The Office of Public Works (OPW ) is holding a public consultation day on draft flood maps in Athlone - including areas Bogganfin, Clonown, and Monksland - on Tuesday February 17.
Members of the public are invited to attend the Aidan Heavey Public Library, Athlone Civic Centre between 12-7.30pm.
The National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM ) Programme is currently producing draft flood maps. The programme is being undertaken by the OPW to meet national policy needs and the requirements of the EU floods directive.
The flood maps are a vital step towards identifying potential solutions to reduce and manage the flood risk, but they are also important for other reasons: The flood maps will inform sustainable planning, to help ensure that we avoid building in flood prone areas into the future. The maps will also inform the emergency response authorities to help ensure an effective response to reduce damage during flood events.
Local residents and businesses will be able to determine if they are at risk from flooding, and if so, to be able to prepare for flood events.
The maps have been developed using state-of-the-art technology and make use of all available information. However, local residents may have some information or knowledge that can further improve the flood maps. The OPW wants to give people the opportunity to comment on the draft flood maps before they are finalised.
The public has a chance to view the draft maps next Tuesday where you can provide comments you may have on them. You can make a formal submission on the maps at the public consultation. The CFRAM project teams and OPW will consider all submissions made.
