Post by Hoppy on Mar 21, 2008 22:14:01 GMT -1
Grey day for the Afon Dulas
A Machynlleth man has been fined £1,000 for waste offences. He allowed soil from his land to wash into a tributary of the Afon Dulas, turning it a milky grey and did not check that a contractor removing scrap was registered to do so. The Dulas is a high quality salmon and sewin (sea trout) spawning river. The prosecution, brought by Environment Agency Wales was heard at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on 14.03.08.
Merfyn Hughes of Felin Y Coed, Aberhosan, Machynlleth, Powys attended court and pleaded guilty to:
Section 85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991 – Causing polluting matter to enter a watercourse – fined £800.
Section 34(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 90) – Failure to take reasonable measures to prevent any contravention of Section 33 of EPA 90 by any other person - £200 fine.
Hughes was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.
On 27 February 2007 Environment Agency Wales received a report that the Afon Dulas, near Forge, Machynlleth was discoloured. Investigations found that the source of the pollution was land near Felin Y Coed, owned by Hughes. Soil washings from significant excavations had washed into the river, discolouring it for at least 2 kilometres.
Various waste items found on the land during the investigation, including drums, tyres and scrapped vehicles were subsequently removed from the land, as required by the investigating officer. However, Hughes had disposed of them to a travelling scrap dealer without carrying out the necessary checks to find out where the waste was being taken, or whether the dealer had the necessary authorisation to carry them
Following the case Tim Owen, Environment Management Team Leader, said:
“The incident temporarily affected the amenity value of the river, and although there was no evidence of any effect on fish, posed a risk of damage to the river as a fishery. It shows that great care is needed when working next to a watercourse. Taking into consideration possible soil run-off is crucial in order to prevent damage to the environment.
“The construction work and design of the final area should have taken into account of the risks to the environment. Waste transfer notes should be kept when controlled waste is removed from a site, and no waste should be allowed from the site unless a waste transfer note is produced. All waste removed by a third party from a site should be done by a registered waste carrier.”
“We encourage anyone who sees any pollution or danger to the natural environment to get in touch with us on 0800 80 70 60.”
A Machynlleth man has been fined £1,000 for waste offences. He allowed soil from his land to wash into a tributary of the Afon Dulas, turning it a milky grey and did not check that a contractor removing scrap was registered to do so. The Dulas is a high quality salmon and sewin (sea trout) spawning river. The prosecution, brought by Environment Agency Wales was heard at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on 14.03.08.
Merfyn Hughes of Felin Y Coed, Aberhosan, Machynlleth, Powys attended court and pleaded guilty to:
Section 85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991 – Causing polluting matter to enter a watercourse – fined £800.
Section 34(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 90) – Failure to take reasonable measures to prevent any contravention of Section 33 of EPA 90 by any other person - £200 fine.
Hughes was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.
On 27 February 2007 Environment Agency Wales received a report that the Afon Dulas, near Forge, Machynlleth was discoloured. Investigations found that the source of the pollution was land near Felin Y Coed, owned by Hughes. Soil washings from significant excavations had washed into the river, discolouring it for at least 2 kilometres.
Various waste items found on the land during the investigation, including drums, tyres and scrapped vehicles were subsequently removed from the land, as required by the investigating officer. However, Hughes had disposed of them to a travelling scrap dealer without carrying out the necessary checks to find out where the waste was being taken, or whether the dealer had the necessary authorisation to carry them
Following the case Tim Owen, Environment Management Team Leader, said:
“The incident temporarily affected the amenity value of the river, and although there was no evidence of any effect on fish, posed a risk of damage to the river as a fishery. It shows that great care is needed when working next to a watercourse. Taking into consideration possible soil run-off is crucial in order to prevent damage to the environment.
“The construction work and design of the final area should have taken into account of the risks to the environment. Waste transfer notes should be kept when controlled waste is removed from a site, and no waste should be allowed from the site unless a waste transfer note is produced. All waste removed by a third party from a site should be done by a registered waste carrier.”
“We encourage anyone who sees any pollution or danger to the natural environment to get in touch with us on 0800 80 70 60.”