Summary
The Wensleydale CSFF network was set up in April 2017 by a group of 29 farmers with a common interest in natural flood management. The group has subsequently grown and members tend to naturally group according to their farming/land management practices, although all have benefited from other similar CSFFs being set up at the same time in thesame geographical area.
The group has several aims including exploring Countryside Stewardship priorities and funding that can help deliver NFM and management for priority habitats and species. By working as a group the farmers are also able to provide sufficient information to help inform and influence future funding allocations such as Agri-Environment Schemes (AES) and the priorities of organisations including Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency. The group has constant contact with other nearby NFM CSFF groups including Upper Wharfedale, Swaledale and Lunesdale to agree ways of joint working to share expertise and training delivery which increases farmer participation and outcomes. The group also works with the ‘Yorkshire Dales Catchment Partnership’ to improve water quality
Objectives
- To explore what NFM measures could be considered and installed to help
- address surface water run-off and high river and stream levels during periods
- of heavy and/or prolonged rainfall;
- Identify what services farmers provide/can provide to help downstream
- communities recognise the value of ‘buying in’ to NFM carried out on
- farmland upstream;
- Improved management of ancient and native woodland;
- Native woodland creation and habitat creation for black grouse and red
- squirrel;
- Management of purple moor grass and rush pasture for breeding waders
- Traditional hay meadow management and restoration;
- Riparian habitat management and creation.
Public Goods
Problem description
The Wensleydale NFM CSFF group was set up as part of the 2017 Northern Flood Round of the CSFF to tackle issues brought into sharp focus following Storm Desmond in 2015. Surface water run-off, coupled with high river water flows during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, was contributing to flooding in the area which was happening more regularly and with increasing intensity. Flooding and high water levels were not just affecting farmland, but local roads and communities too.
An additional driver was the need to improve water quality as phosphate and sediments were reaching the upper and middle reaches of the Ure catchment and the Semer Water SSSI.
