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Land and Soil
93
Environmental Liability
The Environmental Liabilities
Directive (ELD) was enacted in Ireland
through the European Communities
(Environmental Liability) Regulations
(S.I. 547, 2008). The ELD establishes
a framework for environmental
liability based on the ‘polluter pays’
principle and aimed at preventing
environmental damage to water
resources, soil, fauna, flora and
natural habitats. The central aim of
the ELD is to hold operators whose
activities have caused environmental
damage financially liable for
remedying this damage. In addition,
the ELD holds those whose activities
have caused an imminent threat of
environmental damage liable for
taking preventive actions. The EPA
has been designated the competent
authority in Ireland for the ELD and
national regulations.
Investment in Research
The revival of a national effort
on soils has been supported by
significant investment since 2000
by the EPA Research Programme.
Research in this area is intended
to provide scientific knowledge
to underpin the protection and
sustainable use of soil. The National
Soils Database (EPA and Teagasc,
2007) is the outcome of one project
and provided Ireland with a baseline
soil geochemical atlas. It provides
data point and spatial distribution
maps for 45 elements, including
major nutrients such as phosphorus
and potassium, as well as trace
elements. A map of subsoils is now
available from the Teagasc–EPA
Soils and Subsoils project (EPA
and Teagasc, 2009). The Irish Soil
Information System aims to produce
a national digital soil map at a
1:250,000 scale with the associated
soil information system for Ireland
by 2014. This important EPA and
Teagasc initiative will address a
significant gap in our knowledge
of soils in Ireland.
The EPA-funded BOGLAND project
provides valuable information on
the importance of Irish peatlands
to climate change, biodiversity and
water quality. The study highlights
the extent of the damage caused
by antropogenic activities and
makes recommendations for the
development of a National Peatland
Strategy. Land use and land change
are a major pressure on water quality
and biodiversity. Consequently
research in these areas often
considers LULC.
Figure 7.6
Distribution of SEA Plans/Programmes (Source: EPA)
Agriculture
<1%
Fisheries
4%
Energy
4%
Transport
1%
Waste Management
1%
Water Management
9%
Planning/Land Use
80%
Other
1%