KiCsA R DEE GEMENT N: 1996 CATCHMENT STATISTICS

Area 2088 km Population 427,000 (estimate) Area at flood risk 10,500 Ha Average Annual Rainfall 1,130 mm

River Quality 135.1 km Very Good 145.5 km Good 32.5 km Fair 21.7 km Poor 6.8 km Bad

Estuary Quality 63 .0 km Good 2.5 km Fair

Designated Fisheries 291 km Salmonid (78/659/EEC) 28.5 km Cyprinid

Designated Bathing Water W est Kirby (76/160/EEC)

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This report is intended to be used widely and may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that the extracts are not quoted out of context and due acknowledgement is given to the National Rivers A uthority.

Acknowledgement:-

Maps are based on the 1992 Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale map with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s stationary Office © Copyright.

WE 3 96 lk E AQMX Awarded for excellence ■ THE AREA MANAGER'S VISION FOR THE \K EE CATCHMENTS U

The River Dee is of major importance as a source of • We will pursue measures to improve protection water supply for domestic and industrial purposes in of water quality by implementing pollution North East Wales and North West England. As a prevention initiatives, key amongst which will consequence, it has become one of the most regulated be establishment of a Water Protection Zone, if rivers in Europe, with complex systems to manage river approved by the Secretary of State for Wales. flows and to maintain it's high quality. The flow • In undertaking our own operational activities, management systems also provide measures to reduce particularly in relation to flood defence, we will the frequency and impact of flooding within the do so in a manner which is sympathetic to the catchment. conservation features of the catchment. Routine Despite the high level of manipulation of river flows, maintenance of sections of main river will the Dee has important natural features that need continue on an annual basis, with non routine protection. The river is prominent nationally for operations carried out on an as - needs basis. salmon fishing. It has a significant population of sea lit is imperative that we develop good cooperative trout which is largely unexploited and also supports working arrangements with other organisations and important coarse and estuarine fishing. Llyn Tegid and agencies if we are to successfully manage such a the Dee estuary are RAMSAR sites, part of the river complex and important catchment. We particularly corridor has recently been identified as an SSSI and the hope through this Plan to influence the development catchment as a whole presents numerous opportunities plans of Local Authorities. for those with ornithological and other conservation interests. More active pursuits are catered for at The delivery of this vision for the catchment and Canolfan Tryweryn, the National White Water Centre, resolution of the issues contained in this Action Plan where white water canoeing and rafting is available. will therefore require active collaboration from a range of organisations. We have an opportunity to develop a The challenge for the NRA is to protect and develop cohesive, integrated management approach and we look the potential of the catchment in such a manner that forward to receiving the support and active the needs of this wide range of interests are properly involvement of users of the catchment in order to balanced. Our vision for the lifetime of this Plan achieve this vision. includes the following:

• We will pursue improved security measures for water resources provided by the Dee Regulation Scheme, ensuring that the needs of the S. J . BROW N abstractors are served whilst protecting the river NORTHERN AREA MANAGER - environment and other uses. NRA WELSH REGION

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CONTENTS

AREA MANAGER’S VISION FOR THE CATCHMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

2.0 REVIEW OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS 3

3.0 OVERVIEW OF THE CATCHMENT 3

4.0 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE AND THE WATER ENVIRONMENT 8

5.0 ISSUES AND ACTIONS 9

6.0 FUTURE REVIEW AND MONITORING 33

, )

1.0 INTRODUCTION

THE CONCEPT OF CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT will be businesslike, efficient and caring towards PLANNING our employees."

The rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters of We have chosen to use Catchment Management Plans England and Wales are subject to large and rapidly (CMPs) to translate those principles into action. The increasing demands from the users of water. Many Action Plan is a strategic policy framework for the different uses interact or compete for water and will management of the catchment and is produced after we inevitably come into conflict with one another. The have considered the comments received on the National Rivers Authority aims to protect and Consultation Plan. It includes a statement of action improve the water environment in England and needed to achieve the vision for the Dee Catchment Wales and to harmonise conflicts between competing and will form the basis for improvements to the water water users. Our Mission Statement expresses the environment by outlining the areas for work and following principles: investment proposed by the NRA and others. The ' Action Plan prim arily covers the five year period from "We will protect and improve the water 1996 ro 2000, although a number of projects may take environment by the effective management of ■' longer owing~xp funding availability and government water resources and by substantial reductions in policy. -The Region wjlbfbrmally adopt the proposals pollution. We will aim to provide effective in the Action Plan. defence for people and property against flooding 4 * i •» from rivers and the sea. In discharging our CMPs also provide the means of promoting two key duties we will operate openly and balance the aspects of environmental management:- • • *1 » » ♦ • interests of all who benefit from and use rivers, * '• ' land use planning * groundwaters, estuaries and coastal waters. We • water quality objectives. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE PLANNING At present, only the standards for the River Ecosystem AND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING Use have been developed on a formal basis and, as a result, this is the first SWQO Use to be introduced by The broad objective of catchment management the Government through the Surface Waters (River planning is to conserve and enhance the total river Ecosystem) (Classification) Regulations 1994. This environment through effective land and resource replaces the Fisheries Ecosystem Scheme used in the management. However, whilst the NRA is well placed Consultation Report (see The Surface Waters (River to influence some of the factors affecting the water Ecosystem) (Classification) Regulations 1994) and is environment, particularly in relation to the river the first of the five uses to be formally introduced. The corridor itself, we have very little control over the new scheme contains water quality standards which are mechanisms which determine land use change on a statistically more robust than those in the earlier catchment-wide basis. This is to some degree the proposal. Consequently, the data used for the CMP responsibility of local planning authorities through the Consultation Report have been re- examined to reflect implementation of the Town and Country Planning the new scheme and some of the actions proposed may Acts, whilst agriculture, as a major land use in the have changed as a result. The benefit of this more catchment, can introduce significant changes. rigorous examination is that the NRA can be even The policies in statutory development plans are more confident that the money we spend, or ask others important in this regard, in that they set out the to spend, is targeted to resolve those issues that will framework for land use change and provide the key lead to the most significant improvements in water reference in determining development applications. quality. For each classified stretch within the Dee The NRA encourages the inclusion of policies which catchment, a River Ecosystem class target has been reflect its concerns and responsibilities. As guidance proposed and this CMP Action Plan identifies, where for local authorities, the NRA has prepared a set of appropriate, the actions required to achieve these statements relating to water quality and water targets. At present, these targets will only be applied resources, flood defence, fisheries, conservation, informally although it is hoped that, in the near future, recreation and navigation in the river corridor, and these may be established as Statutory WQOs by the mineral workings and waste disposal. These Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales. statements are summarised in our "Guidance Notes for Local Planning Authorities on the Methods of Protecting the Water Environment through Deve.opment Plans".

This CMP Action Plan sets out issues and actions specific to the Dee catchment which have been determined within the framework of these Guidance Notes. Section 4 outlines how consideration of the concerns of the water environment should influence the location and nature of development and land use change within the catchment.

WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES

The Statutory Water Quality Objectives (SWQOs) scheme, introduced under the Water Resources Act 1991, is a new system for water quality planning which will place quality targets on a statutory footing. The scheme is based upon the recognised uses to which a river stretch may be put and is consistent with the principles of CMPs. These uses will include River Ecosystem, Special Ecosystem, Abstraction for Potable Supply, Agricultural/ Industrial Abstraction and Water Sports.

2 2 . REVIEW OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Dee Catchment Management Plan consultation Issues 14, 25 and 61 - now included in Issue 13 report was distributed to 405 organisations and • Issues 30, 31 and 32 - now included in Issue 28 individuals, including statutory and non-statutory bodies, to seek their views on the NRA's proposals. • Issue 43 - incorporated into Issue 6 This was distributed a week in advance of the formal • Issue 62 - incorporated into Issue 36 public launch of the Plan at the Rossett Hall Hotel, Rossett on the 21st July, 1994. In addition to the • Issue 38 - incorporated into Issue 37 comments received at the launch, all consultees were • Issue 40 - incorporated into Issue 39 invited to submit their detailed views by 31st October, 1994. This then gives the total number of discrete issues within the catchment that still require action as 44. There were 67 respondents, the support of which we The new issues are: found most encouraging. A small number were of the view that the NRA's proposals were not sufficiently 68 Improvements to Bagillt East sewage treatment exacting. Others questioned some of the factual works information and provided corrections/amendments. All 69 Appraisal of the navigational priorities of the respondents were sent an acknowledgement for their Dee estuary valued contributions which were considered in the 70 Flood defence improvement scheme for Sealand preparation of this Action Plan. area of Chester The consultation report identified 67 issues within the 71 Long term improvements to standards of service catchment. The public consultation identified a further and security of the Dee Regulation System 15 potential issues of which 5 were adopted as new during periods of drought issues. The changes since the consultation report are as 72 The inclusion of the Dee Estuary in the follows:- "Montreux Record" of Ramsar sites which have • Issues 68, 69, 70 and 71 - new issues following been ecologically damaged public consultation The consultation process is a very important and • Issues 26 and 35 - withdrawn (for reasons see integral part of our development of a Catchment Tables in Section 5.0) Management Plan, and in particular, the preparation of the Action Plan. The consultation on this Plan has Issues 4, 10, 41, 44 and 48 - actions completed revealed that many share the NRA's vision for the Dee • Issue 12 - integrated into Issue 2 and are supportive of the proposed actions to achieve the objectives set by the Authority. Issues 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27 and 29 - integrated into Issue 5

BE OVERVIEW OF THE CATCHMENT

GENERAL mudflats of the estuary. It is steeped in history (these were the homelands of Owain Glyndwr) and has a The Dee is one of the most important rivers in the wealth of conservation interests. The influence of man United Kingdom. It's source lies within the from pre-Roman times is very evident throughout the Snowdonia National Park and the catchment through catchment. which it flows contains a wide range of landscape types from high mountains around Bala, rugged peaks near The course and topography of the river valley and Llangollen, steep sided wooded valleys, the plains of tributaries were strongly influenced and modified by Cheshire and North Shropshire and finally the vast the glacial activity which ended some 13,000 years ago. The Lower Dee floodplain is a former lake with a narrow restricted outlet, which explains the difficulty of preventing flooding completely in these parts. The need to maximise the availability and quality of water resources in the catchment for supplying drinking water, to control flooding and to protect important fisheries and conservation interests has led to the Dee becoming one of the most regulated rivers in Europe.

WATER RESOURCES

The framework for the present day management of the river is defined within the Dee and Clwyd River Authority Act 1973- The three lakes used for river regulation are Brenig, Celyn and Tegid. Llyn Tegid is a natural lake, whilst Brenig and Celyn are reservoirs owned by D r Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW). In order to secure the proper operation and management result of high tides, which regularly exceed the Chester of these reservoirs, the NRA has entered into an weir crest level. Accompanying these flow reversals "operating agreement" with DCWW under Section 20 there are temporary variations in river levels of a metre of the Water Resources Act 1991. or more over 12 hours. These unsteady hydraulic The regulated Dee provides drinking water to over 2 conditions cause problems for hydrometric million people, distributed by four Water Companies, measurement, real time control of regulation releases as well as water for agricultural and industrial uses. In and prediction of times of travel within the reach. addition, provisions are made within the system to FLOOD DEFENCE store nearly 10,300 million litres for special release purposes each year. These purposes include fishery, The provision and maintenance of effective flood recreation and water quality management. defence is necessary to protect people and property Hydrometric data are collected at 29 sites for river against flooding from rivers and the sea. There are flows and levels, at 36 sites for groundwater levels and some 10,500 hectares at risk within the catchment and at 26 sites for rainfall. Flows and levels are also the powers to maintain or improve defences are shared recorded at the regulating reservoirs and at the Alwen by a mixture of maritime District Councils and the direct supply reservoir. Annual average rainfall varies NRA. The extensive development within the coastal from 2500mm in the mountains above Bala to 600mm plain has generated a commitment to the provision of in the Chester area, typical annual evaporation being adequate sea defences by the District Councils. In around 450 mm. addition there are major defences in private ownership, predominantly by British Rail. The types of sea The natural average run-off to Chester weir is 36.8 defences vary between natural dune systems and more cubic metres per second (cumecs). Licensed traditional sea walls. The NRA owns short lengths of abstractions from the Dee catchment amount to over 1 sea defence (at Llanasa, Heswall and Broken Bank) million Ml/a, which includes abstraction from surface which are maintained annually, but we are more and groundwaters for drinking, industrial use, spray extensively involved with the maintenance of the irrigation, electricity generation, fish farms and transfer Hawarden and Northern Embankments along the purposes. The water abstracted by fish farms and for canalised length of the Dee. These defences provide hydro electric power generation is all returned to the protection to industrial development within the river. In total over 600 thousand Ml/a is licensed for estuarial flood plain. transfer within the catchment, of which 99% is associated with the regulation of the Dee. The The fluvial (non-tidal) flood plain of the Dee is abstraction of water into the Shropshire Union Canal principally in the agricultural middle reach between represents a transfer of water out of the catchment. Chester and Bangor-on-Dee, for which fluvial defences The lower reach between Farndon and Chester weir give limited protection from inundation. Further experiences flow reversals of up to 100 cumecs as a fluvial defences within the catchment are concentrated mainly in urban situations, e.g. the River Alyn at Mold numbers and large size of its grayling. Much of the sea and the Dee at Bangor-on-Dee. fishing is undertaken by local operators in small craft, The extensive areas of coastal and river flood plains but occasionally large fishing vessels enter the outer present drainage difficulties due to the low- lying estuary. Illegal netting of salmonids was a serious nature of the land. Pumping stations are used in many problem in the estuary. The problem still continues urban and rural situations to facilitate drainage. but new legislation introduced by the NRA in August Elsewhere in the catchment, Flood Defence work 1992 has significantly reduced this activity. Licensed consists mainly of shoal removal and river management salmon and sea trout netting is currently restricted schemes. Regulation of the upper catchment of the under a Net Limitation Order (under the 1975 Salmon Dee at Bala provides the opportunity to exercise a and Freshwater Fisheries Act) to 30 draft (Seine) and 4 degree of flood control and operate a flood warning trammel nets each year, downstream of Chester. scheme. The scheme, specifically designed for the Concern over the decline of spring running salmon has benefit of urban developments at Bala, Corwen and resulted in the development of byelaws aimed at Bangor- on-Dee, also provides a service to landowners reducing net and rod catches, implemented during for agricultural/stock protection purposes in the E)ee 1995. Cockling has recently become a major flood plain. There have been reports of minor flooding commercial interest and this shellfishery will continue incidents on non-main (ordinary) watercourses, but to provide beneficial local employment, provided it is there are no known flooding problems for property properly managed. Prawns and shrimps have been the within the area covered by the Plan. There is a small source of a thriving local industry for generations and storage area within the catchment at Knoll's Bridge are found in abundance in the outer estuary at certain designed to reduce peak flows. However, progressive times of the year. Mussels are also to be found in a few development of the Finchetts Gutter catchment in locations around the outer estuary, particularly off West Chester has highlighted the need for a Flood Protection Kirby, Thurstaston and Greenfield. Improvement Scheme, and that is currently Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, contains programmed for construction during the period 14 species including the gwyniad (Coregonusdupoides 1996-1998. pannantii) a relic from the last ice age and unique to

FISHERIES the UK. Since 1991 the NRA has operated a purpose built salmon trap at Chester weir, providing the most The fisheries of the Dee are of national importance, intensive monitoring station in Wales and England. with a commercial salmon fishery, sea fisheries of The trap monitoring and associated studies (the Dee economic significance in the estuary and a wide range Stock Assessment Programme) aim to provide scientific of species present elsewhere in the catchment. measures of both the numbers of fish entering the river Salmonids (salmon, sea trout and brown trout) are and the factors influencing them. Not surprisingly, widespread whilst cyprinids (coarse fish) are abundant angling is a major interest in the catchment. In in the lower river. The Dee is noted for the good economic terms the salmon fishery is of great importance but coarse fishing is also popular. Salmon catches vary according to the time of year and to movement of fish into the freshwater river from the estuary. The 10 year annual mean declared rod catch to 1991 was 538, with the majority of fish being taken in the period between August and October.

Several reservoirs in the headwaters provide good quality trout fishing. Llyn Brenig in particular caters for large match events, both for bank and boat fishing. In recent years a multitude of smaller trout lakes have been developed as put-and-take fisheries.

Acidification problems on some of the Llyn Tegid tributaries and the River Alwen result in poor populations of salmonids with non-migratory fish being better adapted to the conditions. CONSERVATION

The Dee Catchment has 46 sites of conservation importance. Rising in uplands within the Snowdonia National Park and designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Dee travels through wooded river valleys and lowland river meander systems of geomorphological importance. The large inter-tidal areas of the estuary provide rich feeding grounds for up to 120,000 birds. It is an area of international importance, being one of the five top sites in Britain (over 10% of wintering waders) and is in the top ten most important in Europe (over 1% of NW European wildfowl). This importance is recognised in its designation as a RAMSAR site (wetland of 10% of all currently known sites. The sites include international importance) and a SPA (Special prehistoric forts (e.g. the Caer Eini ridge), crop marks Protection Area). The extensive saltmarshes are of such as those at Llanfor, bridges (e.g. Pont Fawr, considerable botanical interest, whilst the outer Llandderfel), the Walls, tower gates, and posterns of estuary is important for grey seals, with about 15% of the City of Chester, and part of Offa's Dyke. the Welsh population. Llyn Tegid is the largest RECREATION natural lake in Wales and is a Ramsar site and SSSI, containing the rare snail Myxas glutinosa and the The water environment is a key attraction for the gwyniad referred to above. important tourist industry in the area. Frequently visited areas of high amenity value include the estuary, RECREATION Chester, Llangollen, Snowdonia National Park The Migneint, in the upper reaches, is a proposed (including Llyn Tegid), Llyn Brenig and several RAMSAR site and one of the largest areas of blanket lowland country parks. Outside of these centres, bog in Wales, whilst the Berwyn is a proposed ESA facilities for car-based visitors (picnic sites, (Environmentally Sensitive Area) and SPA (Special interpretative facilities) are poor. However, riverside Protection Area), nationally notable for its blanket access is particularly good with almost continuous mire vegetation and bird populations. Otters appear to footpaths on one or both banks from Connah's Quay to be on the increase, particularly on the Rivers Ceiriog Overton. The estuary is internationally recognised for and Alyn, whilst dippers occur on most upland its bird populations and bird watching is popular, with tributaries. Sandmartins, kingfishers, sawbills and formal events organised by the RSPB on Wirral wagtails are common. foreshores and at Point-of-Ayr. However, bird watching facilities on inland reserves are non-existent, There are 218 Scheduled Ancient Monuments which with the exception of a hide at Brenig. Near the lie within the catchment, but these represent less than headwaters, the larger lakes and reservoirs are popular for sailing, wind surfing and sub-aqua activity, whilst the Alwen Reservoir is one of the few inland sites in Wales used for water skiing. At Bala, the regulated Afon Tryweryn is the base for the National W hite Water Centre (Canolfan Tryweryn) and the river is internationally renowned for wild water and slalom canoeing, In 1994 the wild water racing World Cup was staged on this river, and it hosted the 1995 World Championships. The Dee at the historical town of Chester is popular for a variety of boating activities, as is the Shropshire Union Canal. Tidal constraints limit activity in the canalised section of the estuary but further seawards this is well used by sailing dinghies and small fishing boats, whilst parts of the estuary salt marsh are used for Wildfowling. At West Kirby, the stations and twice daily sampling at nine key bathing water has been identified under the EC locations to detect any incidents that may threaten Directive (76/160/EEC) and considerable recreational the quality of water abstracted from the river. This activity takes place along this north shore of the estuary. programme is designed to give warning to water undertakers so that abstractions may be shut down or NAVIGATION treatment processes altered to deal with any problems. The NRA, as successor to the Dee Conservancy Board To minimise the frequency and impact of such which was established under the Dee Conservancy Act incidents, the NRA is seeking further controls on the 1889, is responsible for navigation on the estuary. It is way potentially polluting substances are stored and is also the Harbour Authority for the greater part of the seeking an Order under S.93 of the Water Resources estuary. Due to the shallow channel, commercial Act 1991 to establish a water protection zone. shipping is restricted to entering the upper estuary on Following a Public Inquiry, the NRA is awaiting the a limited number of tides per year. The only port of decision of the Secretary of State for Wales. If any size is that at Mostyn Docks near the mouth of the granted, the Dee Water Protection Zone would be the estuary, which can accommodate commercial shipping first of its kind in the UK. throughout the year. From Chester weir upstream to Most of the 141 significant sewage discharges and Farndon Bridge, navigation is the responsibility of some of the 29 major industrial discharges are made Chester City Council. Upstream of Farndon Bridge, directly to the freshwater river, generally on the fringes there are no public rights of navigation. The of urbanised areas. The regulated nature of the river navigation authority for the Shropshire Union Canal is ensures high dilution for these main river discharges British Waterways. and for most pollution incidents, except in severe WATER QUALITY droughts or when major incidents occur. Agriculture may however exert substantial impacts on quality in The Dee is generally of very good water quality the lowland areas especially in Cheshire, whilst forestry throughout its length although a number of tributaries and sheep rearing can exert lesser impacts in upland are adversely affected by sewage or agricultural areas. Some upland sub-catchments suffer from the pollution. Very low summer flows in some tributaries effects of acidification. can contribute to adverse effects on quality. Occasional pollution incidents in the main river or the tributaries Most industrial discharges are made to the estuary and a can have severe impacts on some uses, especially phased programme of improvements has been agreed with potable water abstraction. The river is intensively many industries around the estuary. Historical industrial monitored, including automated bank-side monitoring activities in this part of the catchment have left a legacy of contaminated land and the NRA liaises closely with local authorities to ensure that redevelopment of contaminated sites proceeds in a manner which does not adversely affect surface or ground waters. A number of large discharges of sewage are made to the estuary, some of which cause water quality problems. The NRA is also concerned that the identified bathing water at West Kirby fails to meet the standards of the EC Bathing Waters Directive. Negotiations with both Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and North West Water Ltd. has ensured that much of the finance has now been allocated to improvement schemes where they are required.

CATCHMENT USES The range of uses and activities within the Dee catchment is extensive and all legitimate uses of the catchment which can impact, or interact, within the water environment have been described under 21 categories of Use in the Catchment Management Plan Consultation Report. These are: Fisheries Ecosystem (now River Ecosystem) Urban Development (including road, rail and Special Ecosystems airport) Conservation - General Ecology and Landscape Abstraction for Drinking Water (Potable) Supply Archaeology and Heritage Abstraction for Industrial Supply Commercial Harvesting of Sea Fish and Shellfish Abstraction for Agricultural Supply for Human Consumption Sewage Effluent Disposal Basic Amenity Industrial Effluent Disposal Angling Solid Waste Disposal (Landfill) Water Sports Activity Mineral Extraction Boating Agricultural Activity Navigation Forestry Flood W ater Storage and Flood Defence

There will inevitably be some interaction and and increase the number and diversity of wetland sometimes conflict between different Uses. Among habitats and the resistance of some landowners to the those identified in the Dee catchment are potential change. Also more extensive access for canoeing may conflicts between the desire by the NRA to enhance conflict with angling.

4.0 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE AND THE WATER ENVIRONMENT

The policies in local authority statutory development The NRA will object to development in areas where plans are very important, given that they provide the existing inadequate sewage disposal facilities cause framework for land use change and provide the key degradation of the aquatic environment, and where reference in determining development applications there is no commitment to an improvement scheme (Planning and Compensation Act 1991). The NRA within an acceptable timescale. This policy is therefore welcomes the inclusion of policies in currently applied to B agillt East where inadequate development plans, which reflect the Authority's sewage treatment facilities are resulting in the concerns and responsibilities including the statutory pollution of a tributary of the Dee estuary. requirement to conserve and enhance the water Development of low lying land adjacent to the river or environment and associated lands. To facilitate this, in the flood or coastal plain may put itself and existing the NRA has provided all local planning authorities development at greater risk of flooding. Development with'Guidance Notes for Local Planning Authorities on in the higher reaches of the catchment may also the Methods of Protecting the Water Environment increase this risk by reducing the time for flows to through Development Plans1. peak and by increasing the peak flow at critical The Dee catchment has a varied and generally high locations downstream. The NRA is obliged to advise quality environment. Nevertheless, the impacts of the local planning authorities where any proposed different land uses on the water environment are evident. development is at risk from flooding, in accordance The extensive residential development, particularly in with Welsh Office Circular 68/92. the coastal resort towns, was not historically During the lifetime of this Action Plan the NRA will be accompanied by development of environmentally required to produce W ater Level Management Plans for adequate sewage disposal facilities. This has resulted in all sites agreed between the NRA and the Countryside sewage being discharged into the estuary, causing Council for Wales. The plans will be produced over a aesthetic pollution and in particular the failure of the three year prioritised programme. Once finalised, the identified bathing water at West Kirby to comply with details of the programme will be built into the Action the EC Bathing Waters Directive standards. However Plan at the time of its annual review. this problem, and others, should be eliminated within the lifetime of the Plan. Agriculture and afforestation are predominant in this catchment and their associated activities can, if not that has occurred within the Plan Area since Roman properly managed, result in deterioration of river water times, there are only minor localised problems quality and adversely affect river flows. The Control of resulting from this activity. The most notable problem Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural fuel Oil) is elevated zinc levels in the Clywedog. Regulations 1991 have introduced standards of Any land use which could result in contamination of construction within the agricultural industry which land or which could mobilise pollutants in land already will serve to reduce the incidence of agricultural contaminated will be subject to the requirement of the pollution. NRA's Groundwater Protection Policy. Groundwater The forestry industry and the NRA have produced the is available under a large part of the catchment and it Forests and Water Guidelines which set standards to is abstracted for public water supply by Dwr Cymru minimise problems from forestry operations. These Welsh Water, Wrexham Water, North West Water guidelines are regularly reviewed. Whilst coniferous Ltd, Chester Waterworks Company and Severn Trent afforestation is not the primary cause of acidification it Water. Its importance as a source of drinking water can exacerbate its impact. Acidification is evident in and, in supporting springs and river flows during dry the upper reaches of the catchment and Indicative periods, reinforces the need to protect its quality. Forestry Strategies and associated future planting Therefore, in support of its pollution prevention work, should have proper regard to this. The NRA the NRA will look to the planning authorities to welcomes the increasing dialogue on planting proposals regard the protection of groundwater as a material with the forestry organisations and local planning consideration in the determination of planning authorities. Coniferous planting in acid sensitive areas applications. (where buffering capacity provided by the underlying Land use and the water environment are thus closely geology is inadequate) must be kept to a minimum and inter-related and the NRA will actively promote with in some cases avoided. Replanting of sensitive areas the local planning authorities the need for the protection continues to be a cause for concern. of the water environment to be clearly evident in policies Despite the mining activity for both coal and metals within their statutory development plans.

5.0 ISSUES AND ACTION

INTRODUCTION which are presented in tabular form in this section. The Dee catchment is generally of very high quality, All the actions identified have been discussed with but issues have been identified that must be resolved to those parties involved in undertaking the actions. progress our vision for the catchment. This Action Only where these parties have agreed to the actions, Plan is the means by which the vision is progressively the timescale of implementation and the costs involved turned into reality. It is a clear statement of intent by has the NRA featured these elements in this Action a range of organisations to carry out operational work Plan. In the absence of these agreements or sufficient in the field that will translate aims and objectives into information, the issues are included but without the tangible improvements. details of costs, timescale, and responsibility.

This Action Plan has a 5 year programme initially and, Due to the reassessment of the water quality data using whereas many of the actions required will be in place the statistically more robust River Ecosystem system, the perceived problem of catchment - wide failure of by the end of this period, there will be some actions outstanding which will remain to be addressed for our zinc and copper has been withdrawn as an Issue. vision to be fully realised. Moreover, Catchment Elevated zinc levels are a problem in the Clywedog and Management Planning is dynamic in nature and, more this Issue still features in the Action Plan.

actions may be identified over the ensuing years which PROGRESS WITH ACTION PLAN/VISION will be required to ensure the river environment of the The baseline from which the Action Plan operates is Dee catchment is adequately protected. the 'State of the Catchment' reported in the First of all, however, there are 44 issues to be resolved Consultation document distributed during 1994. The following abbreviations have been used in the main text and tables: Natural Environment Research Council ADAS Agricultural Development and NERC Advisory Service NFU National Farmers Union BC Borough Council NRA National Rivers Authority BWB British Waterways Board NWW North West Water PLC CC County Council NWWT North Wales Wildlife Trust CCW Countryside Council for Wales RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds CLA Country Landowners Association SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument CMP Catchment Management Plan SNCI Site of Nature Conservation Interest CSOs Combined Sewer Overflows SPA Special Protection Area CWC Chester Waterworks Company SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest DC District Council STW Sewage Treatment Works DCWW Dwr Cym ru W elsh W ater TDUG Tidal Dee Users Group DECG Dee Estuary Conservation Group UWWTD Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive DoE Department of the Environment WCA Welsh Canoe Association EC European Community WQ Water Quality FUW Farmers Union of Wales WRA Waste Regulatory Authority MAFF Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food WW Wrexham Water ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 1 The Identified Bathing Water at West Kirby fails to comply with the satandards of the EC Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC).

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITYCOST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER

Identify localised point sources of bacterial contamination and ensure discharge is adequately improved. Point sources have been identified as surface waters and CSOs.

(1) Surface Management Management NRA <0.5K Water report to Report delivered Discharges determine future to deadline. (a) NRA action. monitoring of surface water discharges during 1995. Details of remedial measures required reported by NRA to NWW. C om pleted January 19%.

(b) N W W to Sources of EC identified NWW NRA Not * * ** * * carry out contamination to bathing water at known remedial action. be removed from West Kirby surface water complies with drains. EC Bathing Water Directive.

(c) Replacement Deficient part of EC identified W iral 20K to m of part of West sewer replaced. bathing water at MBC date Kirby foul sewer West Kirby by April 1997. complies with EC Bathing Water Directive.

(2) CSOs All Heswall EC identified DCWW NRA Not (a) Problem improvements bathing water at known CSOs in completed to West Kirby Heswall area agreed complies with included in programme. EC Bathing D CW W AMP2 Water Directive. programme.

(b) N W W to Improvements EC identified NWW NRA Not * * **** carry out undertaken to bathing water at known improvement identified CSO. West Kirby work to Caldy complies with cso. EC Bathing Water Directive. * Timescale to be determined.

1 1 ISSUES AN ACTIONS

ISSUE 2 Sewage discharges From Heswall STW and CSOs degrade the estuary in the vicinity to Class B.

ACTIONSSUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

Improve Heswall Estuary target NRA DCWW NRA £2-3M STW to ensure Class (A) monitoring. effluent is achieved. adequately treated.

Note, problem CSOs addressed in Issue 1.

ISSUE 3 Afon Garth fails to meet the target of RE1 due to diffuse inputs of zinc from abandoned mines.

Main inputs Management Management NRA £7K identified. report to report delivered Monitoring determine future to deadline. ongoing. action. Report due April 1996.

ISSUE 4 Queensferry Drain fails to achieve RE5 because of sewage effluent from the Queensferry STW and the stream being tide locked.

Relocate STW No failure of NRA DCWW NRA £0.5M outfall direct to Queensferry monitoring. the Dee Estuary Drain to achieve by mid 1994. the target class C o m p leted RE5. October 1995. ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 5 High ammonia and BOD and low DO levels within the Plan Area.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(a) Finchetts Report to Report with NRA 10K G utter determine future clear (i) Set up and management carry out options delivered programme to deadline. of work to determine the inputs leading to the failure to achieve the target of RE4 by end of December 1996.

(ii) Monitor tip Report from Report with Countess NRA 28K to leachate and consultants to clear manage­ of Chester date derive contamin­ determine future ment options Hospital ated land action delivered delivered to reclamation 1995. NRA deadline. scheme to internal report prevent delivered by pollution Invest­ December 1996. igation on­ going. Consultants report received. Further invest­ igation planned.

(iii) Implement­ River Ecosystem NRA Countess NRA Not ation of remedial target class monitoring. of Chester known (RE4) achieved. Hospital

(iv) Provide Improvement NRA Chester 220K increased and protection of monitoring. Zoo to date treatment for water quality discharges from Chester Zoo. New Treatment Plant installed 1995 (Phase 1). Further improvements proposed.

(v) Ensure River Ecosystem NRA NRA <0.5K consents are target class monitoring. environmentally (RE4) achieved. protective and enforced.

* Timescale to be determined.

13 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 5 High ammonia and BOD and low DO levels within the Plan Area (continued)

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(b) In n er E stu ary (form erly Issue 8) NRA 8M Improve treatment in monitoring. treatment at place to ensure C hester compliance with STW. environmentally protective consent conditions.

(ii) Queensferry Adequate sewage NRA DCWW NRA 4M 2000- STW treatment in monitoring. 2005 O utfall place to ensure relocation. compliance with C o m p leted U W W T D October 1995 requirements. Improve STW treatment to achieve UWWTD standards.

(iii) Broken Improvement NRA Clwyd NRA Not * * * ** * Bank and protection of monitoring. CC known R eclaim water quality. contaminated groundwater in the Broken Bank area of Deeside.

NRA in discharges of water quality. monitoring. annually ammonia to the inner estuary until levels are reduced.

* Timescale to be determined once Unitary Authority in place.

14 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 5 High ammonia and BOD and low DO levels within the Plan Area (continued).

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW W ILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER

(c) Aldford B rook (formerly Issue 15) (i) Farm NRA 2K inspections completed for most of catchment. Pollution prevention programme to be continued. Improvements Improved water NRA Farmers NRA Ongoing carried out at quality in monitoring. NRA some farms as Aldford Brook. costs 2K result of programme.

(ii) Tattenhall Improved water NRA DCWW NRA 30K STW quality in monitoring. NRA New consent Aldford Brook. costs IK issued. Extra settlement capacity at works. C om pleted 1995.

(d) A lyn (formerly Issues 17, 20 & 21)

STW to be water quality in monitoring. improved Black Brook and (design River Alyn. underway).

(ii) Investigate Report to Report delivered NRA < IK — -■ low DO determine future to deadline. upstream of actions and the confluence timescales. with the Terrig to determine whether this is a natural occurrence. Report due December 1997.

(e) Cegidog Source of iNKA\TD a nr\Y/\Y/W w JNK K.TD aA lo be (formerly Issue contamination monitoring. deter­ 18) identified, mined Investigate rectified and NRA suspected CSOs River Ecosystem costs Target Class RE1 < 1K achieved.

15 6.0 ISSUES AN ACTIONS

ISSUE 5 High ammonia and BOD and low DO levels within the Plan Area (continued).

ACTIONSSUCCESSFUL H O W W ILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(0 W ych B ro o k (form erly Issue 22) (i) Farm All farms in NRA NRA MAFF NRA inspections catchm ent monitoring. Costs within English visited. IK part o f the catchm ent. C o m p leted 1995.

MAFF inspections by catchm ent completion of known MAFF visited. visits. within Welsh part of catchm ent underway. M AFF w ill inform NRA once visits are completed.

ments in farm water quality in monitoring. known effluent Wych Brook. NRA storage. costs IK

(iv) Environ­ Remediation of H H HH NRA Not |b h i m ental groundwater Wardle/NRA W ardle known improvements at pollution. confirmation of H H Wardle acceptable (Metals) Ltd. situation. Consultants report received January 1996.

M», Implementation Completion of INM Ri\/\ A HH lNOi of consultants environmental monitoring. W ardle known recom m end­ improvements. ations.

16 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE S High ammonia and BOD and low DO levels within the Plan Area (continued).

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(g) Gwenfro (formerly Issue 24) Reduce input of Storm sewage NRA DCWW NRA storm sewage discharges monitoring. from CSOs. reduced in (i) Phase I volume and 25 IK reduction of frequency storm impact leading to com pleted. improvement in water quality. (ii) Phase II 705 K C om pleted.

(iii) Phase III 504K due for com­ pletion 1996.

(h) Morwynion (formerly Issue 27) Investigate local Local sources of NRA NRA 3K sources contamination monitoring. causing elevated determined. BOD levels. Due for completion by December 1997.

(j) N ug (formerly Issue 29) Carry out Sources of NRA NRA 2K investigation contamination monitoring into cause of identified. failure to meet RE 1 .(Significant failure for ammonia, marginal failure for DO).

ISSUE 6 Management of spoil tips at Point-of-Ayr

Sign lease with Lease signed. NRA/ British Coal. British Com pleted Coal 1994. (RJB M ining) Resolve out­ Produce a Agreement of all RJB NRA, 70K standing issue of mitigation parties. M ining CCW, m itigation package acceptable Clwyd RSPB, package. to all parties. CC DECG

Construct sea No escape of NRA RJB NRA, 1.4M defence and polluting material monitoring. M ining pollutant barrier from the site. around tip site Com pleted 1995.

Install monitor­ Boreholes installed Evaluation by RJB NRA 39K ing boreholes. at appropriate RJB Mining M ining C om pleted locations within staff. 1995 the site.

Evaluate results Report to Report delivered RJB NRA 5k to of site invest­ determine any to tim e. Mining date 17 igation from future action to monitoring bore­ protect holes (ongoing). groundwater and estuary quality. 6.0 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 7 Past industrial uses and current activities have produced large areas of contaminated land in the estuary, particularly along the Welsh coastline.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

C arry out reclamation schemes at identified sites listed below: (i) Flint Castle Environmental NRA Delyn NRA 175K Moat Scheme improvement monitoring. B.C. C o m p leted and future 1995. protection.

(ii) Six sites at Environmental NRA Dclyn NRA 375K Halkyn lead improvement monitoring. B.C. works. and future C o m p leted protection. 1995.

(iii) Gowdal at Environmental NRA Dclyn NRA 230K H olyw ell improvement monitoring. B.C. Completed and future 1794. protection.

(iv) Neston Tank Environmental NRA Alyn & NRA >3M C leaners, improvement monitoring. Deeside Queensferry and future B.C. C o m p leted protection. 1995

ISSUE 9 The estuary is currently at the limit of environmental quality standards for copper, zinc and organotins, and at times these levels are exceeded.

R eview of All discharge Monitoring by NRA <5K consents for consents are N RA staff. point sources. environmentally Completed protective. 1995.

(i) Organotins - Report Report delivered NRA <0.5K To date no identified no to deadline. source identified. continuing issue. Monitoring will Monitoring to continue to continue, confirm no (Report received environmental 1995).

(ii) Review of Report to Report delivered NRA <0.5K Copper and Zinc determine future to deadline. inputs. Report by December 1996.

ISSUE 10 M any industrial discharges cause significant visual impact upon the receiving water in the estuary area.

Review of dis­ All discharge Monitoring by NRA <5K charge consents. consents are N RA staff. C o m p leted environmentally 1995. protective.

Compliance with No failure to NRA Dis­ NRA Not environmentally meet revised monitoring. chargers known protective dis­ consent charge consents conditions. 18 by September 1996. ISSUES AN ACTIONS

ISSUE 11 Water quality of many tributaries is affected by diffuse and point source agricultural pollution.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEADOTHER

Continue theImprovements NRA NRA 1 SICyrv. existing farm and protection of monitoring. pollution water quality. prevention inspection programme.

Improve farm Existing NRA Farmers NRA Not effluent manage­ pollution from monitoring and known ment and hand­ farm facilities inspection (site ling, storage stopped and/or programme. specific) facilities where pollution risk required. (Also reduced. see Issues 5 (c), (0 and (h).

ISSUE 13 Elevated temperatures in sections of the Dee and depressed temperatures in upland storage reservoirs.

Investigate possible causes of temperature variation to determ ine if it is due to natural causes between:-

Chester weir to Information to Report delivered NRA IK confluence with determine future to deadline. Caldy Brook action (formerly Issue 13). C om plete D ecem ber 1996.

Confluence Information to Report delivered NRA IK Aldford Brook determine future to deadline. to confluence into Worthen- bury Brook (formerly Issue 14). C om plete D sctm b tr 1996.

Confluence Shell Information to Report delivered NRA IK Brook and determine future to deadline. confluence with Morwynion (formerly Issue 25). Com plete D ecem ber 1996.

Examine the role Information to Report delivered NRA 5K of river determine future to deadline. regulation on temperature within the system (formerly Issue 61). C om plete December 19 1996. 6.0 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 23 The Clywedog down to its confluence with the Gwenfro fails to meet River Ecosystem target (RE2) for zinc. There is also a marginal failure of the target fa a 2.2km stretch downstream of this confluence.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

O ld m ine Source of NRA NRA 3K w orkings contamination monitoring. identified as a identified. source of contamination March 1995.

Assess fluct­ Report to Report delivered NRA 3K uation in water determine future to deadline. quality. Report action. by December 1997.

ISSUE 26 Marginally elevated ammonia levels in the Cyflymen.

Reassessment of W Q data indicates that the stretch meets target ol RE1. W ithdrawn as an Issue.

ISSUE 28 The Alwen Reservoir and its feeder stream the Tryweryn upstream of its confluemce with the Mynach and the Glyn, together with the Ceidiog, fail to meet their RE Targets due to low pH.

(a) A lw e n (form erly Issue 28) R eport on Information to Report delivered NRA 5K investigation determine future to deadline. into local causes action. by December 1997 for Alwen System .

(b) Ceidiog (form erly Issue 30) Identify local Information to Report delivered NRA causes of acid­ determine future to deadline. ification and action. investigate cost benefit of lim in g as a remedial measure for the C eidio g.

(c) Tryweryn (form erly Issue 31) (i) Identify local Information to Report delivered NRA *3.5K causes of acid­ determine future to deadline. ification and investigate cost benefit of lim in g as a remedial measure for the Tryweryn System.

(ii) Reconcile Information to Report delivered NRA WQ results with determine future to deadline. Biological action. assessment. ISSUES

ISSUE 28 The Alwen Reservoir and its feeder stream the Tryweryn upstream of its confluemce with the Mynach and the Glyn, together with the Ceidiog, fail to meet their RE Targets due to low pH. (continued)

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(d) G lyn Report to Report delivered NRA ) (formerly determine future to deadline. Issue 32) Identify local causes of acidification and investigate cost benefit of lim ing as a remedial measure for the Glyn.

* Cost of investigation only.

ISSUE 33 The Shropshire Union Canal fails its target (RE3) near Waverton, Chester (BOD, particulate solids) and at Grindley Brook near Whitchurch (marginally elevated particulate solids).

Investigate Production of a Agreement of all NRA* 2K sources of plan of action parties on the inputs. acceptable to all proposed plan of parties to address the source of inputs.

Continue Information to NRA NRA 2K monitoring on determine future monitoring and Waverton action. report on results. section in 1996.

* Strategy involving three NRA Regions.

ISSUE 34 The ammonia levels in abstracted water at Brithdir Mawar, Llyn Cyfynwy, Pendinas and Llidiardau need to be reduced to avoid the requirement to providee a higher level of treatment prior to supply.

Carry out Information to Report delivered NRA 2K ■ investigation to determine future to deadline and locate inputs to inputs the reservoirs by identified. December 1999.

ISSUE 35 Copper and zinc levels throughout catchment are often inexplicably high and inconsistent with biological information.

The more robust River Ecosystem water quality assessment methodology has now resolved the previous incon­ sistencies bet­ ween the two sets of data. Withdrawn as an Issue.

______■ 6.0 ISSUES AN ACTIONS ■

ISSUE 3 7 Falling groundwater levels and base flows in the Aldford Brook catchment and the impact of falling groundwater table on Worthenbury Brook catchment.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL H O W W ILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(a) Aldford B ro o k (form erly Issue 37) (i) A pply Report to Suitable report NRA Not Nationally determine future delivered to known approved action. deadline. m ethodology for establishing severity of problem to Aldford Brook Catch-ment by December 1996.

(ii) Investigate Management Suitable report NRA 100K catchm ent information to delivered to groundwater determine future deadline. resources. action. Report due by December 1996.

(iii) Implement Improved Monitoring of NRA Not groundwater management of groundwater known m odel for groundwater levels and surface catchment if resources. flows by NRA appropriate. staff.

(b)Worthenbur y B roo k (form erl Issue 38) (i) Low flow No action NRA survey. Review necessary. of data does not indicate a fall in flows to Worth- enbury Brook.

(ii) Undertake a feasibility study Report to Report assessing NRA 3.8K for flow determine future feasibility m easuring action. delivered to station deadline. R ep o rt C o m p leted D ecem b er 1995.

(iii) In agree­ m ent w ith landowners design and install flow m easuring station if required. Design accep­ Agreement of all NRA 10K table to all parties to D esign relevant inter­ suitability of Land- ested parties. design. Owners

Install Gauging station D ata return to NRA 150K constructed. NRA Archive.

22 6.0 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 36 Biological Indicators show acidification to be a problem in many of the upper reaches of the Dee but there is no consistency with currently identified 'Sensitive Areas' or with areas of coniferous afforestation.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

(a) Sensitive Areas (formerly Issue 36) Through current Accurate Production of NRA Not and possible estimation of more accurate known future R & D sensitivity. sensitivity maps. projects evaluate the results and accuracy of sensitivity' maps and afforestation practices.

(b) A lw en NRA 10K R eservoir (formerly Issue 62) Investigate impact of flows Information to Suitable report (from the Alwen determine future delivered to reservoir on local deadline. Tish populations. Report by March 1997.

ISSUE 39 Low flows in the Clywedog and Dolfechas Brook catchments

(a) Clywedog (formerly Issue 39) (i) Identify Existing resource Monitoring by NRA alternative safeguarded. NRA staff. resource for licensed abstrac­ tions Completed.

(ii) Move New licence Monitoring of Abstract­ NRA Abstract­ abstraction to issued to cover abstraction or ors cost new resource abstraction from returns and 50K and new resource and enforcement annually (b) Dolfechlas old licence licence con­ 7K Brook (formerly revoked. ditions by NRA. Issue 40) (i) Survey Information to Report delivered NRA < 1K completed and determine future to deadline. vulnerable action. areas identified. N aturally occuring loss of flow is exacer­ bated by existing licence of right.

(ii) Abstractor Reduction of Monitoring by Abstract NRA Cost not to provide for volume NRA andreduced or known. better recircula­ abstracted. level of complaints NRA tion of water. of low flow. co stsclK annually (iii) Abstractor Alternative Monitoring by Abstract NRA Not to identify source used and NRA and or known. alternative volume abstractor. NRA source. abstracted on costs 2.3K existing licence 23 reduced. ISSUE 41 Controls to regulate cockle fishery.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITYCOST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

Byelaws Effective control Monitoring by NRA 10K approved of resource and NRA fisheries annually November 1995. commercial staff. Implementation exploitation. 1996.

for a Restrictive determine future to deadline. Regulating action. O rder by December 1998

ISSUE 42 Impact from recreation and cockling on estuarine bird: in the Dee Estuary poorly defined.

Q uantify Provision of data Agreement of all NRA RSPB 10K impacts on birds for effective relevant parties in the Dee m anagem ent to the Estuary.. proposals. management proposals

ISSUE 44 Management Plan for NRA holdings. U

Management Management Management NRA 10K Plan for 3 NRA Plan produced. Plan delivered to holdings deadline. C o m p leted 1995-

Im plem ent Delivery of Evaluation by NRA 10K M anagem ent management N RA staff. Plan. proposals to deadline(s).

C om plete Management NRA IK Management M anagem ent Plan delivered to Plans for Plan. deadline. rem aining holdings by December 1998. ■ 6.0 ISSUES AN ACTIONS ■

ISSUE 45 Comprehensive Strategy for Estuarine Management

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

issue strategy for integrated parties to adopt CCW, document - estuary strategy. LAs consultation management. ongoing.

EN agreed strategy. management of party reports a CCW, known estuary that failure to meet LAs meets the their agreed requirements of requirements. all interested parties.

For the Dee Scheme of The integrity NRA CCW, To be ** **** Estuary SPA management for and conservation other deter­ prepare a scheme all NRA status of the site relevent mined of management activities, is maintained as bodies for all NRA including required under functions within regulatory/byela the EC Habitats a timescale w making Directive. agreed with powers; comply CCW. with the EC Habitats Directive.

Review of all A ll NRA The integrity NRA CCW, To be * ** *** NRA consents authorisations and conservation other deter­ and author­ and consents status of the site relevent mined isations that may which have a is m aintained as bodies affect the SPA significant effect required under within a time­ on the SPA the EC Habitats scale agreed with identified, and Directive. CCW. where appropriate, affirmed, modified or revoked. * CCW to advise on timescale.

ISSUE 46 Fragmented landscape designation for Dee Estuary.

Review Agreed policy on Assessment of New CCW, Not **** ** designation. landscape. success of U nitary EN, known No action implementation Author­ NRA (To be pending set up of policy, by ities deter­ of new unitary participating mined authorities. organisations. by agree­ r ment * Timescale to be determined once Unitary Authorities in place.

ISSUE 47 Boundary of Dee Estuary SSSI requires review.

Reassess extent Joint agreement Successful EN, of SSSI. on bounderies. application for CCW No action to agreed date. bounderies.

25 ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 48 Changes to Net Limitation Order and Byelaws for licensed netting of salmonids by 1995.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL H O W W ILL IT RESPONSIBILITYCOST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

Review of Net Net limitation Limitation O rder and Order and net byelaws byelaw s reviewed. C o m p U ted 1995.

Local inquiry Ratification and Target levels for NRA 20K — into N R A implementation the recruitment proposals by of N RA of salm onids December 1996. proposals. within the catchm ent achieved.

ISSUE 49 Interference of salmon migration from the estuary to freshwater under low flows.

U ndertake Management Report with N RA 20K detailed study of report to management flow require­ determine future options delivered m ents for action. to deadline. salm onids between the estuary and freshwater. C o m p leted 1221,

ISSUE 50 Numbers of coarse fish in lower Dee below optimum.

In agreement Increase in coarse Confirmation by NRA, Riparian NRA with riparian fish population angling Chester Owners, costs owners and of the lower Dee associations of Water­ Chester 50K. a n g lin g through population ways City Subject associations carry collaborative increases. Council, to out habitat effort. Angling agree­ m anagem ent Associa­ ment schem es to tion improve coarse fisheries in the low er Dee.

ISSUE 51 Impacts of boating on ecology of Lower Dee.

Enforce speed Adherence to M inim al or no Chester NRA NRA lim it through speed limit. report of lim it C ity costs formal exceedence. Council 5K agreement on management of boat traffic.

Produce Guidance leaflet Production and Chester NRA NRA guidance leaflet available on code distribution of C ity costs through of conduct and leaflet within Council 5K collaborative or byelaws. deadline. effort.

Use the NRA Information to Suitable report NRA Chester NRA R&D report on determine future produced to C ity costs im pact of boat management deadline. Council 5K traffic/hull action. design to consider scope for change in design requirements 26 within the river. ISSUES AN ACTIONS

ISSUE 52 Shortage of low water slipways in the estuary.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER f

Review require­ Report to Report delivered NRA Local NRA ments for new determine future to deadline. Councils costs slipways in the action. 5K Dee estuary by December 1997.

Provision of new Provision of Installation of Local NRA Not slipways at greater access for agreed slipways. Councils known appropriate river users locations. through collaborative effort.

ISSUE 53 Inacessibility of some tributaries to migratory salmonids.

Investigate Information to Cost/benefit NRA 20K cost/benefits of determine the analysis by NRA removal of most cost environmental barriers and/or effective option. appraisal unit. installation of fish pass:

(i) Llyn Tegid Preferred option Agreement of all NRA Not tributaries acceptable to all parties to known relevent parties. suitability of option.

(ii) Abbey Preferred option Agreement of all NRA Not Brook acceptable to all parties to known relevent parties. suitability of option.

(iii) Afon Eitha Preferred option Agreement of all NRA Not acceptable to all parties to known relevent parties. suitability of option.

(iv) River Alyn Preferred option Agreement of all NRA Not acceptable to all parties to known relevent parties. suitability of option.

ISSUE 54 Degraded bankside and instream habitat.

Produce plan to Strategy Strategy agreed NRA, NRA determine extent produced in by all relevant Land­ costs of problem (e.g. agreement with parties. owners, 10K cattle drainage, all interested ADAS, Subject tree shading) parties. Farmers, to and determine Fishing agree­ an agreed Associa­ ment strategy. tions

Implement Improved Monitoring by NRA, Not phased habitat for NRA Riparian known programme of conservation and conservation and Owners, improvements. fisheries interests fisheries staff. Chester through City collaborative Council effort.

ISSUE 55 River bank management conclicts with environmental requirements.

Resolved 1994. No conflict No reported NRA 10K Plan introduced between river conflicts. to the management and satisfaction of all environmental parties. requirements. 6.0 ISSUES AN ACTIONS

ISSUE 56 General lack in number and diversity of wetland habitats for fisheries and wildlife.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

In consultation Target habitats Post project NRA, N W W T , NRA with riparian improved and/or appraisal, CCW, Otters in costs owners produce created at sites drawing on EN, W ales 3K a plan to manage within the N R A , CCW , ADAS, and enhance catchment, and a EN, RSPB Riparian habitats, in programme of survey results to Owners appropriate further works evaluate success RSPB locations, when agreed for of improvement and if the implementation works opportunity when the undertaken. arises. Create or opportunity enhance the arises.* follow ing habitats which have been identified as being below acceptable levels for a catchment of the Dee's nature.

(i) Wetland Average habitats cost 4K (reedbed, damp per site grassland, open w aters).

(ii) Through the Water Level Agreement of all NRA Landown­ NRA W ater Level Management parties to the ers CCW, cost<5K Management Plans agreed for plans. RSPB Plan (WLMP) all sites on the process, agree W LM P list. with landowners, where possible and practicable, changes in water management that will bring about an increase in the area and conservation of wet grassland.

(iii) Implement Breeding RSPB NRA Not agreed changes populations of m onitoring known in w ater selected species program m e. RSPB IK per management to increase to a site regim es. target level agreed with RSPB/CCW for each selected

(iv) Other Average habitats cost 4K identified from per site the R iver Corridor Survey.

Seek external Sufficient funds External funds NRA, 1.8M project funding. obtained from required. CCW, external sources. RSPB, EN, * actual number ADAS, of sites can only Riparian be determined Owners once the plan is draw n up. ISSUE 57 Perceived lack of access and amenity features within the catchment.

ACTIONSSUCCESSFUL HOW W ILL IT RESPONSIBILITYCOST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2(X)0 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEADOTHER £

Review the Production of Agreement of all Clwyd NRA existing access strategy parties on CC, costs and amenities acceptable to all strategy. N RA, 10K and produce a relevant parties. CCW, strategy. CLA

Implement a Access and Access and nv^lwya _ _ .j /~TLLA, A KTDiMKA A work amenities that amenities put in CC, A ngling costs programme for meet public place that meet NRA, Clubs, 50K enhancing the demand. the target levels CCW,FUW, access and identified within Land­ NFU amenities where the strategy. owners appropriate in agreement with landowners.

ISSUE 58 Species action plans are required within the catchment.

Identify priority Prioritised list of Prioritised list CCW, NRA, 3-5K species requiring species requiring agreed by all EN RSPB, per action plans. action plans. relevant bodies. NWWT species

Implement the Secure and, Confirmed by NRA SNP, *<20K Otter Strategy where the conservation CCW, NWWT for Wales. opportunity bodies at the ADAS arises, enhance time of the 7 * Collaborative the otter year review. cost mainly populations (Next review due NRA. within the in 1998-99). catchment.

ISSUE 59 Poor facilities for stock assessment and monitoring.

Improve More accurate Monitoring by NRA 70K facilities by:- measurement of NRA fisheries (i) Repair of adult stocks in staff. Manley Hall fish river. counter

(ii) Repair of Operation of Efficient NRA 35K Pont Barcer fish trap brought up operation of trap. to standard. salmon trap.

ISSUE 60 Localised problems with salmonid recruitment in the Dee and the Alyn.

(i) Dee - coarse Following trials Monitoring by NRA 30K fish produce a report NRA fisheries Investigate to to determine staff. Report establish cause. future action by delivered to December 1998. deadline.

(ii) Alyn - trout Following trials Monitoring by NRA 30K Investigate produce a report NRA fisheries methods for to determine staff. Report reducing future action by delivered to compaction of December 1998. deadline. spawning gravels. ISSUE 63 Access for, and regulation of canoeists.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

In conjunction Long distance Agreement of all WCA, NRA Not with riparian canoe trail set up interested parties Riparian known} owners, angling that is acceptable to the setting up Owners, interests and to all parties. of the trail. A ngling Welsh Canoe Assoca- Association tions negotiate the setting up of a long distance canoe touring trail.

E stablish in Code of conduct Agreement of all WCA, NRA Not conjunction with produced that is parties to the Riparian known] riparian owners acceptable to all code of conduct. Owners, and the Welsh interested A ngling Canoe parties. Assoca- Association a tions clear code of conduct.

Implement code Canoe activities No confirmed WCANRA Not of conduct. do not adversely reports of known affect other failures to legitimate uses. comply with code of conduct.

In collaboration Guidance leaflet Leaflet available NRA, 10K with the WCA produced to by deadline. WCA produce a deadline guidance leaflet for the Dee by December 1997.

ISSUE 64 N RA Management proposals under S93 Water Resources Act 1991.

Public Inquiry. NRA C o m p leted costs March 1995. 395K

Decision with Approval by Implementation W elsh NRA Not the Secretary of Secretary of State of decision. No Office known State. for the failure to comply implementation with any Water of the R iver Dee Protection Zone Water Protection consent Zone. conditions.

* Subject to WO decision and tim in g

ISSUE 65 Loss of young salmon and sea trout at existing fish farms without suitable screens.

Implement the Screening of all Monitoring by Fish NRA Not provisions of the intakes and NRA fisheries Farm known Environment outfalls. staff. Owners Act 1995 in respect of screening o f fish farms (due to come into force in January 1999) ISSUES AND ACTIONS

ISSUE 66 Risk of damage to brown trout genetic integrity from stocking.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

Identify pristine Management Report delivered NRA, NRA reaches of rivers report to deadline. Local costs in consultation identifying Anglers 2K w ith local reaches where angling interest brown trout and retain as genetic stock wild brown requires trout fisheries. protection. Completed - report presented to RFAC.

"consent" further of Dee brown NRA fisheries introductions of trout staff brown trout maintained. unless of Dee parentage.

interests in brown trout of increase in known provision of Dee Dee parentage. stocking of Dee broodstock for parentage trout rearing - on in through S. 30 non NRA units. consents.

ISSUE 67 Decline in 'spring' running salmon.

Confirm and NRA, implement Welsh byelaws for rods Office and nets to protect "spring" fish.

0 Bela w 10KBje approved in of byelaws. NRA fisheries Netsmen 1994. staff.

I ISSUE 68 Improvements to Bagillt East STW. 1 Carry out STW discharge NRA DCWW NRA 2M improvements to compliance with monitoring. Bagillt STW. consent conditions.

ISSUE 69 Appraisal of the navigational priorities of th River Dee.

Assess the Management Suitable report NRA Riparian 10K priority report to delivered to Owners, requirements for determine deadline. Port managing the structured Authority navigation programme. TDUG function in the Dee estuary by December 1997.

31 ISSUE 70 Flood defence improvement scheme for Sealand carea of Chester.

ACTIONS SUCCESSFUL HOW WILL IT RESPONSIBILITY COST 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FUTURE OUTCOME BE MEASURED LEAD OTHER £

Implement flood No exceedence of NRA NRA 850K IHI H i defence scheme scheme design monitoring of for Finchetts criteria. flood events. G u tter to improve the level of protection of property in the Sealand area of Chester.

ISSUE 71 Long term improvement to standards of service of Dee Regulation System during periods of drought

■ ■ ■ (i) Temporary Possible Monitoring of NRA DCW W , 0.5M over pumping of emergency one - system by NRA WW, yet to be Llyn Tegid into off measure to control staff. NWW, allocated the Dee to provide limited CWC, and safeguard against am ount of river BWB agreed droughts regulation water > 1:100. at the end of a dry summer.

(ii) Proposal for Greater drought Monitoring of \TfiIN K AA , ZUM9 A U I perm anent security and system by NRA DCWW, yet to be schem e improved staff. WW, allocated to aid refill of standards of NWW, and system by service for public CWC, agreed pumping from water supplies; BWB Llyn Tegid to improved Llyn Celyn. environmental safeguards to the river.

(iii) Undertake Scheme which Monitoring by NRASNP, Not environmental safeguards the NRA CCW known assessment to environment and conservation safeguard mitigates for any staff. ecological and dam agin g am en ity im pacts. resource. •

ISSUE 72 The inclusion of the Dee Estuary in the 'Montreux Record' of Ramsar sites which have been ecologically damaged. , ’

Implement the Kecommenaatio estuary removed CCW DECG Not fin din gs of the ns of Ram sar from the EN, NRA known Ramsar Bureau Bureau M ontreux DoE RSPB, (June 1995). implemented, Record. Industry threats removed and damage m itigated. FUTURE REVIEW AN MONITORING

The NRA will be jointly responsible, with other environmental protection agency in Europe and will be identified organisations and individuals, for primarily concerned with integrated pollution implementing this Action Plan. Progress will be prevention and control of air, land and water. It w ill monitored and normally reported annually. The reviews seek to balance the interests of business with those of will examine the need to update the CMP in the light of the environment, the philosophy of sustainable changes in the catchment and the setting up of the development underpinning its approach to Environment Agency referred to below. The period environmental protection and enhancement. between major revisions will normally be five years. The government recognises the value of integrated river At this time it is envisaged that the annual review will basin management as practised by the NRA through take the form of a short progress report, including the implementation of its CMPs. It is therefore comparisons of work achieved against that planned, and envisaged that CMPs will continue as the focus for any changes to the Plan. The annual review will be sent river basin management in the Agency, although they to all those involved in the actions identified for the will need to become more extensive management plans catchment and to those who demonstrated an interest in to cater for the protection and enhancement of water, the Catchment Management Plan at the consultation land and air. stage. These will also be available on request. The implementation of this Action Plan must now be The new Environment Agency for England and Wales actively pursued and any changes introduced by the w ill, on the 1st April 1996, take over the roles of the new Agency must be smoothly integrated as a positive NRA, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and the evolutionary development of the plan. Waste Regulatory Authorities. It will be the largest CONTACTING THE NRA

The national head office of the NRA is in Bristol Enquiries about the Dee Catchment Management Plan should be directed to: Telephone: 01454 - 624400 Kelvin Graham, The Welsh Region head office is in Cardiff Area Catchment Planner, Telephone: 01222 - 770088 National Rivers Authority The Area Manager for the Northern Area of the Welsh Llwyn Brain Region is: Ffordd Penlan, Parc Menai, Steve Brown, Bangor, Llwyn Brain G w ynedd, Ffordd Fenian, L L 554B P Parc Menai, B an go r, You should note that the NRA will be merged into G w yn ed d . the Environment Agency after 1st April 1996. LL57 4B P However, responses to this report should be sent to the same address, as above.