Dacorum Environmental Forum Water Group

Held at Council Chambers Berkhamsted Town Council

 

Wednesday 28th November 2007 at 7:30pm

Chair Roger Hands

 

Minutes

 

Attended

 

Petrina Llewellyn, Project Officer Countryside Management Service (Secretary)

 

John Norris, Wetlands & Water Group Chilterns Society

 

Michael Heylin, Box Moor Angling Society

 

Brian Pettet  Vice Chairman, Upper Gade Fly Fishers Association

 

Peter Shardlow,  Upper Gade Fly Fishers Association

 

Roger Hands, (Chair) DEF Water Group

 

John Leonhardt, retired Field Studies Teacher

 

Sylvia Davidson, Friends of the Earth, DEF Water Group

 

Clare Covington, Dacorum Borough Council

 

Alex Back, Hydrogeologist, Water Resources, Three Valleys Water

 

Cllr Brian Jones, Northchurch Parish Council

 

Beryl Buckingham, Wetlands & Water Group Chilterns Society

 

Betty Patterson, DEF Water Group

 

Rob Sage, Water Resource Manager, Veolia Water

 

Victor Brooks, Chairman, Water End and Upper Gade Valley Preservation Society

 

Jean de Selincourt, Wetlands & Water Group Chilterns Society

 

Marion Baker, DEF member.

 

Allen Beechey, Chilterns Chalk Stream Project Officer Chilterns AONB

 

 

 

1.  Apologies

 

Andy Hardstaff, West & Southern Area Manager Countryside Management Service

 

Vicki Kidney, Water Resources Technical Specialist Environment Agency

 

Melanie Challis, Conservation Officer - Environment Agency

 

Paul Wilkinson, Principal Water Engineer, Halcrow Group Limited.

 

Nicola Mitchell, Teacher, Hudnall Park Field Studies Centre

 

 

  1.   Approval of minutes 18th April 2007

 

The minutes were approved and signed by the chair. 

 

 
  1. Matters Arising

 

John Norris (JN) reported that pumping at New Ground was still being undertaken.  JN hoped by the end of 2008 the pumping at Cow Roast and Northchurch would be addressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  River Gade Scoping Plan

 

Alex Back (ABa) reported that the plan is progressing.  Alex will produce an executive summary for circulation with the minutes, which includes detail of the options.  A more detailed survey will be undertaken in the town centre.  Alex hoped this will be would be finished by December, but this may extend to January due to the need for additional funding.  Alex invites comments about the options given from members.

 

Clare Covington (CC) reported that the Environment Agency flood defence team are planning to deepen the central channel at Gadebridge Park and undertake some bank works.  The work includes looking at options to the wet area/pond by the bridge, e.g. through backfilling pond with silt.  Michael Heylin (MH) asked if the EA fisheries department had been involved.  MH to talk with Richard Tyner of EA Fisheries Team, to ask if they are aware about the work.  Roger Hands (RH) mentioned that Philip Bellfield of EA has undertaken survey of the river and has submitted his report.

 

Allen Beechey (AB) reported that out of the 3 options, the channel breach should be mentioned and this will be little use as a fish refuge.  It was suggested to fill this in. CC to circulate options to PL to circulate with the minutes.

 

 

  1. DEFWG Website – Roger Hands/ Petrina Llewellyn 

 

RH introduced Marion Baker who has been helping with the defwg website development.  PL went through the draft website structure and asked for comments and suggestions, including potential website links from defwg members.  Suggestions for the website to be received by end January 2008. 

 

MH suggested adding the National Angling website link and having a look at the website.  MH suggested putting on the defwg website that ‘Dacorum uses more water per capita that anyone else in the country’.  Another suggestion was to add the Chilterns Conservation Board website link.  It was agreed by the group that the defwg website should be trialled before going ‘live’.

 

Rob Sage (RS) reported that it was important to find out what sections of the website are being used.  The number of hits, length of visit should be able to be found out, to help with monitoring. MB to investigate.

 

RS and MH agreed to help assist with the website.

 

  1. Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Paul Wilkinson, Halcrow 

 

Roger Hands (RH) reported that Paul Wilkinson could not attend the meeting, but an executive summary could also be located on the Dacorum Borough Council’s website (www.dacorum.gov.uk.).

 

 

  1. Colne Fishery Action Plan - Mike Heylin

 

MH reported that the plan had been developed by fishing clubs and the EA.  MH reported that the plan will help direct the EA fisheries expenditure and help to forecast budgets.  MH to send plan to PL for circulation with the minutes.

 

 

  1. Action planning project for Bulbourne, Gade and Ver - Petrina Llewellyn 

 

PL reported that Environment Agency is working on the strategy for the rivers Bulboune, Gade and Ver and is due for completion by December 07.  PL reported she has also developed a draft plan from the comments received from the consultation event.  The information aims to address specific issues raised that will not be addressed through the strategy. PL would welcome comments to the document from members and if organisations agree to be involved with suggested projects.  PL to circulate to defwg members.

 

 

  1. AOB  

 

River Bulbourne Restoration Project

AB gave an update of the project. 

·        Signs/interpretation boards are to be located by the reinstated river channel at St Johns Well Lane, with a further sign by Lower Kings Rd. 

·        The Chilterns Chalk Stream Project (CCSP) has also put in £2K for tree work.  Proposed work this winter will be completed by February 2008. 

·        Trout in the Classroom Project: This was set up by the Wandall Trust.  The project aims to connect local rivers with local schools.  The project  helps children to learn about the trout lifecycles.  Schools are involved with releasing fish trout into the river.   MH asked if there was a sufficient fly population to support the fish that would be released.  AB reported that there was a good amount of invertebrate life present. MH suggested  school children could be involved with kick sampling and engaging them with invertebrate lifecycles.   MH reported that he would organise a key to help with identification flies for the project. Betty Patterson gave additional comments regarding progress of this project.

·        The lake planting had been delayed due to the unsuitable water levels.  AB reported that the faggots had sunk. EA flood defence team will transplant phragmites from Gadebridge Park to narrow the river channel. 

·        River Restoration Action Plan: AB reported that a schedule of volunteer tasks needs to be agreed.  PL reported that the CMS may be able to assist with volunteer tasks on this project.  PL to liaise with AB/ CC.

·        AB is also looking into continued funding opportunities for the CCSP.

 

Jean de Selincourt reported that she was happy to help with kick sampling of rivers and could assist Nicola Mitchell of Hudnall Park Field Studies Centre.

 

Roger Hands reported that Gerald Salisbury and Jill Saunders have agreed to undertake a botanical survey of the canal through Dacorum in 2008.

 

Peter Shardlow asked about the local underground water levels.  RS reported that the levels were above the average for the year.  The summer rainfall had produced a recharge into the aquifer. 

 

RH reported his concern about cuts in local services, especially with local authorities, Environmental Agency.  RH is to write a letter expressing these concerns from the Defwg members.  Letter to be circulated with minutes.

 

10.  DONM

      

 To be confirmed.

 

 

ABa

 

 

 

    

 ALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MH

 

 

 

CC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

     MB

 

 

 

 

 

MB

 

 

MH/RS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MH/PL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PL/AB/CC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RH

 

 

 

RH/PL