The Clean Coast Programme aims to bring people together to care for their local coastal environment.

The Clean Coast Programme grew out of an increasing concern of the effects of litter on the marine and coastal environment. The programme has now been operating successfully for a number of years managed by Keep Wales Tidy and An Taisce (Irish National Trust). To view An Taisce's Clean Coasts website, click here . The Clean Coast Programme consists of two elements, The Clean Coast Programme and the Green Coast Award.

The Clean Coast Programme recognises beaches in Northern Ireland which are used for bathing which meet the highest standards of water quality recognised under current EC legislation. The Programme will do this using community involvement and an award scheme. However; the Programme will also distinguish beaches which are prized for their natural, unspoilt environment. The Clean Coast Programme also offers River Care and Lough Care.

The Programme differs from others such as the Blue Flag programme as it acknowledges rural beaches which do not undergo intensive management programmes or installation of numerous facilities. Additionally, one of the primary aims of the award is community involvement. The Programme groups can be formed giving communities a chance to adopt a stretch of coastline where the group can carry out clean up and management work to improve the beach environment. The effort and qualities of the beach, river or lough involved in the Programme can then be recognised and noted as having a Coast Care Award if all objectives have been met.

Coca-Cola is the associate sponsor of the Clean Coast Programme in Northern Ireland.

Interested in finding out more about your local river, lough or coast?

Why not come along to your local Catchment Stakeholder Group meeting and find out more?

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency cordially invites you to come along to any of the Catchment Stakeholder Group meetings detailed below. The meetings, which are held twice a year, give everyone with an interest in local water quality an opportunity to have their issues discussed and addressed.

The meetings are attended by a wide range of stakeholders including, conservation organisations, community associations, angling groups, local landowners and representatives from Government Departments, who all seek to work together to address local water management issues.

The meetings provide a forum to; discuss key local water management issues, influence decisions and assist in the implementation of solutions. They also allow wide participation in the development of River Basin Management Plans and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

All meetings start at 7pm. For further information please visit our website at www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/water-home/wfd/public_partic_3.htm or contact your local Catchment Management Officer.