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local environment agency plan RIVER TEIGN CONSULTATION REPORT MARCH 1997 The River Teign Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP) aims to promote integrated environmental management of this important area of Devon. It seeks to develop partnerships with a wide range of organisations and individuals who have a role to play in the management of the River Teign and Torbay Streams. This plan embodies the Agency’s commitment to realise improvements to the environment. An important stage in the production of the plans is a period of public consultation. This Consultation Report is being circulated widely both within and outside of the catchment and we are keen to draw on the expertise and interests of the local communities involved. Please comment - your views are important, even if it is to say that you think particular issues are necessary or that you support the plan and its objectives. Following on from the Consultation Report an Action Plan will be produced with an agreed programme for the future protection and enhancement of this much loved area. We will use these Plans to ensure that improvements in the local environment are achieved and that good progress is made towards the vision. VAA-£.r>------- GEOFF BATEMAN Area Manager (Devon) Environment -Au^ncy Information Centre Your Views We hope that this report will be read by everyone who has an interest in the environment of the River Teign Catchment. Your views will help us finalise the Action Plan. Have we identified all the problems in the catchment? If not, we would like to know. Are there any issues which you would like to highlight? Please fill in the questionnaire provided and send your comments by 31st May 1997 to: Richard Parker Environment Planner - Devon Area Manley House , Kestrel Way EXETER Devon EX2 7LQ We will not republish this Consultation Report. Environment Agency Copyright Waiver 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 that due acknowledgement is given to the Environment Agency. Published March 1997. CONTENTS Fo re w o rd .......... ;.......;............................................................................................. ......................i Your Views.............................. ...................................................................................................... ii 1...Introduction 1 .1 The Environment Agency.....................................................................................;...................4 1.2 The Environment Planning Process.......................................................................................... 5 PART 1 9 2. The Catchment Area 2.1 General Description.............................................................................................................. .. 7 2.2 Geology...................................................................................................................... ........... 7 2.3 Hydrogeology....................................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Climate.......................................................................................... .......................................11 2.5 River Flow....... :.....................................................................................................................1 3 2.6 Landscape............................................................................................................................ 15 3. Our Proposed Targets for River W a te r Q uality...............................................................17 4. Issues and Options. 4.1 Problems.Associated With Development................................................................................ 18 4.2 Impact of Abandoned Mines....................................... ..........................................................20 4.3 The Impact of Mineral Extraction.......................................................................................... 22 4.4 Forecast Deficit in Public Water Supplies................................................................................ 24 4.5 Concern Over Low Flows...................................................................................................... 24 4.6 The Effect of River Regulation by Fernworthy Reservoir......................................................... 25 4.7 Impact of Sewage Discharges................................................................................................ 27 4.8 Concerns Over the Use of Antifouling Paints on Boats...........................................................29 4.9 Impact of Farming and Forestry on Rivers and Wetlands........................................................30 4.10 Acidification of Moorland Headwaters...................................................................... ............ 33 4.11 Lack of Current Information on the Natural Environment.......................................................35 4.12 Further Threats to Key Catchment Habitats and Species........................................................ 36 4.13 Spread of Invasive Bankside Plants......................................................................................... 37 4.14 Archaeological/Historic Value of the Catchment.....................................................................39 4.15 Additional Threats to Fish Stock............................................................................................. 39 4.16 Impact of Recreation on the Environment..............................................................................42 4.17 Lack of Recreational Facilities...........................*...................................................................... 43 PART 2 5. Human Activities and Pressures on the Environment 5.1 Urban Development/Land Use Planning................................................................................ 45 5.2 Controlled Industrial Processes and Use of Radioactive Substances........................................51 5.3 Mineral Extraction........................................................................................ ;........................ 52 5.4 Waste Management........................... ....................................................................................57 5.5 Rural Land Use.......................................................................................................................61 5.6 Recreation.............................................................................................................................65 5.7 Water Abstraction and Supply............................................................................................... 67 5.8 Flood Defence........................................................... ........................................................... 73 1 6. State of the Environment 6.1 The Quality of Surface Waters............................................................................................... 79 6.2 Air Quality..............................................................................................................................87 6.3 Contaminated Land...............................................................................................................89 6.4 Conservation of the Natural Environment........................................... ..................................91 6.5 Fisheries..................................................................................................................................93 References.................................................................................................................................100 Appendices Appendix A The Role of the Environment Agency......... .......................... v..............................102 Appendix B Our Environmental Standards................................................................................ 104 Appendix C Pollution Events..................................................................................................... 113 Appendix D Waste Categories................................................................................................... 114 Appendix E List of Nature Conservation Sites in the Catchment............................................. 118 Glossary................................................................................................ : .................................... 120 Abbreviations and Units.................................................... ................................................... 125 Tables Table 1 Long Term Average Rainfall at Specific Sites in the Catchment...................................... 13 Table 2 The RE Classification....................................................................................................... 17 Table 3 Local Plans in the Catchment..........................................................................................47 Table 4 Road Schemes Planned in the Catchment......................................................................49 Table 5 Summary of Flood Defence Related Issues in the Catchment......................................... 49 Table 6 Settlements with Development Restrictions in the Catchment.........................:.............51 Table 7 Waste Management Sites in the Teign Catchment........................................................ 58 Table 8 Agricultural