Post by Davy Telford on Jul 7, 2011 19:30:18 GMT
WATER QUALITY- FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST YEAR THE FISHING CLUB AND TRUST HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH NIEA TO RESOLVE VARIOUS POLLUTION ISSUES WITHIN THE CATCHMENT. A MAJOR SEWAGE PROBLEM ON THE BALLYMARTIN HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND THE PROBLEMATICAL TREATMENT PLANT BESIDE CLOTWORTHY HOUSE HAS BEEN MODERNISED AND RELOCATED. SEVERAL OTHER POLLUTION SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER ACTION IS BEING TAKEN, WHICH HAS AND WILL LEAD TO FURTHER PROSECUTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY MOST POLLUTION INCIDENTS MUST BE IDENTIFIED IN THE ACT OF OFFENDING SO IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ANY INCIDENTS ARE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS ANOTHER FISH KILL IN JANUARY IN THE BALLYCLARE AREA (ESTIMATED 2000 JUVENILE FISH KILLED) AND THIS IS PRESENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED. THE RIVER MOUTH HOSTS BOATERS, JETSKIERS, CANOISTS AND OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SO WE HAVE CONTACTED THE EEC TO BEGIN STEPS TOWARD GIVING THE AREA A DESIGNATED BATHING WATER STATUS, ANTRIM COUNCIL AND NIEA ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THIS PROJECT.
WITH THE HELP OF DANNY KINAHAN WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ASKED IN THE N I ASSEMBLEY ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS THE EFFECT OF HORMONES FROM WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, CAR WASHES AND UTILISATION OF BAILLIFFS FOR TAKING WATER SAMPLES.
THE TRUST HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN RIVER CLEAN-UP PROJECTS AT MUCKAMORE AND THE BALLYMARTIN.
BALLYCLARE RELIEF ROAD AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – THE RIVER TRUST AND FISHING CLUB HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE ABILITY OF THE DEVELOPERS TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE RIVER CATCHMENT FOLLOWING THE INITIAL MEETING TO DESCRIBE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT WHICH WAS SHORT ON DETAIL AND FAILED TO IDENTIFY KEY SPECIES AND SPECIFIC RIVER CHARACTERISTICS. WE ALSO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE ABILITY OF BALLYCLARE WASTE TREATMENT PLANT TO COPE WITH AN ESTIMATED 2000 PLUS HOUSES. MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH THE PLANNING OFFICE, NORTHERN IRELAND WATER, RIVERS AGENCY, NIEA ETC. AND THE DEVELOPERS NOW HAVE AGREED TO ADOPT SUDS, SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HARD SURFACE RUN OFF. THEY HAVE ALSO ALLOWED FISHERIES INTERESTS TO HAVE A SAY IN THE DESIGN OF TWO PARKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL BE SITED ADJACENT TO THE RIVER. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE TREATMENT PLANT HAS THE CAPACITY TO SERVICE THE EXTRA DWELLINGS, PARTICULARLY AS THE SYSTEM FAILED DURING THE COLD WINTER THIS YEAR AND SEWAGE HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY TANKER TO OTHER FACILITIES.
FISHERIES- RICHARD KENNEDY AND HIS TEAM CONTINUED STOCK SURVEYS ALONG THE RIVER AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PROLIFIC POPULATIONS OF JUVENILE SALMONIDS, THE POPULATION OF ADULTS WAS RELATIVELY SMALL. RICHARD FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF SUITABLE HABITAT FOR LARGER FISH AND THE MIGRATION OF THE DOLLAGHAN TO LOUGH NEAGH. THERE HAVE BEEN HABITAT SURVEYS CARRIED OUT SO A RIVER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT IS BEING DEVELOPED AT PRESENT, HEADED BY OUR CHAIRMAN, RICHARD KENNEDY AND GARRY O’NEIL FROM DCAL. ANGLERS ARE SHOWING RESTRAINT BY ADOPTING A LARGELY CATCH AND RELEASE APPROACH TO CONSERVE STOCKS BUT HABITAT RESTORATION IS A VITAL TOOL TO ENHANCE FISH STOCKS. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED AND THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF FISH SPECIES IN LOUGH NEAGH IS A GROWING CONCERN AS THE NUMBER OF DOLLAGHAN RETURNING TO THE RIVERS IS LARGELY REDUCED ON MOST RIVERS AND HAS COLLAPSED ON OTHERS. AGAIN DANNY KINAHAN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE N. I. ASSEMBLEY AS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY ON THE LOUGH AND WHETHER STOCKS CAN COPE WITH THE PRESENT LEVEL OF EXPLOITATION. WE KNOW 8,500 M OF ILLEGAL NETS HAD BEEN CONFISCATED BUT PROSECUTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT SEEM TO BE MINIMAL. THE DCAL FISHERY REPORT FOR 2008 WAS JUST PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 2010 AND FROM A BUDGET OF OVER £2 M MANAGED TO COMPRESS THE DETAILS INTO JUST 21 PAGES. APPARENTLY DCAL HAVE RECENTLY INITIATED A STOCK SURVEY FOR AREAS OF LOUGH NEAGH AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING EXTRA MEASURES TO POLICE ILLEGAL NETTING OPERATIONS, PERHAPS OUR LETTERS, PETITIONS AND ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS ARE PUTTING A LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
PROJECTS- THE FISHING CLUB FINISHED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISABLED FISHING STAND BELOW GREENMOUNT WHICH WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY. THERE WAS A RESTOCKING INITIATIVE FOR THE BALLYMARTIN AND RATHMORE BURN WHICH HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY POLLUTION WHICH INVOLVED DISTRIBUTION OF 5,500 FINGERLING TROUT AND 550 YEARLINGS FROM BALLIDERRY HATCHERY. THE TRUST STAGED A PRESENTATION AT THE U. K. ASSOCIATION OF RIVERS TRUSTS CONFERENCE IN COOKSTOWN IN MAY IN WHICH IT WAS AWARDED FUNDING TO CONTINUE WORK. WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN BAT AND BIRD BOX PROJECTS AND WERE NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD FOR A PROJECT WITH GRAHAMS CONSTRUCTION FOR ERECTION OF BAT AND DIPPER BOXES AT THE MOTORWAY BRIDGE, TEMPLEPATRICK. WE ALSO ATTENDED A BAT SURVEY IN THE CASTLE GROUNDS AND THE BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE IN ANTRIM. THE TRUST WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT OF THE MALLUSK HERITAGE TRAIL AND DID A LITTLE EXHIBITION AT THE LAUNCH. WE WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE IN A CONSERVATION PROJECT INVOLVING WETLAND AREAS AND CHRIS MILLER HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS BY PERSUADING RIVERS AGENCY AND N. I.E.A. TO BECOME INVOLVED AND NOW HAS SOME OFFICIAL ENDORSMENT FOR THE PROJECT.THE RIVER TRUST IS INVOLVED IN CATCHMENT STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN ENGAGE WITH THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS NIEA, DARD, RIVERS AGENCY, N. I. WATER, DRD ETC. TO DISCUSS AND HELP RESOLVE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE RIVER AND WETLAND ENVIRONMENT. WE CAN ALSO SUPPLY INFORMATION TO BE USED IN THE FORMATION OF THE LOCAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN AS PART OF THE NIEA’S WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE INITIATIVE.
THE FUTURE- THE RIVER TRUST IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ACHIEVING CHARITABLE STATUS IN THE FUTURE, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT INSURANCE OPTIONS SO WE CAN STAGE RIVER CLEAN-UP EVENTS. IT INTENDS TO PUBLISH AN INFORMATION LEAFLET AND THIS IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE NOTICED GREATER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAN BEFORE AND HAVE FORGED BETTER RELATIONS WITH THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE SIX MILE WATER HAS FEATURED IN THE NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, RADIO AND TV, AND OBTAINING COVERAGE IS GETTING EASIER. POLLUTION WILL ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM TO SOME EXTENT BUT NIEA SEEM TO BE DEALING WITH INCIDENTS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PROSECUTIONS. DESPITE POLLUTION INCIDENTS THE OVERALL WATER QUALITY WOULD APPEAR TO BE IMPROVING AND THE PROTECTED RIVER WATER CROWFOOT PLANT WOULD SEEM TO BE GROWING AGAIN RATHER THAN SUFFOCATING UNDER LAYERS OF ALGAE OR BLANKET WEED. IT IS VISIBLE ABOVE DUNADRY BRIDGE AND BELOW THE WEIR AT THE SCHOOL POOL, DUNADRY. THIS PLANT IS ESSENTIAL TO A HEALTHY RIVER AS IT PROVIDES SHELTER, SHADE AND OXYGEN FOR AQUATIC INSECTS AND FISH WHICH IN TURN PROVIDE FOOD FOR BIRDS, BATS,OTTERS ETC. THE TRUST WOULD LIKE TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON ISSUES LIKE COMMERCIAL FISHING ON LOUGH NEAGH, THE BALLYCLARE DEVELOPMENT AND POLLUTION. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE BALLYMARTIN RIVER IMPROVING AND KINGFISHERS AND OTTERS HAVE BEEN SEEN ALONG IT BUT IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE OUR RIVERS ARE RESTORED TO A REASONABLE CONDITION. IN THE MEANTIME WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN AND LOBBY OUR MINISTERS, AGENCIES AND COUNCILLORS TO MAKE LASTING IMPROVEMENTS SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE PROUD OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE.
JUST SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVOLVED IN :- RIVER CLEAN-UPS, ANTRIM, WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, EVEN UNCOVERING AN OLD BOMB WHICH CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE POLICE WHO QUICKLY CORDONED OFF THE AREA. THANKS MUST GO TO THE ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR ASSISTING FINANCIALLY AND FOR THE CANOE ORGANISATION FOR SUPPLYING EQUIPMENT AND FOR A VERY PROFFESSIONAL SAFETY BRIEFING. THE TRUST ALSO HAD REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MALLUSK COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY, THE BALLYCLARE EVENT AND AT WORKPARTIES ON RAMS ISLAND ON LOUGH NEAGH. WE HAD A STAND AT BOTH ANTRIM AND MOSSLEY MILL, NEWTOWNABBEY FOR THE SOUTH ANTRIM FISHING FESTIVAL AND DONATED A PRIZE FOR ONE OF THE EVENTS.THE TRUST HAD REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT DURING CONSULTATIONS REGARDING THE A8 ROAD WORKS AT BALLYNURE AND THE BALLYCLARE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO HAD AN EVENING VISIT TO GREENMOUNT AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE TO SEE HOW EFFECTIVE WETLANDS CAN BE FOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY FROM FARM EFFLUENT AND KATHY ORGANISED AN EXCELLENT RIVERSIDE BBQ AFTERWARDS.
THANKS- A GREAT DEAL OF THANKS MUST GO TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER, TO ALL THE TRUST AND ANGLING CLUB MEMBERS AND ALL THE ORGANISATIONS WHO VOLUNTARILY GIVE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT. TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, RIPARIAN OWNERS AND THE FARMING COMMUNITY FOR THEIR PATIENCE WHILST SURVEYS AND TESTS ARE TAKING PLACE ALONG THE RIVER AND TO OUR COUNCILLORS AND POLITICIANS WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO ASSIST US TO LOBBY GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND AGENCIES. UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE ASSEMBLEY GOVERNMENT TO GET ANY POSITIVE AND LASTING SOLUTIONS WE MUST GO TO THE TOP OF THE CHAIN TO SPEAK TO THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OR TOP CIVIL SERVANTS AND WERE IT NOT FOR ALAN LAWTHER, NIGEL HAMILTON, PAUL GIRVAN, DR. MC CREA AND MANY OTHERS, ESPECIALLY DANNY KINAHAN WHO SEEMS TO HAVE SO MANY CONTACTS THEN WE COULD NOT ACHIEVE THE INFLUENCE TO GET CO-OPERATION FROM THE DEPARTMENTS. ALSO THANKS TO RICHARD KENNEDY (STOCK SURVEYS), HENRY BOYD FOR MATERIALS,THE ULSTER ANGLING FEDERATION AND TO COUNCILS (NEWTOWNABBEY AND ANTRIM) WHO ALLOW US TO AVAIL OF THEIR FACILITIES EVERY MONTH (AND PROVIDE BIODIVERSITY OFFICERS RUTH & LINDSEY). SPECIAL MENTION MUST GO TO OUR CHAIRMAN, MAURICE PARKINSON FOR DRAFTING COUNTLESS LETTERS AND ATTENDING MANY MEETINGS, KATHY MC CLEAN OUR NEW SECRETARY AND THE HARD WORKING GERRY WILSON FROM NIEA.
MICHAEL MARTIN
VICE CHAIR, SIX MILE RIVER TRUST
POLLUTION HOTLINE NUMBER: 0800
WITH THE HELP OF DANNY KINAHAN WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ASKED IN THE N I ASSEMBLEY ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS THE EFFECT OF HORMONES FROM WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, CAR WASHES AND UTILISATION OF BAILLIFFS FOR TAKING WATER SAMPLES.
THE TRUST HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN RIVER CLEAN-UP PROJECTS AT MUCKAMORE AND THE BALLYMARTIN.
BALLYCLARE RELIEF ROAD AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – THE RIVER TRUST AND FISHING CLUB HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE ABILITY OF THE DEVELOPERS TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE RIVER CATCHMENT FOLLOWING THE INITIAL MEETING TO DESCRIBE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT WHICH WAS SHORT ON DETAIL AND FAILED TO IDENTIFY KEY SPECIES AND SPECIFIC RIVER CHARACTERISTICS. WE ALSO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE ABILITY OF BALLYCLARE WASTE TREATMENT PLANT TO COPE WITH AN ESTIMATED 2000 PLUS HOUSES. MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH THE PLANNING OFFICE, NORTHERN IRELAND WATER, RIVERS AGENCY, NIEA ETC. AND THE DEVELOPERS NOW HAVE AGREED TO ADOPT SUDS, SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HARD SURFACE RUN OFF. THEY HAVE ALSO ALLOWED FISHERIES INTERESTS TO HAVE A SAY IN THE DESIGN OF TWO PARKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL BE SITED ADJACENT TO THE RIVER. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE TREATMENT PLANT HAS THE CAPACITY TO SERVICE THE EXTRA DWELLINGS, PARTICULARLY AS THE SYSTEM FAILED DURING THE COLD WINTER THIS YEAR AND SEWAGE HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY TANKER TO OTHER FACILITIES.
FISHERIES- RICHARD KENNEDY AND HIS TEAM CONTINUED STOCK SURVEYS ALONG THE RIVER AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PROLIFIC POPULATIONS OF JUVENILE SALMONIDS, THE POPULATION OF ADULTS WAS RELATIVELY SMALL. RICHARD FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF SUITABLE HABITAT FOR LARGER FISH AND THE MIGRATION OF THE DOLLAGHAN TO LOUGH NEAGH. THERE HAVE BEEN HABITAT SURVEYS CARRIED OUT SO A RIVER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT IS BEING DEVELOPED AT PRESENT, HEADED BY OUR CHAIRMAN, RICHARD KENNEDY AND GARRY O’NEIL FROM DCAL. ANGLERS ARE SHOWING RESTRAINT BY ADOPTING A LARGELY CATCH AND RELEASE APPROACH TO CONSERVE STOCKS BUT HABITAT RESTORATION IS A VITAL TOOL TO ENHANCE FISH STOCKS. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED AND THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF FISH SPECIES IN LOUGH NEAGH IS A GROWING CONCERN AS THE NUMBER OF DOLLAGHAN RETURNING TO THE RIVERS IS LARGELY REDUCED ON MOST RIVERS AND HAS COLLAPSED ON OTHERS. AGAIN DANNY KINAHAN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE N. I. ASSEMBLEY AS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY ON THE LOUGH AND WHETHER STOCKS CAN COPE WITH THE PRESENT LEVEL OF EXPLOITATION. WE KNOW 8,500 M OF ILLEGAL NETS HAD BEEN CONFISCATED BUT PROSECUTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT SEEM TO BE MINIMAL. THE DCAL FISHERY REPORT FOR 2008 WAS JUST PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 2010 AND FROM A BUDGET OF OVER £2 M MANAGED TO COMPRESS THE DETAILS INTO JUST 21 PAGES. APPARENTLY DCAL HAVE RECENTLY INITIATED A STOCK SURVEY FOR AREAS OF LOUGH NEAGH AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING EXTRA MEASURES TO POLICE ILLEGAL NETTING OPERATIONS, PERHAPS OUR LETTERS, PETITIONS AND ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS ARE PUTTING A LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
PROJECTS- THE FISHING CLUB FINISHED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISABLED FISHING STAND BELOW GREENMOUNT WHICH WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY. THERE WAS A RESTOCKING INITIATIVE FOR THE BALLYMARTIN AND RATHMORE BURN WHICH HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY POLLUTION WHICH INVOLVED DISTRIBUTION OF 5,500 FINGERLING TROUT AND 550 YEARLINGS FROM BALLIDERRY HATCHERY. THE TRUST STAGED A PRESENTATION AT THE U. K. ASSOCIATION OF RIVERS TRUSTS CONFERENCE IN COOKSTOWN IN MAY IN WHICH IT WAS AWARDED FUNDING TO CONTINUE WORK. WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN BAT AND BIRD BOX PROJECTS AND WERE NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD FOR A PROJECT WITH GRAHAMS CONSTRUCTION FOR ERECTION OF BAT AND DIPPER BOXES AT THE MOTORWAY BRIDGE, TEMPLEPATRICK. WE ALSO ATTENDED A BAT SURVEY IN THE CASTLE GROUNDS AND THE BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE IN ANTRIM. THE TRUST WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT OF THE MALLUSK HERITAGE TRAIL AND DID A LITTLE EXHIBITION AT THE LAUNCH. WE WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE IN A CONSERVATION PROJECT INVOLVING WETLAND AREAS AND CHRIS MILLER HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS BY PERSUADING RIVERS AGENCY AND N. I.E.A. TO BECOME INVOLVED AND NOW HAS SOME OFFICIAL ENDORSMENT FOR THE PROJECT.THE RIVER TRUST IS INVOLVED IN CATCHMENT STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN ENGAGE WITH THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS NIEA, DARD, RIVERS AGENCY, N. I. WATER, DRD ETC. TO DISCUSS AND HELP RESOLVE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE RIVER AND WETLAND ENVIRONMENT. WE CAN ALSO SUPPLY INFORMATION TO BE USED IN THE FORMATION OF THE LOCAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN AS PART OF THE NIEA’S WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE INITIATIVE.
THE FUTURE- THE RIVER TRUST IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ACHIEVING CHARITABLE STATUS IN THE FUTURE, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT INSURANCE OPTIONS SO WE CAN STAGE RIVER CLEAN-UP EVENTS. IT INTENDS TO PUBLISH AN INFORMATION LEAFLET AND THIS IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE NOTICED GREATER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAN BEFORE AND HAVE FORGED BETTER RELATIONS WITH THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE SIX MILE WATER HAS FEATURED IN THE NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, RADIO AND TV, AND OBTAINING COVERAGE IS GETTING EASIER. POLLUTION WILL ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM TO SOME EXTENT BUT NIEA SEEM TO BE DEALING WITH INCIDENTS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PROSECUTIONS. DESPITE POLLUTION INCIDENTS THE OVERALL WATER QUALITY WOULD APPEAR TO BE IMPROVING AND THE PROTECTED RIVER WATER CROWFOOT PLANT WOULD SEEM TO BE GROWING AGAIN RATHER THAN SUFFOCATING UNDER LAYERS OF ALGAE OR BLANKET WEED. IT IS VISIBLE ABOVE DUNADRY BRIDGE AND BELOW THE WEIR AT THE SCHOOL POOL, DUNADRY. THIS PLANT IS ESSENTIAL TO A HEALTHY RIVER AS IT PROVIDES SHELTER, SHADE AND OXYGEN FOR AQUATIC INSECTS AND FISH WHICH IN TURN PROVIDE FOOD FOR BIRDS, BATS,OTTERS ETC. THE TRUST WOULD LIKE TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON ISSUES LIKE COMMERCIAL FISHING ON LOUGH NEAGH, THE BALLYCLARE DEVELOPMENT AND POLLUTION. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE BALLYMARTIN RIVER IMPROVING AND KINGFISHERS AND OTTERS HAVE BEEN SEEN ALONG IT BUT IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE OUR RIVERS ARE RESTORED TO A REASONABLE CONDITION. IN THE MEANTIME WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN AND LOBBY OUR MINISTERS, AGENCIES AND COUNCILLORS TO MAKE LASTING IMPROVEMENTS SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE PROUD OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE.
JUST SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVOLVED IN :- RIVER CLEAN-UPS, ANTRIM, WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, EVEN UNCOVERING AN OLD BOMB WHICH CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE POLICE WHO QUICKLY CORDONED OFF THE AREA. THANKS MUST GO TO THE ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR ASSISTING FINANCIALLY AND FOR THE CANOE ORGANISATION FOR SUPPLYING EQUIPMENT AND FOR A VERY PROFFESSIONAL SAFETY BRIEFING. THE TRUST ALSO HAD REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MALLUSK COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY, THE BALLYCLARE EVENT AND AT WORKPARTIES ON RAMS ISLAND ON LOUGH NEAGH. WE HAD A STAND AT BOTH ANTRIM AND MOSSLEY MILL, NEWTOWNABBEY FOR THE SOUTH ANTRIM FISHING FESTIVAL AND DONATED A PRIZE FOR ONE OF THE EVENTS.THE TRUST HAD REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT DURING CONSULTATIONS REGARDING THE A8 ROAD WORKS AT BALLYNURE AND THE BALLYCLARE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO HAD AN EVENING VISIT TO GREENMOUNT AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE TO SEE HOW EFFECTIVE WETLANDS CAN BE FOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY FROM FARM EFFLUENT AND KATHY ORGANISED AN EXCELLENT RIVERSIDE BBQ AFTERWARDS.
THANKS- A GREAT DEAL OF THANKS MUST GO TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER, TO ALL THE TRUST AND ANGLING CLUB MEMBERS AND ALL THE ORGANISATIONS WHO VOLUNTARILY GIVE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT. TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, RIPARIAN OWNERS AND THE FARMING COMMUNITY FOR THEIR PATIENCE WHILST SURVEYS AND TESTS ARE TAKING PLACE ALONG THE RIVER AND TO OUR COUNCILLORS AND POLITICIANS WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO ASSIST US TO LOBBY GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND AGENCIES. UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE ASSEMBLEY GOVERNMENT TO GET ANY POSITIVE AND LASTING SOLUTIONS WE MUST GO TO THE TOP OF THE CHAIN TO SPEAK TO THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OR TOP CIVIL SERVANTS AND WERE IT NOT FOR ALAN LAWTHER, NIGEL HAMILTON, PAUL GIRVAN, DR. MC CREA AND MANY OTHERS, ESPECIALLY DANNY KINAHAN WHO SEEMS TO HAVE SO MANY CONTACTS THEN WE COULD NOT ACHIEVE THE INFLUENCE TO GET CO-OPERATION FROM THE DEPARTMENTS. ALSO THANKS TO RICHARD KENNEDY (STOCK SURVEYS), HENRY BOYD FOR MATERIALS,THE ULSTER ANGLING FEDERATION AND TO COUNCILS (NEWTOWNABBEY AND ANTRIM) WHO ALLOW US TO AVAIL OF THEIR FACILITIES EVERY MONTH (AND PROVIDE BIODIVERSITY OFFICERS RUTH & LINDSEY). SPECIAL MENTION MUST GO TO OUR CHAIRMAN, MAURICE PARKINSON FOR DRAFTING COUNTLESS LETTERS AND ATTENDING MANY MEETINGS, KATHY MC CLEAN OUR NEW SECRETARY AND THE HARD WORKING GERRY WILSON FROM NIEA.
MICHAEL MARTIN
VICE CHAIR, SIX MILE RIVER TRUST
POLLUTION HOTLINE NUMBER: 0800