Dredging fears (From Penarth Times)

Dredging fears

VALE environmentalists and Penarth Town Council have voiced strong objections to proposals for new dredging operations in the Severn Estuary which would see 400,000 tonnes of material extracted each year.

The Welsh Assembly Government is conducting a consultation exercise over proposals to extract up to 400,000 tons per year for 10 years from a site in the Severn Estuary between Newport and Avonmouth.

Max Wallace, of Vale Friends of the Earth said: "Friends of the Earth maintain that dredging should be phased out from the whole Inner Estuary and existing licences reviewed.

"Certainly no new areas can be permitted for extraction as Crossavon Ltd seek.

"Crossavon Ltd (Severn Sands) already extract 150,000 tonnes from the Bedwyn, Charston and Dunn Sands with a permit up to 2013. Their current application for a further area and much higher extraction must be rejected for wildlife reasons.

"The inner Severn Estuary is an international Ramsar (wetlands conservation) site and designated European site (Special Protection Area) for birdlife.

"Studies undertaken at Cardiff University show high levels of toxic metals in species that feed on the mudflats. The estuary is also nominated for shad and lamprey species, which must be given protection.

"Dredging directly damages potential feeding and spawning grounds. It also mobilises sediments. The fine metals then become a source of toxic metals in the food chain."

Penarth Town Council has also reiterated its concerns about the plans to the Welsh Assembly Government.

In November 2003, the council objected to the plans due to impact on the environment, specifically beaches.

The council also said it favoured the use of recyclable alternatives to dredging.

The main concerns that have arisen from consultation exercises are: significant changes to the volume of the Welsh grounds sand mass, the possibility of foreshore erosion; the sustainability of sink areas where dredging will be concentrated, and; concern for marine areas.