Latest News

Wales ‘not yet sustainably managing its water’, says Welsh government

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The Welsh government has launched its second statutory consultation on the Water Framework Directive, aimed at finding a solution for the "significant water management issues" identified across the country.

Response to the six-month consultation, which closes in December, will feed into the third River Basin Management Plans and the next State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) required under the Environment Act, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW). 

Scottish government announces extra £11m for peatland restoration

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The Scottish Government has announced an extra £11m in peatland restoration funding in addition to the £3m awarded earlier this year.

Scotland’s peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.

When left undisturbed, peatland provides a significant natural sink of CO2, and also benefits the environment by providing an internationally important habitat, improving water quality and reducing flood risk.

Scottish government announces extra £11m for peatland restoration

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The Scottish Government has announced an extra £11m in peatland restoration funding in addition to the £3m awarded earlier this year.

Scotland’s peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.

When left undisturbed, peatland provides a significant natural sink of CO2, and also benefits the environment by providing an internationally important habitat, improving water quality and reducing flood risk.

EA targets soil run-off from space

Thursday, June 20, 2019

The Environment Agency (EA) and Herefordshire Council are using satellite imaging to identify where soily water is washing into rivers and covering roads.

The issue causes a problem both for water quality and for driving conditions, seen especially during last week’s wet weather. It can also worsen flooding.

Satellite and drone photograph will be used to identify bare, sloping agricultural fields where soil is most likely to be washed away during heavy rain. Landowners will be visited and provided with guidance on better soil management.

Biggest dam removal in European history

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Sélune River, Normandy, France – In a historic moment for Europe’s rivers, the first, irreparable breach was made today in the 36 metre high Vezins Dam – kick-starting the biggest dam removal in Europe so far.

This landmark event is part of a long-term project to free the Sélune River, and bring salmon, eels and other wildlife back to the river and the famous bay of Mont-Saint-Michel – a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Europe’s prime tourist attractions.

Urgent water restrictions needed to protect ‘dying’ chalk streams, say rivers groups

Monday, June 10, 2019

England's rare and fragile chalk streams are in such a stressed state that wate restrictions should urgently be put in place to protect them, according to a group of 12 rivers and wildlife organisations.

The group, which includes the Angling Trust, the Wild Trout Trust, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and the Rivers and Wildlife Trusts, says that river levels and groundwater supplies are now so depleted that the freshwater ecosystems are “quite simply dying from a lack of water”.

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