Project scoping working group

Tuesday 19-Feb Patrick F, Breck R and Andrew P met at Royal Oak; apologies from Max (something about his wife having a baby :-).

Patrick had drafted a project scope document which we reviewed. Patrick will continue to work on this and will distribute to members of the working group for further review. We will then ask the DNMAC committee to approve the project scope.

EA will add detailed breakdown of works to enable the project to be costed.

WTT selects Goyt for "Trout in the Town' initiative

On Tuesday 12-Feb-2008 I spoke with Simon Johnson, WTT Director (the first time we had been in touch since the AV Sep-2007). I explained where we are stuck: how do we identify precisely which and how many trees to remove, and where and how much LWD to install. If we need it, WTT can provide bursary funding to get us through this stage of the project to arrive at a detailed design.

Simon told me some good news: along with the River  Wandle in London, and the Rivers Colne in Lancashire and Yorkshire, WTT has selected the Goyt at New Mills as a candidate for their "Trout in the Town" initiative. WTT/Trout in the Town has received funding for a full-time Projects officer for two years, and the post should be effective by May/Jun-2008; the purpose of this role is to help clubs who have had an AV and who need to move through the design, partnership, funding and implementation to deliver successful habitat improvements. Simon assures me WTT will be knocking on our door in the summer...

Trout in the Town seems big news within WTT but there is hardly any information available on the WTT website, http://www.wildtrout.org, or more broadly on t'internet.

Trout in the Town: a plan for improving urban rivers and involving local communities with their future, and the future of struggling wild trout populations in them.

EA meeting 15-Feb-2008

I met with the EA fisheries technical specialist for North West (South) area, Kevin Nash. Kevin is quite new in this post, but having moved from another fisheries role in the area, is already familiar with the two consultant's reports on the Goyt (APEM and WTT). Kevin brought detailed maps of the river produced by APEM which identify specific habitat such as riffles and glides; spawning and juvenile areas; et cetera, but also problems such as Tunnel Vegetation. 

We agreed that the failed funding bid is not a setback (had the bid succeeded it would have been a bonus) and we will jointly develop a proposal for the Goyt at Strines. DNMAC working group will draft the proposal, then EA will access expertise within the region (there have been no similar river habitat projects within the area) to arrive at a detailed design which can be be put out to tender. (If this expertise is not forthcoming DNMAC can apply to WTT for bursary funding.)

I feel very positive that Kevin has been assigned to help us.

River Fly Partnership

I have looked into the costings for the "RiverInvertebrate Monitoring For Anglers". A one day course, held by the river fly partnership.
The workshops are designed for up to 12 delegates from one angling club. The course covers an introduction to monitoring, targeting species, (Up winged flies, Caddis or sedge, Stoneflies and shrimp), feild work and establishing a monitoring programme.
The cost for the one day workshop is £1000, that does not include venue costs and AV equipment. That cost has to be found by the angling club or sponsor.
There doesn't seem to be a monitoring course for an individual to attend, although I only had chance for a quick scan of the site.

DNMAC Goyt meeting - 11-Feb-2008

approx 20 DNMAC members met at the Royal Oak.

Andrew Parker reported back on the 5 points raised at the Jan-2008 DNMAC committee meeting, and on the EA proposal to fell trees/introduce LWD at Strines.

We discussed the next steps:

1) Start recording things
- EA log books (pending - we have requested 50 when they are available)
- www.riverflies.org - Stuart Taylor offered to investigate invertibrate monitoring
- EA electro-fishing - the information we have suggests the EA does not record above Strines

2) Investigate possible source of funding
? How much will the work proposed at Strines cost ?
! Patrick Field suggested that we must first identify the project scope !

3) involvement with local environmental groups
WTT recommendation

It was concluded that we should

1) form a working group to define the pilot project scope: Max Ainscough, Breck Robertson, Patrick Field and Andrew Parker

2) contact WTT for design guidance

3) plan a working party to collect rubbish, perhaps in Jul/Aug 2008 when there are no fish spawning and the river level is at the lowest - Reg Dearden to liaise with New Mills Town Council

4) plan a working party to take steps to eradicate Himalyan Balsam - Reg Dearden

Inaugural DNMAC Goyt meeting - 17-Dec-2007

26 members attended the meeting at the Royal Oak. A fantastic response. My thanks to all who attended.

Wild Trout Trust (WTT) Advisory Visit (AV) 10-Sep-2007