Skip Bridge Shenanigans

[grayson]

Balsam is a problem no doubt. But the idea of treating a single length is only partly effective and only a whole system approach can work- obviously we all know how the balsam fires its seeds (quiet at the back class) and they simply float down from stretches further above. As I have said before I am extremely cautious about using any chemicals near watercourses- God knows we have had enough problems from agri chemicals in the past. The other question is what will replace the balsam ? We all know it colonises the banks in Summer and leaves them bare in Winter- so what other plants will take over the vacancy once the Roundup has killed everything ? The most likely candidate is more balsam of course....

[stevo53]

In answer to Mr quint firstly I am well chilled out mate It seems to be only you who Is hot under the collar cos someone dares to suggest that you should tread carefully with your notion that weed killer Is the answer to this problem and that you may have to seek permission to use It.
I cannot see any evidence of others backing up your idea and I do belive this Is not the first time you have suggested using chemicals to control the bank side vegetation on the Nidd on this forum.
So as far as I am concerned I will not bore you with anymore replys on the subject although I will be interested to see how things progress In that direction 

[Eddie]

This isn't an opinion on the subject just an observation, but at asenby balsam was starting to take hold in a few places, one particularly large patch where the wires cross the river.
Now I don't know who was responsible for doing the job, but before the start of the season it had obviously been sprayed.
I am guessing by the farmer wanting to regain his pasture land and I have to say when I fished there a couple of times last month, it was about 95% successful, with only a few wispy strands growing and grass, weeds etc trying to make a comeback.
If the ea had any involvement I don't know, but I believe the club had nothing to do with the treatment. The point being it seemed quite successful.
At the length we worked on above skip bridge ( hammerton mill bottom I believe, correct me if mistaken), we cut a 4ft wide path, obviously not sufficient to keep access on its own. But what would have done, is if it was used regularly, what's the answer?

Eddie.

[ianmc]

I found an article about rust fungus on the internet this morning


Source: Angling Trust



Not-for-profit research organization, CABI, will be releasing a rust fungus at locations in Berkshire, Cornwall and Middlesex as part of field trials to control the non-native, invasive weed Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) using natural means.


Himalayan balsam has rapidly become one of the UK's most widespread invasive weeds, colonizing river banks, waste land, damp woodlands, roadways and railways. The Environment Agency estimates that the weed occupies over 13% of river banks in England and Wales. It can reach over three metres in height and competes with native plants, reducing biodiversity. Large scale chemical and manual control is often not feasible or economically viable.


Using existing measures, the Environment Agency estimates it would cost up to £300 million to eradicate Himalayan balsam from the UK.


The release of the rust fungus comes after an eight-year research programme funded primarily by Defra and the Environment Agency, with contributions from Network Rail, the Scottish Government and Westcountry Rivers Trust. During the course of the research, testing in quarantine laboratories has established that the rust fungus causes significant damage to Himalayan balsam but does not impact on native species.


Angling Trust Head of Freshwater, Mark Owen commented:

"Many anglers know the problems of Himalayan balsam on the river banks, not only taking over from our native flora but also creating unstable mud banks which easily erode causing siltation issues in rivers and waterways. In turn this causes spawning substrates to become clogged with silt, impacting on fish populations. As volunteers anglers spend many hours manually trying to control Himalayan balsam so this project, if successful, will be warmly welcomed."


The minister for the natural environment, Lord de Mauley, said:

"This is a great step forwards in tackling Himalayan balsam. This invasive weed prevents our native plants from flourishing, can increase flood risk, and costs the British economy £1m per year to clean up. The work CABI has done in identifying a natural control method will help us reduce the impact of Himalayan balsam without any negative effects on native species."


Senior Scientist at CABI, Dr Robert Tanner, said:

"The release of the rust fungus against Himalayan balsam is a result of over eight years of research evaluating the safety of its use against the target species. Over time, we should see a decline in the Himalayan balsam populations along our rivers, with native plant species recolonizing these degraded sites."


To tackle the spread of Himalayan balsam, in 2006, CABI was commissioned to find a natural way to help control this destructive weed. The aim of CABI's research was to find one of the many insects or fungi attacking the plant that had evolved to attack only Himalayan balsam, which could be released into the UK to control the weed while leaving indigenous species unharmed. CABI found that the rust fungus did just that.


Defra Ministers took the decision to allow CABI to release the rust fungus in July 2014. This decision followed the Food and Environment Research Agency's (FERA) review of the scientific research and a public consultation on the proposed release of the fungus to control Himalayan balsam, which ran from May to June 2014.

[quint]

Aug 25, 2015 8:17:24 GMT Eddie said:

This isn't an opinion on the subject just an observation, but at asenby balsam was starting to take hold in a few places, one particularly large patch where the wires cross the river.
Now I don't know who was responsible for doing the job, but before the start of the season it had obviously been sprayed.
I am guessing by the farmer wanting to regain his pasture land and I have to say when I fished there a couple of times last month, it was about 95% successful, with only a few wispy strands growing and grass, weeds etc trying to make a comeback.
If the ea had any involvement I don't know, but I believe the club had nothing to do with the treatment. The point being it seemed quite successful.
At the length we worked on above skip bridge ( hammerton mill bottom I believe, correct me if mistaken), we cut a 4ft wide path, obviously not sufficient to keep access on its own. But what would have done, is if it was used regularly, what's the answer?

Eddie.

I think the club should look into the possibility of spraying, you can be very selective when using the chemicals I have mentioned, you can even take a syringe and inject a few ml into the stem of the plants.

But if you only strimmed paths and then spray directly on the path and to the plants at the sides you would keep it open all season, and probably start to establish routes through for future seasons.

I've been down Hammerton last week, what an effort you lads have made down there, it's a shame to let that sort of effort go to waste when in a few months it could be back to normal.

[grayson]

One of the cost effective ways of keeping it down is sheep - they flatten the stuff quickly. But uncontrolled grazing causes its own problems- see miles of the Swale as an example- collapsing banks and increased flood erosion . Nobody is 'responsible' for eradicating balsam but it is in our interests to control it. Access is only a part of the problem- and certainly not the most serious. Of most concern is the fact that it blankets the bank , thus preventing much else from growing , and when it dies in winter the bank's integrity is compromised, This can mean large build ups of unstable silt and further erosion. One river syndicate I belong to has a keeper and the petrol strimmer he uses works wonders. I really cannot see the point in poisoning- you would have to do it annually, it does not solve migration of seeds and whatever consents are obtained the fact is that herbicides are risky . We now have laws that prevent farmers spraying right up to the edge of riverbanks- the introduction of conservation headlands has worked wonders- what an irony if the angling community decides that chemical warfare is now appropriate....

[patterdalewilson]

Some very interesting points being raised here guys,and good research.
If we can put some of this combined knowledge to use the balsam is toast!

Not sure how to disperse the benders though.

[quint]

Aug 25, 2015 9:25:12 GMT grayson said:

One of the cost effective ways of keeping it down is sheep - they flatten the stuff quickly. But uncontrolled grazing causes its own problems- see miles of the Swale as an example- collapsing banks and increased flood erosion . Nobody is 'responsible' for eradicating balsam but it is in our interests to control it. Access is only a part of the problem- and certainly not the most serious. Of most concern is the fact that it blankets the bank , thus preventing much else from growing , and when it dies in winter the bank's integrity is compromised, This can mean large build ups of unstable silt and further erosion. One river syndicate I belong to has a keeper and the petrol strimmer he uses works wonders. I really cannot see the point in poisoning- you would have to do it annually, it does not solve migration of seeds and whatever consents are obtained the fact is that herbicides are risky . We now have laws that prevent farmers spraying right up to the edge of riverbanks- the introduction of conservation headlands has worked wonders- what an irony if the angling community decides that chemical warfare is now appropriate....

From what I've read the chemicals are very safe, they only attack plants, once they touch the soil micro organisms break it down, safe to use around animals, if it gets in contact with water is oxidises and becomes neutralized.

It's not a case of ohhh! nasty chemicals, bad bad bad, the E.A uses them to control invasive species, and actively endorse the use of them.

A lot of scaremongering going on in this thread.

[mortia]

Ian
Interesting article that.
Do we know if the EA are planning to widen their rust trials ?
It would be nice if the were to release some rust "up north".
Quint - i'm not for spraying chemicals about too much on riverbanks, I'd feel much more comfortsble if something selective could be used that doesn't leave the banks bare.
Cheers
Andy

[grayson]

Counselling caution in the use of herbicide chemicals and suggesting that any poisoning is not really a sustainable solution isn't scaremongering; it's a counter argument to widespread use of chemicals. It may only 'attack plants ' but there are many other riverside plants than balsam, many of which support valuable invertebrate life . And if a river spates after widespread herbicide use on balsam there is then a risk to aquatic plants .

Anyway, rather than working in isolation(this isn't a Leeds problem but a regional one ) far better to link up with people like Ailsa Henderson who is working with Wildlife Trust and EA on this very subject .

[patterdalewilson]

Balsam has been a feature of our riverbanks as long as I can remember (I used to love popping the pods as a kid) but I don't think I'm responsible for the current explosion at sb.
I have no knowledge of pesticides or other scientific ways of controlling the plant but what if it is treated as it emerges in spring before it becomes unmanageable and then left to its own devices untill just before it's seeds become viable,then strim
and hack it away.

I also agree the banks are wild and need to be left that way as much as possible,but unless swims become a little easier to access they won't get the use they need to keep them open. Better arrangements for the car parking will also improve things from the point that once under the railway you're more or less in the middle of the length. Ideal for the elderly and lazy anglers who love to take the kitchen sink (I'm one or all of the above) lol.

Let's keep this length alive maybe it will become the Addams Mill of the north in the near future.

Mick.

[nige_LS7]

I had to chuckle, because of this thread,  when I saw that in this week's Y.E.P. column Rushy - oops I mean Frim - says "Backside cover and vegetation has been left intentionally long, so don’t cut, crash or dig match size openings."

If you're not put off by the vegetation before you get there then hack away as far as I'm concerned (just do it when you've finished your session).

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/angling/angling-ouse-stocking-is-an-ea-thank-you-to-local-clubs-1-7426191

Great to see such positive coverage of our efforts though and thanks Dave Steve hope that you're well on the road to full recovery.

[trout]

Aug 23, 2015 19:59:56 GMT gcb said:

Gay Basher
One who takes part in the bashing of the entire homosexual culture.
A person who exercises the reaction-formation defense mechanism which is when you see something in yourself that you are afraid of like being gay.
A person (usually male) who tries to hide their own homosexual tendencies and desires by talking negatively about or causing physical violence to people who are comfortable enough to actually be honest about their sexual preference

Pair of gray shorts in your bedroom draw by any chance :

[gcb]

You got me there buddy aint got a clue what you mean !! But I am not a homophobic are you Does the new site you seem to be a member of have similar opinions sweetie !!

[Eddie]

Aug 25, 2015 8:37:04 GMT ianmc said:

I found an article about rust fungus on the internet this morning


Source: Angling Trust



Not-for-profit research organization, CABI, will be releasing a rust fungus at locations in Berkshire, Cornwall and Middlesex as part of field trials to control the non-native, invasive weed Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) using natural means.


Himalayan balsam has rapidly become one of the UK's most widespread invasive weeds, colonizing river banks, waste land, damp woodlands, roadways and railways. The Environment Agency estimates that the weed occupies over 13% of river banks in England and Wales. It can reach over three metres in height and competes with native plants, reducing biodiversity. Large scale chemical and manual control is often not feasible or economically viable.


Using existing measures, the Environment Agency estimates it would cost up to £300 million to eradicate Himalayan balsam from the UK.


The release of the rust fungus comes after an eight-year research programme funded primarily by Defra and the Environment Agency, with contributions from Network Rail, the Scottish Government and Westcountry Rivers Trust. During the course of the research, testing in quarantine laboratories has established that the rust fungus causes significant damage to Himalayan balsam but does not impact on native species.


Angling Trust Head of Freshwater, Mark Owen commented:

"Many anglers know the problems of Himalayan balsam on the river banks, not only taking over from our native flora but also creating unstable mud banks which easily erode causing siltation issues in rivers and waterways. In turn this causes spawning substrates to become clogged with silt, impacting on fish populations. As volunteers anglers spend many hours manually trying to control Himalayan balsam so this project, if successful, will be warmly welcomed."


The minister for the natural environment, Lord de Mauley, said:

"This is a great step forwards in tackling Himalayan balsam. This invasive weed prevents our native plants from flourishing, can increase flood risk, and costs the British economy £1m per year to clean up. The work CABI has done in identifying a natural control method will help us reduce the impact of Himalayan balsam without any negative effects on native species."


Senior Scientist at CABI, Dr Robert Tanner, said:

"The release of the rust fungus against Himalayan balsam is a result of over eight years of research evaluating the safety of its use against the target species. Over time, we should see a decline in the Himalayan balsam populations along our rivers, with native plant species recolonizing these degraded sites."


To tackle the spread of Himalayan balsam, in 2006, CABI was commissioned to find a natural way to help control this destructive weed. The aim of CABI's research was to find one of the many insects or fungi attacking the plant that had evolved to attack only Himalayan balsam, which could be released into the UK to control the weed while leaving indigenous species unharmed. CABI found that the rust fungus did just that.


Defra Ministers took the decision to allow CABI to release the rust fungus in July 2014. This decision followed the Food and Environment Research Agency's (FERA) review of the scientific research and a public consultation on the proposed release of the fungus to control Himalayan balsam, which ran from May to June 2014.

[

At last weeks delegates meeting, I was given copies of emails regarding the possibility of the rust fungus being considered for trial on some of our waters, it has been looked into, and the club would need to sponsor the trials.
Bottom line is a cost of £20,000 per site, per annum and on a time scale of 2/3 years.
The rust fungus will not be a commercial product, so not for sale!
The hope is it will spread naturally.
So the club has looked at this, but it looks cost prohibitive. Just have to hope the trials work and the fungus spreads, or maybe the trials will receive better funding and could be expanded by the agencies involved. Hope that answers a few questions.
And thanks(from me)for making the info available to the forum!

Eddie.