Hi guys

Its taken me a week to look through it a bit at a time.... between working

Has anyone had a look at their RBMP and what impact/shortfall there may be.

Have a look here for your River Basin.....
/www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33106.aspx

It all looks fairly simple and not as complicated as I thought it may be .....certainly no startling revelations(a surprise in itself)

Has anyone any comment on its good or bad points for their river system

I'd certainly like it to set some more taxing targets by the next round from 2015....even though we are in front of a lot of the European countries.
But then again at least it should have a 'feel good' factor if we hit a lot of targets and make a good start.

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Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

The North West document promises fish passes on the manchester ship canal & Irwell !!!!!!!!

(in black and white on page 20)

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There has been a thread running on this very topic in which I learned that all problems with rivers are the fault of the government, not the EA, and that I have a gloomy view of state of our rivers.

It reminded me of talking to the EA strangely.

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Musha rig um du rum da

Hi nelson66

Fish passage figures quite heavily within the WFD.....and whilst very little is actually physically mentioned for direct funding (2 on Humber basin) there is provision within the plan for headway to be made on a lot more cases.

For instance....within Hydro-power application it states the provision MUST be considered for fish,Eel and Lamprey passage.

The key word in a lot of the plans areas is........"SUSTAINABILITY".....

I don't expect that a lot of weirs (other than the named ones ) will get fish/eel passes within the 2015 period.......but by the next round of RBMP we should be well versed in what needs prioritising before the 2027 conclusion of the WFD.

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Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

Actualy despite defending the EA elsewhere in these forums,.....
We where asked at the last minute by the Riverfly Partnerships/Salmon and trout Association to look at their quite long-winded imput to the proposal and asked to comment, fill out a list of future possible problems, and solutions for our particular water.
Problem was we had a matter of days to take all this in and come up with an answer. and no chance to put it to membership, or forum it.
I noted the Salmon and Trout Association had sat on this for many many months before putting it out for consideration and rung them up to clarify what we should put down, and ask why we had so little notice.
The Answer was they asked the EA to approve wording etc of the questions, and despite chasing it up. Pleas had been largley ignored, and then suddenly they where given about a week to contact all the members and survey their opinions.And draft their answer.
I wont guess why they behave like this, especialy with noted experts like the riverfly partnership, But as an individual member of a club, its not the first case of the EA........ Riding and Roughshod are the words that want to come out at present.

I wonder how many of you grass root members of clubs out there actually were consulted on this?

Hi Whingeing pom

Just to give a little perspective to the WFD........its been talked about for quite some time now(years) and to be fair .....my own opinion is that this first sector of it was always going to be a 'done deal' in the majority as the RBMP was announced. Meaning that....the government would want to be seen to sorting out their own house first.
That's why I said I found no great surprises.
Anyone that works in the ecology recreation and fisheries industry knows what the 'issues' are as well as the current buzz words and acronyms.

The solace I find in the RBMP to 2015 is the doors it should open and the chance to change the agenda for the future of our rivers.
As EA shrinks, as is the current trend,then more onus will be placed on other groups to 'lead' projects with 'support'.
By 2015 we will have to be well on top of our 'own issues' if we want the WFD to exceed its expectations........round one consultation was just a wake up call

Who was awake????????????

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Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

Maybe its time to turn out the bunks and call 'Reveille'!
You any good on a bugle?

Couldn't agree more that we (actually 'you all', as I'm emigrating in a few years) have 6 years of activity and campaigning to make sure the WFD exceeds expectations. I actually see it as a wonderful opurtunity for trout fishermen to do something practical about habitat improvement.
Its not a time for complaining (though pressure Govn and the Ea must be maintained)so much as a time to start taking advantage of the chances we have been given.
........Tally ho chaps!
So how do you suggest that Average Joe can feel like he's doing his bit to contribute? That's an open question to everyone.

Quite right, WP

Already applied for WFD money to reduce silt entering the Monnow with a series of small works on our catchment that will reduce siltation and improve salmonid habitat in those areas and farther afield.

It's out there, go and et it!

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"The sun was so delightfully warm, and the stone, which had been sitting in it for a long time, was so warm, too, that Pooh had almost decided to go on being Pooh in the middle of the stream for the rest of the morning."

www.monnow.org