Works to restore some of the damage caused by last November’s catastrophic landslide at Meenbog wind farm will take ‘years’ to complete.
These and other shocking details about the environmental disaster were outlined at this week’s meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District (MD).
Council Senior Planner, Bryan Cannon, told councillors that the local authority was first notified of the incident on the morning of November 13th by officials from the cross-border Loughs Agency.
However, he added, the developers later revealed that the slippage had started the previous day.
“Once we were notified of the incident, we mobilised people to the site as soon as possible and liaised with Loughs Agency and wind farm staff,” Mr Cannon said.
“The council was informed by wind farm staff that the bog started moving on November 12th, the previous day, through the Shruhangarve stream. They tried to stop and retain the slide and worked late that night. But, when they returned the next day, the material had overtopped the bank, into the stream and on to the Mournbeg river, causing significant pollution. They increased the height of the bank the next day (Friday) and successfully stopped the flow.”
A screengrab of the moving bog which was viewed more than a million times on social media around the world.
Mr Cannon said that council staff stayed on site all weekend in order to monitor the mitigation works.
“It was evident that the banking was working, but further works were needed to prevent another serious event. The following Monday, the developer confirmed that all works were suspended, except mitigation works,” he added.
The meeting heard that the council liaised with a wide range of agencies on both sides of the border. A cross-border multi agency meeting also took place on the Monday after the incident.
“It was agreed that we needed to address the serious risk of a future slide and to find out the cause.”
Mr Cannon said the council has powers under the Water Pollution Act, adding that a number of investigations are ongoing on both sides of the border.
“Construction remains suspended on the site, except those for health and safety reasons and to prevent further pollution. Over the last few weeks, the developers have been working on restoration of the tributary and replanting trees. However, further work is required on the Mournebeg. Details of these future works are required and will take a number of years to complete,” he concluded.
Cllr Patrick McGowan was highly critical of the developers, claiming they knew beforehand about an underground lake which was located at the epicentre of the slide.
“Lessons have to be learned. There has been a lot of talk in past about developer-led housing estates, but this is the same – not enough attention was given to local knowledge,” he said.
Cllr Gary Doherty wondered if it was feasible for the developers to complete the wind farm.
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