Updates, consultations responses, Jan/ Feb 2012
- ATMRF - Severn Rivers Trust Update (Jan 12) (6)
- Consultation - Implementation of SUDS (Dec 11) (5)
- Consultation - Implementation of SUDS Q&A\'s (Dec 11) (8)
- Consultation on Implementation of Nitrates Directive in England 2013-2016 (Feb 12) (5)
- Directive on Invasive Alien Species (Feb 12) (6)
- EC Invasives Species Consultation Questionnaire (Feb 12) (5)
- Implementation of Nitrates Directive in England 2013-2016 Q&A\'s (Feb 12) (6)
- Midlands Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Restructure Consultation Response Document (22nd Dec 12) (3)
- Notes of meeting of England&Wales Fisheries Group (24th Jan 12) (6)
- Response to DEFRA Consultation Abolition of RLFAC\'s (30th Nov 11) (3)
- Response to DEFRA Consultation on Abolition of RLFAC\'s - Final (30th Nov 11) (5)
Water Resource Notices, Weekly Discharge Reports & Water Situation Jan/Feb 2012
- Regional Water Situation Report January 2012 (9)
- Regional Water Situation Report December 2011 (8)
- Clayton Wood, Stoke (10th Jan 12) (7)
- Gilwiskaw Brook, Snarestone (19th Jan 12) (9)
- River Dove, Okeover - Hydropower (25th Jan 12) (10)
- River Severn, Grimley (13th Jan 12) (12)
- River Sowe (12th Jan 12) (8)
- Afon Gwyrfai, Tributary - Hydropower (9th Feb 12) (7)
- Afon Mawddach - Hydropower (12th Jan 12) (5)
- Cwnbeth Brook, Gwern (12th Jan 12) (6)
- Nant Cwn Du - Hydropower (9th Feb 12) (9)
Does a Proposed Hydro Scheme Concern You?
THEN ACT NOW AND MAKE YOUR CONCERNS COUNT
Are you worried that the cumulative effects of multiple hydro schemes in one catchment have not been sufficiently considered? Has sufficient protection been given to ensure schemes will not adversely impact fish populations? Should a fish passage be paid for by the developer? These are some of the important considerations highlighted by the S&TA to help members respond to the Hydro-power Good Practice Guidelines Consultation.
The consultation ends on 23rd September. IT IS VITAL, if a hydro-power scheme is proposed/planned on a river you fish, own, or care about, that you register your concerns before that date. Evidence is key! Please take the time to go here and respond. The S&TA/AT crib sheet is designed, along with your experience of hydro-power schemes on your local rivers, to help you with your response. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact S&TA’s Head of Science, with your queries. To see the crib sheet click here.
A new hydro-power scheme on any river has the potential to create irreparable damage to the aquatic environment UNLESS it is properly designed and constructed as part of an overall catchment management plan, taking into account cumulative effects of multiple hydro installations. This is your opportunity to ensure that all necessary precautions are put in place first to protect our fragile aquatic eco-systems.
Please don’t delay!
Environment Agency Top Ten Invasive Species
The EA has released a list of the top ten invasive species threatening England and Wales rivers here
Trevor Renals, invasive species expert at the Environment Agency said:
“River water quality is the best its been since before the industrial revolution. But if we don’t control invasive species, we risk losing some of our precious native species and incurring even more clean up costs. We could also fall short of the strict EU targets for our rivers and lakes.
“The Environment Agency will be working with other environment bodies as well as community and volunteer groups to manage the spread of these damaging plants and animals. We would urge everyone to help stop the spread of these species by making sure that garden and pond plants don’t end up near rivers and parkland and thoroughly cleaning any fishing, boating and canoeing equipment when moving between waterways.”
Angling Trust object to Hydro-power scheme on River Rea
The River Rea is a priority river for the Severn rivers Trust. We have, as is reported elswehere, done a lot of work on this river. The work has included building a fish pass at Tetsill Mill on the lower part of the river to encourage migratory fish, especially eels and none migratory fish such as Grayling and Brown Trout to have free access to spawning sites higher up the river.
A recent application has been made to build a hydro power scheme at this site.
The SRT believes that if this application gets the go ahead the full cost of the fish pass built by the SRT should be paid by the owners and operators of the scheme.
Many individuals and organisations have lodged objections to the scheme, including the Angling Trust who represent anglers and their clubs who fish this river and the river Teme of which the Rea is a tributary.
This is the text of the Angling Trust objection.
Water Resources Application NPS/WR/007611
Thursday, 11 August, 2011 11:57:08
RE: Water Resources Application NPS/WR/007611 by Mr William Duley for the River Rea at Tetsill Mill
On behalf of the Angling Trust I strongly object to this application which has to be one of the most damaging to a river in comparison to the paltry amount of electricity estimated to be generated. The environmental report is totally inadequate, and the scheme is a series of worst practices.
The Rea is of poor ecological status, and this scheme should ensure it remains that way rather than the proposal for it to achieve good status by 2027. The so-called Environmental Report correctly states “that the Hydropower proposal……will not impact upon the outcome of the future WFD status of the river.” Fine words, but the proposed scheme will not match them.
An Alaskan A type of fish pass was installed in 2010, at considerable cost, to aid the restoration of the salmon population of the whole Teme catchment. The scheme proposal is to discharge the turbine outflow via a leat a considerable distance downstream of the weir and fish pass, the “hands-off” flow being less than Q95. There is no attempt to evaluate the impact of this on the ecology of the depleted reach. But more importantly, it will effectively block migration of fish for the majority of the flow regime – fish will be simply attracted to the greater flow from the turbine channel. The report (Section 3.0) concludes that EA’s Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) recommends that a river with flow characteristics as the Rea should have a hands-off flow of Q95. This is wrong; this scheme is of the type described in section 4.4 “Mill leat used for hydropower abstraction – fish migration issues” where “Under most flow conditions, including high flows, the majority of the flow and velocity will be sustained in the route and channel to the fish pass to ensure high attraction towards it.” This scheme does not comply with this.
Screening – whilst a 6mm screen appears to be adequate; it is wrongly oriented and has no proper bywash for fish. The report is also confusing over the approach velocity; at one point it is stated as 13.5 cm/s, then later 25.8 cm/s. It does not state whether wither figure is based on the overalll screen dimensions or the open gap, nor whether it is based on a 50% blockage factor as should be required.
In brief, this a damaging scheme which will result in failure of WFD objectives in exchange for a minuscule amount of electricity. The scheme should have been vetoed at an early stage.
Dr Alan Butterworth
Technical Director
Angling Trust
On Going Abstraction for Hydo schemes
These are the most recent applications in our catchment. Those wishing to comment and / or object should do so to the EA with the details given
KS46
Helen Bates
Closing date for comments: 02 September 2011. Cwm-Y-Rhiwdre at NGR SO 08058 86878 and NGR SO 08014 87241
Water resources act 1991 (as amended by the Water Act 2003) Notice of application for a full licence to abstract water
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006 that an application has been made to the Environment Agency by:
Helen Bates
for full licences to abstract water from:
Cwm-Y-Rhiwdre at NGR SO 08058 86878 and NGR SO 08014 87241
The proposal is to abstract water at the following rates and periods at abstraction point 1:
468 Cubic metres an hour,
11232 Cubic metres a day and
3,083,184 Cubic metres a year
130 Litres per secondThe proposal is to abstract water at the following rates and periods at abstraction point 2:
468 Cubic metres an hour,
11232 Cubic metres a day and
3,288,730 Cubic metres a year
130 Litres per secondThe water will be used for Hydro-Electric power generation
A copy of the application, map, plan and any other document submitted with it may be inspected free of charge at the address of:
the Environment Agency
Fford Penlan
Parc Menai
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 4DEduring normal office hours (Monday-Friday, except bank holidays).
Summary details of the application are also available from the Public Register held by the Environment Agency at the above address and may also be inspected free of charge during normal office hours.
Your chance to comment
Any person who wishes to make representations about the application must do so in writing, quoting the name of the applicant and Reference Number NPS/WR/002798 atPermitting Support Centre,
Water Resources Team,
Quadrant 2,
99 Parkway Avenue,
Parkway Business Park,
S9 4WFor by email to PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk
by no later than 02 September 2011.
For further advice about making a representation, a leaflet – ‘Making your views count’ is available free of charge on request from local Environment Agency offices. Any general enquiries about this notice can be made by telephoning 0114 289 8340.
Signed: Simon Grantham
On behalf of the Environment Agency
Date: 5 August 2011
KS46
Mr Nicholas Willson
Closing date for comments: 01 September 2011. Nant Cynafon at National Grid Reference SO 07875 17786
Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended by the Water Act 2003)
Notice of application for a full licence to abstract water and for a licence to obstruct or impede the flow of inland water by means of impounding works
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006 that an application has been made to the Environment Agency by:
Mr Nicholas Willson
for a full licence to abstract water from the Nant Cynafon at National Grid Reference SO 07875 17786.
The proposal is to abstract water at the following rates and periods:48.6 cubic metres an hour
1,166 cubic metres a day
425,736 cubic metres a year all year
The water will be used for Hydro electric Power Generation.
Application is also being made for a licence to obstruct or impede the flow of the Nant Cynafon at National Grid Reference SO 07875 17786. The object of impounding water by means of the works is by weir in order to create a head for abstraction.
A copy of the applications, maps, plans and any other document submitted with it may be inspected free of charge at the address of the Environment Agency at:Environment Agency Wales
Rivers House
St Mellons Business Park
Fortran Road
St Mellons
Cardiff
CF3 0EYduring normal office hours (Monday-Friday, except bank holidays). Summary details of the applications are also available from the Public Register held by the Environment Agency at Environment Agency Wales, Rivers House, St Mellons Business Park, Fortran Road, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0EY and may also be inspected free of charge during normal office hours.
Any person who wishes to make representations about the applications must do so in writing, quoting the name of the applicant and Reference Number NPS/WR/003426 and NPS/WR/007836 to the Environment Agency at:
National Permitting Service (Water Resources)
Olton Court
10 Warwick Road
Olton
Solihull
West Midlands
B92 7HXor by email to: PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk by no later than 01 September 2011.
For further advice about making a representation, a leaflet – ‘Making your views count’ is available free of charge on request from local Environment Agency offices. Any general enquiries about this notice can be made by telephoning 0114 289 8383.
Signed: Catherine Leach
On behalf of the Environment Agency
Date: 04 August 2011
KN42
Arthur Roberts
Closing date for comments: 01 September 2011. River Tryweryn upstream of Llyn Celyn Reservoir: NGR: SH 83760 39850
Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended by the water act 2003) Notice of application for a licence to obstruct or impede the flow of an inland water by means of impounding works
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006 that an application has been made to the Environment Agency by:
Arthur Roberts
for a licence to impede the flow of the River Tryweryn upstream of Llyn Celyn Reservoir at National Grid Reference SH 83760 39850.
The object of impounding water by means of modifying the existing weir is to provide intake works for an off stream hydroelectric power scheme. Water will be abstracted from the intake works using a gravity fed pipe under abstraction licence number 24/67/2/11.
Licence 24/67/2/11 will be varied to increase the annual quantity from 18,400,000m3 to 18,600,000m3 in accordance with the design of the intake works. Existing hourly and daily rates will remain unchanged.
A copy of the application, map, plan and any other document submitted with it may be inspected free of charge at the address of the Environment Agency Wales at:
Parc Menai
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 4DEduring normal office hours (Monday-Friday, except bank holidays).
Your chance to comment
Any person who wishes to make representations about the application must do so in writing, quoting the name of the applicant and Reference Numbers NPS/WR/001639 and NPS/WR/007052 to the Environment Agency at:
Water Resources Permitting Support Centre
Environment Agency
Quadrant 2
99 Parkway Avenue
Sheffield
S9 4WFor by email to:
PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk
by no later than 01 September 2011.
For further advice about making a representation, a leaflet – ‘Making your views count’ is available free of charge on request from local Environment Agency offices. Any general enquiries about this notice can be made by telephoning 01142 898340.
Signed: Catherine Leach
On behalf of the Environment Agency
Date: 04 August 2011
River Rea – Detton Mill
Mick and Matt Beach, fish pass consultants have produced a full report which can be downloaded Detton Mill, River Rea Report (37)
The River Rea is a priority for the trust. Fencing work as reported here was carried out last winter; and a fish pass at Tetstill weir was installed last year.
The importance of free passage for both migratory fish, eels and salmon as well as for Brown Trout and Grayling on the Rea means that we hope this work will be completed shortly.
The full report will make interesting reading for others involved in commissioning fish passes.
Afon Cain River Report
The SRT has commissioned a series of reports from the Wild Trout Trust and the Grayling Society on rivers where we propose to introduce passport beats and where on going improvement projects are in place
WTT Report on the Afon Cain (44)
River Worfe Report
The SRT has commissioned a series of reports from the Wild Trout Trust and the Grayling Society on rivers where we propose to introduce passport beats and where on going improvement projects are in place.
The report of the River Worfe can be downloaded as a pdf here
Red Vent Syndrome in wild Atlantic salmon – A severity field guide
Wild Atlantic salmon returning with inflamed, swollen and bleeding vents have been seen in rivers throughout the UK since 2006. This condition has been called Red Vent Syndrome (RVS). This index has been developed to standardise the recording of RVS within Britain, allowing consistent reporting and monitoring. It replaces all earlier field guides. The following images show the normal vents of salmon and vents with varying degrees of RVS. Descriptions are provided to help clarify the different stages of RVS. Please use this guide when recording RVS and report these cases to the addresses in the document
Shropshire Hills AONB’s paper Think Big: ecological recovery in protected landscapes
Download here
Please note this is quite a large file .You will need the free pdf reader to view, which is here.
Regional Water Situation report May 2011
The Midlands regional water situation report for the month of May, the highlights of which are as follows.
River Flow- Mean monthly flows remained ‘exceptionally low’ at the majority of sites across Midlands.
Reservoir Storage- Storage continued to show a steep decline at several key reservoirs including Tittesworth, Derwent and Elan, although remained closer to the LTA (long term average) at Clywedog, Draycote, Carsington and the Dove reservoirs.
Groundwater Levels- Levels continued to decline at the majority of sites and were notably low at Heathlanes, Four Crosses and Rider Point.
Rainfall- Totals across Midlands were closer to normal and overall 86% of the LTA was recorded.
Soil Moisture Deficit- Soils remained drier than the LTA. The end of the month soil moisture deficit in Central and East areas ranged from 80 to 107 mm.
We are advised that given the exceptionally dry March and April the Environment Agency are continuing to closely monitor river flows, groundwater and reservoir levels across Midlands. We trust the attached will prove to be of interest.
Download here
Please note this is quite a large file .You will need the free pdf reader to view, which is here.
CEFAS Annual Assessment of Salmon Stocks
The CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) Lowestoft Laboratory “Annual Assessment of Salmon Stocks and Fisheries in England and Wales 2009“. Download as pdf here
Red Vent Syndrome
Briefing note on Red vent syndrome downloadable here
Teme & Tanat Salmon Counter numbers (Autumn & Winter 2010/11)
River Teme : Fish recorded through Ashford fish counter
| Date | large | Small |
| 8 Oct 2010 to 19 Oct 2010 | 20 | 53 |
| 19 Oct 2010 to 01Dec 2010 | 328 | 390 |
| 01 Dec 2010 to 15 Dec 2010 | 343 | 432 |
| 15 Dec 2010 to 17 Jan 2010 | 129 | 417 |
Salmon recorded through Carreghoffa fish counter on the Tanat
| Date | |
| 7 Sept to 30 Sept | 41 |
| 1 Oct to 31 Oct | 139 |
| 1 Nov to 25 Nov
(10 day gap in data to 5 Dec) |
35 |
| 5 Dec to 31 Dec | 30 |
Total number of Salmon counted at Ashford Weir (8th October 2010 to 17th January 2011) 2,112
