EPA launches new on-line national Register for Extractive Industries

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new extractive industries website. Extractive Industries are facilities engaged in surface or underground extraction of mineral resources for commercial purposes for example, quarries, mining sites or peat extraction.

The website is a data management system that provides a single mechanism to create a national register of Extractive Industries. Local authorities can use the new e-register to maintain a current register of facilities under their remit and the EPA is using it to provide information on all EPA-licensed extractive industries facilities.

This on-line register will allow members of the public to access information on extractive facilities. Visitors to the site can download reports which include maps, boundaries, grid co-ordinates as well as operation details and licensing/permitting authority. The register will also contain an inventory of closed extractive waste facilities.

The register will assist in meeting reporting requirements to the European Commission in accordance with Commission Decision 2009/358/EC and Directive 2006/21/EC.

Environmental information can be searched using the following options:

Site registration number
Permit/licensing authority
Local Authority area
Name of the facility
Status of site: active or closed
Regulation 20 sites (if the site is a risk to the environment or human health)

The website can be accessed at http://watermaps.wfdireland.ie/ExtractiveFacilities/

Notes to Editor:

The Waste Management (Management of Waste from the Extractive Industries) Regulations (S.I. No. 566 of 2009) transpose into Irish legislation, the provisions of EU Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from the extractive industries. The Regulations set out how facilities that manage waste from extractive industries are to be managed and if required, authorised. It also sets out responsibilities and obligations for facility operators and Competent Authorities.
Regulation 19 of the 2009 Regulations requires that the Local Authorities maintain a register of all extractive industries within their functional area. The EPA is required under Regulation 19 (2) to prescribe the form and manner in which such information shall be entered and maintained.

Regulation 20 of the Waste Management (Management of Waste from the Extractive Industries) Regulations 2009 Regulation S.I. No. 566 of 2009 requires the maintenance of an inventory of closed waste facilities which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming a serious threat to human health or the environment.

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