NRA National Rivers Authority Thames Region April 1995 The Middle Lee Action Plan will be reviewed annually by ourselves, and progress reports can be placed in the wallet at the back o f this document. If you have any questions about the content of this report, please contact: Craig Woolhouse, Catchment Manager, National Rivers Authority, The Grange, 97 Crossbrook Street, Waltham Cross, Herts EN8 8HE Tel: 01992 645067 Fax: 01992 641931 E n v ir o n m e n t A g e n c y NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE HEAD OFFICE Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 055621 F 0 R E W 0 R e as “Guardians o f the Water guide policy and action for at least the next W Environment” are committed to 10 years. integrated management of the water My Area team is committed to the environment through catchment implementation o f this Action Plan, but management planning. The Middle Lee recognise that it can only be achieved in catchment contains many valuable sites for partnership with others. We hope that we recreation and conservation as well as can rely on your continued help and pressure points for future development. support to take this initiative forward. Our aim is to ensure the continued well­ being of the rivers and groundwater o f this area. In this plan w e not only identify actions to protect and improve the water John Dickinson environment over the next few years, but North HasI Area Manager Thames Region we also establish a catchment vision to National Rivers Authority CONTENTS PAGE PAGE Forew ord 1 Action Plans Contents 1 Stort Corridor 12 Map of Middle Lee Catchment 2 Lee Corridor 13 Vision for the Middle Lee Catchment 3 Conservation Projects 14 Introduction 4 Pollution Control and Prevention 15 Overview of the Catchment 6 Management and Communications 16 River Quality Objectives 8 Low Flows 17 Catchment Action 9 Appendix Land Use Statement 10 Glossary of Abbreviations 18 Contact Telephone Numbers 18 Catchment Facts 19 Routine Work Done by the NRA 20 Contacting the NRA 1 MAP OF MIDDLEEE LEE CATCHMENT KEY Watercourse Catchment Boundary Primary 'A’ Road Motorway Village Urban area Scale (approx) LIST OF WATERCOURSES o Flow Gauge 0 5 km 1. Sandon Tributary 12. Stansted Brook A • Feildei Weir i i 2. Reed End Tributaries 13- Wadesmill Bourne 6 • Glen Fabo 3. Meesden Tributary 14. Nimney Bourne C - Mardock 4. Stickling Green Brook 15. Bury Green D - Wodevnill 5. Thistley Vale 16. Spell Brook E • Griggs Bridge 6. Haley Hill Ditch 17. Great Hallingbury Brook 7. Furneux Pelham Tributary 18. Hunsdon Brook 8. Patmore Hall Tributary 19. Canon’s Brook 9. Puckeridge Tributaries 20. Fiddlers Brook 10. Braughing Warren Bourne 21. Pole Hole Brook 11. Farnham Bourne 22. Sawbridgeworth Brook 2 VISION FOR THE Ml LE LEE CATCHMENT The primarily rural nature o f the area is reflected in the ■ ensure the closest possible liaison between character and setting of the rivers. Even the large towns of relevant local authorities in Hertfordshire Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford have largely allowed the and Essex British Waterways, National local rivers space to breathe and function. The openness Rivers Authority, English Nature, and natural state of many parts of the Rivers Rib, Ash and landowners and other interested parties Stort is in contrast, however, to the distinct hut much m develop an agreed strategy fo r the corridor altered River Lee corridor between Hertford and fo r public endorsement by all interested Hoddesdon. parties by 1996 The Chalk aquifer under the catchment is a source of m implement all improvements identified in water for local domestic and industrial needs. It is also the the Otter Habitat Surt>ey fo r the corridor by source o f the Rivers Ash, Rib and Stort. Many local villages 2005. and towns, such as Puckeridge and Standon on the River In its short length between Hertford and Hoddesdon the Rib, Much Hadham on the River Ash, and Bishop’s River Lee supports habitats of a high quality, a busy Stortford on the River Stort have developed around these navigation, important flood control structures, formal and traditionally good quality waters. The area has also informal recreation facilities (managed by the Lee Valley prospered from the good quality of the agricultural land. Regional Park Authority and British Waterways), mineral However, the post-war period has seen a marked reduc­ extraction, communications links and an important public tion in the ecological value of local rivers and wetlands as water supply abstraction at New Gauge. Opportunities to a result of agricultural policies and practices, and urban extend and improve the management o f existing facilities development. Key objectives for the NRA will be to: need to be carefully balanced with conservation interests. ■ ensure that the quality and quantity of Key objectives will be: water in aquifers are not compromised ■ fo r the NRA to review flood defence standards on m review and report on the interactions the River Ijee by 2000 and implement all between groundwater, river flows and justifiable works related uses and activities on the Rivers ■ to extend the range and capacity o f formal Ash and Stort by 1997 water recreation facilities in parallel with m with others enhance the ecological diversity and conservation enhancements landscape character of 40 km of m to secure a management agreement fo r Kings river bank by 2010. Mead by 1995. Of primary importance is the Stort Valley Corridor. This is Achievement of this vision for the catchment will require a valuable natural resource comprising sensitive ecological the joint efforts of the NRA, local communities and their habitats, a landscape of considerable diversity and value, representatives, government agencies and industry. The and areas which are popular for informal recreation and NRA will therefore: general amenity. The Stort Navigation is of particular historical significance and provides a valuable opportunity ■ work with all relevant parties to implement and for recreational cruising. However, ensuring that the review this plan corridor has a sustainable future will need positive action. m continue to listen and talk to interested parties to Key objectives will be to: ensure the plan retains wide ranging support. 3 INTRODUCTION The NRA was established in 1989 and is the principle CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS organisation responsible for safeguarding and improving The water environment is subject to a wide variety of uses the water environment in England and Wales. We have which invariably interact and sometimes conflict with each statutory responsibilities for water quality, water resources, other. The process of catchment management planning flood defence, fisheries, conservation, navigation and has been developed to help manage these interactions recreation as outlined in our mission statement: and conflicts for the overall benefit of the water environment and its users. Through catchment planning ‘We will protect and improve the water environ­ we establish a long term vision for the catchment. To meet ment by the effective management of water this we set objectives for environmental improvements resources and by substantial reductions in and prevention of future environmental damage whilst pollution. We will aim to provide effective defence considering the many demands on the water environment for people and property against flooding from in the catchment. The process involves the following rivers and the sea. In discharging our duties we will stages: operate openly and balance the interests o f all who ■ Informal liaison benefit from and use rivers, groundwater, estuaries and coastal water. We will be businesslike, efficient We meet with local authorities, relevant organisations and and caring towards our employees.’ interested groups to discuss issues relevant to the catchment and to identify possible actions. We place particular importance on planning for the future ■ Production o f a Consultation Report o f the environment through an integrated approach to This report contains information about the catchment, its river management. We recognise the need to work with resources, uses and activities and its present status. It local authorities, the local community, landowners, describes issues arising within the catchment and possible interested groups, industry and other agencies whose actions to resolve them. activities and uses interact with or impact on the water ■ Formal external consultation environment. The report goes out to interested external bodies and members of the public for their comments and views. ■ Production o f the Action Plan Views are taken on board in prcxlucing a plan of action. ■ Annual Reviews Reports are made on progress o f the actions. 4 A Consultation Report for the Middle Lee catchment was Over 40 written responses were received and some o f the prcxluced in September 1994. After a perkxl of key points raised were as follows: consultation and liaison both internally and externally, we ■ There was general support fo r the process o f have produced this, the Action Plan. This outlines: catchment planning and the content o f this ■ What is going to he done particular catchment management plan m Who will be involved ■ Several groups were particularly supportive of the conservation projects and the general m When it will be done enhancement of areas along the river corridor m Where known, how much it will cost. m Some consultees would like to see more tangible The plan will be reviewed on an annual basis and we will targets with respect to increasing the number report on progress made. and diversity of species and habitats REVIEW OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND LIAISON ■ Concern was expressed over the apparent lack of The Middle Lee Catchment Management Plan flows in the rivers of the catchment at certain Consultation Report was published in September 1994.