Cut & pasted from here:
http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=22161.0;topicseen (although about caving, it might be relevant to mine exploration too)
A public consultation by the WG on new legislation for Wales started on 21st June. This will affect recreational access to land and wider countryside issues. This heralds the most significant recreational legislation since the CROW Act 2000, or possibly even the National Parks Act 1949. Details can be downloaded from here:
https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/taking-forward-wales-sustainable-management-natural-resources The closing date for responses is 13th September, leaving 78 days at the time of writing this. This is no longer a "Green Paper". It is actually happening now and is the real thing. It needs everyone's engagement to get the best possible outcome for cave access in Wales, and by implication whatever improvement is achieved here will add pressure to effect improvements in England as well.
http://cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk/index.html Cavers in England can respond positively to the WG too, particularly if you travel to Wales which supports the local economy here through your recreational activity. You are also helping to maintain critical mass and momentum inside Wales by participating in caving and other physical activity like hill walking which benefits everyone, wherever they live, including those for whom Wales is home.
Cyclists made 5000+ responses to government at the Green Paper consultation stage, admittedly many of them a standard letter downloaded off a website, but it had a massive impact. The Waters of Wales campaign ran a petition and has had a kayak event at the Assembly building in Cardiff Bay and other publicity stunts. It was very visual and they got the photos they needed. This time around cavers at large must engage and respond, but their engagement needs to be well thought out and presented - so please do it later in the summer when you have all the facts plus everyone else's advice on best presentation of ideas.
There is a morning meeting of the National Access Forum for Wales (NAFW) on Tue 11 July in Welshpool. This is an open public meeting but only forum members (i.e. reps from sport governing bodies like CCC, NRW staff, and other invitees) can speak. I will be there to represent CCC. I expect some WG staff to attend and make a presentation and take questions on their legislative proposals. I expect NAFW will form a subgroup to frame its response on the land access parts of the WG proposals, and if so then I'll be joining it.
There is a private meeting of sports bodies reps the same afternoon called by the BMC and The Ramblers to discuss coordination and how we should all best respond. I'll post some more info/news after all that has taken place.
Stuart France
Access / Conservation Officer
Cambrian Caving Council