10 October 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Cork County Council will seek approval from An Bord Pleanála to build a new fish bypass channel on the River Blackwater in Fermoy. This will allow the Council comply with the EU Habitats Directive to resolve fish passage issues caused by Fermoy Weir.
The scope of works has been agreed with the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment and Inland Fisheries Ireland. It will include the construction of a new fish bypass channel on the north bank of the River Blackwater, and the capping of the existing weir.
The existing temporary repairs on the Fish ladder and breaches to the weir at O’Neill Crowley Quay will be addressed and incorporated into the overall project.
The preparation of the Planning Application will include the appointment of Consultants who will collate environmental data and consult with a broad range of stakeholders. It is proposed that a meeting will be held as soon as possible with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in order to confirm and agree how the funding for this project can be secured and enable the Council to proceed with the project thus ensuring compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.