Black Isle Landscape Partnership Working Group

Black Isle Landscape Partnership working group

Title – Black Isle Burns : their exploration and enhancement

Background

Many small burns criss-cross the Black Isle landscape, providing vital habitats networks for wildlife. In the past many of the burns have contributed to the economy of the area, providing for their neighbouring communities, and producing power for mills. The economic need for the burns has now passed, and many Black Isle communities will be unaware of their existence.

Threats

All Black Isle burns have been assessed as being of below desired physical condition and water quality (SEPA analysis). Salmon and sea trout have been recorded in the lower reaches of the burn, but are unable to move upstream. This is the result of : a) Physical condition

• Blockages of burns preventing the movement of fish upstream. These may include rock constructions, fallen trees and human artefacts washed into the burns (agricultural plastics, toys etc).

• Canalisation of burns resulting in a relatively uniform profile with limited morphological or ecological diversity. This has lead to a lack of in-stream habitat for the refuge of trout and the loss of loose spawning gravels and deeper areas of refuge for adult trout.

• Severe reduction in riparian habitat.

• The spread of non-native invasive species, such as Himalayan balsam and butterbur. a) Poor water quality

As a result of:

• agricultural run-off

• septic tank malfunction and overflow.

Proposal

The Black Isle burns project will have two themes, each with a number of strands:

Theme 1: Environmental Improvement works

Proposal [email protected] This will focus on one burn catchment - the Newhall Burn - which covers much of the parish of Resolis. It is intended that the Newhall Burn acts as a pilot project and inspiration for action along the other Black Isle burns.

Method

The environmental work will focus on:

• Removing physical blockages

• Develop instream artificial meanders along the canalised sections of the burn - using in stream structures, such as angled logs from local timber, to create stream flow variation around the log.

• Improve riparian habitat along the burn side, providing improved wildlife habitat, and a decrease in the flow of surface and ground water and silts into the burn, in partnership with riparian land managers.

• Work with riparian land managers to ensure riparian woodland & trees meet the FCS water guidelines.

As a result of the environmental work the burn will be in better condition both chemically and physically. There will be improved access for fish, with suitable spawning grounds accessible upstream. The improvement in water quality will promote increased riverine biodiversity generally.

The work will be undertaken in four phases. It is anticipated that substantial elements of Phases 1 & 2 will be completed as part of the project planning phase of the landscape partnership project:

1. Land owner/manager liaison

The landowner/managers along the Newhall Burn will be:

• consulted to obtain permission for survey work

• involved in developing the action plan for their stretch of burn

2. Environmental Study

A desk based and walked survey of the Newhall Burn and its main tributaries will be carried out in order to identify:

• non-native invasive species distribution

• physical features causing burn obstruction

• zones of canalisation that could be improved through environmental works to create improved flow

• zones that offer the potential for riparian habitat improvement

[email protected] 3. Action Planning

This will be based on the survey work and developed with the landowners and partner bodies. It will include:

• liaison with: landowner/managers and SEPA (officers and Area Advisory Groups) to agree a work programme

• creation of a timetable for the work to be undertaken

• development of a volunteer team

• identification of where and how volunteers and contractors can work together

4. Undertaking environmental improvements

This will follow the programme devised through item 3 above.

Estimated timescale: 3 - 5 years

Theme 2: Community learning and environmental awareness raising

This strand of work will take place with three Black Isle communities/parishes (Resolis + two others) and is essential in creating community support and interest in the environmental benefits of burns that have good water quality and physical condition. There will be several aspects to this strand:

1. Historical research

Facilitated community research into the historical significance of burns for wildlife and the economy and how this has changed over time.

5. Nature tours and visits

River/ wildlife expert led site visits to look at positive and negative aspects of the current burns. To include discussion on some of the improvement works.

6. School-based activities a) Environmental: activities can include:

• Burn studies that include, observations of nature and water quality measurements: helping pupils to see how the condition of the water course, both the physical habitat and the water quality affects what can live there

• classroom mayfly hatching

• community history project - talking with members of their community about the burn, how it has changed, what it has meant to them in the past and present, and what their vision is for the future.

[email protected] 1. Creation of a volunteer network: The volunteer network will be able to assist with eg: water quality monitoring, removal of non-native invasive species, improvements in the physical condition of the burn.

7. Public awareness campaign: a) publicity about the different activities happening within the project b) a Black Isle-wide campaign about the importance of regular emptying of septic tanks – based on a school poster campaign (linking with the other school activities listed above) and promoted through press and social media. c) ‘Adopt-a-Burn’ – to encourage schools and communities to work with landowners to continue to study their local burn, looking at wildlife, water quality and removing invasive plant species. d) Black Isle burns community celebration (s): an event(s) to bring together the results of the all the community and schools activities, and which will enthuse people about the project and encourage them to keep being a part of it.

Key participants

1. Landowner/managers

2. Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust

3. SEPA

4. Volunteers of all ages interested in:

• history

• conservation and habitat management

• ecology

1. Schools

Key public bodies

1. SEPA - contribute to landowner/manager liaison, information, legislation, permission, potential funding

2. SGRIPD - SRDP - contribute to landowner/manager liaison, grant funding

3. FCS - grant funding for riparian woodland development

4. Schools - participate in activities

Other partners

Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust - expert advice [email protected] Wild Trout Trust - advice on practical in-stream measures, and a demonstration/ training visit

Local Action Groups (e.g. TBI, HBRG)

[email protected] Cost

These are very much initial estimates

Item Costs Non- Volunteer input HLF cash contrib ution Burn survey £5K to be agreed Project management £50 - £60K - part-time This is based on a project officer over 5 years (~£25K) with volunteer input in the order of £6k. Contractor £50 - £100K - this is Volunteer input to be agreed during environmental very much dependent project development. Local works: on the scale of work volunteers can be used to support the In-stream meanders, identified and agreed. contractor work. There is the potential large & small debris for FCS to provide trees for riparian removal, burn-side woodland tree felling

volunteer covered by project coordination management volunteer equipment £1K volunteer travel £5K expenses community history £20K - to include all Based on paid facilitators running research (in 3 costs (teaching, events in 3 communities with approx.. places) research materials, 50 volunteers/participants in total advertising, venue hire, exhibition creation) classroom mayfly provided by the In kind CFT contribution 4 days @ hatching (in 3 Cromarty Fisheries £300 schools) Trust classroom history £9K to provide support 1 or 2 volunteers per event project, nature walks and training to teachers etc from 3 schools. public awareness & £30K (for production of action- septic tank materials, advertising, campaign articles, project officer travel to relevant community meetings.

Suggested day rates: non skilled labour £60 per day, skilled labour (chainsaw, power tools etc) £175 per day and specialist skills such as project management and monitoring £300 per day.

Other (potential) funders

Water Environment Fund (if SEPA restarts it)

Moray Firth Partnership [email protected] Patagonia World Trout Initiative

Nineveh Trust

Wild Trout Trust

SNH/FCS??

Local Sponsors (e.g. Keltic Sea Fare Ltd or Aquascott Ltd))

Timescale and Development work

During the development phase the projects will be worked up in more detail in consultation with land owners/managers and local community groups. Detailed plans and costs will be developed. Ideally, the burn survey should be undertaken during this phase.

The environmental and community works will take place throughout the delivery phase of the LP scheme.

[email protected]