This article is from page 4 of the 2011-10-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
IN ECHOING the famous words of WT Cosgrave at the opening of the Shannon Scheme in 1929 when he said “our most famous river will harnessed to the service of the nation”, Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan has said that the Shannon Estuary has a key part to play in Ireland’s economic recovery.
He made his comments this week when announcing the commencement of public consultation on an innovative new Strategic Plan for the Shannon Estuary.
“This is a very exciting initiative for the Shannon Estuary and for the counties of Clare, Limerick and Ker ry as for the first time we are developing a single Strategic Plan for the whole Shannon Estuary including the lands immediately adjacent to the estuary,” Mr Coughlan said.
“It will identify the nature and location of future development on the estuary and allow us harness its potential to a greater degree. I would encourage interested parties to make a submission,” the county manager, who is chairman of the steering group overseeing the plan, added.
The Shannon Estuary is the largest estuary in Ireland with some 500km2 of navigable water running from Kerry Head and Loop Head as far as Limerick City.
The estuary with its sheltered character is Ireland’s premier deepwater port, routinely catering for ships up to 200,000 deadweight tonnage, with key ports at Limerick and Foynes. The estuary supports a variety of economic uses but is also rich in natural resources, wildlife and ecosystems.
“The aim of the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) is to identify the nature and location of future development, economic growth and employment that can be sustainably accommodated within the Shannon Estuary,” said senior Clare County Council planner Gordon Daly.
“Such developments may include, but are not limited to: port functions, shipment, aquaculture/mariculture, fisheries, tourism, leisure, industry, energy generation, fuel storage, aviation, transportation and agriculture,” he added.
However, as the estuary is home to a number of environmentally sensitive sites, Mr Daly has cautioned that new blueprint for the estuary “will also aspire to achieving a careful balance between promoting development, and protection and conservation of this natural resource”.
The strategy is being funded by the local authorities in addition to Shannon Foynes Port Company and Shannon Development. Shannon Foynes Port Company is responsible for all maritime activities and port management on the estuary and is currently in the process of preparing a master plan for the Port of Foynes and Limerick Docks which will input into the preparation of the SIFP.
In addition to the local authori- ties and Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company the steering group comprises of representatives from the Mid West Regional Authority, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Shannon Airport, Clare/Limerick Energy Agency, OPW, National Parks & Wildlife Service, National Monuments Service, OPW, Shannon River Basin District Project, Marine Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency.
A Public Notice has been published to encourage stakeholders, interested parties and the general public to get involved and to bring forward proposals and ideas which will help shape the production of the SIFP.