to identify the best solution.

5. New fish pass at Ardnacrusha Station:

    • Hydraulic and engineering challenges due to complexity of the site.
    • A fishway with a channel connecting to the outlet/tailrace to the southwest of the powerhouse should be examined in a feasibility study as an alternative/backup plan.

6. Management Plan for the Lower River Shannon to be developed:

      • Organised long-term management and stakeholder engagement in the study area to provide a forum for implementing agreed measures and provide a basis for ongoing cooperative investment, research and improvement.

Roadmap Recommendations

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

13 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

14 of 48

Roadmap Update

Ministerial Approvals:

  • National Hydromorphology Programme
  • Lower River Shannon Roadmap

​

Steering Group Members:

  • DHLGH
  • NPWS
  • EPA
  • IFI
  • OPW
  • ESB
  • Waterways Ireland
  • Shannon Fisheries Partnership
  • Irish Water

New fish pass at Parteen Weir

Eflow study programme

Tailrace Barrier Feasibility Study

Downstream fish passage feasibility study

New fish pass at Ardnacrusha feasibility study

Lower River Shannon Management Plan

Steering Group

&

Independent Chair

    • LAWPRO
    • Salmon Watch Ireland
    • Academic

Independent Chairperson

Next Steps: Tender for expert consultancy support (RFT in draft)

  • Period 2023 – 2027 (6 steps)
  • Co-funding arrangement with ESB

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

14 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

15 of 48

Action 47 (Draft)

Implementation of the roadmap of actions to improve fish migration in the Lower River Shannon and the Hydroelectric scheme located around Parteen and Arnacrusha

Steps Necessary for Delivery

Proposed Output

Timeline

Lead Org

Stakeholder Support

New Fish Pass at Parteen Weir

​

New Fish Pass at Parteen Weir

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

Eflow Study Programme

​

Determination of Eflows

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

​

Feasibility Study for Tailrace Barrier

Tailrace barrier recommendations

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

Downstream Fish Pass Feasibility Study

Downstream fish passage recommendations

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

New Fish Pass at Ardnacrusha Feasibility Study

Recommendations for fish pass feasibility at Ardnacrusha

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

Lower Shannon Management Plan

Lower Shannon Management Plan

​

DHLGH / Consultant support

LRS Steering Group

Continuation of Steering Group to Oversee Implementation of the Roadmap

Oversight of roadmap implementation

​

DHLGH

LRS Steering Group

Body Level One

Body Level Two

Body Level Three

Body Level Four

Body Level Five

15 An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

16 of 48

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Salmon Watch Ireland

Barrier Mitigation

​

Alan Cullagh IFI

​

17 of 48

Barrier to fish Migration�

  • What is a Barrier
  • Numbers and Types of Barriers
  • Examples of Barriers
  • Examples of Mitigation
  • Potential Solutions
  • Thank you

​

18 of 48

Measurement of Barrier

  • an assessment of water velocities,
  • depth of water over the structure’s face,
  • obstacle height,
  • length of structure’s slope,
  • presence/absence of a plunge pool,
  • Flow type (e.g. turbulent, plunging, adherent flows, and/or presence of hydraulic jump).

​

19 of 48

20 of 48

Fish Barrier

21 of 48

Fish Barrier across river Hydraulic Jump and water levels on structure

22 of 48

Example of fish Barrier

23 of 48

Requirements for Planning Permission

  • Topographical Survey
  • Appropriate Assessment
  • Natura Impact Statement
  • Architectural Heritage Survey
  • Archaeological Assessment Survey
  • Underwater Archaeological Assessment
  • Hydrology Assessment
  • Hydraulic Assessment
  • Flood Survey
  • Geomorphological Assessment
  • Pearl Mussel Survey
  • Electro-Fishing Survey
  • Fish Barrier Assessment (SNIFFER)

24 of 48

Example of Weir Barrier pre-works

25 of 48

Weir Post-works to original level

26 of 48

Barrier Ford Crossing Pre-Works

27 of 48

Barrier Ford Crossing Post-Works

28 of 48

Weir pre-works

29 of 48

Weir fully removed

30 of 48

Hanover Weir Carlow Fish Pass

31 of 48

Castletown weir pre-works

32 of 48

Castletown weir Post-Works

33 of 48

Ballinacarrig weir pre-works

34 of 48

Ballinacarrig weir post-works

35 of 48

Brook Lodge Bridge pre-works in conjunction with Carlow co.co

36 of 48

Brook Lodge Bridge post-works in conjunction with Carlow co.co

37 of 48

Bridge and fish pass to be repaired in conjunction with Tipperary co.co

38 of 48

Portlaw Weir. New fish pass to be constructed in conjunction with Uisce Eireann

39 of 48

Pallas Weir. New fish pass to be constructed in conjunction with Uisce Eireann

40 of 48

Tinnahinch Weir fish pass to be constructed in conjunction with Waterways Ireland

41 of 48

Example of fish pass

42 of 48

Barrier Recently Constructed

43 of 48

Annacotty weir

44 of 48

Thank You

45 of 48

46 of 48

47 of 48

48 of 48

Rock Ramp under construction