Slow the flow and ecosystem restoration

The 'Slow The Flow' concept is now well established and operating in various forms within a number catchments in the UK. We need to actively adopt a similar approach in the Clwyd catchment. We need to enable reduced grazing of upland areas, block grips and drainage ditches, encourage the establishment of trees to increase rainfall interception and create wide buffer strips either side of all water bodies to help stabilise banks, reduce soil erosion and decrease nutrient input into watercourses. As part of this approach we also need to implement the The Lawton Review recommendations to restore ecological networks: creating bigger, better managed and more joined up habitats. All the above will also contibute to carbon sequestration targets, helping to tackle global climate change.

The Welsh Government's Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) process can develop achievable Spatial Action Plans that align with the Area Statement. These plans need to be proposed and agreed in collaboration with all stakeholders. Appropriate funding needs to be allocated/secured and a supportive policy/legislative framework established to remove barriers and maximise opportunities.

Developing and delivering a suite of pilot projects would assist in identifying what the opportunities/barriers are and how they can be maximised/overcome respectively.

 

Why the contribution is important

This idea is important because it would help to address multiple issues that we all face, including the global climate and ecological emergencies, as well national/regional/local issues such as flooding, soil erosion, water quality concerns, biodiversity concerns, economic concerns as well as health and wellbeing isues.

by acljones on March 29, 2021 at 03:53PM

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