This article is from page 28 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
BEACHES at Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon on Lough Derg have regained the prestigious Blue Flag status which was lost last year due to algal bloom on the lake.
The beaches were among two of seven in Clare to be awarded the international stamp for good water quality, safety and services as well as environmental management, in- formation and education.
The Blue Flag jury said that wa- ter quality at the beaches had vastly improved and was now in line with
Bathing Water Directives.
“The jury acknowledges the excel- lent management efforts Clare Coun- ty Council undertook to monitor the bathing areas at Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon, sending out press releases to the media about the algal blooms and warning the public.
‘The council must have a fast re- sponse time to get the flag down and ensure the public is adequately in- formed.”
The awards, handed out on June 5 by environmental minister Dick Ro- che, is a significant boost to tourism in east Clare and has been welcomed
locally.
Sean Ward, Senior Engineer for the Environment and Emergency Services Directorate said that an early warning system had been put in place, minimising the effects of algal bloom.
“It is safe to swim in Lough Derg. There has been no algal bloom so far this year,’ he said.
He expressed his disappointment that Doonbeg beach was one of only three Irish beaches that had lost a flag before adding that the decision would be appealed.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy,
Chair of Clare County Council’s En- vironment, Emergency Services and Consumer Protection Strategic Pol- icy Committee said that the awards were achieved through hard work and collaboration between commu- nities and local authorities.
Meanwhile, the 2007 Clare Beach By-laws were announced. From June 1 to August 31, no dogs or horses are allowed onto beaches between llam and 6pm. If on a beach outside of these hours, dogs must be on a eo
Detailed restrictions are available to view on www.clare.ie.