One of the emerging themes of the Northern floods is how farmers and dredging debate has once again taken off. This note covers Liz Truss’s speech and some of the resulting commentary. Environment Minister addresses the Oxford Farming Conference https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/environment-minister-addresses-the-oxford-farming-conference–2 6 January 2016 Elizabeth Truss today delivered a speech to delegates at the annual Oxford […]
MMO ‘On the 21 August 2015 Westminster Dredging Company Limited appeared at Plymouth Magistrates Court in respect of 1 charge of carrying out marine licensable activity otherwise in accordance with a marine licence contrary to section 65 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The charge related to a dredging and disposal campaign carried […]
Colin Thorne ‘While the decision to dredge the River Parrett in response to flooding a year ago was understandable and expedient, the relief that dredging provides is temporary. Relying on regular dredging to prevent future flooding of the Somerset Levels is not a viable way forward. The Levels have flooded for millennia – flooding and […]
Andrew Binnie: Marine Scotland’s proposed management options for Marine Protected Areas will continue to allow dredging and bottom trawling within large areas of the South Arran MPA and many other Scottish MPAs. Marine Scotland and the Scottish Government will make final management decisions this summer. It is important they realise coastal communities, marine conservationists and […]
Given the huge debate a year ago around channel management, this report is highly timely guidance from Government. It will be interesting to see how the recommendations in this guidance play out over time with the NFU in particular pressing for more ad hoc action (‘less red tape’) by farmers. Environment Agency / Defra ‘A […]
Blueprint for Water: ‘Potentially environmentally-damaging dredging must not be prioritized over other proven flood-prevention measures in this year’s Autumn Statement on 3 December 2014 is the warning to Government by Blueprint for Water. In a new report Dredging up Trouble, 10 of the Blueprint for Water partners– a coalition of organisations, representing over two million […]
EFRA ‘Severe storms and heavy rainfall continue to cause extensive flooding events across the UK, causing disruption and distress to individuals and communities and costing millions. The Committee published a Report on Managing Flood Risk in July 2013 and held an evidence session on the Winter Floods on 22 January 2014. The Committee was deeply […]
EFRA ‘ Background Severe storms and heavy rainfall continue to cause extensive flooding events across the UK, causing disruption and distress to individuals and communities and costing millions. The Committee published a Report on Managing Flood Risk in July 2013 and held an evidence session on the Winter Floods on 22 January 2014. The Committee […]