OPC SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES Co-operative members have thier own environmental sustainability policies and approach sustainable working in a variety of ways. Some use LPG powered vehicles, some are Green Dragon Award holders and others have well thought out operation procedures that ensure a pro-active approach to sustainability. As a group we all agree to work within and often beyond the guidelines originally produced by the Brecon Beacons Environment Charter Group. We include details of this groups guidelines and site specific policies below: Members of the OPC fully agree with and work to the guidelines for sustainable working in the outdoors developed by the BRECON BEACONS OUTDOOR CHARTER GROUP. Follow the link for full details of these guidelines. SITE SPECIFIC CODES OF CONDUCT These site specific codes of conduct were developed by the Brecon Beacons National Park Environmental Charter Group some years ago. This group no longer exists and all publications and information relating to the work carried out by the group has been removed from the internet. We beleive that it is important for activity providers to work within peer reviewed policies and so reproduce the codes of conduct here. WATERFALLS Erosion This is a linear walk, with little opportunity for varying the route. Use different types of paths appropriately to reduce erosion. Special Area of Conservation Respect the area’s ecological value. The Upper Mellte contains rare species of mosses & lichens. The Right bank from the resurgence of Porth yr Ogof downstream to the footbridge at Clun Gwyn is out of bounds for gorge activities. Seek guidance from Paul Sinnadurai and Forest Enterprise, and consult with Charter Group members to define which are the most sensitive areas and agree further restriction perimeters. Ongoing feedback requested from members. OGOF CLOGWYN Suggestion that Charter Group should ask Cambrian Caving Club to put information re. environmental good practice onto the website. Erosion has caused the cave access to be dangerous. This is difficult to avoid especially in wet weather. Charter Group could talk to BBNPA, CCW & National Caving Association (NCA) – to explore further. NCA provide guidelines for recommended procedures. Suggestion – minimise use. LLANGATTOCK HILLSIDE Llangattock Hillside has been available again for climbing since April 1998 (apart from the foot & mouth restrictions during 2001). Climbers are asked to observe the arrangements that have been put in place to allow this resumption. All responsible climbers are welcome to climb at the site. A code of conduct produced by BBNPA is provided below and should be closely observed. To avoid overcrowding and possible conflict, groups of climbers (more than 5) are asked to make use of a booking service, and to pay a small fee. All fees will be used to help pay for managements costs on the Hillside. Climbers not in groups (individuals) will not need to book or pay any fee. These arrangements affect only climbing; other activities are unaffected. All groups (more than 5 people) should book for climbing at Llangattock Hillside. This may be done by contacting the booking operators "Crickhowell Adventure Gear": telephone: (01873) 810149, or call in to the shop at: 1 High Street, Crickhowell. Payments should be to "Crickhowell Adventure Gear", and will be charged on the number of people stated at the time of booking. Crickhowell Adventure Gear are not taking any fees for operating the booking service. To avoid overcrowding there is a limit of 3 groups on Pinnacle Bay at any one time, and groups should not exceed 15 people. No group will have priority over any other group when booking. It may be necessary to refuse bookings if stock gathering is to take place. Climbers should use the car park shown on the map above. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE. Climbing is to take place during daylight hours and climbers should not bring dogs with them. Visitors should avoid disturbing sheep at all times, and be particularly sensitive if stock is being gathered. Climbers should show respect for the environment, and there should be no clearance of vegetation from routes. Users should not place permanent bolts or leave in place any of their own equipment for belaying such as pegs or stakes. Fixed anchors may be provided by the National Park Authority and installed in consultation with users. Leaders of climbing groups must comply with National Governing Body (British Mountaineering Council – BMC/MLTB) guidance on group supervision. In particular all group members should be aware of the access arrangements and be supervised at all times. Driving on the common without authorisation is illegal. EGLWYS FAEN There is currently little obvious environmental impact as a result of Charter Group activities. However, this is one of the Usk Valley bat sites – proposed as a Special Area of Conservation. Suggestion that Charter Group should ask Cambrian Caving Club to put information re. environmental good practice onto the website. Bats - Guidelines produced by the Bat Conservation Society for sensitive use of the site. The Charter Group needs to behave in a way that minimises confrontation with the local community, e.g. litter/parking/noise/adhere to booking procedure/show respect & courtesy to local people and other users. Public Relations - The Charter Group needs to behave in a way that minimises confrontation with the local community, e.g. litter/parking/noise/adhere to booking procedure/show respect & courtesy to local people and other users. DINAS ROCK Vary the sites that you send people – If possible direct people to the public toilets at the nearby Angel pub Watch vehicular speed at access to site Do not drive over the closed barrier Choose discreet changing places Minimise the size of vehicles brought onto the site Keep noise to a minimum – complaints have been reported to Forest Enterprise Use existing or eroded paths rather than creating more or widening existing paths Avoid shortcuts Train & manage groups to move effectively. Appropriate use of paths in different habitats: riverside vs. forest vs. open areas - minimise use of riverbed to protect fish and invertebrates. Avoid abseiling from scar Avoid damage to trees if used as belays or for Tyrolean Traversing, e.g. use padding to protect the bark and do not over-use any one tree Minimise changing the environment to suit the activity Try to improve site appearance Involve the local community in clean-up event run by Charter Group. Manage groups to minimise environmental impacts through good supervision of: Blue Stalagmite Mine Site Improvement & Litter Control Trees Main Wall Erosion Public Relations Sanitation BLAEN Y GLYN Take bins for use by staff and clients to control litter. "Mountaineering of Scotland" leaflet provides guidelines. Use existing or eroded paths rather than creating more or widening existing paths Avoid shortcuts Train groups to move effectively. Appropriate use of paths in different habitats: riverside vs. forest vs. open areas. Reduce the impact of ropes on trees Minimise soil erosion in areas around tree belays. More information is needed re. the impacts of walking on path vs. on riverbank vs. in river. Consider the impact of your activities on invertebrates & fish. Bring in your own firewood (as is done at Birch Hall) - don’t gather wood locally. Where possible, limit the number of people using site per provider, e.g. avoid multi-bus groups from a single centre - be prepared to alter plans if site becomes crowded. Feedback is requested of members as to whether or not the Charter Group should be more prescriptive & maybe introduce a booking system for use of this site.