Minister Moran launches website for Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, today announced the official launch of the new website for the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group - rivershannongroup.ie.

The Group was established in 2016 following severe flooding that impacted the River Shannon Basin to better coordinate the efforts of all key State Agencies operating in the region.

The website is designed to share information with communities and the general public about the work of the Group.

One key feature will enable users to access real-time information on the operation of water level controls by the ESB and Waterways Ireland through sluice structures on the river and the three lakes (Loughs Allen, Ree and Derg).

The site provides information on flood relief schemes being undertaken by the OPW in partnership with local authorities and the strategic maintenance activities planned and undertaken on behalf of the Group.

A suite of animated videos explain how water levels are managed, the programme of flood relief schemes, and the nature of the river and why parts of the Shannon River Basin District, such as the Shannon Callows, can be especially vulnerable to flooding in times of prolonged and heavy rainfall.

Minister Moran said, “I have seen at first-hand the effects of flooding along the River Shannon and across the country. I fully support the work of the Group, which is focused on mitigating flood risk and ensuring that the work of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon is closely coordinated.”

The work of the Group includes progressing a programme of strategic maintenance on the river, which has spent approximately. €1.3 million to date.

On behalf of the Group, Waterways Ireland is advancing a planned programme of strategic maintenance works. These works include the management and delivery of tree pruning and vegetation maintenance, and planned silt removal, with associated ecological and environmental assessments, at 23 locations along the Shannon.

Minister Moran continued, “The programme of Strategic Maintenance being undertaken on behalf of the Group is critical to mitigate flood risk and I remain firmly committed to working closely with communities and ensuring that the Group has appropriate funding for this programme. In this context, I can confirm that funding of €2 million has been earmarked for future strategic maintenance work. The Group will be consulting with key stakeholders to identify any additional locations that can be added to this programme of maintenance on the Shannon. The launch of the website rivershannongroup.ie, will make the Group’s work and plans more visible to all who live and work in the Shannon catchment and further afield, which I welcome.”

In conclusion, Minister Moran said, ‘Managing flood risk requires co-operation across agencies, local authorities, and communities — and that is exactly what the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Coordination Working Group represents. It is my hope that this website will become a trusted reference point for everyone with an interest in the Shannon — from residents to researchers, from farmers to policymakers.

For more information, visit www.rivershannongroup.ie

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Notes:

About the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-Ordinated Working Group

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group, chaired by the OPW, was established by the Government in 2016 to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated flood risk solutions that may have benefit in managing flood risk on the Shannon Catchment.

The Group was established at that time following severe flooding that occurred during the winter of 2015/16. The Group is focussed on prioritising actions and activities that can help to manage flood risk along the River Shannon.

rivershannongroup.ie serves as a centralised portal featuring:

• Who We Are — mission, membership, governance, roles & responsibilities
• What We Do — flood relief initiatives, strategic maintenance, investments
• Flood Relief Schemes — details on existing and planned schemes
• Management of Water Levels & Risk — how water levels are managed, best practices, technical info
• FAQs & Resources — answers to common questions, maps, meeting minutes, downloadable materials
• News & Updates — announcements, developments, videos and community information

The site also includes a series of animated videos that help explain why the River Shannon floods and how flood relief measures operate

Members of the Group are at CEO level or equivalent with the following State Agencies:

• The Office of Public Works
• Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Management Association
• Waterways Ireland
• Electricity Supply Board
• Inland Fisheries Ireland
• National Parks & Wildlife Service
• Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine
• Bord na Móna
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Uisce Eireann
• The Attorney General’s Office and other Government Departments may also participate, as requested by the Chairman.