Still not a lot of water anywhere but decent colour and temperature.
Muarice Hudson reports fish of 10-11 and 13 pounds from his beat at Cadora Backs yesterday and this morning on a small Usk Grub.   Reasonable numbers of fish on these lower beats apparently.

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 Please see below a request from WSA regarding the chicken farm fiasco in Powys and indeed Herefordshire..
From a personal point of view I joined my local council to try and stop one of these in Clyro.
It was a sobering experience.  Due to the slant and bias by other members from the farming community on that committee which was reflected in the Powys Planning department too it soon became obvious we were fighting a loosing battle.  The application went through and all perfectly valid objections were dismissed in one way or another.  I was a fix and I eventually resigned because of it.    However it needs someone with knowledge to take them on and be backed up by us all, including, just for once, WUF
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                                                WSA

The Wye Local Fishery Group (WLFG) of whom WSA is a member, recently proposed an action plan to NRW, aimed at the recovery of the river Wye and its fisheries. An action within that plan was aimed at tackling the escalating incidents of thick algal blooms having severe and permanent effects on the river’s ecology, caused principally by the amount of phosphate entering the Wye’s headwaters. A significant source thought to be due to the large expansion of the poultry industry over the last decade.

According to latest modelling, the proportion of phosphate in the lower Wye coming from agriculture has doubled in the past six years. The river is now failing its permitted levels of phosphate under the EU Habitats Directive.

 

Our action plan requires;

Ø  Confirmation that planning authorities are complying with directives and permitting controls

Ø  Provision of  evidence for regulatory action, if required and

Ø  The encouraging of phosphate reduction and elimination of algae bloom

We believe there might very well be an opportunity in the proposed new government legislation, the Environment Bill, currently passing through parliament, to tackle the ineffective planning controls that are resulting in an explosion of poultry farms on the, in particular, upper Wye catchment.

We are seeking a suitable retired/retiring Planning Officer(s) or individual(s) with a working knowledge of Local Planning Authority (LPA) activities and able to work independently, supporting the LFG action plan, and supported by WSA, on this issue, on a pro Bono basis to; 

Ø  challenge all new poultry farm applications in the Wye catchment

Ø  making full reference to planning law confirming.

o   they are adhered to by all planning authorities affecting Wye catchment.

o   they are proving effective in controlling situation, and

o   farm capacity thresholds are being effectively regulated by NRW?

Ø  meet with planners and discuss face to face

Ø  seek judicial review of planning decisions if necessary

Ø  make representations to local plans to inform planning policy

Ø  meet planning applicants and suggest organisation best placed to deliver environmental offset.

Are you interested in supporting this vital initiative? Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help tackle this issue? We have provided a brief background  below, if you would you like more information or wish to discuss further please contact  Stuart Smith on enquries@wyesalmon.com or 07789133263.

 

Do you know someone else who might fit the bill? If so,  please pass this email enquiry to them.

Stuart Smith

For and on behalf of Wye Salmon Association

Background

The normally clear waters of the River Wye are repeatedly turned a putrid green due to severe algal bloom. Thick algal blooms can have severe and permanent effects on the river’s ecology. They are caused by a combination of factors, including levels of light and flow. However, a large increase in the amount of phosphate, which acts as a fertilizer, entering the Wye’s headwaters is thought to be the principal reason for the recent increase in the blooms’ severity.

According to latest modelling, the proportion of phosphate in the lower Wye coming from agriculture has doubled in the past six years. The river is now failing its permitted levels of phosphate under the EU Habitats Directive.

The geographical location of this extra phosphate is also believed to be a factor in the blooms’ severity. The upper river in Wales is now a significant source following a large expansion of the poultry industry over the last decade. Since 2008 the upper catchment hosts an extra ten million chickens with the Ithon (one of the river’s tributaries in Powys) having the lion’s share. This number of chickens produces large amounts of highly reactive phosphates from their manures, which find their way into the rivers.

Both Powys County Council (PCC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have a legal responsibility to protect Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) such as the Wye. They have, however, been apparently unwilling to use the existing laws to protect the river. In the case of Powys County Council, this includes considering the impact of new poultry developments individually and cumulatively. Evidently, this is something that is not happening.

For action to prevent future blooms we are reliant on PCC and NRW doing their job properly. The latter can only offer a view to the Council during the planning process and therefore cannot themselves stop the continued expansion of the poultry industry in Powys via that means.

However, they do issue the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) that PCC operate under in respect to all the SACs in their area. If the Council’s actions are in breach of the ‘Precautionary Principle’ that is enshrined in the Habitats Directive, the advice of the chief planner and within NRW itself, then this questions whether the HRA for their Local Development Plan is still valid.

LPAs are currently subject to duties under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. They must have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity (which includes restoring or enhancing a species or habitat).  This is difficult to enforce, as they only need to consider the duty.

The new Environment Bill, currently going through parliament,  is going to strengthen the aspects of that duty that deal with enhancing biodiversity, which is part of a consistent theme running through the Bill of improving (rather than just conserving) the environment.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires policy and decisions to contribute to and improve the natural local environment and minimise impacts. Requires LPAs to refuse applications if deemed harmful to biodiversity if the harm cannot be avoided through relocation, mitigation, or compensation (but only as a last resort). Those developments that promote biodiversity are to be encouraged.

Planning Practice Guidance says net gains can be secured on site, off site or a combination of the two, through planning conditions, planning agreements or unilateral undertakings.

The effect of the Bill is to take the existing policies and guidance on biodiversity and turn them into statute.

The Government’s proposals in the Environment Bill for mandating biodiversity net gain for new developments. seems an opportunity to tackle the problem of algal bloom.