September 2022
Message from the chair
The high temperatures and low rainfall we've experienced demonstrates the careful balance we will need to find in managing our water resources moving forwards. To date, the BACP has supported the development of the West Country Water Resources Group Regional Plan and we are due to receive an update during the September Steering Group meeting. We will continue to help influence and communicate the challenges identified in the Regional Plan and support measures that will deliver water resource protection benefits through more holistic solutions, such as nature-based solutions. There is an ongoing challenge to us all to support and lead more sustainable lifestyles in the face of a changing climate and growing population.
We are extremely grateful to all of the hard work that the BACP partners have provided during the last few months with the development of Partnership proposals that have been submitted to Wessex Water and Bristol Water for consideration in the Water Industry National Environment Programme from 2024 onwards. We are keen for these proposals to provide a solid baseline upon which to build stronger relationships with both Water Companies. We hope this will help to unlock funding to deliver partnership solutions at a sub-catchment scale, addressing the challenges relating to water quality, biodiversity, climate change and people’s connection with nature. Watch this space for more updates.
The Bristol Avon Fish Recovery Strategy is developing well and partners are meeting soon to start finalising the document. We hope to share the Strategy widely before the end of this year and raise awareness of fish in the Bristol Avon. It is a little known that there is a small salmon population in the Bristol Avon and that the estuary is an important nursery area for some key marine fish species. There is much to do if the decline in these fish populations is to be reversed. I am sure that we will rise to the challenge.
Thank you for all that you have been doing and what you are continuing to do improve the Bristol Avon catchment for people and wildlife.
Richard Cresswell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACP Community Grants Applications opening
- Enhance people's enjoyment and connection with the natural environment
- Improve water quality
- Restore biodiversity and ecological connectivity
- Adapt and build resilience to a changing climate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updates from around the catchment
Severn Estuary Partnership Forum
The Severn Estuary Partnership are holding an in-person Forum on the 12th October, from 9.30am - 4.15pm, at the M Shed, Bristol. The Forum aims to bring together the latest project, research and policy developments from all around the Severn Estuary, including a presentation from the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership, to promote the Bristol Avon Catchment Plan.
To find out more and book a ticket, follow this link.
Natural History Consortium events: Water based projects that benefit nature in Bristol
The Natural History Consortium are running a series of events focused on water based projects in Bristol, aiming to map and connect water-themed projects across Bristol that benefit wildlife.
These sessions are open to community groups, organisations, researchers, and freelancers who are running or engaged in water projects to benefit wildlife.
If you would like to join one of the sessions, please register here.
Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP)
Wessex Water's Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan is currently out for consultation. This plan details improvements they may make to their assets and networks to continue to deliver for their customers and the environment in a sustainable and affordable way, making sure they are prepared for future challenges, such as population growth, urbanisation and climate change.
The consultation is open until the 1st October. To respond and to find out more about the plan, please follow this link.
The final DWMP will be released in March 2023.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updates from further afield
Urban wetlands
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust have recently released an Urban Wetlands campaign. Currently, people in the poorest urban and ethnic communities are twice as likely as those in more affluent groups to live in neighbourhoods without good quality blue or green spaces.
The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust’s (WWT) Creating Urban Wetlands for Wellbeing. A Route Map’ outlines how high-quality wetlands could help tackle these inequalities, often more effectively than other forms of nature.
River habitat survey guidance manual update
The Environment Agency have recently updated their river habitat survey guidance manual. To read the updated manual, please follow this link.
Wild Salmon levels
The Environment Agency have stated that levels of wild salmon in our rivers are at the lowest level since records began. UK rivers are traditional breeding grounds for Atlantic salmon and are classed as an iconic species in our rivers, however, many factors are impacting their numbers at freshwater and marine sites. In particular, climate change is leading to rising sea and river temperatures and overfishing is impacting on salmon stocks globally. Water quality in rivers and estuaries can also affect the fish lifecycle as well as barriers stopping salmon travelling upstream.
Kevin Austin, Deputy Director for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment for the Environment Agency said: “Today’s assessment for England is of great concern and without urgent action Wild Atlantic Salmon could be lost from our rivers in our lifetimes.”
To find out more, follow this link.
Planning inspectorate rejects Hinkley C appeal
The Planning Inspectorate have rejected an appeal by NNB Genco to remove the requirement for an Acoustic Fish Deterrent when constructing Hinkley Point C. This represents a significant win for the environment, as the Acoustic Fish Deterrent will deter fish from entering the water coolant system on the nuclear power plant. Hinkley Point C is located in the Severn Estuary, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and important migration route for many fish species, such as Allis and Twaite Shads, Atlantic Salmon and European eel.
To find out more, follow this link.
Successful Landscape Recovery Projects Announced
The government have released details of successful projects under the Landscape Recovery Scheme. Projects in close vicinity to the Bristol Avon Catchment include Adapting the Levels, and Eelscapes: restoring the Severn Vale's wetland mosaics.
If you would like to find out more about the successful projects, follow this link.