Sustainable land use key to flood management – Mick Bates AM (Carmarthen East, Dinefwr and Llanelli Liberal Democrats)

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Carmarthen East, Dinefwr and Llanelli Liberal Democrats <jon@burree.co.uk>

Sustainable land use key to flood management – Mick Bates AM

September 23, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has urged the First Minister to back a strategic approach to flooding, which integrates land management and greater working with natural processes in order to reduce the risk of flooding across Wales.

Research by the National Trust has found that land management has a significant impact on runoff for small river catchments, typical of 97% of catchments in England and Wales.

Commenting Mick states: "Land management is often a neglected aspect of flood risk management, yet it has a key role to play in the development of an integrated approach to flood management and defence.

"Innovative projects such as Pontbren near Llanfair Caereinion are an excellent way forward. The work to keep water in the hills by co-operation of the land owners seems a very sensible method to achieve flood protection lower down the Severn Valley.

"The RSPB 'LIFE' blanket bog project in Llanwyddyn is another great example, where work to restore an active blanket bog assists in lessening the effects of lowland flooding which result from flash floods.

"Encouraging farmers and supporting projects which manage the land sustainably, in a way which benefits the environment as well as reducing the risk of flooding, is a crucial step forward.

"The Pitt Review recommended that Government agencies establish a programme to achieve greater working with natural processes. In light of the further flooding this summer, I urge the Assembly Government to integrate this approach as part of a strategic plan of action to reduce flood risk across Wales."