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Environmental Campaigns

By Waterford City & County Council

Cllr Declan Doocey launches Gum Litter Campaign 2017

Campaign is aimed at changing people’s behaviour towards gum disposal.  The 2017 Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) gum litter education campaign was launched in Dungarvan today by Cllr Declan Doocey and Ardscoil na nDeise

The campaign has had huge success to date in changing the public’s behaviour to gum disposal and in encouraging correct gum disposal through a targeted education awareness campaign. According to research carried out by Millward Brown on behalf of the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) during the 2016 campaign, the highest number of people to date (93%) agree that dropping gum is littering and almost six in seven people (84%) claiming that they always dispose of their gum correctly.

Speaking at the launch Cllr Declan Doocey, Deputy Cathaoirleach of the Dungarvan/Lismore District said: “This is a great campaign for communities up and down the country to get involved in. It unites communities in a common goal to responsibly dispose of chewing gum and continue to contribute to the positive results the campaign has seen to date. “

“Waterford City & County Council in conjunction with the national Gum Litter Taskforce will implement a public awareness campaign to reduce gum litter”, commented Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City & County Council. “This campaign is beneficial as it improves litter awareness and reduces cleaning costs. A media campaign is being rolled out to touch on all media points across the Waterford County Council area. You may already have seen advertising on local buses, billboards, etc. Educational workshops about litter awareness will also be run in a number of schools in the county.”

Speaking at the official launch of the 2017 campaign, Paul Kelly, Chairman of the GLT added: “Each year the campaign seeks to educate people on the correct disposal of gum and while we have seen very positive results to date, we want to continue encouraging a positive behaviour change amongst the small minority who are still disposing of gum incorrectly. The latest research results highlighted a significant increase in those who say they never drop gum which points towards the success of the campaign since its inception at targeting younger people who are taking the message home with them and into households across Ireland. The launch today is just one element of this nationwide campaign which also includes a national advertising campaign and a schools education programme, Bin It!”

By Waterford City & County Council

Boating users urged to help prevent spread of Crayfish Plague in River Suir

All water users are being urged to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague on a stretch of the River Suir downstream of Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir. It comes after large numbers of dead freshwater crayfish were reported on the river earlier this month.  DNA analysis has now confirmed that the cause of death was crayfish plague.

The kill has only impacted White-clawed Crayfish and other freshwater animals are not affected. This is a characteristic feature of the disease which only infects species of crayfish but causes 100% mortality. All agencies including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Tipperary County Council will be working to contain the outbreak to this stretch of the River Suir. Given the experience of outbreaks elsewhere, a total kill of the population is expected which will have major consequences for the ecology of the river. Crayfish are very common in the Suir and are important in maintaining its ecology.

Anyone using the river is being urged to observe the ‘Check, Clean and Dry’ protocol once they leave the river and before using it again. This means that all wet gear (boats, clothing and equipment) should be checked for any silt or mud, plant material or animals before being cleaned and finally dried. Disinfectant or hot water (over 40 degrees Celsius) should be used to clean all equipment and this should be followed by a 24hour drying period.

The drying period is especially important in ensuring that all equipment is clear of infectious organism, including the removal of any water inside the boat. The crayfish plague organism can be carried on wet equipment to new sites and containment of the outbreak is essential to prevent spread to other unaffected populations in Ireland.

This is the second confirmed outbreak of the disease in Ireland following one in County Cavan in 2015. There is no indication of how the disease reached the Suir although a link to the Cavan outbreak is considered unlikely as the disease there appears to have run its course. This outbreak on the River Suir is of great concern as the stretch of river affected is popular with anglers and canoeists.

The White-clawed Crayfish is a globally threatened species and Ireland holds one of the largest surviving population. It is the only freshwater crayfish species found in Ireland and is present in lakes, rivers and streams over much of the island. Throughout its European range,this species has been decimated by the impact of Crayfish Plague which spread to Europe with the introduction of North American species of crayfish. Until 2015, Ireland was considered free of the disease and it remains the only European country without any established non-native crayfish species.

If Crayfish Plague becomes established there is a high probability that the White-clawed Crayfish, which is currently protected under Irish Law and the EU Habitats Directive, will be eliminated from much of Ireland. If non-native crayfish are found to be established in Ireland, this could have a severe impact on habitats as they can destabilise canal and river banks by burrowing. It could also impact other freshwater species, such as salmon and trout fisheries. At this time however, there is no evidence that non-native freshwater crayfish have been introduced in this country.

The public are asked to follow the ‘Check, Clean and Dry’ protocol when using the river and to alert the authorities of any mass mortality of crayfish as well as sightings of unusual crayfish (e.g. red claws, large size).  by emailing Colette O’Flynn (coflynn@biodiversityireland.ie)  at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Illegal dumping at Owenashad River walk, Lismore

See below some before and after photos which relate to illegal dumping at the Owenashad River walk also known as “the Strand” in Lismore, Co Waterford.

We are currently investigating the material collected and if evidence is available, we will prosecute those responsible. The area is now also under surveillance.

If you see illegal dumping, please report it – either on Facebook or by calling 0761 10 20 20.

 

By Waterford City & County Council

‘Let’s Grow It Together’ free seed sowing workshop

This 90 minute free workshop is entitled ‘Let’s Grow It Together’, taking place on Monday 3rd April.

Tea and coffee is available from 6.30pm, with the workshop beginning at 7pm sharp in GIY’s GROW HQ (directly across the roundabout from University Hospital Waterford).

This workshop will look at seed sowing, growing, harvesting and composting. There will be a focus on preventing food waste also. This workshop is funded through the Local Agenda 21 Environment Partnership Fund 2016 and so is free of charge. Booking is essential however as places are limited.

If you would like to enquire about this workshop or book a place on it, please do so by emailing eryan@waterfordocuncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

The Story of Your Stuff – new competition for secondary schools

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has teamed up with young photographer and music video director Christian Tierney, to launch an exciting new competition for secondary schools today themed “The Story of Your Stuff”.

Students are invited to choose an everyday object such as a pen, mobile phone or a water bottle and use a visual medium to illustrate its life-cycle, where it came from, how you use it and more importantly, where it’s going to end up!

The competition is open to secondary school students up to and including 18 years. The prize is: €500 for the winning entry and €500 plus a video workshop with Christian Tierney for the school. All information about the competition can be found on www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie. Here students can view a “Story of your stuff” video created by Christian Tierney and top tips from him on how to get started.

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Local Waste Prevention Grant

This scheme supports communities to take steps on waste prevention, re-use and repair activities in their local areas, and encourage partnership between local businesses, schools, charities and voluntary groups.

What is Waste Prevention? Preventing waste is about finding ways to keep items in use longer and not generating as much waste in the first place.  It’s about rethinking the way we do things – redesigning the items we use – changing attitudes and changing behaviours’ about what we buy and what we throw away, but most of all, working together and thinking creatively to do something about it.

Waterford City and County Council may pay a waste prevention grant to voluntary groups for waste prevention projects in their local community. Please note that outcomes must be measurable. Eligible projects that could be funded include, but are not limited to:

  • Repair Skills Workshops
  • Upcycling Workshops
  • Elimination of single-use items
  • Community composting workshops
  • Food Waste Prevention projects/events

Please note the Councils of the Southern Waste Management Region will be hosting a Re-Use Month in October 2017.  Successfully funded projects must be willing to showcase their results and/or be part of the Re-Use planned events.

How to Apply
The waste prevention grant application form is available from the Environment Section, Waterford City and County Council, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford and online at http://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/media/grants/2017/index.htm

The Grant Application form should be completed and returned to the Environment Section for consideration by the closing date 13th February 2017.

By Waterford City & County Council

Department highlights World Rabies Day

rabiesday09_200pxWednesday, September 28th 2016 was World Rabies Day and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of continuing vigilance against rabies.

Ireland is fortunate to have been rabies free since 1903, but as rabies cases have been reported in pets and wildlife in Europe in recent years, Ireland is not free from risk.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) estimate that approximately 60,000 people across the world die every year from rabies and that Rabies is still endemic in 150 countries/territories worldwide.  Most human deaths occur in children in developing countries. The majority of these deaths are preventable by increasing public awareness and access to canine rabies vaccine. Rabies eradication requires a multidisciplinary effort between health, veterinary and local authorities. By working together rabies can be eliminated for good.

In 2015 the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with partners, the Global Alliance for the Control of Rabies (GARC) announced their framework for eliminating rabies by 2030.

The Department emphasises that Irish citizens can play their part in achieving this vision. Whilst the risk to Ireland is considered low, increasing animal movement across Europe means that we in Ireland must remain vigilant.

The illegal importation of dogs, cats or other pets is the most likely way that rabies could be introduced. If you are travelling with pets within the EU (including the UK) or importing pets into Ireland, it is a legal requirement for them to be vaccinated against rabies. Full details can be found on the Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/rabies/

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