Head Office Press Office
- 1-May-2007 - The Environment Agency today
(Tuesday) is appealing to farmers to make
sure they avoid creating any pollution problems
when making silage this season.
Bob Merriman, Agricultural Policy Advisor
at the Environment Agency, said: "Silage
effluent has a particularly toxic effect
on the environment as it is up to two hundred
times more polluting than untreated sewage.
As a result it is very important to keep
even very small quantities away from streams
and ditches.
"Farmers are now taking more care
and pollution incidents have reduced. We
are, however, worried at the potential for
increased problems this year. After a dry
spell, any wet spells will help grass grow
quickly, but giving a higher moisture content.
If the weather becomes unsettled, it may
also disrupt the wilting process of the
grass. Both of these factors can increase
effluent volumes substantially and some
farmers could get caught out."
The Environment Agency is asking farmers
to adhere to the following steps when making
silage:
Ensure silos and effluent systems comply
with the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural
Fuel Oil Regulations.
Before making silage, ensure silos and effluent
systems are in good condition, seal and
protect any cracks that may have appeared.
Consider weather forecasts, if at all possible,
avoid making silage if wet weather is forecast.
Wilt the grass as much as possible, as this
can virtually eliminate effluent.
Check drains and ditches daily for any signs
of leaking effluent.
Ensure collection channels and drains remain
free of obstructions.
Make sure the effluent tanks do not overflow.
Having a contingency plan in place to collect
any silage effluent that does leak, or that
is produced in larger volumes than usual.
Don’t waste the effluent, spread it land
so using its fertiliser value, or feed it
back to livestock.
If silage is made in ‘big bales’ then the
Environment Agency is asking for the usual
precautions to be followed:
Making silage as dry as possible by wilting.
Not storing or opening bales within 10m
of any watercourse or 50m of any spring
etc.
Don’t store in road lay-bys if they still
have roadside drains.
Bob Merriman continued: "We are urging
farmers to continue to be vigilant whichever
way they choose to make silage and to keep
up the good work that already undertake.
Farmers can also contact us on 08708 506
506 if they would like further advice."
+ More
Environment Agency brings fish back to
Castleford
Alexandra Wales - 4-May-2007 - The Environment
Agency will start work next week on the
construction of a fish pass at Castleford,
which will help fish to freely migrate up
the River Aire.
Cranes will be brought on site on 8 May
to start construction of the fish pass,
which will be constructed alongside the
new footbridge over the river.
The effects of industry and mining have
taken its toll on Yorkshire’s rivers, but
after 200 years salmon are now returning
to the river.
Castleford Weir, built to meet the needs
of industry and navigation, has also had
a negative effect on the river by blocking
the migration of fish. With no food source,
this left the river unattractive to species
such as otter and kingfishers. With improving
conditions on the river and increased stocks
of fish in recent years, the area can once
again become a haven for wildlife.
The fish pass is being built into the weir
on the north side of the river, allowing
fish to pass the weir by swimming and leaping
up a series of baffles into the waters upstream.
The Environment Agency was awarded £309,000
from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and
£70,000 from the SITA Trust to contribute
towards the installation of a fish pass
as part of the Castleford Project.
Working with Wakefield Council, Channel
4, Groundwork Wakefield, Castleford Riverside
Community Group, and British Waterways,
the Castleford Project aims to reconnect
the people of Castleford with the river.
Darren Starkey, project manager at the
Environment Agency said: “This fish pass
will greatly benefit the Castleford Project,
allowing us to work with our partners to
bring people back to the riverside.”
"It will improve biodiversity further
up the river, encouraging otters, kingfishers
and bittern. It is also hoped that migratory
fish like salmon, lamprey and eels, which
are under threat, will also return in greater
numbers."
The fish pass is being built by Costain,
which is also building the new footbridge.
Work on the footbridge started in April,
and at a cost of £4.8 million it is
the most ambitious and significant of the
11 schemes which make up the Castleford
Project. Designed by Renato Benedetti, it
will provide a new safe and stylish route
for people living on the north side of the
river.
Ralph Lee, Channel 4 commissioning editor
said: “We’re delighted to see the development
of the fish pass which ties in closely to
the new bridge. Both projects and the wider
long term plans to develop the riverside
area will greatly enhance this area of Castleford
for local people and visitors alike. Not
only is the new pass sure to be a big hit
with fish, but with all who will be able
to enjoy watching them navigate their way
upriver.”
Once built, the Environment Agency will
monitor the biodiversity improvements and
fish populations, using hydro-acoustic techniques
and information from angling catch returns.
The new footbridge will provide fantastic
views of the fish pass where people will
be able to catch glimpses of fish using
the pass. While the bridge and fish pass
are being constructed, members of the public
are welcome to use viewing areas which have
been created either side of the river to
watch progress.
People are also welcome to visit Costain's
site compound on Weir View (Mill Lane) to
meet the site team, look at the displays
and leave comments.
Work on the bridge is due to be complete
by November 2007 with the bridge open to
the public by the end of the year. The fish
pass is expected to be completed by September
2007.
Ends
Notes to editors
About the Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is the leading public
body for protecting and improving the environment
in England and Wales. It's our job to make
sure that air, land and water are looked
after by everyone in today's society, so
that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner,
healthier world.
Journalists requiring an interview, photo
or filming opportunity of the work please
call Alexandra Wales on 0113 2312381 or
email alexandra.wales@environment-agency.gov.uk
The Castleford Project
The Castleford Project is a unique collaboration
between Wakefield Council, Channel 4, key
regeneration agencies and the community
to develop a group of improvement projects
in this West Yorkshire former mining town.
- Projects costing a total of £11
million, range from a children’s play forest
on derelict former council allotments land,
to a new river crossing and transformed
riverside area in the heart of Castleford.
- Nine of the 11 schemes are now either
complete or underway and there is good progress
towards achieving the remaining ones. These
include a town centre gallery and exhibition
space; the new village green in the former
pit village of New Fryston; Cutsyke play
forest; the town’s outdoor market has successfully
relocated into a more central location and
consultation continues about the new permanent
stalls. The first phase of community park
improvements at the Green, Ferry Fryston
are complete and the park
was recently awarded a prestigious Green
Flag award. Work is now complete on improvements
to the town centre. A new and bigger town
centre underpass has been installed and
is to be further enhanced by a landscape
design scheme.
- Ideas and priorities for the schemes
were identified through extensive community
consultation, a process which began in 2003.
- Some of the projects focus on improving
the environment with more attractive and
sustainable public spaces; some support
neglected neighbourhoods and improve the
sense of safety and wellbeing; others more
obviously contribute towards attracting
renewed interest and investment to the town
centre.
- To offer the public an insight into the
process of urban regeneration Channel 4
commissioned independent television company
Talkback to produce a series of documentaries
charting the people and processes involved
in regeneration. Presenter is Kevin McCloud
of ‘Grand Designs.’
Find out more at www.channel4.com/castleford
or from Carmel O’Toole cotoole@channel4.co.uk
07838 368813
