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Lobbying and campaigning activities the RGCG
The quantity and quality of the water in the river, tributaries, ponds and wetland areas is a major issue in the face of cumulative development over decades. Over the past two decades in particular, this has received more attention and priority within Government bodies, accompanied by a greater awareness amongst the public.
However it is necessary for the RGCG to maintain lobbying and campaigning work in this area, and to be involved in long term plans being developed for water resource, such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS). The CAMS seek to address any issues of over-abstraction or over-licensing of water resource. The needs of the aquatic natural environment are of concern as well as those of public water supply, irrigation for agriculture and industry.
Water quality problems can arise from careless accidental contamination with chemicals or oil. Thankfully, these are few. The ongoing and more difficult problems arise mainly from the use of agri-chemicals in our intensive farming systems, and to a much lesser extent from sewage treatment works (STWs).
The greatest problem from farming is the loss of topsoil carried away by heavy rain and entering the river. Over the past year or two, this has had a much greater profile with action from the Environment Agency. Siltation is another area where we will need to persuade for continuing action. We would like to see that action to prevent it happening in vulnerable areas is taken through avoidance measures being made as part of higher tier agri-environment payments.
Planning applications are screened by the RGCG to see if there are any that might have a severe impact on the river or valley as regards to landscape and wildlife. Few do of course, but some do come along calling for modification or outright rejection. They may develop into a saga requiring input at stages over many months, especially if an application is rejected at some stage by the District Council followed by an appeal against the decision by the applicant. In this case, an enquiry is held and the final decision made by a representative of the Planning Inspectorate.
The quantity and quality of the water in the river, tributaries, ponds and wetland areas is a major issue in the face of cumulative development over decades. Over the past two decades in particular, this has received more attention and priority within Government bodies, accompanied by a greater awareness amongst the public.
However it is necessary for the RGCG to maintain lobbying and campaigning work in this area, and to be involved in long term plans being developed for water resource, such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS). The CAMS seek to address any issues of over-
Water quality problems can arise from careless accidental contamination with chemicals or oil. Thankfully, these are few. The ongoing and more difficult problems arise mainly from the use of agri-
The greatest problem from farming is the loss of topsoil carried away by heavy rain and entering the river. Over the past year or two, this has had a much greater profile with action from the Environment Agency. Siltation is another area where we will need to persuade for continuing action. We would like to see that action to prevent it happening in vulnerable areas is taken through avoidance measures being made as part of higher tier agri-
Planning applications are screened by the RGCG to see if there are any that might have a severe impact on the river or valley as regards to landscape and wildlife. Few do of course, but some do come along calling for modification or outright rejection. They may develop into a saga requiring input at stages over many months, especially if an application is rejected at some stage by the District Council followed by an appeal against the decision by the applicant. In this case, an enquiry is held and the final decision made by a representative of the Planning Inspectorate.
