The initial consultation process about the Water Framework Directive was tortuous, tedious and a real drudge. I got the impression that without several degrees and an encyclopedic knowledge of the innumerable learned papers produced by goodness knows who, the whole process was, it seemed to me, designed to frustrate all but the experts.
However, last week I attended two catchment workshops: the River Conwy and the River Clwyd. Attendees included NRW staff of course, representatives of farmers, commercial forestry, local Council, Bangor University, National Park, National Trust and many more. The NRW made it quite clear that they were addressing each river catchment separately and identifying specific issues impacting on each. They also made it quite clear that financial constraints meant that they could not address many of the issues without support from other sectors. I went to the workshops cynical and wary: I think the EAW had lost a deal of credibility over the years, although staff in this area were trying to put that right. After the Conwy meeting we were asked to complete a “what did you think of that?” form, which I did, expressing gloom and despondency. The Clwyd workshop was two days later, by which time I had given some thought to the previous proceedings and had a change of heart. I think the NRW are being honest and as open as they can be and look forward to the follow on consultation when, I hope, the intention will be to set up joint efforts to address the issues identified.
I was also reminded of the good work being done by the River Trusts. The Clwyd, Conwy and Gwynedd Rivers Trust have carried out a number of substantial of environmental improvement schemes, mainly but not exclusively to tributaries, where in years gone by salmonids had spawned in great numbers.
The time has come for more partnership working, even at club level, where by a joint effort beneficial improvements can be made to in river habitat, but more importantly in the long neglected tributaries.
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