Dempsey details plan to clean up Lough Ree

Details of a major environmental scheme for the protection of water quality in Lough Ree, costed at more than £21 million, were revealed by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, at the opening of the ESB/Lough Ree Environmental Summer School and Arts Festival last night.

Water quality in Lough Ree, which borders on counties Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon, is worrying local residents and environmentalists, because of an algal bloom forming on the lake which killed two dogs near Athlone. A similar incident occurred some years ago on Lough Derg, parts of which are now periodically declared unsafe for swimmers.

Lough Ree is the State's third-largest lake supporting pollan - a rare and endangered fish species - and a recognised diversity of native and wintering birdlife. The shores and hinterland have been designated a Natural Heritage Area and a Special Protection Area under EU legislation for the protection of habitats. The designation, Special Area of Conservation, has also been proposed by local authorities in the area.

However, the National Water Quality Report 1995 to 1997, which was released earlier this year, recorded a decrease in the quality of water in Lough Ree.

While Mr Dempsey accepted that the recent algal blooms were a threat to the long-term environmental health of the lake, he maintained that monitoring since the 1995-97 report reflected an improved situation in Lough Ree's water quality.

The ESB Lough Ree Environmental Summer School and Arts Festival is being held at Lanesborough Community College, Co Longford, and runs until July 18th.