Metal (Non-Coal) Mines Programme: Delivery of programme benefits related to the E(W)A 2016 and the WFG Act 2015 until 2026

NRW has a Metal Mine Strategy that focuses attention on the impacts on our failing waterbodies where over 700km of river reaches are failing chemically and/or ecologically in accordance with the Water Framework Directive.

The programme objectives are to:

• reduce the pollution entering our rivers and streams from metal mines
• mitigate the hazards and risks from metal mines
• protect and improve the condition and resilience of ecosystems
• promote and enhance health and well-being
• celebrate and promote the heritage and amenity of our metal mines
• support local communities and stakeholders

These objectives reflect the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 which, together, create modern legislation for managing Wales’ natural resources and improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.

The Environment (Wales) 2016 defines Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, the principles of which include:

• Promoting and engaging in collaboration and cooperation, and
• Making appropriate arrangements for public participation in decision-making.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is focussed on improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. In accordance with the Act, NRW must work in a sustainable way, accounting for the impacts our work can have for people living in Wales, now and in the future. NRW must work to involve people, reflecting the diversity of communities in Wales, to help achieve the Well-being Goals which include:

• A Wales of cohesive communities, and
• Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language

NRW’s existing resources in-house are insufficient to exploit the full benefits potential in developing and delivering a programme of this scale and broad scope.

Therefore NRW now seeks to procure, for three years until 2026:

Delivery of programme benefits by Strata Florida Trust including:

• Dissemination of programme details and local project plans
• Identification of potential project enhancements empathetic to the local environment and communities
• Engagement and education through facilitation of school events, walks, visits – drawing on their local stakeholder networks and the Trust’s visitor centre and associated resources.
• Development of printed and / or online guides showing walking routes in the area (including long distance and local circular routes connected to Ceredigion mines), to encourage people to explore the area, which would be available at the Trust’s visitor centre and via the Trust’s website etc.
• Work with local Trust volunteers to collect oral histories connected to Strata Florida and the history of Abbey Consols, Esgair Mwyn, Cwmystwyth and potentially other mines as appropriate to create an archive, and use it in engagement and interpretation
• Develop information boards and interpretation at mine sites.
• Update the local community with progress at mine sites and gathering community feedback.
• The use of the Trust’s Visitor Centre, Community Use Space and exhibition facilities at Strata Florida Abbey