Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy Report on Measures in Place and Proposed to Address Ireland’s Flood Risk May 2018 Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy Report on Measures in Place and Proposed to Address Ireland’s Flood Risk May 2018 Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy Table of Contents Foreword .......................................................................................................................... 4 Execuive Summary ........................................................................................................... 5 Part 1 Introduction and Purpose of Report ................................................................. 7 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 8 1.2 Purpose of the Report ............................................................................................. 8 1.3 Layout of Report ..................................................................................................... 8 Part 2 Background ........................................................................................................ 11 2.1 Information on Flooding ....................................................................................... 12 2.2 Policy and Legislative Background ......................................................................... 12 2.3 Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group ............................................. 13 2.4 Co-ordination with the Water Framework Directive ............................................... 13 2.5 Cross-Border Co-ordination .................................................................................. 14 Part 3 Flood Risk Measures in Place ........................................................................... 15 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 17 3.2 Prevention ............................................................................................................ 17 3.3 Protection ............................................................................................................. 18 3.4 Preparedness ........................................................................................................ 20 3.5 Supporting Communities ...................................................................................... 21 Part 4 Output from the CFRAM Programme ............................................................... 23 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 25 4.2 Designating the 300 Areas Assessed under the CFRAM Programme ...................... 25 4.3 Assessing and Mapping the Flood Risk .................................................................. 25 4.4 Identifying Options to Manage the Assessed Risk .................................................. 27 4.5 Deciding on Proposed Measures ........................................................................... 27 4.6 Preparation of Flood Risk Management Plans ........................................................ 28 2 A Report on Measures in Place and Proposed to Address Ireland’s Flood Risk Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy 4.7 Environmental Assessments .................................................................................. 29 4.8 Climate Change.................................................................................................... 29 4.9 Public Consultation ............................................................................................... 30 Part 5 Implementing the Measures set out in the Plans ........................................... 31 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 33 5.2 Funding ................................................................................................................ 33 5.3 Preparing Detailed Design for Proposed Flood Relief Scheme ................................ 33 5.4 Developing Further Non-Structural Measures ........................................................ 34 5.5 Future Cycles of EU Floods Directive ...................................................................... 35 5.6 Governance and Oversight ................................................................................... 36 Appendices A Investment in Flood Risk since Winter 2015/2016 ................................................. 38 B. OPW Completed Arterial Drainage Schemes ......................................................... 40 C. OPW Flood Relief Schemes Completed 1995 to the End of 2017 .......................... 41 D. OPW Flood Relief Schemes at Construction/Design/Development at the End of 2017 ............................................................................................... 42 E. Governance Structures for the CFRAM Programme ............................................... 43 F. Summary of the Outputs for Areas identified in the Flood Risk Management Plans ............................................................................................... 47 Figures 1. Map of OPW Arterial Drainage Channels and Embankments and Local Authority Drainage Districts ................................................................... 19 2. Map of Six CFRAM Study Areas and 300 AFAs ...................................................... 26 A Report on Measures in Place and Proposed to Address Ireland’s Flood Risk 3 Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy Foreword I have seen first-hand the significant impact that flooding can have on communities, which continues long after the flood event recedes. While we cannot eliminate flooding, we can manage the risk and take steps to protect areas and reduce the impact. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, T.D. Minister of State with Special Responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief Since 2004, Ireland’s Flood Risk Policy is being effectively Our annual investment in flood risk management is delivered though a cross-sectoral approach to flood risk being doubled to build on initiatives already in place and management led by the Office of Public Works (OPW) underway. The CFRAM Plans provide the evidence for and takes the potential impacts of climate change into a clear roadmap to prioritise Government’s investment account. of up to €1 billion in the coming decade on flood risk management. This investment will protect 95% of Over 700 successful major and minor flood relief projects properties at assessed risk. In addition, the Minor Works have been delivered or are underway. Other important Scheme and arterial drainage maintenance are delivering measures are also supporting our efforts to prevent local solutions to flood problems for other communities. and mitigate flood risk including planning guidelines to prevent building in flood risk areas, development of a I acknowledge the assistance and input by a large national flood forecasting service that will further improve number of organisations to these Plans, including the our emergency response and humanitarian supports to Local Authorities and consultant engineers. The extensive people and businesses impacted by flood events. consultation with the public, representative organisations and other groups gives confidence that proposed The OPW has now examined 80% of Ireland’s major measures set out in the Plans are generally welcomed. source of flooding, across 300 communities, in the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State. The The Plans are a major milestone to further tackling findings from this Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and flood risk in Ireland now and into the future. The Management (CFRAM) Programme are set out in a series implementation of these Plans will benefit human of Flood Risk Management Plans. The development of health and wellbeing, economic prosperity, the natural these Plans was co-ordinated with similar Plans developed environment and our cultural heritage. in Northern Ireland as well as Plans developed on water quality and their implementation will not negatively The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group impact on our environment. will continue to oversee the Government’s flood risk policy and use the evidence in these Plans to ensure that all measures to manage and mitigate flood risk in Ireland are implemented to protect communities. 4 A Report on Measures in Place and Proposed to Address Ireland’s Flood Risk Implementing the National Flood Risk Policy Executive Summary Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, T.D. Minister of State with Special Responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief Managing Flood Risk in Ireland the flood events in Winter 2015/2016. While structural flood relief schemes are in place for specific communities, Flooding in Ireland can have a significant impact on other measures such as emergency response and homes, businesses, people and communities. The planning guidelines benefit all at risk properties. The flooding problem cannot be eliminated but can be Government’s approach to flood risk management has managed or mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or been independently endorsed by Dutch experts. impact. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading a proactive and whole of Government response to flooding, across Investment to Date three strategic areas: Since 1995, the OPW’s flood relief capital works • Prevention