2014/19

Strategic Action Plan

LCSP Project Officer: Ruth Craig LCSP Monitoring Officer:

William Bartle

Version: 0 October 2015

Contents 1.0 The Project ...... 2 1.1 The Partnership ...... 2 1.2 Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams ...... 6 1.3 Voluntary and Community Engagement ...... 6 1.4 Education ...... 7 1.5 The European Water Framework Directive ...... 7 1.6 Catchment-Based Approach ...... 8 1.7 Actions ...... 8 2.0 Strategic Action Plan ...... 10 2.1 Additional Plans ...... 19 2.3 Monitoring and evaluation ...... 19 3.0 Grant Funded Projects ...... 20 Appendicies ...... 22 Appendix 1: This is a diagram to illustrate the set-up of the LWCS partnership network...... 22 Appendix 2: Role of the Joint Advisory Committee, Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service and sub-groups ...... 23 Appendix 3: Members of the Joint Advisory Committee ...... 25 Appendix 4: LCSP links with Steering group and wider initiatives ...... 26 Appendix 5: Table to show policies, objectives and actions from the LCSP partner organisations...... 28 Appendix 6: List of Commissioned project specific surveys for the LCSP ...... 36

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Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project

1.0 The Project

Chalk Streams are internationally rare habitats which support some of the most threatened plants and animals. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) is a group of organisations that have worked together since 2003 to preserve and enhance this important habitat. The partnership aims to:  Make sustainable improvements to chalk streams in Lincolnshire focussed around the Lincolnshire Wolds.  Raise awareness of chalk streams and their importance.  Improve our knowledge of Lincolnshire's chalk stream habitats.  Restore and improve Lincolnshire's chalk streams for the benefit of wildlife and the community.

1.1 The Partnership The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) came about as an idea from the Environment Agency (EA) back in 2003. Several organisations were brought on board: Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (LWCS) (host), Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) (host via LWCS), Natural England (NE), Anglian Water Services (AWS), Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) and the Wild Trout Trust (WTT) (Figure 1).The intention was to form a project that would deliver necessary actions to restore Lincolnshire’s chalk stream Biodiversity Action Plan ‘priority habitat’. An investigation was carried out, funded by the EA, to identify the chalk streams in Lincolnshire and to group them into categories of chalk stream for example, ‘classic chalk stream’ and ‘mixed geology chalk stream’ (Figure 3).

In 2004/05 a restoration project was carried out on the Waithe beck in Stainton le Vale which acted as a demonstration site for the partner organisations, farmers, landowners and communities. An event was held whereby interest was sought from these individuals as to whether they would support a Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project in helping to restore such a rare and unique habitat. The event and restoration work was successful and in 2006 funding became available to employ a project officer on a two year contract.

It was agreed the LCSP project would be hosted by the LWCS due to the location of the chalk springs and streams mostly rising from within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The LWCS is currently hosted by LCC and therefore the LCSP project benefits from these hosting arrangements both financially and via connections to wider organisations and initiatives. The role of the Joint Advisory Committee and the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service sub groups is explained in more detail in appendix 1. Members of the JAC can be found in appendix 2.

The project officer was successful in a grant application to Natural England's Countdown 2010 to match fund a grant from the SITA trust. This enabled the project to deliver on-the-ground works for a two year period whilst continuing to employ a project officer. During this time approximately 8km of chalk stream habitat had been restored and over 41km of land was under improved management. The partners have continued to contribute funding to encourage the continuation of delivering habitat improvements to Lincolnshire's Chalk Streams.

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In 2013 Defra and the Environment Agency rolled out the Catchment-Based Approach (CaBA), the LCSP were fortunate to be awarded the title of catchment host for the Northern becks (see figure 2).

Figure 1: Diagram to show structure of partnership support for the LCSP. See appendix 4 for further details.

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Figure 2: Catchment-Based Approach host organisations in Lincolnshire

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Figure 3: Location of Lincolnshire's Chalk Streams 5

1.2 Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams Lincolnshire has a number of chalk streams; including around 18 main-stem rivers such as the Great Eau, River Bain and the River Rase, with perhaps twice as many again small tributaries such as Laceby Beck, all of which rise in the Wolds. Some are located predominantly on chalk strata – ‘pure’ chalk streams, such as Waithe Beck – but most are ‘mixed geology’, rising from chalk springs, but running over other types of geology, such as sandstone: for example the River Lymn falls into this category (figure 3).

Unfortunately Lincolnshire’s fragile chalk stream habitat has been seriously degraded over the last century, in particular in the last 50 years, largely due to agricultural intensification. The current threats to chalk streams in Lincolnshire are from:

 Abstraction for drinking water supply, industry, fish and irrigation, which results in low flows, reduced dilution of pollutants, sedimentation, excess algal growth, loss of current-loving species and entrapment of wild fish.  Effluent discharge from sewage works, industry, fish, resulting in introduction of endocrine disruptors; increased temperatures; organic, nutrient and toxic pollution; loss of species; excess algal growth and reduced population size.  Agriculture. Livestock farming causes bank damage and polluted runoff (organic matter, nutrients, sediment), whilst arable farming sees increased drainage and polluted runoff (nutrients, herbicides, endocrine disruptors, sediment). This results in damage to aquatic and wetland habitats and sensitive species, reduced water quality, accelerated runoff and reduced groundwater discharge.  Flood defence, land drainage and inappropriate level control involving channel and bank engineering, weed cutting, dredging, hatch operation result in damage to aquatic and riparian species and habitats.  Development in the catchments causing construction waste and polluted runoff (e.g. oils, sediment, heavy metals) meaning habitat loss, poor water quality, higher water demand and obstruction to fish passage.  Fisheries management such as weed cutting, poor riparian management, fish stocking and removal fish, resulting in habitat loss, reduced flow velocity and gravel scour and risk of spreading fish and other diseases.  Recreation such as an excess of walking, canoeing, boating in or near to chalk streams resulting in disturbance.  Non-native and invasive species particularly the spread of farmed fish, signal crayfish, American mink, non-native plants (e.g. Himalayan balsam)lall of which results in loss of native species and habitat.

1.3 Voluntary and Community Engagement The LCSP has been successful in engaging with local communities and members of the public. Several projects have been delivered with communities contributing to habitat improvement works, for example, Westbrooke Grove Pond, the pond was infested with the non-native invasive plant species ‘New Zealand Pygmy weed’. Members of the community pooled their man-power together to clear the pond. Local business also supported the newly designed pond by providing funding and donating plants. Another example is at Welton le Wold, the local community support habitat improvement works to the stream through their village by pooling together funds to purchase aquatic plants to plant in the stream themselves. Its is hoped that with more resources available to the LCSP we will be able to bring Anglian Water’s RiverCare initiative to communities on Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams so that more people are supported to look after the chalk streams in their villages.

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A Riverfly Monitoring Group was established in 2013. Riverflies are strong indicators of water quality. Volunteers received specialist training from the Riverfly partnership and were kitted out with the relevant survey equipment and health and safety gear. These individual volunteers have designated sites across all of Lincolnshire's chalk streams and are actively monitoring the water quality through the identification of eight groups of riverflies found in the gravel beds. Successful applications to WREN and the Heritage Lottery Fund enabled the creation of an additional full time post on a two year contract entitled Monitoring officer. The Monitoring Officer has delivered a third round of training to recruit more volunteers during 2015. Working closely with the EA and Riverfly partnership, the LCSP is trialling a pilot riverfly plus project with some current volunteers being trained up to survey an extended list of species; this additional monitoring programme will help to highlight any water quality and sedimentation issues. It is hoped this pilot project will be rolled out nationally.

The LCSP has also been fortunate to have taken on two graduate volunteers in the past two years for 3months at a time and a Duke of Edinburgh volunteer one day a week for six months. The volunteers have contributed to the work of the project in various ways helping to deliver restoration works, write habitat management plans and input data. Future graduate placements will continue to be offered as part of the wider 3 year HLF package of funding, helping to support the LCSP and providing opportunities for professional development.

1.4 Education In 2013 Partnership funding enabled the LCSP to commission an Education Scoping report to investigate the need for an educational pack based on the chalk streams. The report trialled an activity session to identify the teachers demands when planning and carrying out an outdoor activity. The outcomes were interesting and useful helping the LCSP progress forward with implementing educational events to promoting the chalk streams. Following on from the report LCSP worked with the Wild Trout Trust to train a group of people ranging from landowners, to education officers, to assistant teachers on how to deliver the 'Mayfly in the Classroom' activity. The training was well received and with the Monitoring officer in post education in schools is now a key part of the LCSP work programme. A recent grant from Natural England (2015/16) will provide the resources to run a year-long project of taking schools out on the chalk streams.

The LCSP project has worked in the past with Cordeaux Academy in Louth to run an otter monitoring project using camera traps. A small group of students were taken out on the chalk streams and set up 4-5 camera traps at different locations where signs of otter presence can be seen from the bank side. The cameras were collected approximately two months later and analysed by the students. This was a successful project and even entered in to the Young Environmentalist Awards being highly commended for their work.

1.5 The European Water Framework Directive There is currently a range of inconsistent European legislation covering different aspects of water management. The European Water Framework Directive is the single most important piece of recent water legislation offering a simpler approach and better environmental protection. It is the mechanism to drive and achieve sustainable resources in Europe, to manage and control impacts at the source and to collaborate for the long term protection of water bodies. Each waterbody has been assessed and allocated a status; the status for each type of water body is defined by a set of biological, chemical and physical standards. This provides an opportunity to plan and deliver a better water environment, focusing on ecology, creating better habitat for wildlife that lives in and around water and creating a better quality of life for everyone. The table of actions set out in section 2, identify the current top priority chalk streams for the LCSP as decided by the partners (appendix 5).

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1.6 Catchment-Based Approach The Catchment-Based Approach (CaBA) is a policy framework to encourage the wider adoption of an integrated Catchment-based approach to improving the quality of our water environment. The LCSP is now one of over a hundred catchment partners that will form and deliver catchment management plans to resolve the many issues of sedimentation, livestock poaching, low flows from abstraction. The LCSP is the catchment host for the Northern becks and has an agreement with the Witham catchment host that we are to lead on the Southern becks some of which fall within their CaBA boundary. This whole process is about people coming together to form partnerships and identify the actions from a ‘bottom up’ approach. Funding is being provided from Defra through the Environment Agency to support the work.

1.7 Actions The partnership has developed the Strategic Action Plan to help further the shared overarching aims listed in Section 1. Both individual and collaborative partnership actions have been identified and progress to date recorded.

The LCSP has recognised key drivers from a number of related strategies, and welcomes an increasing emphasis on exploring landscape-scale partnership approaches to help maximise resources and enhance the Lincolnshire chalk stream and spring habitat resilience. The project will help to deliver targets from the following key partnership strategies:-

 LIN3_CHS_T01 Restore and enhance 90km of the physical habitat of chalk streams by 2020 - Chalk Streams and Blow Wells Habitat Action Plan (HAP).  LIN3_CHS_T02 Restore and enhance 20 chalk springs including blow wells through management by 2020 - Chalk Streams and Blow Wells Habitat Action Plan (BAP).  Deliver towards objectives set out in Anglian Water Services Asset Management Plan (AMP) 6.  Delivery towards the objectives set out in the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan (2013-18).  Deliver towards the Lincolnshire County Council Natural Environment Strategy (2012-18).

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Table 1: Summary of the lengths of chalk stream that have been restored since 2005.

Chalk Stream Project Location Total length enhanced on LCSP leaflet (metres) Great Eau 4,5,8,23,24 1484 Waithe Beck 6,7,9,11,14,16,20,21, 5690 *, *, *, * Bain 17, *, *, * 697 Ketsby Beck 3 250 Otby 10 150 Lud 13, * 260 Grasby Beck 2 560 Hall Farm Lake, 19 726 Stainton le Vale Orford Beck 1 900 Welton Beck 12,15 610 Burwell Beck 22 80 Calceby beck * 1700 Laceby beck *, *, * 2750 Swallow beck * 2800 Claxby St * 25 Andrews Spring Total 19,452m Correct as of June 2015

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2.0 Strategic Action Plan

To co-ordinate delivery the main tasks have been set out under three main aims. The three aims in the table below are: 1) Secure environmental improvements 2) Awareness raising and engagement 3) Improved resource definition

Aims Objectives LCSP Actions Priority Current Progress 2015/16 2015/16

Work programme currently dictated by four grants the LCSP has in along with any additional Project officer will partnership funding: work with WREN – Capital projects; River Monitoring officer Lud, Great Eau, Thoresway beck and LCSP partners Riverfly volunteers, RiverCare 1a) Implement an annual work to develop and Volunteer conservation work programme for the LCSP. deliver an annual parties work programme HLF – Chalk stream festival and consistent with High childrens events this Strategic CPAF – Waithe beck re- Action Plan naturalisation NE – Education Project EA – River Bain investigation of culvert removal EA – Blow wells investigation phase one

High WREN River Lud, Hubbards Hills – Securing 1b) Maintain, restore and Aim for restoring a 770m Environmental enhance the characteristic minimum of 4km WREN Gt Eau, Claythorpe – 1.7km habitats and associated species of chalk stream WREN Thoresway beck, Croxby – Improvements of chalk streams in Lincolnshire habitat per year 1.25km 10

by working with land managers. and 1 chalk spring CPAF Waithe beck, Hatcliffe – Prioritisation of environmental habitat per year ~900m improvements will be influenced by the specific requirements to Give priority to Mink training event held in reach WFD objectives, those projects that conjunction with Lindsey Marsh will join up areas Drainage board. GWCT delivered previously training to landowners (July 2015). restored and Records of mink trapped being maximise habitat collated by LCSP connectivity

Provide advice and guidance to landowners, farmers and communities - 10 per year New Countryside Stewardship Encourage suitable scheme is out with potential for 1c) Target land management applicants into water grants to make improvements where diffuse new agri- High improvements to chalk streams. water pollution or surface and environment groundwater contamination schemes offering identified. Aim for 10km/year of incentives to river habitat under improved achieve management. environmental New factsheet design developed to befits use in providing advice for landowners, farmers and Design advice and communities guidance leaflets for landowners to help with long term maintenance 11

Successful with CPAF. Successful with NE Partnership and Innovation Fund

Potential for linking up to INTEREG Project Officer will project, led by France, on the make applications theme of invasive species – they 1d) Source external funding to to external grants, lost the funding to continue with deliver large scale chalk stream SITA, BIFFA, High this. enhancements and surveys. Catchment Partnership Action Talking to partners regarding Fund, HLF potential for a large size funding (Heritage Lottery grant – Whole river restoration on Fund), WREN, the river Bain. EA currently bidding INTEREG, LEADER for £50k from WFD GIA for next FY

Investigating HLF grant for Blow well project

Liaised with LAZ LAG Leader – unable to fund the projects we have

Biffa grant – 1 yr grant only. Projects need to give 140 days access to general public per year, possible not suitable for the project locations we have.

Provide LCSP working with EA to lead on a 1e) Improve groundwater and management and Medium Blow Wells Project. Started up a Blow Well management by guidance for at working group and have funding targeting landowners with least one Chalk from EA to employ consultants to advice. Blow Well habitat collect baseline information on per year potential Blow well sites

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Providing advice to NE Land 1f) Comment on WFD, CFMP, Continue to Low advisors on new applications they CAMS, and new agri- provide comments have for Environmental environment schemes, Local when the Stewardship where landowners can Plans and planning applications opportunity arises gain points by protecting their that are relevant. to prevent chalk stream (water resource). degradation of chalk stream habitat from anthropogenic activities Guided walks delivered: LWWF launch 2 walks to Welton beck for pond dipping LWWF Walk round Nettleton beck LWWF Watery bug hunt on River Lud

Talks:

2a) Raise awareness by Aim to deliver; April - Lindsay Piscatorials group, promoting the value of 2 talks per year Waltham Lincolnshire chalk streams two guided walks Woodhall Spa rotary group natural heritage, their per year organised for October associated species, threats, WFD attend 3 events High Alford group talk organised for and CaBA by engaging with per year November statutory agencies, landowners, angling groups, schools, Ensure the work of community groups and the the LCSP is Events: general public. promoted at every Countryside Lincs event at the opportunity Lincolnshire Showground promoting educational and family activities by the LCSP Open Farm Sunday at Sir Richard Suttons Estates leading on pond dipping Classroom in the Woods – Pond dipping and identification with 13

Tetney Primary school Lincolnshire Show both days in different tents to promote both the education projects and the volunteering opportunities Hundleby Community Group – Surveying techniques demonstrated with stream dipping and identification.

Mayfly in the Classroom: 3 Mayfly in the Classroom Projects run with Tetford Edward Richardson Primary School, Partney Primary School and St Lawrence Primary School in Horncastle. All involved children visiting a stream Engage with to identify invertebrates. schools throughout Presentations delivered: Lincolnshire to Tetford Edward Richardson School encourage outdoor (to 3 classes), St Lawrence Primary Awareness 2b) Pursue initiatives to promote learning on the School and Partney Primary School raising and education of this natural chalk streams. High detailing the project and engagement heritage utilising Mayfly in the Deliver 3 highlighting species and those Classroom with schools and the presentations to problems that need solving on camera traps. school teacher on Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams. the Mayfly in the Classroom project, Camera traps set up with teacher Deliver 2 Mayfly from Cordeaux Academy. Footage projects with of otters and American mink to be schools, preferably shared with the school for analysis 1 urban and 1 by pupils. rural

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Deliver 3 practical High Conservation events: 2c) Pursue initiatives to build on conservation 24th February – Volunteer practical providing opportunities for events per year conservation day on the Waithe at people to engage with their Ashby cum Fenby chalk streams. Establish 2 RiverCare groups 7th March – Community clean up on the chalk day on Laceby beck as a potential streams RiverCare group. (thought to be not suitable after visit from RiverCare representative Andrew Walters)

14th March - Community volunteer day, maintaining Welton beck in Welton le Wold

30th April – Volunteer practical conservation day on the Waithe at Ashby cum Fenby – Covered by local TV news.

17th September – Practical conservation day on River Lymn at Snipe Dales Country Park

3rd October – Practical conservation party on Grasby beck, near Owmby.

RiverCare groups established: Upcoming – Horncastle RiverCare event on 24th October with Keep Britain Tidy

Low Facebook and twitter accounts set- 2d) Maintain raising awareness Investigate LCSP up last year. Officers continue to through press, radio, social Facebook page for update these sending out 15

media, website RMI and RiverCare information on work delivered, with links to events organised and related news. education and Likes and followers continue to video camera grow. footage of monitoring Updates to the website are ongoing

Continue to Investigating setting up a web update website camera on a river using HLF and highlight funding. In discussions with several latest news items local businesses about the technicalities of hosting a camera. Positive progress with potentially hosting a camera at EA monitoring stations.

Local BBC news covered clean up day at Ashby cum Fenby. Monitoring techniques on the Bain demonstrated as part of BBC’s Escape to the Country.

Interviews for local radio on volunteer days at Snipe Dales and Ashby cum Fenby

All coverage promoted on social media and through LCC internal communications.

3a) Deliver Catchment Produce one Low These are done in conjunction with characterisation of main river Habitat EA. chalk streams to include; silt management plan Ongoing audits, geomorphological audits, per catchment per species survey, land use surveys. year Produce one silt and geomorphological 16

audit per catchment per year

Working with the EA fisheries team to undertake surveys on previously Implement post restored sites and sites for next monitoring year. 3b) Implement pre and post surveys recently monitoring on site specific river restored sites to High Riverfly volunteers set-up to help restoration schemes. identify changes collate data. Improved to the chalk resource stream habitat as a result of definition restoration projects Tried to work with Life on the Verge project to designate River Bain in Donington-on-Bain as a LWS.

LWT do not have the resources to undertake surveys. LCSP need to 3c) Identify and designate Investigate the find funding to send out suitable Local Wildlife Sites potential for chalk consultants to survey sites to (LWS). Ensure existing chalk stream sites to be submit into the LWS scheme. river LWS sites are in favourable designated with Low condition. LWS status. Pursue this with Lincolnshire Records Centre

3d) Implement Riverfly High Implemented a Pilot project Monitoring Initiative to aid Obtain funding to utilising Riverfly volunteers to test monitoring water quality run the Riverfly an extended list of species that are monitoring indicators of sediment issues. Data initiative to train a to be collected throughout the year 17

further 12 volunteers. RMI training delivered 29th and 30st Organise refresh August 2015 training up new training for volunteers and providing additional current volunteers support to existing volunteers. New sites decided in conjunction with the EA.

Existing volunteers continually supported with updated information and practical help with surveying by monitoring officer.

To work collaboratively with the National Association for AONBs (and other professional bodies/networks) and wider Low family of protected landscapes to Officers will attend Monitoring officer attended the May help raise the profile of Northern Area Northern Area meeting. Lincolnshire's Chalk Stream AONB meetings Additional Resource, enhance knowledge where possible base and share best practice. objectives To include; Lincolnshire's Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh, Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, Lincolnshire Rivers Catchment Sensitive Farming, Lincolnshire Meadowland Project (previously Life on the Verge project).

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2.1 Additional Plans The LCSP produced a Habitat management plan on Laceby beck for the EA to provide guidance on locations where restoration would help to improve the ecological status of the river. This was followed up with on-the-ground restoration from both the LCSP and the Environment Agency. Anglian Water are looking into resources to identify funding that can contribute to helping improve the status of Laceby beck.

The LCSP has worked with the EA to produce two further corridor habitat plans for the Waithe beck and for the Long and Great Eau. The future aim is that these two plans will feed into a second stage of more in-depth investigation into the delivery of on-the-ground restoration work, subject to funding.

2.3 Monitoring and evaluation Pre- and post- enhancement monitoring in years 1, 3 and 5 will be implemented utilising where possible Environment Agency staff or ecological consultants. This will be supported by data collected from the Riverfly volunteers and supplemented with riparian monitoring from camera traps, when possible.

Monitoring surveys will consist of surveying WFD species, particularly macro invertebrates and fish species to track changes in population dynamics. Ideally this will be completed in the summer and autumn following project completion.

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3.0 Grant Funded Projects

Grant supplier Amount Dates Reason To restore 3870m of chalk stream habitat. SITA £77,147 2008/09 to 2010/11

Three year grant to fund project running costs and salary costs. Countdown 2010 £82,500 2008/09 to 2010/11 Match funded by SITA (via WTT)

This grant was used on officer salary costs and on-the-ground Patagonia Environmental Grant £5,000 2008 projects, in particular the installation of a 40m riffle on the river (via WTT) Bain in Goulceby.

Purchase camera monitoring equipment Small Grants Scheme (LWCS) £543.26 2013/14 Education project with a secondary school on the River Bain and the Great Eau £517.50 2014/15 Match funded by the LCSP to pay for plants to help with continued restoration work on the River bain at Donington-on- Bain

Establish the first volunteer Riverfly Monitoring project on Sustainable Development Fund £2,662.49 2013/14 Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams. 17 volunteers actively collecting (LWCS) data. £3,626 2014/15 Funded a restoration project on Hallington beck to both improve the chalk stream and provide safe access for school groups to enter the stream. To establish as a CaBA based lead for Lincolnshire’s Chalk Catchment Based approach £5,902 2013/14 Streams. £9,323 2014/15 To work together as a partnership to develop and deliver Catchment Partnership Action Fund £56,000 2015/16 catchment management plans.

Funding a three year project to deliver 9.8km of habitat WREN Biodiversity Action Fund £214,746 2014-2017 improvement works on chalk streams, fund the LCSP project (second attempt) officer, employ a part time monitoring officer, deliver three further RMI volunteer projects, establish RiverCare groups on the chalk streams.

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Greater Lincolnshire Nature £453 March 2014 Funds to contribute towards purchasing Riverfly monitoring Partnership £500 2015/16 equipment for volunteers

Grant will provide funds to run several children and family Heritage Lottery Your Heritage grant Approx. £65,346 2016-2018 orientated events with the focus of engaging Lincolnshire's Match funded £20,046 by LCC communities with their chalk streams. This includes taking on a (second attempt) graduate volunteer, setting up a live streaming web camera, running a week-long festival and competitions.

 Excludes contributions to project from partners

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Appendicies

Appendix 1: This is a diagram to illustrate the set-up of the LWCS partnership network.

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Appendix 2: Role of the Joint Advisory Committee, Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service and sub-groups

Role of the Joint Advisory Committee - JAC  To develop as an active partnership.  To pool resources and expertise including National and Regional Agendas.  To co-ordinate activities delivered across the Wolds including identifying adverse activities.  Joined up delivery of members’ services by advising their constituent authorities on proposals/policies for the Wolds.  To oversee the production of the management plan, aiding its formal adoption and regular review.  To identify opportunities and make recommendations for new initiatives.  To agree and adopt the annual work programme.  To receive, adopt and distribute the annual report.

Role of the Joint Management Group - Role of the Officers’ Working Group - OWG JAC Topic Groups JMG  A steering group for the LWCS setting  Sustainable Development Fund panel  To identify and review the statutory production targets, funding levels for meet to discuss grant applications duties placed on the local authorities in projects and made to the SDF and to agree on relation to the  budget limits. where the grant should be spent  AONB, and where appropriate to ensure  To provide technical support to the the LWCS delivers against these duties LWCS. on behalf of the local authorities.  To clear all technical reports prior to  To core fund the LWCS (in accordance distribution. with the Memorandum of Agreement).  To support the LWCS Manager in setting  To oversee the LWCS accounts. annual work programmes and managing  To identify the local Authority their conditions attached to funding for  delivery. incorporation into  To support the LWCS Manager in the  Management Plan and annual work production and delivery of a five-year programme. forward plan.

Role of the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service - LWCS  To give the AONB an identity, positive image and increased status.  To obtain increased funding and resources for the AONB.  To keep under review and refine the Management Plan.  To co-ordinate the monitoring of change and development in the AONB. 23

 To establish a database for the AONB.  To prepare technical and planning reports and act as secretariat to constituent local  authorities and JAC for the Wolds.  To liaise with local community and interested individuals in respect of ‘AONB- related’ issues,  providing practical and specialist advice where appropriate. Role of the specialist sub-groups  To be set up as and when required with a clear remit and a set of outcomes to achieve.  A range of groups currently provide specialist advice, and assistance in reviewing and aiding the delivery of specific areas of the AONB Management Plan including the Heritage Working Group (HWG), Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP), Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel, and the Traditional Roadsigns in Lincolnshire (TRiL) Project.

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Appendix 3: Members of the Joint Advisory Committee

Joint Management Group Other Members Advisory Members

Natural England – statutory advisor Campaign to Protect Rural England Department for Environment Food and Rural Lincolnshire County Council – core funder Churches Together Affairs East Lindsey District Council – core funder Community Lincs (Defra) – core funder under the terms of the West Lindsey District Council – core funder Country Land and Business Association local North East Lincolnshire Council – core funder English Heritage Memorandum of Agreement. Environment Agency Forestry Commission Groundwork Lincolnshire Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Sports Partnership Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust National Farmers Union – East Midlands National Trust Ramblers - Lincolnshire The Conservation Volunteers - previously BTCV Correct as of December 2012

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Appendix 4: LCSP links with Steering group and wider initiatives

Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (LWCS) Steering group member and funding partner. Stephen Jack Host organisation of LCSP. [email protected] The LWCS is the AONB unit responsible for co- 01507 609740 ordinating the delivery and review the AONB Management Plan. Member of Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership, which brings together the Lincolnshire BAP & Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (GLNP).

Lincolnshire County Council Partnership member and funding partner. David Hickman Overall host of the LCSP. [email protected] LCC host the LWCS and therefore host the LCSP 01522 54809 this means that the LCSP is part of the wider Strategy and Partnerships team at LCC.

Environment Agency (EA) Steering group member and funding partner. Caroline Tero The EA undertake monitoring of water quality as [email protected] part of their statutory duties and also undertake 01522 785829 bespoke surveying as part of the LCSP. Member of the GLNP.

Anglian Water Service (AWS) Steering group member and funding partner. Mike Drew AWS have a vested interest in the improved [email protected] management of the water environment and are 01480 323232 also a landowner with responsibilities for SSSI management and discharge quality. Member of the GLNP.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) Steering group member. Elizabeth Biott LWT own and manage a number of reserves and [email protected] SSSIs with a chalk stream element. They also 01507 526667 have a significant volunteer database and can supply sustainable wood products for stream restoration. Member and host of the GLNP.

Natural England (NE) Steering group member and funding partner. Post open – possibly not being replaced NE is here to conserve and enhance the natural 26

environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. Member of the GLNP.

The Wild Trout Trust (WTT) Steering group member. Dr Tim Jacklin WTT are an organisation set up to conserve and [email protected] enhance wetland habitats for trout. 02392 570985

Lincolnshire Coast Rivers Catchment Sensitive The Catchment Sensitive Farming program aims Phil Gibson Farming Initiative to develop measures to tackle diffuse water [email protected] pollution from agriculture. The LCSP is actively 03000 604713 involved with the Lincolnshire Coast Rivers Catchment.

Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (GLNP) The LCSP is a member of the GLNP. Fran Smith This Nature Partnership Launched in November [email protected] 2012 from the Lincolnshire Biodiversity 01507 528398 Partnership.

Lindsey Action Zone The LCSP has worked closely with the LAZ to Judy Bell establish links with a group of similar interests [email protected] using 01507-354561

Lincolnshire Meadowland Project – previously The LCSP does liaise with the LotV project with Life on the Verge (LotV) regards to seeding round newly created channels 01507 526667 to help restore chalk grassland.

Particularly during the working up of projects, Local Authority Heritage and Natural the Project Officer will liaise with relevant Environment teams authorities to ensure that all interests are taken into account.

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Appendix 5: Table to show policies, objectives and actions from the LCSP partner organisations.

CaBA & WFD AWS AMP6 LWCS AONB LCC Natural LBAP Actions Management Environment Actions Plan Actions Strategy

Assisting Assisting Assisting Assisting Assisting towards towards towards towards towards 1 1a) Improve or Framework for Policy: RSPP2 Objective 2: Provide maintain water future activities for a clear long-term body status by groundwater nitrate Action: RSPA3 direction and 2027 in AMP 6 business case for the programme: Council’s involvement Monitoring: and investment in Abstraction point improvement and monitoring, management of the Monitoring natural environment. programme review, This supports key Annual trend partner strategies review, Share locally and nationally, outputs with EA. maximises the Modelling: resources available Acquire datasets, locally and brought in Develop Lincs externally, and Limestone ensures Council groundwater model. resources are used to Stakeholder the greatest effect in engagement: combination with Engage with EA, those of partners. Submit information for SgZ action plans, Engage with catchment stakeholders, deliver 28

presentations. Third party initiative support: Support relevant technical groups, Support relevant third party work. Risk Assessment: Risk assess abstractions. 1b) Mitigation measures Enhancements will Policies: RSPP1, Objective 4: LIN3_CHS_A01 such as river go towards meeting RSPO2 Support initiatives habitat/channel biodiversity targets that add to the LIN3_CHS_A03 narrowing to of AMP 6. Actions: RSPA1, biodiversity and contribute to RSPA2, RSPA3, amenity value of LIN3_CHS_A04 improvement of Priority areas under RSPA4 existing areas and WFD status for activites: sites by creating links LIN3_CHS_A05 Covenham between them or b) developing reservoir, extending them techniques to Grimsby Ancholme where appropriate improve flows Louth Chalk Unit: reducing Groundwater Objective 6: sedimentation of Barnoldby, Barrow, Identify opportunities watercourses Barton, Littlecoates, for initiatives to Ulceby, Thornton improve the quality c) designs that will Curtis, Winterton and functioning of allow for impacts of Holmes, Goxhill, ecosystem services climate change Harbrough, Healing, This will include joint Little London working between River service areas and Waithe beck lower partner organisations catchment (to through green Tetney lock) infrastructure, historic environment and protected landscape projects. 1c) Engage with Policies: BP3, Objective 4: LIN3_CHS_A01 landowners to Water bodies RSPP1, RSPP2 Support initiatives encourage entry currently under NEP that add to the LIN3_CHS_A04 29

into Agri - investigations are; Actions: BA5, biodiversity and Environment East Halton Beck, RSPA1, RSPA2, amenity value of LIN3_CHS_A05 Schemes Skitter Beck and RSPA4 existing areas and Laceby Beck. sites by creating links Produce individual between them or reach habitat Promoting improved extending them management plants land management where appropriate inline with reducing nitrate run catchment off will contribute to Objective 8: management plans AMP6 target of Develop a consistent in line with River improving drinking approach to working Basin management water quality with local plans standards communities, businesses, landowners, farmers and voluntary organisations, helping local communities manage and promote their own environmental assets and providing partner organisations with clarity about the Council’s priorities for, and commitment to, the natural environment. 1d) Project officer will In Amp 6 Objective 3: Use make an application programme looking LCC’s resources and to Defra’s at providing a grant responsibilities to Catchment for Water 4 Wildlife achieve a strategic Partnership Grant groups to apply to approach to managing the natural environment (a ‘landscape-scale’ approach). This means a focus on key strategic sites 30

and areas, respecting international, national and local protection. It also makes best use of the opportunities provided by existing landscape and historic landscape character areas and assessments, and maximises community and economic benefit. 1e) Provide Priority areas under Policy: RSPP6, Objective 4: management and for activites: RSPP7 Support initiatives guidance for at Covenham that add to the least one Chalk reservoir, Actions: RSPA10, biodiversity and Blow Well habitat Grimsby Ancholme RSPA11, RSPA12, amenity value of per year Louth Chalk Unit: RSPA14 existing areas and Groundwater sites Barnoldby, Barrow, Barton, Littlecoates, LIN3_CHS_A04 Ulceby, Thornton Curtis, Winterton LIN3_CHS_A05 Holmes, Goxhill, Harbrough, Healing, LIN3_CHS_A08 Little London LIN3_CHS_A09 1f) Objective 5: LIN3_CHS_A03 Policies: RSPP6, Promote use of RSPP7 ecological expertise and best available Actions: RSPA12, evidence, to support RSPA13, RSPA14, policy, decision- making and monitoring of Council services, particularly the Lincolnshire 31

Biodiversity Action Plan, the Lincolnshire Geodiversity Action Plan, the Lincolnshire Local Site System and the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre which are endorsed and managed through the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.

2 2a) Project officer will Policies: RSPP3, Objective 8: LIN3_CHS_A06 aim to get people BP4, RSPP3, IP1 Develop a consistent actively involved approach to working encourage a sense Actions: BA6, with local of ownership of RSPA5, RSPA6, communities, watercourses RSPA7, IPA1 businesses, landowners, farmers and voluntary organisations, helping local communities manage and promote their own environmental assets and providing partner organisations with clarity about the Council’s priorities for, and commitment to, the natural environment

Objective 1: Establish a method of demonstrating the value of Lincolnshire’s natural 32

environment to the economy, education, health and well-being of local communities, businesses and visitors to the county

2b) Policies: RSPP3, Objective 9: LIN3_CHS_A06 Develop a Actions: RSPA5, programme of RSPA6, RSPA7, educational activities to inform and involve young people and the wider community. 2c) Include within the In AMP 6 AWS information how the continue to match work being fund the WREN bid delivered is contributing to achieve the objectives of the WFD so the general public are kept informed 2d) Include within the In AMP 6 AWS information how the continue to match work being fund the WREN bid delivered is contributing to achieve the objectives of the WFD so the general public are kept informed 3 3a) Use CaBA funding Policies: RSPP7 Objective 5: LIN3_CHS_A02 to collate Promote use of informative data to Actions: RSPA14 ecological expertise aid decision making and best available process for evidence, to support 33

catchment policy, decision- improvements making and monitoring of Council services.

3b) The Project Officer Policies: BP1, LIN03_CHS_A02 will collate data so RSPP7 that it can be used to show change and Actions: BP1, BP2, project BP3, RSPA11, success/failure. RSPA15

3c) Collate pre and post Policy:BP1 LIN3_CHS_A02 monitoring data in years 1,3 and 5. Action: BA1, BA2, BA3

3d) Objective 4: Support initiatives that add to the biodiversity and amenity value of existing areas and sites by creating links between them or extending them where appropriate.

4 4a) Objective 7: Strengthen strategic partnership working with individual partner organisations and support the successful development of the newly-established 34

Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.

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Appendix 6: List of Commissioned project specific surveys for the LCSP

Surveys Feb 2000 - The Lincolnshire Chalk Rivers Project. AERC. Commissioned by the EA Jan 2001- Lincolnshire Chalk Rivers Project: Botanical Surveys of Springs and Headwaters. ESL. Commissioned by EA 1 of 4. Jun 2001 - The Lincolnshire Chalk Rivers Project: Collection of Background Dat., ESL. Commissioned by EA. Sep 2001 - Lincolnshire Chak Rivers: A Scoping Assessment of Possible Enhancements Sites. Windrush AEC. Commissioned by EA. Dec 2001 - Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project. A Consultation Paper. EA. Jan 2003 - Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: Botanical Survey of Streams in the Waithe and Laceby beck Catchments. ESL. Commissioned by EA 2 of 4. Mar 2003 - Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: Botanical Surveys of Springs and Headwaters. ESL. Commissioned by EA 3 of 4. Oct 2003 - Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: Botanical Surveys of Springs and Headwaters South Ferriby and Caistor Groups. ESL. Commissioned by EA 4 of 4. Mar 2005 - Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Surveys. ESL. Commissioned by EA Mar 2005 - Desk study on Lincolnshire Blow Wells. Lapwings Consultants. Commissioned by EA. Apr 2005 - Habitat Survey Lincolnshire Blow Wells. Lapwings Consultants. Commissioned by EA 2005-06 - A survey of the Invertebrate Fauna of the Lincolnshire Blow Wells (Winter 2005 & Summer 2006). EA Appraisal team Apr 2009 - Sediment Input Study River Lud and Waithe beck. APEM. Commissioned by LCSP and EA Apr 2010 - Sediment Input Study; Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: River Bain. APEM. Commissioned by LCSP & EA Mar 2011 - Rural Sediment Tracing Project, APEM. Commissioned by LCSP & EA

Journals The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: Background and Botanical and Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Surveys Undertaken in 2000/2001. By Tim Smith (ESL) and Richard Chadd (EA). Aug 2003 - A method to identify chalk rivers and assess their nature conservation value. The Journal V17 N3.

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