Cash-flow problems threatens dying lake

PROBLEMS with funding for farmers may hamper plans to clean up picture postcard Lough Lein, in Killarney, according to Kerry County Manager Martin Nolan.

Run-off from farmyards, slurry and artificial fertilisers have been identified as major sources of pollution of the internationally-famous lake and Kerry County Council has drafted bylaws to ensure more environmentally-friendly farming practices.

Farmers, however, insist that they need grants to do the necessary work estimated at 4m to comply with the bylaws. Such grants have not been forthcoming.

Manager Nolan told a meeting of Killarney Town Council that a section of the Sustaining Progress national agreement may help get support for farmers, but there was a difficulty, he admitted.

"We're talking here about a long-term, catchment management plan and it's absolutely crucial to bring all the players with us," agriculture, forestry, tourism and septic tank users," he said.

"We're extremely fortunate that all sectors have been involved and the final report on the management plan for Lough Lein is due in September."

Cllr Michael Gleeson said there was a moral obligation on the Government to grant aid farmers.

"We're talking here about the lifeblood of South Kerry. If there's another serious algal bloom it will do irreparable damage," he stated.

Meanwhile, a warning has been given that a bloom could reappear this summer.

The lake has suffered pollution since the 1970s, but the last time it experienced a major bloom was in 1997, leading Kerry County Council to erect signs on the lakeshore, urging people to be careful about using the water.

Phosphate levels are 50% above the levels needed for a bloom, if weather conditions are appropriate.

Last year for much of the summer, the level of phosphorous in the lake consistently exceeded critical limits, but wet and windy weather saved the lake from a re-occurrence.

However, David Lenihan, senior executive chemist with the council, said a serious risk of blooms remained if there were bursts of rain interspersed with warm, calm, sunny conditions.

In the last four years, it has been estimated the annual loading of phosphorous into the lake was over 30 tonnes.

Scientists say a loading of over 20 tonnes will guarantee algal bloom if weather conditions are appropriate.