Better Farming for Water Boyne Catchment Action Plan
The Better Farming for Water campaign aims to support all farmers in the adoption of sustainable farming practices that minimize the impact of agriculture on water quality. Each of the initial eight river catchments will have a bespoke plan prepared to provide a pathway to deliver water quality improvements. This is the Boyne Catchment Action Plan.
By Teagasc
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The Better Farming for Water campaign will initially concentrate on the following eight river catchments: Bandon-Ilen, Barrow, Blackwater, Boyne, Lee, Nore, Slaney and Suir. The EPA has identified these river catchments as ‘Catchments of Concern’ where nitrogen concentrations are too high. A Campaign Manager has been appointed to lead the campaign as well as six Catchment co-ordinators; one each to the Slaney, Barrow/Nore, Suir, Blackwater, Lee/Bandon-Ilen and the Boyne, plus other technical support. The campaign to improve water quality in other river catchments will also continue.
The Boyne Catchment includes the area drained by the River Boyne and by all streams entering the tidal waters between The Haven and Mornington Point, Co. Meath. The Boyne Catchment area covers parts of several counties, including Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Kildare, Offaly and Cavan. This covers a total area of 2,694km². The largest urban centre in the catchment is Drogheda. The other main urban centres are Navan, Trim, Kells Virginia, Bailieborough, Athboy, Kinnegad, Edenderry and Enfield. The Boyne Catchment is divided into 20 subcatchments and has 131 surface water bodies and 41 groundwater bodies.