NEWS RELEASE

23 July 2012

 

Tellus Border Airborne Survey Touches Down for Final Time

 

Having flown almost 60,000km – equivalent to one and a half times around the world - the Tellus Border geological survey aircraft has landed at Enniskillen airport for the final time. The small twin-propeller plane, which has become a familiar sight to the people of the Border region, has now completed a world-class aerial survey of six counties on behalf of the Geological Surveys of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

 

The aircraft - equipped with the very latest geophysical technology -  has been gathering data for the EU-funded Tellus Border project over the last ten months, helping scientists better understand the soils, rocks, water and natural resources of Ireland’s border counties.  Operated and flown by world leaders in this field, Sander Geophysics Limited from Canada, the airborne survey was part of the wider Tellus Border Project which also included a ground survey focusing on soil, stream water and sediment sampling.

 

The successful completion of the airborne survey is a major milestone for Tellus Border, which is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme. A new phase of the project will begin shortly, whereby scientists at the Geological Surveys of Ireland and Northern Ireland will produce maps for a variety of end-users including environmental managers, policy-makers, the agricultural sector and private industry. Maps and data will be freely available to all in 2013, culminating in a major end of project conference planned for October 2013.

 

Survey Captain Charles Dicks, pilot with Sander Geophysics Limited said “After ten months, many in-flight hours and various battles with the Irish weather, we’re delighted to have successfully completed the survey and have greatly enjoyed our time surveying here in Ireland”.

Ray Scanlon, Principal Geologist at the Geological Survey of Ireland said that the completion of this stage of the project will greatly add to our understanding of the environment we live in: “We’re excited to begin processing the data collected from both the airborne and ground surveys, which will be combined with the information previously gathered in Northern Ireland to provide a new and exciting take on the geology of this area.”

“We would like to thank people in the border region for their support and interest during the airborne survey, as well as the Irish Aviation Authority and the Irish Farmers Association who greatly helped in the smooth progress of the project.”

The Tellus Border information line will cease to operate on 27th July 2012 however those interested in the project can email tellusborder@gsi.ie or check the website www.tellusborder.eu for regular updates.

ENDS

For further information please contact Kelly McKee, Seona McGrath or Claire Bonner at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or see the project website www.tellusborder.eu

 

Notes for Editors

·         The cross-border Tellus Border project has been funded by the INTERREG IVA development programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This is the largest of the latest awards under the Environment theme of INTERREG IVA and is part funded by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and Northern Ireland’s Department of the Environment.

·         The project is a joint initiative between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast and builds on the award-winning Tellus Project which has already successfully mapped Northern Ireland. Data collected during both surveys will be integrated with the existing data to give a cross border geological baseline.

·         ‘Tellus’ was the Roman goddess of the earth, also called Terra Mater.

SEUPB

• The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU structural funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.

• The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross-border region.

• For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu