CRKC was established in Autumn 2021 by a group of volunteers supported by Sustainable Staveley (SENS). We love our local river and are concerned about incidents of pollution occurring in a unique upland river that runs through a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Lake District National Park.
The river Kent is designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation) with several critically endangered species including the freshwater pearl mussel, the white clawed crayfish and the bullhead.
People tell us how much they love the river, and how concerned they are about the current levels of pollution – caused by sewage discharges into the river, inappropriate agricultural practice and poorly maintained septic tanks.
CRKC is co-ordinated by a volunteer steering group and we have more than 160 volunteers on our mailing list. We work hard to engage with our local communities and their representatives.
You can read more about CRKC’s Action Plan here.
Political:
– Explore legal pathways to challenge pollution
– Contribute to national initiatives and consultations
– Produce position statement re. water industry reform
– Maintain active links with national and local campaign groups
– Maintain and extend active links with local MPs, councillors
– Keep abreast of / informed about policy issues
Local Engagement:
– Hold a seminar on Rights of the River to explore the concept of what it means, to whom
– Explore opportunities for bathing status, as part of a ‘green/blue masterplan for Kendal’
– Attend Clean Water Clean Streets meetings (Staveley & wider Kent) to ensure United Utilities / agencies deliver required infrastructure changes
– Deliver campaign ‘What you can do to help river Kent’ (septic tank owners, pet owners, householders) including marketing materials, talks, events
– Maintain active links with local organisations/collaborate on activities including Lakeland Canoe Club (LCC) & Westmorland Angling Association.
– Deliver presentations, seminars, talks on request
– Support relevant education initiatives
– Engage with Natural Kendal nature recovery activities, including their River Festival
Citizen Science:
– Keep abreast of technical developments and evidence
– Attend Kent Working Group
– Engage with EA, NE, Kent Working Group to collaborate on monitoring data, share information and hold partners to account
– Develop and deliver a reactive / proactive testing programme (focus on P and coliform bacteria) with local volunteers (eg. around WwTws / hot spots)
– Collaborate in and/or establish further research/studies as appropriate
– Maintain and upgrade interactive map
– Promote partners’ practical monitoring/conservation work to CRKC volunteers
