Woodland scheme aims to reduce flood risk

Monday, February 18, 2019

The Woodlands for Water project should help mitigate the effects of flooding in the North East and Yorkshire.

The Forestry Commission and Environment Agency-run scheme provides financial incentives and expert advice to help farmers plant woodlands and alleviate flooding.

The Woodland Creation grant offers up to £6,800/ha to farmers that plant new woodlands, along with £200/ha/yr for up to 10 years.

Advice is given where woodland planting could reduce flood risk and improve water quality, with woodlands reducing the flow of sediments and pollutants into our waterways. Professional advisors also walk farmers through the entire process, from devising planting plans to grant application.

According to the EA, new woodland planting provides a range of benefits including: income from timber, wildlife habitat creation, and capturing CO2.

"I am delighted to see that, through last year’s Woodlands for Water project, 160ha of new woodlands that will benefit the water environment have been approved for planting in Yorkshire and North East England," says Oliver Harmer, area director of the EA in the North East.

"And I am pleased that the project is up and running again this year with the advisors already working with landowners to generate more great schemes. Woodland creation is an important part of natural flood management and helps deliver on our mission to improve water quality."

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