



A new campaign launched to put a stop to Donald Trump's company building a 200,000 tonne sea wall in Ireland, say the structure will ''unquestionably'' ruin 31 acres of sand dunes and deplete sandbars – ruining the surf spot.

Remember a few months back when MSW was first to bring you news of Trump's golf course - lodging plans to dump rocks on Doughmore beach that would spoil it for surfers, all to protect his Doonbeg golf resort? Refresh HERE.

Well, now, a petition launched two-weeks-ago by Save the Waves has reignited the campaign against the wall and it's already stacked up more than 90,000 signatures who want to stop its construction. Save the Waves are also raising awareness of the plight using #NatureTrumpsWalls.

Save the Waves are the group responsible for designating global/national surf reserves. When they speak out about a spot that's under threat, it's time to listen.

Save the Waves has brought international attention to the save Doughmore campaign.

The Trump camp claim the wall will help preserve the golf course from erosion. Oh and you'll know of the Tump-owned golf course in Ireland. It's the one he said he didn't care about, a plaything for his executives. A plaything. Does that make your blood curdle that a surf spot will be ruined for the pleasure of fat cats? Are you angry? Let's talk to Nick Mucha from Save the Waves about the whole campaign. (And let the comments flow!)

Can you tell us a bit about the Save The Waves group, what are your key objectives and how long it's been going for?

NM: Save The waves Coalition is the only organization of it's kind working globally to conserve coastlines, with an emphasis on the surf zone. We carry out this work through three strategies; protected areas, economics, and direct action. We have been active for around 15-years now.

Let's talk specifically about the NatureTrumpsWalls campaign - why is it important to protect Doughmore Beach?

Save The Waves launched #NatureTrumpsWalls two-weeks-ago alongside a strong coalition of European and Irish groups to preserve Doughmore Beach in western Ireland. This is an important campaign because Doughmore Beach is the latest example of special interests threatening an ecologically and recreationally significant public beach.

Doonbeg on the shore. © 2020 - Save Doughmore Beach

Donald Trump wants to dump 200,000 tonnes of rocks on Doughmore to protect his private golf course. A 2.8 km seawall will spell disaster for Doughmore Beach. It will unquestionably impact the 31 acres of pristine sand dunes at Doughmore. It will deplete the sandbars offshore and impact the quality of their waves. It will impede public access to the beach, particularly during construction.

How do you plan on making your voice heard?

We have set up a petition that sends automated emails to the local decision makers each time it is signed. Through this strategy we are demonstrating to the local Clare County Councilors that there is a massive global constituency of people who oppose this project.

I believe Donald Trump's company began dumping boulders on the shore in 2014 but was stopped because they didn't have the correct permissions. So, is your campaign aimed at putting pressure on his company or on the decision makers?

Yes, exactly. Donald Trump needs local approval for this project and we intend to bombard the council. After a series of winter storms, Donald Trump began to illegally dump boulders along the public beach at Doughmore without any permits to protect his golf course. After a series of winter storms, Donald Trump began to illegally dump boulders along the public beach at Doughmore Enraged local authorities quickly intervened and Trump was forced to cease his illegal revetment and is now required to obtain the legal permits. Trump has grown incensed that he needs to comply with the local planning regulations and has threatened to close the golf resort if his permit is not approved.

Trump sought special permission from the Irish national government for the wall in March but was rejected in April. The local Clare County Council is now the responsible agency deciding the fate of Doughmore Beach. They have reviewed Trump’s permit application and Environmental Impact Statement and have sent a request for further information outlining 51 specific points that they want resolved or clarified. Trump has until December 2016 to submit the requested information. At that point, the Clare County Council will make a decision.

How Doughmore could look © 2020 - Save Doughmore Beach

Trump's company have said in the past that if the rock armour isn't installed, they'll consider closing the resort. A bit extreme?

I'd say so! Keep in mind that the golf course actually has additional property on the inland side of the course, so there is the availability to reorient the course away from the eroding dunes. There is the availability to reorient the course away from the eroding dunes In other words, they have flexibility to work within the natural dynamics but are choosing to put all their chips on this highly controversial seawall. And to say that they will close the resort if they are not approved, yes a tad bit extreme.

Is there a solution that could benefit both parties? If so, what is it?

Of course! Let's find a way to keep the course open without building a massive seawall. I'm sure there is room to find a solution. If people want to lend their support to the campaign, how can they do so? Sign the petition HEREand share through your social media.