UK's Stormont government intends to request financial assistance from the UK government to manage and clean up unlawful waste disposal sites.

In the outskirts of Derry, a significant environmental issue has come to light with the discovery of an illegal landfill site, estimated to cost at least £107 million (€123m) to clean up. The site, known as Mobuoy, is located near the River Faughan, a protected site under environmental law that supplies much of Derry's drinking water.

The waste at the 46-hectare site is more than 12m deep in some places and includes construction rubble, domestic waste, metallic waste, and toxic tar-based waste. Two businessmen were previously jailed for their involvement in a massive waste scam at the Mobuoy site, with the company involved named as "GreenTech Solutions."

Mark Durkan, Derry MLA and former environment minister, has expressed his gladness that a remediation plan is now being considered. He emphasized the need for prompt action and the importance of securing the required funds for the remediation. Durkan also expressed concern about whether the remediation of Mobuoy is a priority for the Stormont Executive and supported the holding of a public inquiry into the dumping.

Andrew Muir MLA has stated that he will engage with the Finance Minister and also make a case to London for support due to the significant cost of remediating the site. The recommended remediation plan involves leaving much of the waste in situ with engineering solutions like biologically active capping, bunding, and creation of wetland filter beds. Some leachate will be pumped out and treated.

The site is located near the proposed route of a new A6 Belfast to Derry dual carriageway, and in areas where the site overlaps with the proposed route, the waste will be dug out to facilitate the road development. The waste disposal at Mobuoy has caused a delay in the project's progress.

The Stormont Executive has gone to public consultation on the proposed remediation scheme for the Mobuoy dump site. They are holding public consultation exercises to explain their plan to the public. Mr Muir traveled to Derry to outline the proposal to elected representatives.

Experts have assessed the environmental risk presented by the site and provided options to deal with it. The remediation plan aims to minimise the impact on the environment and ensure the safety of the local community. The cleanup of the Mobuoy landfill promises to be a challenging task, but with the cooperation of the community and the appropriate resources, it is a challenge that can be met.