A PROJECT to improve the quality of a North Yorkshire river holds its first workshop for farmers next week.

The River Leven is generally in good shape but suffers from a buildup of silt and mud.

The Environment Agency is concerned that unless steps are taken it will affect fish stocks and could lead to flooding.

Now it has enlisted the help of North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group to promote a grant scheme available to farmers in the river catchment area.

The river flows from Kildale to Yarm and a combination of factors are believed to be behind the build up of sediment.

Heavier bursts of rainfall create a faster flow of water which can lead to bank erosion and the formation of sand banks. Large-scale tree felling is also believed to have caused faster run-off into the river.

On Wednesday, a soil management workshop takes place at Robert Campbell’s Oneholmes Farm, Stokesley, to explain the project to farmers and the help on offer.

He said: “The River Leven does not have high levels of nutrients – we know there are other monitoring initiatives going on and they have found the river to be quite healthy – it is the sediment and bank erosion that is the problem.”

The voluntary scheme offers farmers grants for a variety of measures to help tackle the problem.

They cover gates and fences, including watercourse fencing to stop cattle and sheep damaging the banks; water provision for grazing livestock, including pumps, pipework and troughs; management of run-off and drainage water, dirty water and sediments using such things as drains and traps.

North Yorkshire FWAG advisers have begun contacting all 330 farms in the River Leven catchment area.

The area is roughly bounded by Middlesbrough, Guisborough and Roseberry Topping, Kildale, Urra Moor, Scugdale and Yarm.

Phil Lyth, conservation adviser, said 68 farms had been visited up to the end of March. “We will contact each farm to offer a free visit to explain the project and discuss what grants might be available.”

Some aspects of the scheme can also help farmers gain points required for environmental stewardship and cross compliance.

The workshop will explain the project and includes speakers from the Environment Agency and FWAG.

There will be demonstrations on assessing soil structure and texture A discussion of potential soil problems – such as compaction, run-off, erosion, poaching, waterlogging and wind erosion – and solutions will take place during a short farm walk.

The pros and cons of tillage and non-inversion systems will include a look at machinery including a Gregoire Besson Discordon min-till cultivator, Kverneland CLD and Rabe Fieldbird.

Opportunities for protecting soils under environmental stewardship and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment will be explained.

The event – from 1pm to 4pm – is free but places should be booked with FWAG on 01845-527850 or email yorks@fwag.org.uk.