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Local Environment Agency Plan local environment agency plan WEST SOMERSET RIVERS CONSULTATION REPORT FEBRUARY 1998 BRISTOL BRIDGWATER DISPLAY COPY PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE En v ir o n m e n t H A g e n c y National Information Centre The Environment Agency Rio House Waterside Drive Aztec West BRISTOL BSI2 4UD Due for return l.fe Foreword This Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP) Consultation Report represents a significant step forward in tackling environmental issues. It has been clear for many years that the problems of land, air and water, particularly in the realm of pollution control, cannot be adequately addressed individually. They are interdependent, each affecting the others. The creation of the Environment Agency with the responsibilities for all three media provided a major opportunity to take an holistic approach which is now reflected in this LEAP Consultation Report. The Plan area includes significant parts of Exmoor National Park and the Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which are nationally prized for their, exceptional wild beauty. It also includes the major seaside resort of Minehead together with other tourist centres such as Poiiock, Watchet and Dunster which support a developing tourist industry. Here in West Somerset, we must be ever vigilant to protect our local environment from the growing pressures of tourism and development whilst recognising their importance in the local economy. The environmental challenges of the area are set out in the Plan in a way which has not been done before, raising important environmental issues which should now be addressed. It is, I believe, vital reading for everyone concerned with the environmental future of North Wessex. We look forward to hearing your views on the many environmental issues discussed here and I hope that with the help of our partners we can progress towards a better environment for all who live and work in this area. Qir CHRIS BIRKS AREA MANAGER (NORTH WESSEX) EiwnmmenlAgenqr information Centre H & v i C m r * ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 127213 YOUR VIEWS We hope that this Consultation Report will be read by everyone who has an interest in the quality of the environment. Your views will help us to finalize the Action Plan. Have we identified all the problems in the Plan area? Are there any issues which you would like to highlight? Please send your written comments by 31 MAY 1998 to: Alan Turner, Team Leader LEAPs, Environment Agency, North Wessex Area, Rivers House, East Quay, BRIDGWATER, Somerset, TA6 4YS. Tel: 01278 457333. HOW TO USE THIS CONSULTATION REPORT For advice on how to use this Consultation Report please see Part 1. THE NEXT STAGE We will collate responses to this Consultation Report and publish an Action Plan in late 1998. Each year we will review the progress that has been made with the actions identified in the Action Plan and publish a brief review. GENERAL ENQUIRIES For general information about the work of the Environment Agency, or information about a specific matter, please contact our Customer Services Centre at the Bridgwater Office. Tel: 01278 457333. 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 February 1998 Contents V ision...............!........................................................................................... ;........................................................v Part 1 - Introduction and Issues and Options 1. How To Use This P la n .................................................................................................................................1 2. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 The Environment Agency.................................................................................................. ..............................1 2.2 Environmental Standards....................................... .........................................................................................4 2.3 This Local Environment Agency Plan..............................................................................................................4 2.4 The LEAP Area........................................................ .......................................................................................5 3. Protection Through P artnership...................................................................................... ......................... 6 3.1 Links With Local Authorities.......................................................................................... ..................................6 3.2 Working With Businesses............................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Links With Government Bodies........................................................................................................................8 3.4 Examples Of Partnerships.............................................................................................................................. 8 4. Issues And Options ................................................... ..................................................................................9 4.1 Issue - Development Pressure........................................................................................................................ 9 4.2 Issue - Use Of Agency Owned Land.......................................................... .................................................. 10 4.3 Issue - Maintaining And Enhancing Biodiversity............................................................................................10 4.4 Issue - The Impact Of The St Regis Paper Company’s Watchet Mill.............................................................11 4.5 Issue - Homer Water - Suffers From Bed Loss..............................................................................................12 - 4.6 Issue - Somerwest World, Minehead - Surface Water Disposal.... ............................................................. 12 4.7 Issue - Flooding And The Need For An Improved Flood Warning Service.................................................... 13 4.8 Issue - River Bank Erosion.................................................................................... \ ......................................13 4.9 Issue - Flooding In Williton............................................................................................................................ 14 4.10 Issue - Securing Future Public Water Supplies...........................................................................................15 4.11 Issue - Unknown Causes Of Poor Water Quality.........................................................................................15 4.12 Issue - Impact Of Agriculture....................................................................................................................... 15 4.13 Issue - Impact O f Septic T anks.................................................................................. .......................16 Part 2 - Supporting Information 5. The Physical E nvironm ent.......................................................................................................................17 5.1 Geology.................................................. ....................... .................................................... ..........................17 5.2 Hydrogeology................................................................................................................................................ 17 5.3 Hydrology......................................................................................................................................................17 6. The Quality Of Controlled W aters ............................................ ......... ...................................................20 6.1 Our Proposed Targets For River Water Quality............................................................................................ 20 6.2 Compliance With River Quality Objectives ....................................................................................................22 6.3 EC Bathing Waters Directive................................... !................................................................................... 24 6.4 EC Freshwater Fish Directive....................................................................................................................... 24 6.5 EC Nitrates Directive.....................................................................................................................................26 6.6 EC Surface Water Abstraction Directive....................................................................................................... 26 6.7 EC Dangerous Substances Directive............................................................................................................ 27 6.8 EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive................................................................................................ 27 6.9 EC Shellfish Waters Directive.......................................................... ............................................................ 28 6.10 EC Shellfish Hygiene Directive..................................................................................................................
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