Ref: CSFF010008
Lead: Douglas Phillips, d.phillips@tynerivertrust.org
Group members: 16
Length of agreement: 3
Area of group (Hectares): 11,002
Members will seek to address flood risk management and water quality. The South Tyne catchment suffers from rapid and damaging run off along with high sediment loads rich in metals.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) techniques significantly slow water flow and reduce flood impacts down-stream. Also slowing the flow of water allows sediments in suspension to drop out which improves water quality.
I will hold workshops and demonstrations for members that show NFM options operating in practice. Cumbria County Council, Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water are all prioritising the south Tyne for Natural Flood Management.
NFM is not just about flooding and water quality as the suite of techniques used also address other CS priorities as they deliver improved and more connected habitat through the creation of wetland scrapes, the management of moorland and hedgerows, new riparian woodland and improved woodland management.
The synergies involved will provide improved biodiversity across the catchment supporting important populations of breeding waders, woodland birds, moorland birds and mammals.
By taking a catchment based approach and looking at the whole landscape, farmer members will be supported with knowledge and encouraged to work together to collaborate on schemes that involve whole river corridors.
Through a series of workshops farmer members will focus specifically on measures that will:
- Increase riparian woodland
- Reduce agricultural diffuse pollution
- Connect habitats
- Reduce sediment movement
- Improve water quality
- Improve flood management
