Project Monitoring Committee
Minutes of the Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 17th September 2008 at the Aras an Chontae, Castlebar at 11:00am .
Chairman: Mr. D. Mahon, County Manager
Present: Ms. Agnes McLaverty, SEPIL
Mr. Tony Doyle, Environmental Advisor, SEPIL
Mr. Denis Strong, NPWS, Dept. EH&LG
Mr. Dick McKeever, Dept. Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
Mr. Richard Cosgrove, Bord na Móna
Mr. Nicholas Whyte, Community Representative
Sgt James Gill, An Garda Síochana
Mr. Michael Hughes, NWRFB
Mr. Tom McDonnell, Mayo County Council
Mr. Ciaran Ó hÓbain, Dept. CENR
Mr. Ray Smith, EPA
Mr. Kieran Lynn, Mayo County Council
Mr. Vincent Roche, NWRFD
Mr. Seamus Gaughan, Muin Na Mooire
Mr. Gerry Campbell, Gas Terminal Project Manager
Apologies: Mr. Brendan Butler, SEPIL
Mr. Gerry Costello, SEPIL
Mr. Gerard McDonnell, Community Representative
In attendance: Ms. Monica Lynn, Mayo County Council
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th July, 2008 was approved, having been proposed by Mr. Cosgrove and seconded by Mr. Ó hÓbain.
2. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Water Quality – Carrowmore Lake
Mr. Kieran Lynn stated that continued monitoring of the water at Carrowmore Lake shows no adverse impact on the quality of the drinking water from the discharge of surface water from the Terminal Site.
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Mr. Ray Smith said that EPA had collated data produced under the National Drinking Water Monitoring Programme which shows concentration levels well below the EQS (Environmental Quality Standards). A report would be published at the end of the year. The Chairman suggested that this data be linked to Mr. Lynn’s report on Water Quality Carrowmore Lake and made available on the website www.mayococo.ie
Mr. Vincent Roche questioned the data from the Bellanaboy River which shows downstream levels are higher than upstream levels and to further monitor to see if the trend continues.
4. Updates
Mr. Lynn indicated that deliveries of heavy/long loads are continuing with no issues raised. Mr. Cosgrove’s report on the Srahmore Peat Repository was circulated and a copy is available on www.mayococo.ie .
5. Update on Terminal
Mr. Gerry Campbell, on behalf of Mr. Butler updated the meeting on continuing works at the Bellanaboy site and said the work was progressing well.
6. Environmental Issues
Mr. Tony Doyle updated the committee on environmental issues at the Bellanaboy Site. A copy of Mr. Doyle’s report is available on www.mayococo.ie
Mr. Roche noted that in the Bellanaboy Bridge Site Report, the suspended solids results were very high in August. Mr. Doyle replied that peaks on the graph were due to a build up of material on the probes in the tank and that this was not a true indication of the sample.
7. Community Fund
Mr. Lynn updated the meeting on the projects being undertaken under the Community Fund. Both Attavally and Bellanaboy were completed. The Glencullen River scheme was ongoing and has a budget of €100,000. Agreement had been reached with the Bangor Angling Club and a planning application was due to be submitted. Mr. Lynn had been asked in a previous meeting to provide an estimate for new footpaths and public lighting from the Terminal to Ballanaboy Bridge. There was no budget for works estimated at €400,000 and he opened it up to the committee to see is anyone was prepared to take up the proposal. Ms. A. McLaverty asked for a detailed report to be emailed to her.
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8. Local issues
Mr. S. Gaughan said there was positive reaction to the fisherman settlement. In response to his query whether there was any further plans to move peat from the terminal site, Ms. A. McLaverty responded that there was no ongoing discussions and no contractors have applications submitted to do this work.
9.
Any other business
It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PMC on 15th October 2008 at 11:00am in Castlebar.
This concluded the business of the meeting.