PDF-973 kb - Mayo County Council

It will describe water bodies in the District in terms of: -• Quality• The pressures on them.• The activities which are likely to cause problems.• What must be done to protect them.The Characterisation Report will be followed by a timetable and work programme in2006 for the production of a draft River Basin Management Plan. The production ofthis plan will involve major consultation with the public and the draft plan will beavailable at the end of 2008. This management plan will be implemented in 2009with the aim of protecting and improving the water quality in the WRBD for thosewho depend on it for their quality of life and livelihood.This will ensure protection of all surface ground and estuaries water of this County forthe foreseeable future.Blue Flag BeachesMayo has one of Europe’s most unspoilt regions in environmental terms and was thefirst county to receive 13 No. Blue Flag Beaches. The Blue Flag is an environmentalaward given to communities that make a special effort to manage their beaches in anenvironmentally sensitive way, they achieve a consistently high standard ofcleanliness and that carry out educational and awareness raising campaigns on themarine environment.There are four aspects of management incorporated in the Blue Flag Criteria:• Environmental Education and Information• Environmental Management and Facilities• Water Quality• Safety and ServicesThe Blue Flag Campaign is a source of information on clean, safe and enjoyableenvironments for aquatic recreation. Visitors to the Blue Flag Beaches in Mayo canexpect to see an Environmental Code of Conduct and Information on Protected Sitesand Species in the locality. The beaches in Mayo, which achieved Blue Flag status in2005, wereElly Bay, Golden Strand, Clare IslandRoss Dugort, MulrannyBertra Old Head, DooegaKeel Keem Carrowmore StrandMullaghroe55