#dredging- Dredging works in Dublin Port that began yesterday are to continue to March 2018 which will involve moving loaded material out to sea and dumped in Dublin Bay, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The works are part of the Capital Dredging Programme 2017 that arise from the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project which is phase one of the Port's Masterplan 2012-2040 (see first review). The dredging will permit much larger and deeper draft cargoships and cruiseships to enter the port.

Last month concerns were raised by campaigners about the safety of the Dublin Bay porpoise as Dublin Port also undertook routine maintenace dredging that involved dumping material on a site off the Baily Lighthouse, Howth Peninsula. At the time the Journal.ie wrote that the Protect Dublin Bay group said that the area should be protected from waste.

Afloat noted the Belgium flagged Minerva, a trailer suction dredger began carrying out operations yesterday in Dublin Bay, a day later than envisaged.

The 2016 built green hulled dredger operated by New Waves Solutions, a subsidiary of the Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering DEME, was working consistently off the Dublin Bay bouy, located in the centre of the bay.

Dublin Port Company was granted a license Foreshore Consent by the Department of Housing, Planning Community & Local Government and a Dumping at Sea Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).. The dumping of dredged material for this particular programme is described in an area as Outer Dublin Bay which is subject to conditions.

Under the terms of the EPA's Dumping at Sea Under permit, a maximum of 8,760,000 tonnes of dredged material may be loaded and dumped at sea up until and including 31 March 2021.

For much much information on the dredging works including documents on the Dumping at Sea permit (S0024-01) and A Notice to Mariners click here.

In addition if you have any concerns Dublin Port Company have issued contact details with respect to the Capital Dredging Programme. They can be contacted during normal business hours by asking for Charlie Murphy or Eamon McElroy by calling 01 887 6000 ; or by post to Dublin Port  Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1; or email: [email protected]

Alternatively concerns can be raised by contacting the Office of Environmental Enforcement Agency, EPA see website and for contact information from this link.