New Navigation Proposal

The statutory remit of Waterways Ireland is to manage, maintain, develop and restore the inland navigable waterways, in a sustainable manner. In line with this remit Waterways Ireland are proposing to establish navigation on the Lough Oughter complex in County Cavan, Ireland, from Killeshandra to Belturbet. Waterways Ireland aim to open this navigation to link up with the Shannon-Erne system and possibly even the Ulster Canal.

The Objectives of the Lough Oughter Navigation Plan

• Contribute to the sustainable development, restoration and integration of the waterways network of the island of Ireland.
• Contribute to managing and maintaining a reliable and high quality waterway network.
• Extend the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Erne System through development of the Lough Oughter Complex.
• Aid in delivering the capital works programme under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013.
• Develop the economic and social contribution of the Lough Oughter waterway to sustainable tourism.
• Assess, manage and develop the assets of the Lough Oughter waterway.
• Protect and develop the natural and archaeological heritage of the Lough Oughter waterway as a living environment with regard to access for all.

The Plan will be implemented with medium and long term goals for the extension of the inland waterway network to include the development of the Lough Oughter Complex. The Plan, its objectives and its goals will be re-evaluated in 2013.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive has been implemented in order to integrate environmental considerations into the preparation of plans and programmes and is a means of ensuring a high level of protection for the environment, while also promoting sustainable development.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive will ensure that consideration is given to the environment in implementing the Lough Oughter Navigation Plan. The first step in the SEA process involved a screening step which identified that Strategic Environmental Assessment would be required for the Lough Oughter Navigation Plan. This Draft Consultation Scoping Report was the next step in the process. The Scoping Report (click here) establishes the scope of works involved for the Environmental Assessment.

We would appreciate comments on this scoping report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Lough Oughter Navigation Plan. An Environmental Report will be the outcome of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and will accompany the draft Lough Oughter Navigation Plan. All comments received during this consultation will be considered for the assessment and will be included within the Environmental Report. There will also be further opportunities to comment on the process at later stages of the assessment.

Consultation

This phase of the consultation process is now over. All submissions received will be thoroughly assessed with regard to advancing the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Lough Oughter Navigation Plan.