Rachael Hamilton MSP is encouraging Borderers to feed into a public consultation on the management of the River Tweed’s 5,000 sq km catchment.
The “Your Catchment, Your Views: A Public Consultation on the Tweed Catchment Management Plan” is seeking views in order to conserve, enhance and, where appropriate, restore the Tweed through effective land and resource planning.
The Tweed Forum was formed 30 years ago and its aim was to bring together people and organisations with an interest in the Tweed catchment.
The Forum helped people discuss their aspirations for the catchment and how they might be achieved, with the group eventually concluding that the development of a Tweed Catchment Management Plan (CMP) was the best way to achieve those aspirations.
With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent, the effective management of the river catchment requires all stakeholders to get involved.
Mrs Hamilton believes it is vital people have their say on the River Tweed, in order to shape the management of the river catchment for years to come.
The Borders MSP supports a catchment based approach to river management, as it brings people together with a common interest in improving the environment.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“The Tweed Forum carry out tremendous work protecting, enhancing and restoring the rich natural, built and cultural heritage of the River Tweed and its tributaries.
“I encourage Borderers to feed into the consultation to guide the direction of travel of the future management plan.
“With the ongoing impact of climate change and declining salmon stocks, we need to draw upon the pool of talent and knowledge in the Borders to ensure that we protect our biggest asset.
“The consultation closes on the 17th December and I look forward to reading the findings in due course”.
Luke Comins of Tweed Forum said:
“Our Catchment Management Plan is central to our work and allows us to plan long-term to ensure that we identify the key issues and corresponding gaps in the delivery landscape. It helps us target our work and crucially help to get the right measures in the right place and at the right scale to deliver host of environmental benefits across the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland.
“It will enable us to deliver enhanced habitat for wildlife including salmon and otter, improved soil and water quality and will help to tackle the climate change and biodiversity crises and will provide tourism and recreation opportunities in the area.
“It’s vital work that has never been more important and we hope that anyone with an interest in the river will take a few minutes to share their views and help us to create this important roadmap for the coming years."