GE2015 Candidate Statement - Edward Mountain, Conservative

Details
Written by Gus Jones
Category: Debates
Published: 30 March 2015

We have asked our candidates for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey for statements on the environment prior to our Environmental Hustings on Friday 3rd April 7pm in Aviemore. This is the first reply, which is from Edward Mountain, Scottish Conservative:

"As a farmer and rural surveyor I have a very keen interest in how we use our environment. Prior to the meeting I would like to highlight just two local issuses:

Water:
The Spey is a hugely important asset that all those within the Strath rely on. It not only provides our household needs but it also provides water for the distilleries and agriculture and it is also a recreational resource. We should also not ignore the fact it is home to many iconic species including salmon, pearl water mussels, otters, kingfishers to name but a few. However the management of this river is conducted in a piecemeal way, by at least three different agencies, that has resulted in the habitats and water quality and quantity being diminished.

Energy:
Our green energy policy in Scotland is deeply flawed. Sadly political posturing has resulted in a policy that often benefits the few but burdens the majority. Basing a policy that relies on wind factories is also deeply hypocritical and damages our landscape. We must review the policy to ensure safety of supply and a balance of provision.

I believe there are many other issues and look forward to discussing these on 3rd April. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Best wishes

Edward Mountain"

Concerns for the River Spey's otters

Details
Written by Gus Jones
Category: Animals
Published: 04 March 2015

14 9 1200x800
The River Spey and its tributaries is a European conservation site for otters and is vulnerable to major new developments.

Otters dependant on the River Spey and its tributaries may be facing growing problems in the Cairngorms National Park. A report soon to be published by SNH could shed light on how otters are faring in the River Spey Special Area of Conservation in Badenoch & Strathspey.

Threats to otters include climate change, habitat degradation and fragmentation linked to development, human disturbance and road traffic accidents. A 26% human population increase over 20 years is forecast in the Cairngorms National Park as a result of the National Park Authority’s controversial housing development proposals. This increase is likely to add to pressures on otters. (See https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=48558356@N04&q=infographic@N04&q=infographic ).

Otters, which feed in minor drainage ditches and small burns and pools as well as larger water bodies, are vulnerable to declines in amphibians and fish stocks. Eels, which can be a staple prey for otters, have suffered alarming declines in recent years, and extreme weather events can lead to the loss of river-bank trees used as retreats by resting otters.

To help otters we need to know more about which areas are important for mothers with cubs. This is especially so as natal holts, where cubs are born and spend their first few months, can be well away from rivers. Perhaps surprisingly, woodlands can be particularly important places for natal holts.

BSCG has long been concerned that woodlands are under major pressure in the Cairngorms National Park from development and recreation, and this could be critical for otters. BSCG is working with others to draw attention to threats to otters and has been helping the International Otter Survival Fund and Cardiff University by collecting otters found dead and sending them for analysis that includes measuring pollutants.BSCG is always interested to hear of otters found dead.


Strathy 14 8 14 letter 1400
A letter about otters at a threatened site in Strathspey.


15.2.23 spy IMG 2174 800x1200
Otter tracks in sand by the River Spey.

ott4 1200
Naturalist Bobby Tulloch shared his experiences of watching otters in a book published in 1994 by Colin Baxter.


otter 1200
Otters are vulnerable to road traffic accidents.


15 2 8 acm IMG 1568 900x1200
Otter tracks in snow on a small lochan at a threatened site in Strathspey.

GE2015 Environmental Hustings in Aviemore Friday 3rd April

Details
Written by Gus Jones
Category: Meetings
Published: 04 March 2015

8395324722 e9d304d272 o Strathspey 1200x795

BSCG is looking forward to welcoming the candidates for the May Westminster election at a public meeting on Friday 3rd April 2015 in Aviemore Community Centre, 7pm – 9pm.

Make the most of this opportunity to raise the questions that matter on the environment with all the general election candidates.

Admission is free and donations welcome.

The event is kindly being chaired by Bill Sadler, Coordinator of the Grantown 250 celebrations.

Candidates for the marginal and hotly contested Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey seat include:

  • Standing MP Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat)
  • Drew Hendry (SNP)
  • Mike Robb (Labour)
  • Isla O’Reilly (Scottish Green Party)
  • Edward Mountain (Conservative)
  • Les Durance (UKIP).

Talk ‘Wildlife Conservation in Glenmore & other FCS Forests’

Details
Written by Gus Jones
Category: Meetings
Published: 12 November 2014

Illustrated talk on Tuesday 18 November at 7.30 pm in Dulnain Bridge Village Hall on ‘Wildlife Conservation in Glenmore and other FCS Forests’ by Kenny Kortland who works for the Forestry Commission Scotland as their Species Ecologist. Kenny has worked on wildlife conservation for many years and this is an opportunity to hear about practical conservation work the Forestry Commission is undertaking in local forests for a wide range of wildlife large and small.

Free entry. Donations welcome.

Dulnain Bridge Village Hall (on main road, near the garage and on same side of road, beside the church. Parking at front and back of hall).

This talk will be preceded by the BSCG AGM at 6.15 – 7.00pm.

6537444063 2e239895c2 o-180

The Scotsman letter: Rich Wasteland

Details
Written by Roy Turnbull
Category: Debates
Published: 01 April 2015

090321-Burnt-Scots-pine-Dorback-400x300

Mature Scots pine burnt during grouse moor management, Dorback, Cairngorms National Park. Note also eroding soil and burnt ground vegetation.

Dear Sir,

You report (24 September) the pledge from the UN New York summit on climate change to stop natural forest destruction and restore hundreds of millions of acres of degraded land by 2030, in order to help sequestrate carbon in woodlands.

What will Scotland's response be to this welcome news?

In much of the world, such destruction and degradation of forests is caused by the desperately poor, seeking fuelwood or land to grow food.

In Scotland, it is caused by what might be called the desperately rich: burning land for grouse shooting, overgrazing it with red deer for deer stalking or, as in the Cairngorms National Park, building housing estates, often for holiday or second homes, in native woodlands. Scotland's uplands with respect to carbon sequestration (not to mention biodiversity, landscape or social justice) are a wasteland compared with what they could be.

Let us hope that this summit finally opens the eyes of the Scottish Government to the deplorable state of much of Scotland's land, in thrall as it is to sport shooting or speculative development interests.

How many of those hundreds of millions of acres of degraded land will be restored in Scotland? When will we stop destroying native woodlands for housing? What will be the Scottish Government's response to the New York Declaration on Forests?

Roy Turnbull
Nethy Bridge

The Scotsman 25 September 2014.