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WEED CUTTING & EXTRACTION

WEED CUTTING & EXTRACTION – URGENT NOTICE – Dated 24.05.23

Environment Agency gives notice of cessation of weed boom extraction operations on the River Avon and Wylye with immediate effect.

The Wiltshire Fishery Association committee has received notice from the Environment Agency that, for Health & Safety reasons, they will no longer be able to operate their weed extraction booms at Chilhampton on the River Wylye and/or Salisbury on the River Avon. A copy of the letter received from Jim Flory (EA) is shown below.

Without having the EA’s booms installed, the WFA cannot meet the conditions of its existing weed cutting exemption. It therefore falls upon members (and non-members) to make their own arrangements for weed cutting and/or weed extraction for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Legal Position

It is an offence under Section 90 of the Water Resources Act 1991 “to cut vegetation in inland waters without taking reasonable steps to remove it”. If you cut or uproot a substantial amount of vegetation in any inland freshwater (or so near that it falls into an inland freshwater) and don’t take reasonable steps to remove the vegetation from the water, you are undertaking a water discharge activity and may be committing an offence.

You may be exempt from the requirement to hold a permit if you can meet the following conditions:

  1. Vegetation removed from the water is disposed of safely and in accordance with Defra guidance.
  1. If it is necessary to allow vegetation to pass downstream –
    • You give prior notice of the activity to anyone that may be affected.
    • There is sufficient flow to convey the vegetation.
    • You register the exempt activity with the Environment Agency.
    • The activity does not cause pollution.

The WFA committee are only well-intentioned intermediaries in this matter and cannot be held responsible for any damage resulting from weed cutting and/or weed extraction. Riparian owners and lessees allowing weed cuts within their waters should obtain the appropriate permit or exemption from the Environment Agency.

The WFA committee continues to work closely with the Environment Agency to try resolve these issues.

If you have any questions, please contact me by email (see below) – and I will respond as soon as I can.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Wellard –
robertwellard@btinternet.com

On behalf of Wiltshire Fishery Association

By |2023-05-27T18:51:27+00:00May 27th, 2023|News, Weed Cutting|Comments Off on WEED CUTTING & EXTRACTION

WFA 2023 AGM & Newsletter

The Wiltshire Fishery Association AGM with be held on Wednesday 25th Febuary 2023 at Enford Village Hall starting at 10:30

AGENDA
1 Apologies for absence
2 Approval of the minutes of the 2022 AGM
3 Matters arising from the 2022 AGM minutes
4 Financial report on accounts for 2022/2023
5 Chairman’s and Officers’ reports
6 Swans and piscivorous birds
7 Election of Officers and Committee
8 Water Quality Group report
9 Any other business.

Following the formal AGM, at approximately 1200 there will be a talk on river water quality issues by Fergal Sharkey.

By |2023-01-17T17:00:38+00:00January 17th, 2023|News|Comments Off on WFA 2023 AGM & Newsletter

Wiltshire Fishery Weed Cutting Dates 2023

Wiltshire Fishery Association Weed Cutting Dates 2023

Read below or download HERE

River Wylye – Bathampton to Chilhampton No
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN Days
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Sat 13th – Tue 23rd May Wed 24th & Thur 25th May 13
Wed 28th June – Thur 13th July Fri 14th & Sat 15th July 18
Wed 16th – Wed 23rd Aug Thur 24th & Fri 25th Aug 10
44
River Wylye – Below Chilhampton
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Tue 16th – Fri 26th May Sat27th & Sun28th May 13
 Fri 30 Jun – Sat 15th July Sun 16th & Mon 17th July 18
Fri 18th – Fri 25th Aug Sat26th & Sun 27th Aug 10
44
River Nadder
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Sat 13th – Tues 23rd May Wed 24th & Thurs 25th May 13
Wed 28th June – Thurs13th July Fri 14th & Sat 15th July 18
Wed 16th – Wed 23rd Aug Thurs 24th & Fri 25th Aug 10
44
River Avon – Above Crossing ‘C’
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Sun 23rd April to Sun 7th May Mon 8th & Tues 9th May 17
Mon 12th to Sat 24th June Sun 25th & Mon 26th June 15
Mon 24th July to Wed 2nd Aug Thurs 3rd & Fri 4th August 12
44
River Avon – Below Crossing ‘C’
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Thurs 27th Apr to Fri 11th May Sat  12th & Sat 13th May 17
 Fri 16th to Wed 28th June Thurs 29th & Fri 30th Jun 15
Wed 26th July to Fri 4th August Sat 5th & Sun 6th August 12
44

*Free Weed Cut – River Wylye & Nadder

                                                                                                                                    

Allows for a Maximum 3-days light cutting (by hand only) from 14th to 27th April, which includes clearing down. You MUST inform your downstream neighbour before cutting and when you have finished clearing down. Clubs should try to remove cut weed where possible only allowing the minimum amount to travel downstream. Representatives from EA, NE & WFA will continue to monitor weed cutting.

*EA weed booms will not be deployed during the period of the Free weed cut.

*Areas where there are salmon and trout redds and a potential for juvenile fry emergence, especially after a cold winter/early spring, should be left uncut.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 – ‘Exempt Water Discharge Activity’ – The Environment Agency allows members of the Wiltshire Fishery Association to cut weed on the agreed dates and in accordance with the conditions of the exemption.

This programme of dates is now agreed for 2022 and there is no intention to amend it, unless circumstances arise when this is necessary. In that event, the changes will be posted on the this site under “NEWS” and circulated to River Email Groups. Before you cut weed, it is your responsibility to check both the website and your email group.

  1. With the exception of the *Free Weed Cut in April on the Wylye and Nadder (see separate notes above), cutting MUST start at the beginning of the dates allowed.
  2. You MUST inform your downstream neighbour before cutting and when you have finished clearing down and of any subsequent problems.
  3.  Regular communication with your upstream and downstream neighbours is essential to ensure trouble-free weed cutting and clearing down.
  4. Cutting of weed outside of the authorised dates, without the Agency’s consent, constitutes an offence under Section 90 of the Water Resources Act 1991.
  5. Unauthorised cutting should be reported immediately to the Environment Agency using their Pollution Hotline Tel: 0800 80 70 60 – Note the exact location (grid reference), date & time & take photographs. Do not enter neighbouring property unless you have permission to do so.
  6. Weed cutting should be undertaken in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of the river habitat. Overzealous cutting of in-river weed or marginal vegetation can significantly reduce water levels, which can have a negative impact on invertebrates, fish and other wildlife.
  7. In all cases the final two days, as shown separately in the table above, MUST be regarded as ‘clearing down’ days and any weed not cut before these days, left uncut. In some circumstances, especially in low water periods, you may need to extend the period of clearing down beyond two days, to ensure there’s plenty of time for cut weed to move through the system.
  8. Report all blockages and any other weed related issues immediately to the WFA Hon Sec:

For WFA membership and other enquires contact: Martin Browne – Honorary Secretary

Mobile:  07768354788          email:  Please use sire contact form.

 

By |2022-11-02T08:08:07+00:00October 26th, 2022|News|Comments Off on Wiltshire Fishery Weed Cutting Dates 2023

Gordon Mackie

The WFA is sad to announce the death of Gordon Mackie, author and long term member of both the Wilton and Salisbury & District Angling Clubs.
His funeral will be held at the West Wilts Crematorium Semington on Thursday 30th June at 1;45pm.

The Committee of the WFA send condolences to the Mackie family.

Martin Browne

By |2022-06-21T06:47:13+00:00June 21st, 2022|News|Comments Off on Gordon Mackie

WFA AGM 2022

Wiltshire Fisheries Association – Annual General Meeting.

The 2022 AGM of the WFA will be held via zoom on Friday the 18th of March 2022 at 10:30 am

To attend this virtual meeting please email the Honorary Secretary  wfa.honsec@gmail.com for meeting Link,  ID and Passcode

By |2022-03-08T16:30:41+00:00March 8th, 2022|News|Comments Off on WFA AGM 2022

Weed Cutting Dates 2022

Wiltshire Fishery Association Weed Cutting Dates 2022

Read below or download HERE

River Wylye – Bathampton to Chilhampton No
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN Days
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Fri 13th – Mon 23rd May Tues 24th & Wed 25th May 13
Tues 28th June – Wed 13th July Thurs 14th & Fri 15th July 18
Tues 16th – Tues 23rd Aug Wed 24th & Thurs 25th Aug 10
44
River Wylye – Below Chilhampton
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Mon 16th – Thurs 26th May Fri 27th & Sat 28th May 13
     Thurs 30 Jun – Fri 15th July Sat 16th & Sun 17th July 18
Thurs 18th – Thurs 25th Aug Fri 26th & Sat 27th Aug 10
44
River Nadder
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Free weed cutting period – Thurs 14th to Wed 27th April 3
Fri 13th – Mon 23rd May Tues 24th & Wed 25th May 13
Tues 28th June – Wed 13th July Thurs 14th & Fri 15th July 18
Tues 16th – Tues 23rd Aug Wed 24th & Thurs 25th Aug 10
44
River Avon – Above Crossing ‘C’
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Sat 23rd April to Sat 7th May Sun 8th & Mon 9th May 17
Sun 12th to Fri 24th June Sat 25th & Sun 26th June 15
Sun 24th July to Tues 2nd Aug Wed 3rd & Thurs 4th August 12
44
River Avon – Below Crossing ‘C’
CUTTING CLEARING DOWN
Wed 27th Apr to Wed 11th May Thurs 12th & Fri 13th May 17
 Thurs 16th to Tues 28th June Wed 29th & Thurs 30th Jun 15
Tues 26th July to Thurs 4th August Fri 5th & Sat 6th August 12
44

*Free Weed Cut – River Wylye & Nadder

                                                                                                                                    

Allows for a Maximum 3-days light cutting (by hand only) from 14th to 27th April, which includes clearing down. You MUST inform your downstream neighbour before cutting and when you have finished clearing down. Clubs should try to remove cut weed where possible only allowing the minimum amount to travel downstream. Representatives from EA, NE & WFA will continue to monitor weed cutting.

*EA weed booms will not be deployed during the period of the Free weed cut.

*Areas where there are salmon and trout redds and a potential for juvenile fry emergence, especially after a cold winter/early spring, should be left uncut.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 – ‘Exempt Water Discharge Activity’ – The Environment Agency allows members of the Wiltshire Fishery Association to cut weed on the agreed dates and in accordance with the conditions of the exemption.

This programme of dates is now agreed for 2022 and there is no intention to amend it, unless circumstances arise when this is necessary. In that event, the changes will be posted on the this site under “NEWS” and circulated to River Email Groups. Before you cut weed, it is your responsibility to check both the website and your email group.

  1. With the exception of the *Free Weed Cut in April on the Wylye and Nadder (see separate notes above), cutting MUST start at the beginning of the dates allowed.
  2. You MUST inform your downstream neighbour before cutting and when you have finished clearing down and of any subsequent problems.
  3.  Regular communication with your upstream and downstream neighbours is essential to ensure trouble-free weed cutting and clearing down.
  4. Cutting of weed outside of the authorised dates, without the Agency’s consent, constitutes an offence under Section 90 of the Water Resources Act 1991.
  5. Unauthorised cutting should be reported immediately to the Environment Agency using their Pollution Hotline Tel: 0800 80 70 60 – Note the exact location (grid reference), date & time & take photographs. Do not enter neighbouring property unless you have permission to do so.
  6. Weed cutting should be undertaken in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of the river habitat. Overzealous cutting of in-river weed or marginal vegetation can significantly reduce water levels, which can have a negative impact on invertebrates, fish and other wildlife.
  7. In all cases the final two days, as shown separately in the table above, MUST be regarded as ‘clearing down’ days and any weed not cut before these days, left uncut. In some circumstances, especially in low water periods, you may need to extend the period of clearing down beyond two days, to ensure there’s plenty of time for cut weed to move through the system.
  8. Report all blockages and any other weed related issues immediately to the WFA Hon Sec:

For WFA membership and other enquires contact: Martin Browne – Honorary Secretary

Mobile:  07768354788          email:  Please use sire contact form.

 

By |2021-12-09T10:08:51+00:00November 17th, 2021|Weed Cutting|0 Comments

Beaver Consultation – WFA Response

On 25th August 2021 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a public consultation seeking views on its proposed approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England. The consultation is still active but closes shortly on November 17th.  Having been involved in this subject to date and having particular concerns within the chalkstream environment the WFA committee has discussed, drafted and submitted the following response.

Beaver Consultation – Wiltshire Fishery Association (WFA) Response

Click HERE to Read.

By |2021-11-16T19:49:26+00:00November 15th, 2021|News|0 Comments

OCTOBER 2013

Angling Trust, Salmon and Trout Association and Wessex Chalk Streams and Rivers Trust are holding a Southwest Region Freshwater Forum on Saturday, 30th November , 10.00am at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Fordingbridge.  The theme is “What’s happening on your rivers and lakes. How to achieve better fish stocks in Wessex”.

For more information and Booking Details please visit the members’ forum.

 

Angling Trust News: The AT has expressed concerns ove rthe proposals to use controversial “Fracking” to extract natural gas.  There is a potential threat of pollution for watercourse.

A downloadable catch and release guide for Salmon anglers has been produced.

See the website for more detail.  www.anglingtrust.net

By |2014-04-04T13:12:44+00:00April 3rd, 2014|News|Comments Off on OCTOBER 2013
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