Areas of Research Activity
Cormorants of the UK Inland Waters.
CRT has received funding to consider the concerns of anglers and ornithologists as to ways of understanding the delemer of a protected avian species that is apparently predating fishery stocks cross the UK.
This has been an ongoing problem for several years and has in several fishing and riparian fraternities taken on a major significance. CRT is considering the facts of the situation both in this country and else where; including the Balkans and the Danube catchment.
The report will be published later in 2011.
Devon Landslips and Flooding.
CRT continues to carry out research into the issues of instability in the geology of the coastal margins of this world famous area. The ‘Jurassic Coast’ is famed for its fossil record and its ability to surprise; it’s disappearance is one that should be understood rather than just stumbled across.
The issues relating to landslips are closely allied to localised flooding concerns inland that occur at increasingly regular occations
South Downs Streams.
The streams that rise along the southern scarp of the South Downs of England vary there sources at different times of year and demonstrate the need for better understanding of climactic conditions and effects of global warming.
This is an area of research and enquiry that is not purely into water resource but considers the increasing occurrences of water contamination from diffuse sources of pollution such as agriculture and isolated dwellings.
Working With Local Parish Councils or Meetings.
The Clean Rivers Trust has worked with many parish councils over the years. The issues that have taxed the communities that these councils have not been ‘nimby’ issues in the main; but main stream issues including; mineral extraction (gravel, road stone, coal amongst them), small scale sewage treatment works, for individual properties (septic tank or cess-pit) or village sized treatment schemes that give rise to running issues and flood concerns. Local drainage and local drainage board issues. Power generation and contaminated land (many villages had their own gas works which have now been pulled down and the sites re-used; even inadvertently used as the sites for allotments).
CRT are always willing to help with opinion, both environmental and legal with regard to planning issues and may be considered a one stop shop in such areas. The fees that are charged are far lower than most other advisors in these areas and should be considered in areas such as reconciliation or where an honest broker is needed. Professional negotiators and/or campaign co-ordination are skills that are also available.
The understanding of council process and responsibility are known to the Trust and it is able to give impartial advice in most areas of environmental care and regulation.
Working With County and District Councils.
CRT are well versed in council methods and practices and are able to fit into any role needed to take forward any environmental sceme that will benefit the areas in which they are intended to take place.
The Trust has carried out independent enquiries for councils in areas including landfill options, contaminated land, energy generation, litter and other environmental concerns. In mineral planning it has been instrumental in applicants changing planning applications for the benefit of the communities in which they have been located.
The organisation is able to act speedily once given a brief and are adept at environmental crisis management, control and public relations. The need to allow the media to have access to facts at the same time as not allowing panic is a skill that the Trust has experience in; both in the UK and overseas.
All aspects of the work and experience of CRT can be utilised direct or accessed in training small workshops; thus allowing for in-house expert response teams.
Working At National Government Level.
Clean Rivers Trust has been a consultee of the Department for the Environment, Department of Environment, Farming/Food and Rural Affairs for over twenty years. It has been commissioned to enquire into issues relating to community environmental actions; such as recycling and flood reaction and response initiatives. The foot and mouth crisis of 2000 saw the Trust test environmental contingency regulations in Cumbria and the Southwest.
The issues of water quality are at the fore with this department of government, both in the rivers, streams, lakes, ponds canals and estuaries of England and Wales but also issues that consider water resources related to groundwater, both in quantity and quality. Other work carried out for the Department include a survey of contaminated land in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, an enquirey into the threats to brewing water in the English Midlands.
CRT has carried out investigations into research projects part funded by ther Department of Trade and Industry that have had adverse or unplanned environmental repercussions. These have included the discharge of phenolic liquors to the environment while burning coal in situ in Northern Spain.
Other work with the Dti has included environmental issues of utilising coal bed methaine in abandoned coalfields in the UK, Silesia and the US. A consideration of environmental concerns with regard to water, both surface and ground after the closure of the majority of the nations coalfields.
The Ministry of Justice has used CRT to release the ministry of responsibility of supplying drinking water to an ex-prison estate in the East Midlands. The Trust has also carried out research in cutting water use and cost for several establishments of HM Prison Service estates.
The Ministry of Defence has accessed the Trust’s knowledge of sewage treatment and the changing issues of best practice. It has also encouraged an enquiry into back fill of old mine shafts in the Forest of Dean.
In Scotland Clean Rivers Trust works with the SP Water Office atas requested. It has mainly extolled the possible environmental concerns of minewater from abandoned mines. The use of water from closed mines is a great future possibility that would benefit the environment and several high volume industrial water users.
The Environment Agency for England and Wales and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has commissioned work by the Trust over several years and the organisation responds to their consultation documents on a weekly basis.
The problems of under funding these organisations nationally include pushing much non urgent but needed research and a general public information role onto all national environmental organisations. This is carried out at no charge to the state.
The Trust responds to consultations of the European Environment Agency and has carried out several research projects in tandem with their programs.
The Trust gives evidence to Parliamentary Committees where its view is apposite or when requested. It has worked alongside all party special interest groups and advised on environmental issues appertaining to their specialist interests. This is in London, Edinburgh and Brussels.
Other countries where the Trust is or has operated in are outlined else where on the site.