Latest news with #NaturalResourcesWales
Rhyl Journal
12 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Natural Resources Wales urges visitors to act responsibly
With the country expecting another busy season across its national parks, forests, and nature reserves, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is reminding the public to follow the Countryside Code amid rising concerns over littering, wildfires, and anti-social behaviour. Joseph Conran, lead specialist advisor for outdoor access and recreation at NRW, said: "Wales offers such an amazing backdrop for your individual or family adventures. "From on-the-doorstep fun in your local park or woodland, weekends away to splash in the waters of our beautiful beaches, to longer trips exploring the majesty and mystery of our mountains, it has something for everyone and we love to give a 'croeso cynnes' (warm welcome) to responsible visitors. "For many, the summer months are a time for relaxing, having fun and recharging batteries. "However, it's also the busiest time of year in the outdoors, and can unfortunately lead to increased incidents of injury, damage to our environment or antisocial behaviour. "The Countryside Code has been with us for generations as a gentle reminder of how we can respect the places we visit. "By following its simple messages, you can feel confident that you are doing the right thing for yourselves, other people and the environment." NRW has reported a 400 per cent rise in wildfires following a warm and dry spring. The agency is urging people not to light campfires, discard cigarettes, or leave litter, especially glass bottles, in the countryside. People are being told to avoid barbecues during dry weather and only use them in designated areas at other times. Fly-camping, or camping without a landowner's permission, is also being discouraged due to its associated fire risks. NRW advises visitors to book official campsites instead. With rising temperatures, many people may be tempted to swim in open water. NRW warns the public to check for hidden dangers, strong currents, and safe exit points before entering the water. Waterfalls are particularly hazardous due to turbulent, recirculating currents. The safest place to swim outdoors is at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags. NRW recommends the AdventureSmart UK website for guidance on open water swimming. Visitors are also encouraged to plan ahead, respect private land, and leave no trace of their visit. The Countryside Code, which applies to all outdoor areas including coastlines, parks, and waterways, can be found on the NRW website.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
NRW urges people to stay safe in the countryside this summer
Over the last few years, there has been a rise in anti-social behaviour and environmental damage in the countryside such as littering, fires and fly-camping, as well as an increase in mountain and water safety incidents. Now Natural Resources Wales is urging visitors to follow the Countryside Code in all outdoor spaces, reminding visitors of the need to take steps to plan their adventure, prevent wildfires and be safe around water during the summer months. Joseph Conran, lead specialist advisor for outdoor access and recreation at Natural Resources Wales, said: 'For many, the summer months are a time for relaxing, having fun and recharging batteries. "However, it's also the busiest time of year in the outdoors, and can unfortunately lead to increased incidents of injury, damage to our environment or antisocial behaviour." He said by following the Countryside Code people can feel confident that they are doing the right thing for themselves, other people and the environment.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
NRW launches scheme to tackle farm plastic pollution
The scheme, launching in south Wales, focuses on farm plastics that often end up in rivers, posing a threat to wildlife and water quality. It is part of the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project and is being delivered in partnership with Agriculture Plastics Environment (APE), Birch Farm Plastics, and Afonydd Cymru. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer for Four Rivers for LIFE, said: "Farm plastics have been found in the Teifi, Tywi and Cleddau rivers and contribute to the overall environmental issues affecting their health. "Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment – they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste." Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle plastics such as silage wrap at reduced cost at drop-off centres located across the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, and Usk river catchments. These rivers are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) due to their international importance for species including salmon, lamprey, shad, and otters. Drop-off centres will be available at livestock markets and other sites in Talsarn near Lampeter, Crymych, Llandovery, Sennybridge, Raglan, and potentially Carmarthen. Ian Creasey of APE said: "Learning from successful markets in Europe, 'drop off centres' significantly help farmers in recycling their used farm plastics, and is a key focus of this trial. "This scheme is dedicated to supporting farmers to recycle their agricultural plastics, and by so doing help protect these rivers from potential plastics pollution." A 2023 report by WRAP found that the UK's agricultural plastic recycling rate is just 20 to 30 per cent, far lower than Germany (65 per cent), France (80 per cent), and Ireland (90 per cent). A survey conducted by West Wales Rivers Trust in 2024 revealed that cost remains one of the main barriers preventing farmers from recycling silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch of Birch Farm Plastics said: "While we continue to collect directly from farms throughout Wales, by increasing the number of drop-off centres, we aim to increase the recycling rates of agricultural polythene and, through the collaboration with Four Rivers for LIFE and APE, provide a lower-cost option to farmers using the service." The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from the Welsh Government and Welsh Water. Details of eligible materials and drop-off locations are available at the Four Rivers for LIFE website.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water ordered to make 'urgent' changes
The call comes from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which reported 155 pollution incidents linked to the company in 2024. Of these, 132 were from sewerage assets and 23 related to water supply. Nadia De Longhi, head of regulation and permitting at NRW, said: "We've seen a huge deterioration in the performance of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water since 2020, and despite repeated warnings and interventions they've been unable to reverse this concerning trend. "This has left us with no choice but to pursue a number of prosecutions against the company which have recently concluded." Sewage-related incidents have risen steadily, up from 89 in 2022 and 107 in 2023, marking a 42 per cent increase over the past decade. Of the total, six were classified as serious, though this was down from seven last year. NRW says most incidents originated from foul sewers (423), storm overflows (168), and water treatment works (166) over the past 10 years. The regulator has taken several actions, including securing prosecutions related to pollution on the Gwent Levels and a tributary of the Afon Llwyd. NRW has also pushed for record environmental investment between 2025 and 2030 through the Ofwat price review and issued new guidance on when storm overflows are breaching environmental permits. In 2025, NRW will introduce a team to increase monitoring of water company discharges and begin implementing Pollution Incident Reduction Plans under new legislation. The regulator will also tighten annual performance assessment criteria, in collaboration with the Environment Agency, starting January 1, 2026. Ms De Longhi said: "This is not the outcome we want, nor the best outcome for the environment – our priority will always be to bring companies into compliance and prevent environmental damage from happening in the first place. "We continue to do everything we can to drive improvements, but Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water must address the root cause of these pollution incidents and take preventative measures before more harm is done to the water environment." Hafren Dyfrdwy, which provides drinking water and wastewater services to some of the mid and north Wales border counties, was responsible for five pollution incidents – two of which were from sewerage assets. This also represents an increase from one sewage pollution incident in 2023 and four in total. Neither company met NRW's 80 per cent target for self-reporting incidents, though Dŵr Cymru improved from 70 per cent in 2023 to 74 per cent in 2024.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Sea lamprey return to River Dee after Erbistock weir removal
Fisheries experts discovered 25 sea lamprey nests upstream of the former Erbistock weir on the River Dee. The finding comes one year after the EU-funded LIFE Dee River project, led by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), removed the weir last summer. Joel Rees-Jones, project manager for the LIFE Dee River scheme, said: "Seeing these redds above the Erbistock weir removal site is genuinely exciting. "It clearly shows that by reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like Erbistock weir, we're giving iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance to thrive and build healthy populations. "This is a huge win for biodiversity on the Dee, and demonstrates that ambitious river restoration like this can deliver immediate, measurable benefits for wildlife and improve the health of these vital ecosystems." Lamprey, a protected and ancient species, had been unable to pass the three-metre-high, 70-metre-wide Erbistock weir to reach upstream spawning areas. Salmon also faced delays and obstacles at the site, threatening their survival. The removal of the weir, which had blocked fish passage for nearly 200 years, has now opened up 4km of critical habitat and restored free movement for all fish species. Earlier this month, the project team captured drone footage of a lamprey nest just 40 metres downstream of Manley Hall gauging weir. However, the concentration of nests below this remaining barrier highlights that it too is restricting further upstream migration. READ MORE: Hundreds of volunteers praised as 'heart and soul' of Llangollen Eisteddfod The Ship Hotel named finalist as the Leader searches for 'Best Pub 2025' Mr Rees-Jones said: "While we're thrilled by what we've achieved so far, our surveys confirm that Manley Hall is the next major hurdle. "That's why we're already planning targeted works here for next year, aiming to improve passage and ensure the benefits of a free-flowing Dee are fully realised." The Erbistock weir removal, completed in 2024, is part of broader efforts by the LIFE Dee River project to restore the River Dee and Llyn Tegid Special Area of Conservation. More information about the project is available on its official webpage.
