Better Farming for Water – Lee, Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay & Bandon-Ilen Catchment Action Plan
The Better Farming for Water campaign aims to support farmers in the adoption of sustainable farming practices that minimise 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 Action Plan for the Lee, Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay & Bandon-Ilen Catchment.
By Teagasc
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The Lee, Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay (Lee) Catchment located in the south of Ireland. Includes the area drained by the River Lee and all streams entering tidal waters in Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay, between Knockaverry and Templebreedy Battery, Co. Cork, draining a total area of 2,153 km². The catchment area encompasses several communities and urban centres across county Cork. The largest urban centre is Cork City, with other key urban centres including Ballincollig, Macroom, Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Blarney, Glanmire, Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Cobh and Passage West. The Lee Catchment is divided into 18 sub-catchments, comprising 92 river waterbodies, three lake waterbodies, 13 transitional waterbodies, six coastal waterbodies, and 22 groundwater bodies.
The Bandon–Ilen Catchment, located in southwest Ireland. It includes the area drained by the Rivers Bandon and Ilen, together with all streams entering tidal waters between Templebreedy Battery at the mouth of Cork Harbour and Brow Head on the Mizen Peninsula, draining a total area of 1,803 km². The Bandon–Ilen Catchment spans a large area of West Cork. The largest urban centre is Bandon, while the other centres include Kinsale, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, and Dunmanway. The Bandon–Ilen Catchment is divided into 17 sub-catchments, comprising a total of 87 river waterbodies, six lake waterbodies, 11 transitional waterbodies, 15 coastal waterbodies, and nine groundwater bodies.
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. The campaign to improve water quality in other river catchments will also continue.