€5m. blueprint to restore Lough Carra to pristine condition
A €5 million investment, over a five-year period, is part of a proposal to ‘restore, protect and conserve the ecological integrity of Lough Carra,’ a lough described as one of the best examples of a marl lake in western Europe, writes Tom Gillespie.
The 4,000 acre shallow limestone lake, which lies along the western edge of the plain of Mayo, 15 kilometres from Castlebar, is renowned for its crystal clear waters, much of it over a white marl bottom.
The Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA), founded in 2018, is spearheading the drive to restore the lake to its original pristine condition.
As part of their campaign, the association is seeking Life project European funding, with Mayo County Council as the lead agency.
Details of the restoration campaign were announced by LCCA at the launch of a photographic exhibition and booklet publication in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.
Colin Stafford-Johnson, award-winning nature cinematographer and TV presenter, launched the photography exhibition, entitled 'Qualities of Water', along with the publication 'Lough Carra - A Gem Worth Preserving', both of which explore what makes Lough Carra special.
Chris Huxley, environmental consultant of international renown, gave details of the LCCA's campaign to date. He said: “Despite a massive research effort showing the ecological decline of Lough Carra, and a decline in water quality, and despite many expressions of concern from local people, politicians and scientists, it had become clear to us that the authorities were doing nothing about it.
“But eventually, two years ago a group of concerned local people got together and formed the LCCA with the aim of restoring, protecting and conserving the lake.
“Every month since, the association has met, consisting of people from all walks of life with an interest in the lake as well as representatives of the relevant state agencies - Mayo County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the EPA, Teagasc and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
“Although it is very much a voluntary organisation we have legal status and we are in the process of obtaining charitable status.
“Three committees have been formed - a technical working group consisting of professional experts with the responsibility of identifying the actions that they feel are necessary and desirable to get Lough Carra back to what was the state it should be in.
“Most importantly, that working group has been supervising the preparation of an application for European funding for a Life project. We are looking at the possibility of getting a project with a budget of about €5 million over five years that will work towards the actions that are necessary to reduce the inflow of nutrients and to improve the environment of Lough Carra and improve the conservation of its biodiversity.”
Mr. Huxley added: “The preparation of that project proposal has the support of several state agencies that are involved in the whole initiative, including, most importantly, Mayo County Council, who have committed to being the lead agency, and who will implement this project when we get the money.
“The second committee is a farmer liaison group set up to establish links with local farmers and they are carrying out a survey of the farming community in the catchment, representing some 400 or 500 farmers, in order to get their support, what they need and what their attitudes are. They are also investigating some specific practical measures to help the farmers reduce nutrient losses from their farms.
“An education committee was formed providing information and support for schools in the area which has resulted with the production of the Lough Carra booklet.”
An extraordinary place
Emmy award-winning cinematographer Colin Stafford-Johnston believes Lough Carra can once again become the jewel in the crown of Mayo.
Speaking at the launch, he said when he first arrived on the shores of Lough Carra he saw the extraordinary light and colour and realised he had never seen anything like it before.
He said: “It is really something very special and I am surprised at how few people actually know Lough Carra exists.
“When I went out on the lake with Chris Huxley, at the end of May, we got to a bit of lakeshore, and it was probably the greatest display of wild flowers and associated insects that I have seen in Ireland in the last 20 years.
“To see this profusion growing around me at Lough Carra was extraordinary. But I am told it is not as amazing as it used to be.
“But we can bring these things back once we change our actions. Lakes are actually famously difficult to protect. If you want to protect a wood you just build a fence around it. But with something like a lake you need to get everyone on board, which is going to be the challenge.
“Lough Carra is an extraordinary place. I can only imagine the extraordinary mayfly hatches that used to happen there.
“It is heartening to see all this work that is going on. It is not going to be easy. I’m sure Lough Carra will be jewel in the crown of Mayo in the future.”