Environmental Protection Agency WATER AIR WASTE & PRI ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS Focus on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement 2015 Performance Report ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas: Regulating Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Preparing Ireland’s greenhouse gas inventories and projections. Regulation: We implement effective regulation and • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 of environmental compliance systems to deliver good environmental the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. outcomes and target those who don’t comply. Environmental Research and Development Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted and timely environmental data, information and assessment to inform • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, inform policy and provide solutions in the areas of climate, water and decision making at all levels. sustainability. Advocacy: We work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on the Irish environment (e.g. major development plans). Our Responsibilities Radiological Protection Licensing • Monitoring radiation levels, assessing exposure of people in We regulate the following activities so that they do not Ireland to ionising radiation. endanger human health or harm the environment: • Assisting in developing national plans for emergencies arising • waste facilities (e.g. landfills, incinerators, waste transfer from nuclear accidents. stations); • Monitoring developments abroad relating to nuclear • large scale industrial activities (e.g. pharmaceutical, cement installations and radiological safety. manufacturing, power plants); • Providing, or overseeing the provision of, specialist radiation • intensive agriculture (e.g. pigs, poultry); protection services. • the contained use and controlled release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); Guidance, Accessible Information and Education • sources of ionising radiation (e.g. x-ray and radiotherapy • Providing advice and guidance to industry and the public on equipment, industrial sources); environmental and radiological protection topics. • large petrol storage facilities; • Providing timely and easily accessible environmental information to encourage public participation in environmental • waste water discharges; decision-making (e.g. My Local Environment, Radon Maps). • dumping at sea activities. • Advising Government on matters relating to radiological safety and emergency response. National Environmental Enforcement • Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan to • Conducting an annual programme of audits and inspections of prevent and manage hazardous waste. EPA licensed facilities. • Overseeing local authorities’ environmental protection Awareness Raising and Behavioural Change responsibilities. • Generating greater environmental awareness and influencing • Supervising the supply of drinking water by public water positive behavioural change by supporting businesses, suppliers. communities and householders to become more resource • Working with local authorities and other agencies to tackle efficient. environmental crime by coordinating a national enforcement • Promoting radon testing in homes and workplaces and network, targeting offenders and overseeing remediation. encouraging remediation where necessary. • Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Management and Structure of the EPA and substances that deplete the ozone layer. The EPA is managed by a full time Board, consisting of a Director • Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and damage the General and five Directors. The work is carried out across five environment. Offices: • Office of Environmental Sustainability Water Management • Office of Environmental Enforcement • Monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters of Ireland and groundwaters; • Office of Evidence and Assessment measuring water levels and river flows. • Office of Radiological Protection • National coordination and oversight of the Water Framework • Office of Communications and Corporate Services Directive. The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve members • Monitoring and reporting on Bathing Water Quality. who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and provide advice to the Board. FOCUS ON LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT 2015 PERFORMANCE REPORT Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford, Ireland T. -353 53 9160600 F. +353 53 9160699 E. [email protected] W. www.epa.ie LoCall: 1 890 335599 © Environmental Protection Agency 2016 Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Picture Credits: Longford County Council, Offaly County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Wexford County Council and VOICE. Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland ISBN 978-1-84095-708-2 Environmental Protection Agency | 2015 Report Preface The environment, health and the economy are intrinsically linked and stand at the core of sustainable development. People, along with key growth sectors of our economy such as tourism, agriculture and food, depend on a clean environment. Enforcement of environmental laws is key to ensuring a clean environment. The 31 local authorities in Ireland are collectively responsible for the enforcement of over 100 pieces of environmental legislation intended to protect public health and the environment. Over the past number of decades, Ireland has introduced a broad range of European Union environmental legislation. As a result of these new standards our air, water and soil pollution has been reduced. However, while Ireland has a good quality environment, 31 per cent of our river bodies remain at poor or bad status; there is a risk that the State will miss some recycling targets; and we need to improve air quality across the country. These and other environmental challenges need to be tackled in a structured and coordinated way. A key objective of the European Union’s 7th Environmental Action Programme is to safeguard the Union’s citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing. Better implementation of existing legislation is identified as one of the critical factors to achieve this objective. Work is now underway to further strengthen governance structures in local authorities for the implementation and enforcement of the Water Framework and Waste Framework Directives through the establishment of the Local Authority Waters and Communities Offices (LAWCO) and Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA). By working together, local authorities will be in a better position to bring the full weight of the State’s resources to bear on the most pressing environmental problems. The EPA published in 2016 the first baseline report of environmental performance at local authority level based on 2014 data. This current report builds on that baseline assessment using 2015 data and examines trends in environmental performance. This information attempts to build a system-wide culture of continuous improvement in environmental protection and help Ireland to better implement EU legislation. The information contained in this report will also facilitate sharing of best practice and encourage solutions to common administrative challenges. I Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Role of Local Authorities in Environmental Enforcement 1 1.2 What is the Purpose of this Report? 1 1.3 What is Included in this Report? 1 2. ENFORCEMENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION 4 2.1 Enforcement Systems 5 2.2 Waste Enforcement 7 2.3 Water Enforcement 9 2.4 Producer Responsibility and Food Waste 11 2.5 Air Enforcement 13 3. CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY 15 4. IMPACT INDICATORS AND CASE STUDIES 19 4.1 Good Practices in Enforcement Planning 19 4.2 LAMA Community and Council Awards 20 4.3 Improving Local Authority Environmental Data Handling 20 4.4 Achieving Results through Waste Initiatives 21 4.5 Improving Water Quality Initiatives 21 4.6 Prevention and Reduction of Food Waste 22 4.7 Interventions to Improve Air Quality 25 III Environmental Protection Agency | Focus on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Key Findings