THE Irish coastline has over 300 separate cases of erosion, but it cannot all be blamed on the weather. Much of it results from human intervention, according to a new guide published by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, last night.
An estimated 80 per cent of the damage to the 6,000 kilometre seaboard has been partially caused by human factors, the ECOPRO guide says. Inappropriate coastal protection structures, the growing pressure exerted by marine leisure, and an increased intensity of storms has accelerated the rate in certain areas, the guide says. Some 1,590 kilometres may be classified as at risk".
The ECOPRO code of practice - acronym for environmentally friendly coastal protection - is the first comprehensive set of guidelines of its kind, according to the Minister.
Drawing on a full range of scientific, engineering and environmental expertise, its main aim is to ensure that the design and execution of coastal protection works is environmentally sustainable.
The code has a clear set of guidelines on coastal erosion management, and has been compiled for both specialists and nonspecialists - local authority planners and engineers, community groups and individual property owners. It pays particular attention to small scale, low cost solutions.
The guide is the outcome of a four year project supported by the EU LIFE programme. The ECOPRO team represents the Department of the Marine, the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, Forbairt, Coastwatch Europe, the Northern Ireland National Trust, the Danish Coastal Authority and several local authorities, consultants and third level institutions.
As part of its research, the group carried out pilot coast protection projects in Co Wexford, at Courtown and Rosslare, involving the use of beach nourishment, placement of rock groynes or protective structures, rebuilding dunes and planting marram grass. The guide outlines 27 such techniques for tackling erosion, including the "do nothing" option where appropriate.
Speaking last night at the publication in Dublin, Mr Barrett said a major coastal zone management study was due to be completed shortly and would form the basis for an integrated strategy. It was commissioned by the departments of the Marine, the Environment and Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
