EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 More widely, notwithstanding the policy advances here in Ireland, the European Union (EU) currently lacks a comprehensive and coherent policy framework for protecting land and soil resources (EEA, 2019b). There is no European legislation that focuses exclusively on soil, which has contributed to the continuous degradation of many soils within Europe (Günal et al. , 2015; Virto et al. , 2015). The underlying drivers of soil degradation are not projected to change favourably, so the functionality of soils is under even more pressure. Consistent and representative soil monitoring is needed to establish early warning systems for exceedances of critical thresholds and to guide sustainable soil management. The European Environment Agency produces indicator- based assessments on a range of topics, including land use and soils. These cover aspects such as land take (the amount of land used for a specific use), imperviousness, contaminated sites, soil moisture, soil erosion and soil organic carbon. Further indicators on fragmentation and land recycling are planned. Soils and Construction and Demolition Wastes Excavated soil and construction and demolition waste must be managed properly to comply with legal and environmental requirements. Uncontaminated soil and other naturally occurring excavated materials from development activities can be used as backfill material on the same site, or on other sites, when certain requirements are met. In some cases, uncontaminated excess soil and other naturally occurring excavated materials can be managed as by-products rather than waste, and the EPA has produced guidance to help with compliance with the legal and environmental requirements. Waste prevention through reusing these materials as by-products is in line with the objectives of the circular economy. Where these materials are contaminated, they need to be remediated before being reused. This remediation can take place on-site or off-site (usually abroad) depending on the level of treatment needed. Table 5.1 shows the different treatment destinations and volumes of contaminated soils sent for treatment between 2009 and 2018. Table 5.1  Treatment of contaminated soil, 2009-2018 (Source: EPA, 2020b) CONTAMINATED SOIL 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Treated in Ireland (tonnes) 12,428 6260 7094 4426 4830 1630 5938 682 608 18,733 Exported for treatment (tonnes) 476 2590 10,203 3638 7659 5701 14,329 79,591 101,440 74,912 Total 12,904 8850 17,297 8064 12,489 7331 20,267 80,273 102,048 93,645 Contaminated soils may come from old industrial sites and are often contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Soil contamination can also occur from unauthorised waste-related activities, leakages and accidental spillages of chemicals. When sites licensed by the EPA close, they require aftercare to remove any remaining contamination, according to the closure, restoration and aftercare requirements laid out in individual licences. Research carried out by Cahill and Plant (2017) has investigated converting suitable closed landfill sites into parkland amenities and nature conservation areas. It found that no national policy prescribes the after-use of landfill sites once they close and recommended that this be addressed. For example, former landfill sites may be used as amenity areas once the proper steps are taken to protect environmental infrastructure, such as gas and leachate wells. These sites need ongoing monitoring and management after they close. One example of a restored landfill site (the Kinsale Road landfill site) that has been developed for public access and amenities is Tramore Valley Park in Cork City. Similar restoration works have been carried out at Rogerstown Park in Fingal, previously the Balleally landfill site. More recently, restoration works are progressing at the East Tip on Haulbowline Island (Cork Harbour). 102