Sea Change on the a collaborative approach to protecting the coastline and the community of Maharees

Coastal Communities Adapting Together: Exchanging Knowledge and Best Practice across borders

19 NOV 2020 Maharees - on Wild Atlantic Way - The Longest Beach on the Wild Atlantic Way - on Irish Times ‘Best Beach in Ireland’ list - on Way - Blue Flag Beach - Surfing destination - Wild Camping destination Habitat Designations - SAC - SPA - Ramsar site A “tombolo” or finger-like spit that connects several offshore islands with the mainland Challenge #1 - Coastal Erosion

Coastal Erosion: from destructive waves, storm surges, wind etc. – Loss of Land in unprotected areas – Sand Deposition – Damage to Infrastructure/ property Challenge #1 - Coastal Erosion

Coastal Erosion: from destructive waves, storm surges, wind etc. – Loss of Land in unprotected areas – Sand Deposition – Damage to Infrastructure/ property Challenge #2 Human Behaviour/ Lack of Awareness/ Lack of Facilities/ Lack of Coastal Management

Maharees 2018 Banna Beach 2020 Photo credit: Kerry’s Eye Challenge #2 Human Behaviour/ Lack of Awareness/ Lack of Facilities/ Lack of Coastal Management

Magherabeg Cut - trampling/ parking/ camping/unregulated access - use of ATVs/dune scrambling - fires on dune and beach Challenge #2 Human Intervention/ Lack of Facilities/ Lack of Awareness/ Lack of Coastal Management

Someone Should Do Something! Over the winter of 2015-16, the only road in and out of the Maharees peninsula was impassable on 17 occasions. Over the winter of 2015-16, the only road in and out of the Maharees peninsula was impassable on 17 occasions. Photo credit: Kerry’s Eye 18.02.16

- MCA formed at a public meeting in February, 2016 - 200 community members in attendance - Dr Eugene Farrell (NUI Galway) explained the importance of forming a community group and outlined a road map Maharees Conservation Association CLG

Maharees Conservation Association has engaged with: • Kerry County Council, NPWS, Clean Coasts an Taisce, BIM, the Heritage Council, Local Authority Waters Programme • Dr Eugene Farrell, Dr Liam Carr and colleagues NUI Galway; Dr Therese Higgins, Dr Geraldine Stein and Kilian Kelly IT • Elected members of KCC and TDs, TMI MCA Activity: Towards a long-term solution for coastal erosion Flooding & Coastal Erosion Risk Mitigation Study Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Controlling Sand Deposition

Chestnut Fencing Project Proposal (with help from Dr Eugene Farrell) approved by Kerry County Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service. Funded by KCC. Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Controlling Sand Deposition

Chestnut Fencing – paid for by KCC, erected by Maharees Conservation Association members Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Controlling Sand Deposition March 2016

Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

April 2016 - Fencing of vulnerable areas to protect dunes and encourage dune regeneration. Straw Bales used to ‘fill void.’ Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

June 2017 – KCC deposit cleared sand (from road) on bales, marram shooting up. Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

Marram Grass Planting at 5 vulnerable sites in conjunction with Clean Coasts, an Taisce Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

Marram Planting with Children from Local Secondary School (Mean Scoil Nua an Leith Triuigh), Scouts Group, Kerry ETB Life Guarding Course, Caravan Park Residents, the local community & Clean Coasts Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

Erecting Chestnut Fencing to protect young Marram plants 2016 2017 2020

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

2019 Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration

Signage requesting cooperation Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection/ Regeneration Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Generating Awareness about Issues facing Maharees

Public Talks and Seminars e.g. Media Coverage about activities on RTE 1, TG4, National and Local Radio, National and Local News Papers and Social Media and on www.mahareesconservation.com Part of the Maharees Working Group with: KCC & NPWS – Chaired by Brendan Griffin TD Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Beach Cleaning

Regular Beach Clean Ups in conjunction with partners e.g. Clean Coasts, Killarney Language School, Camp Juniors FC, the Maharees community and visitors and Maharees Coast Care Regular Beach Clean Ups in conjunction with partners e.g. Clean Coasts, Camp Juniors FC, Castlegregory Community Council, Castlegregory Celtic, Castlegregory Community Games, Maharees Regatta, Castlegregory GAA, Dingle Oceanworld, the Maharees & Castlegregory community and visitors

Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Beach Cleaning

Marine Litter Survey – after the Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean September 2017, 18, 19 – Report on the survey in local press Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Generating Awareness about the Heritage of the area

Local Agenda 21 and Kerry County Council Biodiversity Office Funding for informational panel to generate awareness about the ecological importance of Maharees Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Generating Awareness about the Heritage of the area

Heritage Council and Kerry County Council Biodiversity Office Funding for informational panel on the Birds of Maharees Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Generating Awareness about the Heritage of the area

Kerry County Council Community Support Fund and Biodiversity Office Funding for Maharees Heritage Trail Signage Natterjack Toad Signage Project – BIM Flag Funding 3 x A0 signs with Natterjack Toad Facts Locations: Beal Geal, Castlegregory Playground, Golf Course BIM Flag Funding: Funding from MCA, CCC and Castlegregory Golf Club Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Generating Awareness about the Heritage of the area

Maharees Heritage Walks to celebrate Kerry County Council Biodiversity Week , Heritage Week and to generate awareness about the ecological importance of Maharees Release of Natterjack Toadlets with NPWS July and August 2020 LOGAINMNEACHA AN MHACHAIRE - THE TRADITIONAL PLACENAMES OF MAHAREES

Part-funded by BIM FLAG Controlling Illegal Camping on the SAC, Maharees 2020

Results of Dune Fires on Banna SAC Summer 2020 Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Magherabeg Cut Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Road-side South of Magherabeg Cut

Feb 2017 Photo credit: Dr Eugene Farrell Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Road-side South of Magherabeg Cut Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut

Feb 2017 Photo credit: Dr Eugene Farrell Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut

2015 Photo credit: Dr Eugene Farrell Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut

September 2017 Photo credit: Dr Eugene Farrell Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut

June 2019 Phot Credit: Dr Eugene Farrell Maharees Conservation Association CLG Activities Dune Protection Impact: Foredune South of Magherabeg Cut

July 2020 Phot Credit: Dr Eugene Farrell What needs to happen to protect the Maharees Tombolo, its Biodiversity and its Community in a changed climate?

State agencies should work together with local coastal communities to determine the best development plan and the best management solutions at Natura 2000 sites with a tourism interest such as a Blue Flag beach – use funds to make bigger impacts

1. Official ‘arrival’ signage at SAC entrances and information at key hubs 2. Small dune protection signs at intervals along the foredunes 3. Fence foredunes at beach access points 4. Basic beach infrastructure and camp sites to build capacity for growing visitor numbers 5. ‘Site officers’ at SACs with Blue Flag beaches during the summer season 6. Make it easier for community groups to act OPW Strategic Assessment of Coastal Flooding Extents Future Scenario South West Coast – Bantry Bay to Ballyvaghan Bay

• assessing the degree of flood hazard • The maps represent a projected mid-range future scenario for the year 2100 • Mean Sea Level Rise: + 500 mm (to 2100) • The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) is a national study that was commissioned in 2003 with the objective of providing information to support decision making about how best to manage risks associated with coastal flooding and coastal erosion. The Study was completed in 2013 and provides strategic current scenario and future scenario (up to 2100) coastal flood hazard maps and strategic coastal erosion maps for the national coastline. This major study provides invaluable and essential information required to inform policy in this area, particularly for local authorities in relation to the proper planning and development of coastal areas. Maharees 2100 Mid-range Future Scenario

Storm Darwin 2014 Flooding between Ceann Duimche and Kilshannig (Nov 2020) Drone footage courtesy of Darren Jones Freeing the outlet to reduce flooding between Ceann Duimche and Kilshannig (Nov 2020) Photo credit: Katherine Syme Maharees 2100 Mid-range Future Scenario FLOODING OF ROAD BETWEEN CASTLEGREGORY AND THE TRENCH BRIDGE FEBRUARY 2020 Drone Footage: Murt Mulcahy FLOODING OF ROAD BETWEEN CASTLEGREGORY AND THE TRENCH BRIDGE FEBRUARY 2020 Drone Footage: Murt Mulcahy FLOODING OF ROAD BETWEEN CASTLEGREGORY AND THE TRENCH BRIDGE FEBRUARY 2020 Drone Footage: Murt Mulcahy FLOODING OF ROAD BETWEEN CASTLEGREGORY AND THE TRENCH BRIDGE FEBRUARY 2020 Drone Footage: Murt Mulcahy Maharees 2100 Mid-range Future Scenario

1. Areas at risk should be identified and the FCERM studies should be commissioned. 2. The recommendations of such studies should then be acted upon. 3. Plan and budget for scenarios where infrastructure is at risk from coastal erosion and flooding – to mitigate the risks or to compensate where buildings are not viable/sustainable in the long term. Communicate with the communities at risk. 4. Take climate action ! Thank you for Listening

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