New Pine plantation planned for Blaenau Tywi.

Submitted byFrank Jones, Technical Advisor, Afonydd Cymru;

I am trying to let as many interested parties as I can know about a conifer planting scheme in the upper Tywi which threatens an important spawning tributary. Tilhill have formally submitted an application to NRW for a plantation forestry scheme in the Upper Tywi catchment.   It is a large scheme (about 600ha of predominantly conifer forestry) which covers most of the unplanted east bank of the Tywi between the Trawsnant and Nant-y-Bai tributaries.  It includes the Nant y Ffin catchment which the first left bank tributary of the river Tywi downstream of Brianne reservoir and adjacent to Dinas RSPB reserve.  (See map below)

These proposals present a serious threat to the aquatic ecology and fishery status of streams in this area. The Nant y Ffin is one of the few catchments in the area that is largely free from conifer forestry and has a flourishing aquatic ecology.  Large numbers of sea trout spawn in the stream and it has an abundant juvenile trout population.  It is a “jewel” in an area that has otherwise been decimated by large scale conifer plantations.

The threats posed by the forestry include increased acidification of streams, negative effects on stream hydrology (reduced summer flows and increased winter maxima), soil erosion and siltation of spawning gravels, impacts from spraying with pesticides, increased nutrient inputs and damage to the physical habitat. These effects will impact stream ecology and reduce juvenile fish production which will in turn result in a decrease in the number of adult sea trout returning to spawn.

As you know the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust, supported by NRW, Welsh Government and European funding, have undertaken extensive river improvement schemes in the Tywi catchment including removal of obstructions for the passage of fish, habitat improvement schemes and a liming project on the Doethie/Pysgotwr (Project Officer Caroline Orr) to counter the effects of acidification. NRW have themselves managed the liming of Brianne Reservoir which protects the Upper Tywi from the effects of acidification. It would be a nonsense if on the one hand NRW supported such schemes whilst on the other hand approved schemes that would cause damage to our fisheries. Afonydd Cymru and the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust have written to Tillhill highlighting our concerns and making it clear that we will strenuously oppose the plans. We have sent a Freedom of Information request to NRW asking for details of the application. We will in due course be submitting a written objection to NRW.

We would like to bring the matter to the attention of others to gain support for opposition to this scheme.   The more objections that NRW receive the more likely that the scheme will be refused. We can provide a copy of our objection to help others formulate their own. Please let me know if we can count on the support of Rhandirmwyn and District Community Council and if so let me know who in your organisation will act as your contact for this matter.   

Regards, Frank Jones, Technical Advisor, Afonydd Cymru

For and behalf of Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust

Tel 01792411783

Mob 07816 983971