Waters of Life project could benefit farmers

FARMERS and landowners who have lands with river frontage and rich species grassland have been urged to participate in a new Graney sub-catchment pilot results-based environmental water quality scheme.
Expressions of interest were sought from land owners to get involved with the Waters of Life project at a public information meeting in Flagmount on Thursday night.
Depending on the level of interest, Project Manager, Anne Goggin said the project team will adopt a screening process to assess which farmer can have the most impact, particularly those with river frontage who will be prioritised.
Confirming that Coillte is a project partner, she said Coillte has committed resources to its involvement in this project.
The project will examine what will be happening in forestry during its lifetime, risk assessing land in terms of acidity, looking at where their efforts should be focused and will then work with Coillte to minimise the impact of any forestry activities.
While there isn’t a specified budget for the Lough Graney project, Ms Goggin confirmed the overall budget for the five catchment areas is €9 million over a three-year period.
If a farmer has land that is being scored under the ACRES agri-environmental scheme and doesn’t have river frontage, Ms Goggin acknowledged there will probably be very little benefit joining this scheme, apart from a few measures.
“The real benefit is for farmers who have river frontage. Farmers can’t get a double payment but we can make an additional payment above ACRES for river frontage,” she said.
“Where a plot is in good condition and there are no damaging activities, the scheme pays a bonus per metre of river frontage for the protection of that habitat on the river.
“We will not be telling a farmer not to spread fertiliser. But if he asks what can I do to improve the quality of the grassland in this field, his advisor will be saying the lower the amount of fertiliser the better the sward quality for biodiversity.”
She explained the scheme is building on other results-based initiatives like the Hen Harrier scheme by adding additional elements focused on water quality.
Catchment Agricultural Scientist, John Kelly, told The Clare Champion that the project team would like farmers who are participating in ACRES to get involved in this scheme, particularly if they have species rich grassland like an old fashioned meadow.
“There will be a huge advantage for farmers who participate in this scheme to learn about river catchment management and how they can influence water quality. If a farm has to spread slurry, we will be advising him to put in measures such as a barrier to stop run-off getting into watercourses,” he said.
The scheme covers the advisory costs for farmers who will be paid a training allowance. Some of the training will be mandatory and some will be voluntary. Project staff will label field and identify any habitats before sending this information to the farmer and his farm advisor.
Mr Kelly explained the advisor will not have to do any work until he is asked to complete the run-off risk assessment by walking the farm and examining the flow impact of different land. Scoring all areas can be completed in a separate visit during the summer. Farmers can increase the level of payments by putting in measures to improve scores for particular parcels of land.
If a farmer opts not to improve his habitat and focus on production, Mr Kelly said he wouldn’t be paid but there is no clawback of money that is paid out on results.
The closing date for the scheme is November 30, with an expected start date next Spring.
The attendance was told payment under the scheme will only be made on a score of four out of ten or higher. The maximum payment for a score of ten out of ten is €2,000 per hectare.
For woodland and scrub, the maximum payment is €400 per hectare, which is the same as ACRES.
Payment structures incentivises 8/10 or higher to ensure a significant contribution to water quality. A Runoff Risk Assessment is mandatory for all scheme participants.
A farm advisor, who is paid by the project, does a desk study.
When a farm walk is completed with advisor and farmer, flow paths and delivery points are identified and confirmed.
The farm advisor recommends non-productive investments from a framework of measures.
Intervention includes spatially targeted riparian buffer or hedgerow establishment with earthen bund.
Mob grazing is another measure that can be implemented. Project staff suggest plots suitable to trial pilot measure. High density grazing for short duration with a long rest period is used.
It can be used on river sides plots and old permanent grass-dominated pastures
Other measures include bank stabilisation, boundary remediation on flowpaths, bunded drain, repair of leaky dams, control of invasive species, cross drain, culverts, earth bund, fencing for livestock exclusion and delineate riparian zones and gateway remediation.
Hedgerow establishment can be cross slope without earthen mound or on low earthen mound.
Hydraulic ram pump, livestock footbridge over a natural watercourse, pasture pumps, peat/plastic dams, rainwater catchers, river crossing relocation, sediment traps, small scale wetland ponds, solar powered electric fencer, solar pumps, spatially targeted buffers, tree planting, water bars, water troughs and willow beds can be considered as appropriate environmental measures.
The project pilot water quality measures with landowner and test how effective the measures are on the ground. This scheme supports LAWPRO’s Blue Dot Programme.
Blue dots are water bodies with high status or an objective to gain high status (about 10% of river water bodies)
The ecological status of water quality in Lough Atorick, Graney Shannon 10, Graney Shannon 20 and Lough Graney is moderate.