Local Environment Agency Plan
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local environment agency plan RIVERS AVON AND ERME CONSULTATION REPORT JANUARY 1998 • FOREWORD • Foreword The Rivers Avon and Erme 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 Rivers Avon and Ermg. 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 widely.circulated both within and outside 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.- Following on from the Consultation Report an Action Plan will be produced with an agreed programme for the future protection and enhancement o f this much loved area. We will use these plans to ensure that improvments in the local environment are achieved. \A^Aj 2A-— GEOFF BATEMAN Area Manager, Devon Environment Agency Information Centre Head Office 074662 •Local Environment Agency Plan Rivers Avon and Erme Consultation Report • YOUR VIEWS • Your Views We hope that this report will be read by everyone who has an interest in the environment of the Rivers Avon and Erme 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 that you would like to highlight? . We are keen to receive your views and comments on this rennrt Please send your response by Friday 10 April 1998 to: Local Environment Agency Planning - Devon Area Manley House Kestrel Way EXETER Devon EX2 7LQ Alternatively you may contact us via E-mail. Our address is YT46 @ dial.pipex.com 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 January 1998 Local Environment Agency P la n Rivers Avon and Erme Consultation Report • Contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1 The Environment Agency........................................................................................................... ..1 1.2 Local Environment Agency Plans............................................................................................. ..3 Part One The Management Plan 2. The Catchment Area 7 2.1 Geology..............................................I.............................................................................................. ..7 2.2 Hydrogeology.................................................................................................................................. ..9 2.3 Rainfall................................................................................................................................................ ..9 2.4 River Flow................................................................................. ....................................................... ..9 2.5 Landscape......................................................................................................................................... 11 2.6 Archaeology...................................................................................................................................... 13 3. Our Proposed Targets for River Water Quality 17 4. Issues and Proposed Actions 19 Issue 1: Impact of effluent discharges............................................................................................. 21 Issue 2: Impact of farming on rivers and wetlands.................................................................... 23 Issue 3: Potential eutrophication of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary..................... 25 issue 4: Barriers to fish migration.................................................................................................;... 27 Issue 5: Additional threats to the salmonid fishery......:...................................... .................... 28 Issue 6: Problems associated with urban development........................................................... 29 Issue 7: Impact of waste management activities.............................. '.......................................... 31 Issue 8: Demand for water resources.............................................................................................. 32 Issue 9: Concern over Low Flows...................................................................................................... 33 Issue 10: Risk of Cryptosporidium entering water supply....................................................... 34 Issue 11: Impact of air pollution ....................................................................... ................................ 34 Issue 12: Loss and deterioration of key habitats and species.................................................. 37 Issue 13: Spread of invasive plants..................................................................................:................ 42 Issue 14: Concerns with the recreational use of the catchment........................................... 43 Issue 15: Lack of information on the archaeological/historic value of the catchment. 45 Part Two Supporting Information 5.1 Urban Development and Land Use Planning...................................................................... 46 5.2 Controlled Industrial Processes and Use of Radioactive Substances........................... 50 5.3 Mineral Extraction........................................................................................................................... 51 5.4 Waste Management....................................................................................................................... 52 5.5 Effluent Disposal............................................................................................................................... 55 5.6 Rural Land Use................................................................................................................................. 57 5.7 Recreation........................................................................................................................................... 59 5.8 Water Abstraction and Supply................................................................................................... 63 5.9 Flood Defence................................................................................................................................... 67 5.10 Water Quality.............................................................................................................................1.. 73 5.11 Air Quality........................................................................................................................................ 84 5.12 Wildlife and Earth Science........................................................................................................ 84 5.13 Fisheries............................................................................................................................................ 87 • CONTENTS • Appendix A: Our Environmental Standards 94 Appendix B: Wildlife and Earth Science Designations 96 Glossary 97 Abbreviations and Units 102 M aps Map 1 Rivers Avon and Erme Catchment.........................................................................................................................................:6 Map 2 Simplified geology...........................................................................................................................................................................8 Map 3 Hydrometric network.................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Map 4 Landscape.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 ' Map 5 Archaeology......................................................................................................................................................................................14 Map 6 Proposed River Quality Objectives (River Ecosystem Classification).....................................................................16 Map 7 Effluent disposal >= 5m3/day..........................................................:........................................................................................20 Map 8 Barriers to migratory fish............................................................................................................................................................26 Map 9 Exceedences of critical loads of acidity for soils......................................................;.......................................................36 Map 10 Built environment................................................................................................................... .................................................. 47 Map 11 Waste disposal.............................................................................................................................................................................