Project Monitoring Committee
Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 16th September 2009 at the Aras an Chontae, Castlebar at 11:00am
Chairman: Mr. D. Mahon, County Manager
Present: Ms. Agnes McLaverty, SEPIL
Mr. Gerry Costello, SEPIL
Mr. Brendan Butler, SEPIL
Mr. Tony Doyle, Environmental Advisor, SEPIL
Mr. Seamus Gaughan, Muin Na Mooire
Mr. Padraic Walsh, Mayo County Council
Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo County Council
Mr. Ciaran Ó hÓbain, Dept. CENR
Mr. Michael Hughes, NWRFB
Mr. Chris Tallott, Community Representative
Mr. Ray Smith, EPA
Mr. Denis Strong, NPWS, Dept. EH&LG
Mr. Dick McKeever, DAFF
Mr. Richard Cosgrove, Bord na Móna
Sgt James Gill, An Garda Síochana
Present: Mr. Vincent Roche, NWRFB
In attendance: Ms. Monica Lynn, Mayo County Council
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th June, 2009 was approved, having been proposed by Mr. Cosgrove and seconded by Mr. Hynes.
2. Matters arising
The Manager informed the meeting of the resignation of Mr. Gerard McDonnell due to work commitments outside the county, and sought approval of the board to write and thank Mr. McDonnell for all his work on the project. Mr. Pat Barrett, Logmore, Belmullet was the next name on the list of replacements and he has agreed to participate on the PMC.
3. Water Quality – Carrowmore Lake
Mr. Walsh updated the meeting regarding the continued monitoring of the surface
water in and around the Bellanaboy site. Summaries of the most recent results were circulated at the meeting and are available on the Mayo County Council Website www.mayococo.ie.
4. Updates
Mr. Walsh informed the meeting that repairs to damaged sections of the haulage route to Bellanaboy are required. Mr. Costello said there was a need to talk to Mayo County Council re cost allocation. Mr. Hynes stated that works required to return the road to the original condition needs to be done soon, before the weather makes it more difficult.
Mr. Cosgrove updated the meeting on the continuing tidy up at the Bord na Móna site. There is also an application to the EPA for the renewal of the waste license to take additional peat. A decision is expected in the next two months.
5. Update on Terminal
Mr. Butler informed the meeting that work at the terminal site is now is excess of 80% complete. The Bord Gáis pipline is now connected to the terminal and they are now ready to move into the testing phase. The Chairman commented that he recently visited the site with the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and was very impressed and suggested the next meeting take place at the site.
6. Environmental Issues
Mr. Tony Doyle circulated a report on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Site. A copy of Mr. Doyle’s report is available on www.mayococo.ie. He noted that there was an exceedance of aluminium on 20th August which occurred after a very heavy rainfall. The next reading was well under the limit, which indicated a once-off spike attributed to the weather conditions. Mr. Hynes stated that water quality testing indicated there were no risks and no concerns re the aquatic environment.
7. Community Fund
The Chairman updated the meeting on the completed projects totalling €450,000. The Council was thanked for its €20,000 contribution towards the Glencullen river project. Mr. Mahon suggested a recognition board to acknowledge the work accomplished by the joint effort of Mayo County Council and other agencies and contributors. Mr. Gaughan stated that an excellent job has been done at the marina and Mr. Cosgrove said they had gotten positive feedback from the fishermen. Mr. Hynes suggested that photos they had collected showing before and after pictures would be presented at the next meeting and put on the website.
8. Local issues
There were no local issues for discussion.
9.
Any other business
It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PMC at the Bellanaboy terminal on 14th October 2009 at 11:00am.
This concluded the business of the meeting.