A chara

Is miann linn cúpla poinnte eolais do chur ar fáil díbh agus sibh ag beartú feachtas cothabhála do Baile Mhic Íre i leith Abha an tSuláin.

We wish to inform you of some salient points as you undertake your flood relief plans for Baile Mhic Íre.

 

The name Sulán means Soth-Lán or easily filled.   This is the main characteristic of the river. It is rapidly filled by very heavy rains that flood into it form all sides of the valleys through which it runs. This heavy rain is due to the junction of the Magillacudy Reeks meeting the Doire na Sagart Mountains at right angles. As the warm moist Gulf Stream air traveling along the Reeks meets the shock of the colder Doire na Sagart mountains, it condenses and falls as rain.   There are other side affects to this with regard to health etc but our interest here is in the sudden heavy and copious water everywhere and coming from all directions, as it rushes down all the different mountain sides.

The River gathers more and more water from these frequent rushing streams as it runs down the valley. The speed is unusually rapid and this is due to the fall in the terrain. It is a mistake to forget the large volumes of water that arrive into the Sulan from behind (Northern side) the village itself and originating on Mullach an Ois, Cipeacha and Cnoic an Iur.   The worst flooding is this water that tends to appear suddenly from the rear – usually around where Coláiste Ghobanatan is.

In times past, heavy rain was soaked up by the bogs on the mountain tops but as these are now drained for the forestry and windmill industry, this water arrives at the same time as the rain run-off which is in the form of surface water.

Deepening the channel of the river bed is a bad idea.   It condenses the flow and power of the water so that it will cause much more damage as it gathers force. Most of the drains are now covered over instead of being open.   This is fine as long as the drains can take the water flow. But if the volume is too much the water disperses broadly as it is now deprived of a guiding channel containing a guiding flow.

We think that it would be much wiser to restore the flood plains thus holding back the water in the mountain tops and delaying it’s arrival until the worst of the surface water has passed on. We would also recommend preserving and improving what remains of the village floodplains from Droichead na Beochaille to Droichead Carraig an Adhmad.   We think that all foliage with the exception of mature trees, should be cleaned regularly from both banks of the river between these bridges. In times past, this was always achieved by the local flock of goats, along the riverbanks. It is our opinion also that some of the more vital drains now under ground, should be re-evaluated in terms of their value as guiding flows in times of flooding. Taming nature requires more the engineering expertise and in this era of global warming and climate change, nature’s weather phenomenae are about to become a lot more extreme – flooding included. We have always lived here and have seen and experienced enough in the last few centuries to be very wary of what is to come and we do not agree at all with your proposed plan of action.

Further we would contend that the floodplains further up into the mountains through the Cúil Aodha glen, should be restored as should the floodplains east of Baile Mhuirne.   It is fine to drain them and use as agricultural land but their primary purpose must always be as floodplains.   The Sulán and the Lee are the water supply of most of the county’s population.   The bogs must be restored so that they store the winter rains and gradually release the water during the long dry summer weather. These bogs are also the most efficient forms of carbon sinks, ahead of deciduous forestry. Needless to say commercial spruce forest has very little value as a carbon sink and the damage their plantations and associated drainage does, has an extreme negative affect in these days of climate change. We expect that the primary bill will tally the total carbon footprint for this project including loss of carbon sinks, quantity of cement and other raw materials used etc, total fuel consumption of all staff involved and so on. The time where the financial bottom line was the arbitrator of projects has now gone and the carbon bill is the governing factor. All trees cut down must be replaced locally. We offer our limited knowledge freely, if required, at all times.

 

Ag súil go dtabhrfaigh sibh árd orainn,

Is mise le meas

Thar cheann an Dáimh Talamhaíochta, Acadamh Fodhla.

 

_____________________________

Séamus Ó Suilleabháin (Éarlamh Dáimh Talamhaíochta Acadamh Fódhla 2017/20)

 

The importance of this river and things to bear in mind:

 

  1. It’s Cultural importance – it is the only ’male’ river in Ireland with corresponding mythology pointing towards the Tuatha De Danainn and originating in Cork Counties Gaeltacht of indigenous culture.

 

  1. Though very much undocumented and under-surveyed, the river has stocks of fresh water mussels and various rare and protected plant species along its banks,

 

  1. Misguided planning mistakes allowed housing on flood plains on the banks of the river. Planners would now compound these earlier mistakes by sacrificing remaining natural and environmental resources so as to protect continued habitations in places they should never have been allowed.

 

  1. Placing water treatment plants and sewage plants in close proximity to this active river is also a dubious planning decision. The Cuil Aodha septic tank has the distinction of being one of the cleanest in the nation as it is regularly scoured clean by the higher floods.

 

  1. Some of the bridges are of serious architectural and historical value and any action that would damage them or loosen their foundations should be avoided.

 

  1. The first and last decision in relation to this project should be the carbon bill it will cause.

 

  1. Local knowledge is vital as to the moods and actions of the river itself throughout the year and should be studied, bearing present and future climate change in mind, at all times.

 

  1. It is vital to restore the upland floodplains and delay the arrival of the water in the valley. This will entail a program of bog restoration. This action will help delay the arrival of the water but it will also provide water security in drought conditions of the summer and early autumn and should be a major element in planning for water supply to the city, towns and general population stretching from the county bounds eastwards as far as Cove and Little Island.

 

  1. A more imaginative use of direct payments to farmers to aid in the restoration of the water bearing capacity of the land is recommended where possible. Maintaining and restoring broadleaf forestry should be part of this element.

 

  1. This River is used for angling and water adventure sports.

 

  1. It would be extremely beneficial if planning staff were to undergo some serious training with regard to what carbon footprints and carbon sinks actually are as there seems to be much misguided knowledge floating about at present. Sika woods are not indigenous and are certainly not good carbon sinks no matter what grant aid or schemes follow them.

 

  1. Landlords and landowners will always conform and follow where the money is to be found.

 

  1. Finally, flooding is a natural process. It fertilizers the land it covers and is a part of the ecosystem of the river’s functions itself.

 

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