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Home , Bigsweir Bridge, Gloucestershire Way, Hampton Bishop, Kerne Bridge, Monnington on Wye, River Lugg

River Wye SSSI Restoration

Management Report – Draft for Comment

Issued for comment January 2015

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Contents

1 Introduction 5 1.1 The Lower 5 1.2 Why do we need to restore the River Wye? 8 1.3 European Directives 10 1.4 Project aims and objectives 10 1.4.1 Outputs 11 1.5 Aim and objectives of the Management Report 11 1.6 Developing the restoration vision and detailed plans 12 1.7 Stakeholder involvement 12 1.8 Limitations 13

2 The Lower River Wye SSSIs and SAC 14 2.1 Wye catchment overview 14 2.2 The Lower Wye 16 2.2.1 River Wye restoration vision 18 2.3 SSSI Management 20 2.4 SSSI condition assessment 20 2.5 SAC condition assessment 21 2.6 Water Framework Directive (WFD) 24 2.6.1 Lower Wye WFD water bodies 24 2.7 Wider environment 27 2.7.1 Designated sites 27 2.7.2 Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitat 27 2.7.3 Historic environment 27 2.7.4 Land use and landscape 27 2.7.5 Amenity and recreation 31 2.7.6 Navigation 31 2.7.7 Fisheries 32

3 Pressures and impacts 33 3.1 Methodology 33 3.1.1 Desk study 33 3.1.2 Field survey 33 3.2 Key findings 33 3.2.1 Dominant geomorphological function and processes 41 3.2.2 Historic records 43 3.2.3 Halcrow (2012) study – Vision Report 46 3.2.4 River Habitat Survey – habitat modification data 50 3.2.5 River Restoration Centre (RRC) 2009 report – Comments on the impact of fishing platform revetments 56 3.2.6 Description of pressures in relation to impacts on channel geomorphology and ecology 56 3.3 Vision for the Lower Wye 62 3.4 Summary 64

4 Potential solutions 67 4.1 Selecting restoration solutions 67

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4.2 Meeting WFD objectives 67 4.3 Room for river approach 67 4.4 Restoration categories 70 4.5 Scale and timing of restoration 70 4.6 Descriptions of the restoration measures 74 4.6.1 Channel restoration 75 4.6.2 Riparian zone improvement 76 4.7 Restoration visualisations 77

5 Reach-by-reach restoration options 86 5.1 Organisation of the options 86 5.2 Prioritising the reaches 91 5.2.1 Prioritisation method 1 91 5.2.2 Prioritisation method 2 91 5.2.3 Prioritisation method 3 91 5.2.4 Prioritisation method 4 92 5.2.5 Summary of prioritised reaches 92 5.3 Restoration plans 93

6 Implementing the plan 103 6.1 Working with landowners and land managers 103 6.2 An opportunity 103 6.3 Prioritisation and cost 106 6.4 Shaping the actions 108 6.5 Delivery mechanisms, guidance and sources of funding 109 6.5.1 Water Framework Directive Improvement Fund 109 6.5.2 European Funding 109 6.5.3 Environmental Stewardship Schemes 110 6.5.4 New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) 110 6.5.5 Glastir 111 6.5.6 Catchment Sensitive Farming 111 6.5.7 Nutrient Management Plan 112 6.5.8 Forestry Commission English Woodland Grant Scheme 112 6.5.9 Wye and Usk Foundation 112

7 References 113

Appendix A Raw data combined 116

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Executive Summary

Jacobs was commissioned by the to produce separate Technical and Management Reports for the restoration of the Lower Wye and . This is a Management Report on the key morphological pressures and restoration measures for the Lower Wye.

The Lower River Wye and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The river is designated due to the presence of grayling, freshwater pearl mussel, white-clawed crayfish, shad, otter, , bullhead, lamprey, various invertebrate assemblages and water-crowfoot communities. The Upper and Middle Wye are also designated, however those reaches lie within and were not investigated for this Management Report. Reports for the Upper and Middle Wye will be produced separately by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). A combination of all reports will provide a catchment wide restoration strategy for all the SACs and SSSIs in the River Wye catchment.

The Lower Wye mainly flows through ; however there is a section around that is entirely within Wales. Here the right bank of the river is generally regulated by NRW, whilst the left bank is regulated by and the Environment Agency.

Natural England has subdivided the Lower Wye SSSI into seven management units, six of which are assessed to be in ‘unfavourable condition’. This Management Report provides suggestions to help achieve favourable condition in each of the management units.

A desk study and a series of site surveys were carried out in January 2014. In addition, analysis of data from a Halcrow (2012) study and several River Habitat Surveys was undertaken. The main findings were that the Lower Wye is a relatively natural river with few modifications to the channel and planform; the main modifications are croys and bed/ bank resectioning. Other pressures on the catchment are sediment loading from agriculture, abstraction and invasive non- native species, all of which are being addressed out with this restoration plan. Restoration of individual management units will contribute to the Lower Wye SSSI achieving ‘favourable condition’.

Based on the desk study and site surveys, the Lower Wye has been divided into 67 reaches and assigned a restoration category. The restoration categories have been decided upon as follows:

• Significant restoration (5 reaches): Major works required such as removal of extensive bank reinforcement or realign to a more natural planform. • Assisted natural recovery (34 reaches): Minor works required such as removal of minor channel structures (e.g. croys) and small sections of bed and bank reinforcement. • Conserve/ Natural recovery (24 reaches): Allow current natural processes to continue. No intervention is required or minor improvements such as riparian zone management could be implemented. • Riparian zone management (42 reaches): Grazing management, buffer strips, tree planting and/ or tree management could form part of this option.

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• Urban (4 reaches): Reaches constrained by urban land use could still be improved in-channel. Future engineering works should use sustainable methods where possible.

The Environment Agency and Natural England recognise the challenges linked to the river faced by landowners and managers throughout the catchment. The Statutory Bodies recognise that the successful implementation of a restoration plan will require effective and positive engagement with all stakeholders. The restoration actions are suggested as a means to achieve favourable condition of the SSSI and SAC. Both Lower Wye SSSI Restoration Technical Report and Management Report will inform future decision making by statutory bodies and should help the targeting and uptake of agri-environmental schemes, thus encouraging farmers to seek financial advice to adapt their current practices.

The views and concerns of a cross section of stakeholders are being sought through consultation based on these reports. Following consultation, the restoration plans and measures proposed in this Management Report and accompanying Technical Report will need updating along with finalisation of the restoration priorities. This task lies outside of the scope of this commission.

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Glossary

Terminology Definition Anadromous A fish species that migrates from the sea into fresh water to spawn Berm (natural) Deposit of fine material along the edges of a river channel, which has a step change in the gradient of the bank, creating a ledge. It is typically a permanent feature which is vegetated

with shrubs and trees where land management allows. The feature generally grows following a flood event, when fresh silt/ sand deposits are laid. It differs from a bar which slopes gently into the channel and is more mobile, less vegetated or vegetated with shorter species, which are quick to establish. Berm (artificial) Artificial berms can be created by using hard or soft engineering at the toe of the bank and filling in with soil or other material. Or where a bank has been reprofiled, and the top of the bank cut away to create a step change in the gradient of the bank. This can often be linked to artificial two- stage channels Catchment Area drained by a river and its tributaries Deposition Laying down of part, or all, of the sediment load of a stream on the bed, banks or floodplain. Mostly occurs as high flows recede. The process forms various sediment features such as bars, berms and floodplain deposits Ecological status A Water Framework Directive (WFD) term. Surface waters are classified as being of Good Ecological Status when each of the quality elements that represent indicators of ecological quality of the water body is classified as being good or high. The quality elements fall into three categories: i) biological quality elements, ii) physico-chemical quality elements and iii) hydromorphological quality elements. Additionally for a water body to achieve overall Good Ecological Status, its chemical quality has to pass. Erosion Removal of sediment or bedrock from the bed or banks of the channel by flowing water. Mostly occurs during high flows and flood events. Forms various river features such as scour holes and steep/ undercut outer banks Favourable Description of the condition of the features for which a SSSI condition or SAC has been designated. Favourable condition means that the SSSI land is being adequately conserved and is meeting its 'conservation objectives’; however, there is scope for the enhancement of these sites.1 Floodplain A floodplain is flat or nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river, stretching from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and (under natural conditions) experiences flooding periods of high discharge.

1 Taken from Natural England SSSI Glossary http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/sssi/glossary.aspx [Accessed on 24/03/2014]

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Terminology Definition Geomorphology The study of landforms and the processes that create them. Good ecological WFD term denoting a slight deviation from ‘reference status conditions’ in a water body, or the biological, chemical and physico-chemical and hydromorphological conditions associated with little or no human pressure. Glide Deeper water flowing smoothly over a river bed. Occasional larger cobbles or boulders on the bed may create some surface disturbance. Planform River channel pattern when viewed from above. This often referred to as either straight, sinuous, meandering or braided. Poaching Poaching can be a problem when livestock are wintered on , particularly around gateways, feeding areas and watering points. This can lead to risks of soil erosion and compaction. Poaching can occur where the land is ‘cut-up’ through livestock moving or tramping on wet soils. This removes the vegetative cover, leaving the soil open to the elements and prone to being washed away via surface water run-off and can pollute watercourses. Pool Deeper, steadier water. Pools are usually located at bends in watercourses, and depth increases towards the outside of a bend. Pressure The influence or effect of something, for example land use pressure that causes a change. Pressures include morphological alterations, abstraction, diffuse source pollution, point source pollution and flow regulation. In the context of the WFD a significant pressure is one that, on its own, or in combination with other pressures, would be liable to cause a failure to achieve the environmental objectives set out under Article 4. Reach A length of channel which, for example, may have a homogeneous (similar) geomorphology (river type) or restoration solution. Reference For any surface water body type, reference condition is a conditions state in the present or in the past where there are no, or only very minor, changes to the values of the hydromorphological, physico-chemical, and biological quality elements which would be found in the absence of anthropogenic disturbance. Remedy Natural England has a programme of remedies to address pressures impacting on the condition status of SSSIs. Remedies include river restoration projects; invasive non- native species control programme; Diffuse Water Pollution action and catchment sensitive farming. Remedies may be used in isolation or in combination to address the pressures affecting the condition of a SSSI. Refugium An area in which a population of organisms can survive through a period of unfavourable conditions. Plural noun: refugia Remedy Natural England has a programme of remedies to address pressures impacting on the condition status of SSSIs. Remedies include river restoration projects; invasive non-

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Terminology Definition native species control programme; Diffuse Water Pollution action and catchment sensitive farming. Remedies may be used in isolation or in combination to address the pressures affecting the condition of a SSSI. Re-profiling The reshaping of a river bank. May be a reflection of channel modification (impact) or restoration Riffle A stream bed accumulation of coarse alluvium typically linked with the scour of an upstream pool. They are characterised by shallow, fast-flowing water with unbroken standing waves flow type over gravel-pebble or cobble substrate. Channel substrate must be unconsolidated to provide suitable spawning habitat. Riparian zone Strip of land along the top of a river bank. Plant communities along the river banks are often referred to as riparian vegetation. Run Fast flow of water, deeper than riffles and usually with a stony or rocky bed which creates a rippled surface. Scrapes Used to describe a shallow pond that forms in a natural low spot in a floodplain. They are sometimes dry during the summer unless they are fed by springs. These scrapes are potentially the result of historical migration of the river across the floodplain. Threat A condition “threats” system is used to identify threats and their level of risk to the condition of an unfavourable recovering or favourable SSSI unit; the action(s) to address the threat; the organisation(s) responsible for the action; when the action is to be implemented. Tributary A stream or river which flows into a larger river. A tributary does not flow directly into the sea. Unfavourable Description of the condition of the features for which a SSSI condition or SAC has been designated. This means the special interest of the SSSI unit is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to the site management or external pressures. The longer the SSSI unit remains in this poor condition, the more difficult it will be, in general, to achieve recovery.2 Unfavourable Unfavourable recovering condition is often known simply as recovering 'recovering'. SSSI units are not yet fully conserved but all the condition necessary management measures are in place. Provided that the recovery work is sustained, the SSSI will reach favourable condition in time. In many cases, restoration takes time. Woodland that has been neglected for 50 years will take several years to bring back into a working coppice cycle. A drained peat bog might

2 Taken from Natural England SSSI Glossary http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/sssi/glossary.aspx [Accessed on 24/03/2014]

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Terminology Definition need 15-20 years to restore a reasonable coverage of sphagnum.3

Water body A water body is a WFD term and is the division of rivers, lakes, tidal/ coastal and groundwaters into discrete units for management and reporting. Water bodies are defined using criteria set out in the WFD legislation. Woody debris Woody debris is logs, sticks, branches, and other wood that falls into streams and rivers. This debris can influence the flow and the shape of the stream channel.

3 As above

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1 Introduction

1.1 The Lower River Wye

The Lower River Wye and its tributary the River Lugg are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England. The Upper and Lower Wye, and tributaries including the Lower Lugg (from Hope-under-Dinmore) are also designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Jacobs was commissioned by the Environment Agency to produce separate Technical Reports and Management Reports for the English parts of the Lower Wye and River Lugg. The Upper and Middle Wye lie within Wales and a restoration plan will be produced by another contractor under a contract with Natural Resources Wales. It is important to note, however, that human activities in the Upper and Middle Wye may be impacting on habitats in the Lower Wye.

The River Wye is a transboundary river that flows through both . As a result the river is divided into English and Welsh SSSIs. The English SSSI extends from Hay-on-Wye down to the Severn (with the exception of the section that enters Wales around Monmouth) and is called the River Wye (Lower Wye) SSSI. The Welsh SSSI begins downstream of , covering almost all of both river banks until . From Redbrook to the , the Wye forms the English/ Welsh boundary. Therefore both the Welsh SSSI and English SSSI occur adjacently; the Welsh SSSI is from the channel centre to the right bank and the English SSSI is from the channel centre to the left bank (Figure 1- 1 and Figure 1-2).

The Lower Wye is a relatively natural river with few channel modifications. From review of previous studies, including River Habitat Surveys (RHS), Halcrow’s 2012 Vision for the River Wye, and aerial photography it appears that the most frequent modification is channel and bank modification, in particular historical croys and historical channel resectioning. A major pressure on the catchment is sediment loading from agriculture which is likely to be a primary reason for the management units failing to achieve favourable condition.

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Figure 1-1 Lower Wye location plan – sheet 1

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Figure 1-2 Lower Wye location plan – sheet 2

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1.2 Why do we need to restore the River Wye?

The SSSIs and SACs of the Lower Wye, Middle and Upper Wye and their tributaries provide habitats for many nationally and internationally important species. Of particular interest on the Wye are the plant and animal communities; the whole river is designated as an SAC as a primary reason for being a ‘watercourse of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation’ under Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive. There are a several river types (as classified using , 2007) of the Wye ranging from base poor upland river types in the Upper Wye to naturally eutrophic and base-rich river types in the Lower Wye.

We need to restore the SSSI because the majority of river is assessed to be in unfavourable recovering condition, and physical habitat modification has recently been identified as a threat the condition of the river. To address these pressures, Natural England has a programme of SSSI remedies which includes ‘River Restoration Projects’. River restoration in combination with other remedies such as an invasive non-native species control programme, diffuse water pollution action and catchment sensitive farming all need to be progressed in order to improve the condition of the Lower Wye. The English River Wye SSSI has been divided into seven management units by Natural England. A desk study condition assessment was carried out for each of these English SSSI units in 2010 by Natural England. SSSI Unit 1 is classed as being in favourable condition; the remaining six SSSI units are classed as being in unfavourable recovering condition. According to the Natural England condition assessment in almost all SSSI management units this is due to suspended solids and siltation (apart from Unit 7) and the prevalence of Himalayan balsam. As a result, a Nutrient Management Plan for the Wye and a Diffuse Water Pollution Plan for the Lugg have been prepared, and work to control invasive non- native species is underway.

What is river restoration? River restoration refers to river improvement activities that are designed to return the structure (morphology) and ecology of a river back towards a pre-disturbance (natural) condition. This can include river management activities such as complete restoration (involving in-channel works) of an existing section of channel, enhancement of an existing section of channel (such as by improved management) and/ or the creation of a new section of river channel with features designed to replicate natural conditions.

Management issues affecting the Wye SSSI as identified by Halcrow (2012) included the following:

• Siltation from agricultural land • Lack of buffer strips in places • Over-abstraction in Unit 2 leading to flow targets not being met • Himalayan balsam is extensive with presence of Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed • Poor fish status in Units 6 and 7 upstream of Bredwardine Bridge • Nutrient enrichment has led to high algal growth downstream of (Units 2-4) • Physical habitat modification

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According to JNCC Common Standards Monitoring guidance (2014a), 65% or more of RHS sites must be assigned a HMC (Habitat Modification Class) of 1 to achieve favourable condition. Subsequent examination of River Habitat Survey data (RHS), shows that large proportions of the Lower Wye have undergone bed and/ or bank resectioning, This habitat modification has been identified as a threat to the condition of the Lower Wye SSSI (see Section 4.8).

Restoration of the management units and features currently in unfavourable condition will contribute directly to moving the river towards favourable condition. In England, the restoration of the management units may also benefit the Environment Agency Flood Risk and Coastal Management (FRCM) Outcome measure 4c (length of river improved) (although the Environment Agency plays no role in the determination and management of the SSSI units). Natural Resources Wales currently have no formal framework to address physical habitat modifications, however, it is anticipated that physical modification contributes to the unfavourable condition in the Welsh sections.

‘Conservation objectives’ describe the targets for the River Wye SAC to reach and maintain in favourable condition the habitats and species for which they are designated. The favourable condition targets may be more stringent than those required to meet Good Ecological Status or Potential (GES/GEP). Under article 4(2) of the Water Framework Directive, where more than one objective relates to a given body of water, the higher target applies.

Restoration of the River Wye SSSI (England) and River Wye SAC will also contribute to the achievement and/ or maintenance of GES on water bodies within the protected areas under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Three of the five water bodies on the Wye are failing GES as a result of fish population, phytobenthos and levels of copper, cypermethrin and dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Morphology for all five water bodies has been assessed to support GES (see Section 2.6). Addressing pressures in the Wye catchment will have beneficial effects on the hydromorphology of the river.

The focus of this study is morphological pressures and the ecological links; identifying where they are and measures to restore the river, depending on these pressures. However, some of these measures may indirectly improve water quality (such as improving riparian buffer strips, potentially reducing diffuse pollution from agriculture). Natural England has produced guidelines for generating strategic physical restoration plans for SSSI rivers (Wheeldon et al., 2010). These guidelines will be applied to river SSSIs where physical modification has been identified as a reason for unfavourable condition. Geomorphological assessment and RHS data provide the building blocks for developing restoration action plans. River restoration targets the whole river scale whilst balancing the needs of flood risk management and accommodating flood defence structures where appropriate. Most of the historic weirs were either removed under medieval Acts of Parliament for navigation purposes or have collapsed or fallen into disrepair. As such, there are no barriers to fish passage on the Lower Wye.

The purpose of this study is to develop a restoration vision of the whole river catchment, identifying where the main pressures are and outlining restoration measures to achieve favourable condition.

This study considers both recent and historic modifications to the river channel and floodplain. Historical modifications such as channel realignment have led to a reduction in the diversity of natural habitats. The installation of croys introduces

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artificial material into the river and alters the flow patterns, potentially preventing natural processes from occurring, such as erosion on the outside of meander bends. However, along reaches where the natural diversity of the channel has been removed, croys help to create some diversity.

1.3 European Directives

This and future work on the SSSIs and SAC of the River Wye will help achieve both the objectives of the Habitats Directive and the WFD. These pieces of European legislation aim for SAC rivers to achieve favourable condition and all rivers to achieve Good Ecological Status or Good Ecological Potential (where the water bodies are heavily modified) respectively. Funding relating to achieving the aims of these Directives will help deliver the future conservation, enhancement and ecological restoration of rivers where feasible. There are targets set out to achieve favourable condition for the Lower Wye SSSI as well as GES for the Lower Wye WFD water bodies. Where the favourable condition targets are higher than that for GES, the higher targets must be met.

Condition objectives

The general objective of SAC designation is to “avoid the deterioration of the qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species, and the significant disturbance of those qualifying species, ensuring the integrity of the site is maintained and the site makes a full contribution to achieving Favourable Conservation Status of each of the qualifying features”.

Favourable condition is when the special habitats and features are in a healthy state and conserved for the future by appropriate management.

Unfavourable recovering condition is when all necessary management measures are in place to address reasons for unfavourable conditions. If sustained, the site will recover over time.

Good Ecological Status The general objective of the WFD is to achieve overall ‘Good Ecological Status’ for all surface waters by 2015. To be in overall ‘good’ status both ecological and chemical status must be at least ‘good’. GES refers to situations where the ecological characteristics show only a slight deviation from ‘reference conditions’. In such a situation the biological, chemical, physico-chemical and hydromorphological conditions are associated with limited or no human pressures.

1.4 Project aims and objectives

The project aims to identify river restoration or enhancement options that can help bring the River Wye SSSIs and SAC up to favourable condition. These options should also help the parts of the river currently failing under the WFD to achieve GES. This overall aim includes the following specific objectives:

1. Undertake a geomorphological analysis and ecological interpretation of physical impacts on the River Wye SSSIs and SAC, comprising a desk study, gap analysis and targeted field survey

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2. Provide a broad assessment of the condition of the SSSI based on physical habitat criteria alone, using relevant sections of the JNCC Common Standards Monitoring Guidance (2014a), available RHS and Halcrow (2012) data. 3. Provide an outline restoration strategy for the river on a reach-by-reach basis, which is linked specifically to the conservation objectives for species and habitats of the SAC and SSSIs 4. Establish the wider environmental baseline and receptors that may be impacted by restoration options e.g. adjacent SSSI sites, historic environment, landscape etc. 5. Identify potential delivery mechanisms and provide approximate costs for the different aspects of restoration

The plan is intended to provide a framework for the Environment Agency and Natural England to restore and enhance the River Wye SSSIs and SAC for the next 20 to 30 years. Physical habitat restoration alone will not restore the river to favourable condition (or GES where this is failing); however actions will contribute to achieving these targets. Continued action is needed in parallel with the remedies including Diffuse Water Pollution Plan and invasive non-native species control.

1.4.1 Outputs

1. A technical report detailing the geomorphological and ecological appraisal, SSSI condition assessment (physical habitat only) and wider environment considerations 2. An updated GIS-linked database of raw geomorphological data and associated data (e.g. photos), with brief instructions for use 3. A management report containing the outline restoration strategy. The report will detail existing management regimes, restoration options, potential delivery mechanisms and indicative costs 4. A package of consultation material for a future stakeholder consultation event

1.5 Aim and objectives of the Management Report

The aim of this Management Report, in conjunction with the accompanying interactive map, is to identify river restoration measures that can help bring the SSSIs and SAC of the River Wye up to favourable condition under the Habitats Directive. These options should also help the parts of the river currently failing to achieve GES or GEP under the WFD. This overall aim includes the following specific objectives:

1. Determine the impact of main physical modification giving examples of each and explain how they affect the habitats and species that live in the river 2. Identify the wider environmental issues along the riparian corridor of the Lower Wye 3. Provide an outline restoration plan for the river on a reach specific basis 4. Identify potential delivery mechanisms

The potential restoration options are presented in a series of restoration visualisations and descriptions in Section 4 and example plans in Section 5. They are dependent on the morphological pressures recorded on the interactive mapper and listed reach-by-reach in Table 5.1 (see Section 5). The Management Report is

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intended to provide a framework for the restoration of the SSSIs and SAC of the River Wye for the next 20 to 30 years. Some restoration measure could be implemented in the short term and become established within 1 to 5 years. Others may take longer to implement and become established, either 5 to 15years (medium term) or 15 to 30 years (long term).

1.6 Developing the restoration vision and detailed plans

The restoration plans have been developed using a combination of:

• Geomorphological and ecological expertise regarding the type of characteristics the river channel and its surrounding environment should exhibit under natural conditions and the use of this expertise to determine the level of habitat degradation from channel modification • The level of habitat degradation (inferred from channel modification) has been inferred from observations on site, aerial photography (Bing, 2014) and RHS data • Secondary source data from Halcrow (2012) • An understanding of the requirements to meet ecological indicators for the characteristic biological communities and feature species and the link between habitat suitability and feature species • An understanding of how other pressures such as flow regulation may be impacting upon the river channel in parallel with morphological pressures • Guidance on best practice for management of rivers and their surroundings, including Wheeldon et al. (2010) • JNCC (2014a) Common Standards Monitoring Guidance for Rivers • Review of widely used river restoration techniques including a consideration of their suitability, including reference to the UK’s RRC Manual of River Restoration Techniques (http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_manual.php). • Reference to the wider environment of the Lower Wye from (NCA) profile: and (Natural England, 2012).

1.7 Stakeholder involvement

The restoration visualisations, plans, table of river type characteristics and identified pressures in each reach of the river in this management report aim to help river managers and stakeholders identify possible options that could be implemented along the River Wye to improve the natural function of the river and increase the length, number and connectivity of habitats for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. To achieve the aims of this Management Report, the Statutory Bodies (Environment Agency and Natural England) recognise the need for effective and positive engagement with land owners, land managers and other river users. In addition to landowners and tenants, the stakeholders engaged in the development of the restoration plans include the catchment management group and the navigation group.

This version of the Management Report has been produced for consultation and is not intended to be used as a final restoration management plan. The consultation event lies outside of the scope of this contract. It is intended that this Management Report, the restoration strategy and prioritisation of reaches for restoration will be finalised post consultation, incorporating the feedback provided during consultation.

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Going forward, the Statutory Bodies will work with stakeholders to agree how best to prioritise and deliver the restoration plans. Whilst some options will be able to be implemented over the next few years, other measures will take longer to organise with the landowners and interested parties. This plan should be considered as a long term restoration strategy that will be implemented over 20 to 30 years.

1.8 Limitations

A full fluvial audit of the Lower Wye catchment was not undertaken and therefore this study relies largely on existing data. Existing data consists of point records, such as the River Habitat Surveys (500m surveys). Although these are frequent throughout the catchment they do not provide a continuous record of modifications along the river. As a result they can underestimate the extent of morphological pressures. Similar to this study, previous ones, such as Halcrow’s 2012 Vision for the River Wye, draws heavily on aerial photography. Aerial photography can distort the proportions of the river, and not all pressures are necessarily captured. Similar to one time site visits, rather than repetitive surveys during different seasons and flow events, aerial photography only captures the river at one point in time. For example, land use changes: fields get rotated, so the data may not represent the current land use at the time of reporting. However, between spot checks in the 2014 study, surveyors were able to follow roads that ran alongside much of the Lower Wye, meaning the overall geomorphological processes have been observed along most of the Wye on site and through aerial photography.

An additional limitation to the January 2014 spot checks was the heavy and prolonged rainfall that occurred prior to the visit. This caused the river levels to swell, submerging marginal, bank and in-channel depositional and erosion features and bank and channel modifications. The bed was also obscured by the deep, turbid and red coloured flow of the Wye. Verification of the previous studies and the geomorphological processes indicated on the aerial photography was limited. Consequently it is highly likely that bank toe modifications are under recorded along the Wye.

This study only covers the Lower Wye starting Hay-on-Wye at the English border, which poses a significant limitation. Upstream pressures (such as gravel extraction as identified from Jeffries et al., 2007) may be having downstream impacts and they are not fully captured in this report. A separate restoration strategy is being developed for the Upper Wye in Wales, commissioned by Natural Resources Wales. The overall aims and objectives of the two studies differ, which is an additional limitation. This report is a draft for consultation and does not represent a final restoration vision and strategy. Once the report has been updated following consultation (which now lies outside the scope of this project), ways of linking the restoration strategies for the Upper and Lower Wye should be explored.

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2 The Lower River Wye SSSIs and SAC

2.1 Wye catchment overview

The source of the River Wye rises at in the , at 741m AOD. In Wales, the river passes through a number of towns including and . The catchment above Hay-on-Wye is both mountainous with steep slopes (in the Upper Wye) and typical of lowland (Middle Wye) with low gradient and wider valley floor. Between Hay-on-Wye and the Lower Wye has extensive floodplain and a meandering planform. At Kerne Bridge and the start of the the river then becomes confined by the valley sides.

The Wye is unusual in that it has not been subjected to significant modification that is typical of large western eutrophic rivers. However, the river is not free of modification and pressures. For example, the flow of the River Wye is impacted by dams in the Elan sub-catchment, where the Elan Valley Aqueduct provides the primary water supply to the City of . In addition, the dams within this sub-catchment act as a major sediment trap thus impacting on sediment transfer within the Wye catchment. Recreation and navigation are important high profile activities on the River Wye. The Environment Agency is the for the River Wye, from Hay to . Navigation on the tidal Wye, below Bigsweir, is the responsibility of Harbour Trustees. The Wye Navigation Advisory Committee4 also help the Environment Agency to maintain sustainable recreation and navigation on the River Wye.

River Wye Together the River Wye (Lower Wye) and the River Wye (Upper Wye) SSSIs and several of their tributaries represent a large, linear ecosystem which acts as an important wildlife corridor, an essential migration route, and a key breeding area for many nationally and internationally important species. Its character spans a range of types from an upland base-poor stream to an estuarine, silty lowland river. The river’s overall diversity is a product of its underlying geology, soil type, adjacent land use and near natural fluvio-geomorphological regime.

The River Wye forms one of the longest, near natural rivers in England and Wales. Natural England Citation Sheet (SO55/4)

The SSSIs and SACs of the Lower Wye, Middle and Upper Wye and their tributaries provide habitats for many nationally and internationally important species. Of particular interest on the Wye are the plant and animal communities. The whole river is designated as an SAC with the primary reason for being a ‘watercourse of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation’ under Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive. This is partially due to its

4 The Wye Navigation Advisory Committee was established by the Wye Navigation order 2002. It operates under an independent chairperson and includes members representing a wide range of user interests. More information on the Wye Navigation Order 2002 is available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/1998/part/II/made [accessed on 24/03/14].

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predominantly sedimentary bedrock base, including a mix of shales and sandstones which has resulted in characteristic bryophyte-dominated vegetation in the Upper Wye and extensive Ranunculus in the Lower Wye. Ranunculus vegetation is obvious from aerial photography, occurring frequently down the Lower Wye. There are also a wide variety of other macrophytes found within the River Wye, including the uncommon river water-crowfoot R. penicillatus ssp and the river jelly-lichen Collema dichotum.

The rivers of the Wye catchment are some of the best in the UK and are also designated as nationally important Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The SSSIs are designated for the following river habitat types (more detail is provided in Table 2.1 below):

• Type I Naturally eutrophic lowland rivers with a high base flow but minimal gradients • Type II Slow-flowing, naturally eutrophic rivers, dominated by clays with minimal gradients. Diverse substrates and flow patterns present. • Type VI: Lowland base-rich, mesotrophic rivers in western and northern Britain, with a moderate to fast current with minimal gradients.

There are several JNCC river types comprising the River Wye (Mainstone 2007), ranging from base poor upland river types in the Upper Wye to naturally eutrophic and base-rich river types in the Lower Wye.

Table 2.1 outlines the features that are primary reasons for the Lower Wye being designated as both a SAC and SSSI.

Table 2.1 Special features that are a primary reason for the conservation designations Special feature SSSI SAC Type I Naturally eutrophic lowland rivers with a high base flow but  minimal gradients Type II Slow-flowing, naturally eutrophic rivers, dominated by  clays with minimal gradients. Diverse subtrates and flow patterns present. Type VI: Lowland base-rich, mesotrophic rivers in western and  northern Britain, with a moderate to fast current with minimal gradients. Grayling Thymallus thymallus  Freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera  White-clawed (or Atlantic stream) crayfish   Twaite shad Alosa fallax  * Allis shad Alosa alosa   Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar   Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus   Brook lamprey Lampetra planeri   River lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis   Bullhead Cottus gobio   Common otter Lutra lutra   Invertebrate assemblages  Bryophytes  Watercourses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion  fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation *Qualifying feature but not a primary reason for SAC designation

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Most of the ecological features found within the Wye SAC and SSSIs have specific requirements of the ecosystem they are found in (Section 3, River Wye SSSI River Restoration Technical Report). This may include a narrow range of tolerances to physical habitat or flow (substrate type, flow type or variation), spatial linkages between life stages, water quality, riparian zone influences or inputs and hydromorphological requirements. The majority of species may utilise sub optimal conditions within an environment. However to meet the requirements of favourable condition a population must be self-sufficient and sustainable. When considering the condition of a population it is essential to appreciate that the distribution of a given species within a catchment is appropriate to the natural geomorphology, and that channel form may naturally preclude certain species from sections, reaches or whole tributaries if underlying conditions are not naturally suitable for that species.

Whilst particular species (including SAC species) may form part of the designation for a site, their requirements would normally only be catered for to an extent by the habitat type. Exceptions to this include: 1) where there is good reason to believe that a higher level of quality is required by a particular designated species and the river is naturally capable of supplying this quality; 2) where a species is the only designation feature and there is good reason to move away from characteristic habitat form and function of the river.

For more information about the special features found within the SSSI and SAC refer to Section 3.2 of the Technical Report.

2.2 The Lower Wye

The Lower Wye begins at Hay-on-Wye from which it flows in a general easterly direction until Hereford. After Hereford, it flows in a southerly direction towards the Severn estuary. Thus restoration of rivers with a north-south orientation is a critical climate change adaptation measure.

The main towns the Lower Wye flows through include Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth and . The main tributary on the Lower Wye is the River Lugg, the lower section (from Hope-under-Dinmore) of which is included in the River Wye SAC and joins the Wye 7 km downstream of Hereford. The whole of the Lugg is classed as a SSSI. Apart from the five towns mentioned the predominant land use in the catchment is arable and horticultural down to Kerne Bridge. This is due to the underlying marls and glacial gravels which make up the soil (CEH, 2012). Downstream of Kerne Bridge the Lower Wye flows through some spectacular gorges and has extensive bankside woodland, interspersed with grassland. The catchment area of the whole River Wye upstream of Monmouth is approximately 4136 km2 and the total length of the river from the source to the Severn Estuary is 216 km (Environmental Change Network (ECN), 2014).

The Lower Wye is typical of a UK lowland river with a low gradient and meandering planform. The valley through which the Lower Wye flows is very wide with extensive floodplain upstream of Kerne Bridge near Ross-on-Wye. The Wye meanders unconfined until it reaches the Upper Wye Gorge SSSI. After this, the valley becomes enclosed and the river assumes a confined, meandering planform with limited floodplain.

The majority of the banks along the Lower Wye were vegetated with grass, shrub and broadleaf trees. The extent of riparian zone varied from being completely absent to continuous. There were many areas where there was adjacent agricultural land with narrow buffer strips, which could be improved. In some areas the riparian

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zone is extensive, although typically only on one side of the channel, particularly from the Upper Wye Gorge and downstream as the Wye flows through the Forest of Dean.

Channel width varied between 25m and 35m from Hay-on-wye to Chepstow and bank height ranged from being shallow to steep, giving rise to vertical cliffs in places.

There are three main river types on the Lower Wye which are major reasons for the SSSI designation. These are shown in Table 2.2 (in Section 2.2.1) alongside their characteristics under conditions of low anthropogenic impacts. These river types support many of the species that are also designated as SAC and SSSI features in the Wye catchment. These three SSSI river types underpin the general SAC feature of Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation communities. Table 2.2 represents the Restoration Vision for the Lower Wye.

River Wye (Lower Wye) (Hay-on-Wye to Chepstow) The River Wye (Lower Wye) is a rare example of a near natural, large western eutrophic river which, unlike many rivers of a similar type, has not been subject to significant modification from human activities. The river is of special interest for three main aquatic plant community types – rivers on sandstone, mudstone and hard limestone, clay rivers and lowland rivers with minimal gradient, as well as for certain flowering plants and bryophytes.

The river shows a clear downstream succession in plant communities reflecting variations in geology, flow rate and land use. In particular the river exhibits a natural increase in dissolved minerals as it flows over the underlying geology of Old Red Sandstone and Limestone. Localised differences in water chemistry are also created where major tributaries, such as the River Lugg, enter the main channel. In its tidal reaches the Upstream view of confluence with River river becomes increasingly saline Monnow at Monmouth (WYE061). Taken after as it nears its confluence with the heavy rain, so sediment can be seen coming Severn Estuary. in from a tributary.

The invertebrate fauna is characteristic of a large lowland river and is of special interest for species associated with riffles, river shingles and saltmarsh, river deadwood and bankside vegetation.

The SSSI incorporates adjacent areas of riparian habitat including wet woodland, marshy grassland, reed beds and topographical features which directly support the special interest of the river.

Source: Natural England Citation Sheet (SO55/4)

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2.2.1 River Wye restoration vision

Table 2.2 describes the three main river types on the Lower Wye under conditions of low anthropogenic impacts. These descriptions form the restoration vision for the Lower Wye. Table 2.2 Three SSSI river types designated for the River Wye (information from Natural England, 2011 and Mainstone, 2007) JNCC river type Characteristics of JNCC river types Ecological importance under conditions of low anthropogenic impacts Type I: Naturally • Low gradient catchment with river • Vertical cliffs provide nesting and burrowing opportunities eutrophic lowland channels running over clay or alluvium for birds and invertebrate respectively. rivers with a high (sometimes chalk). Stream power • On shallow banksides a significant zone of hydrological base flow but variable but generally low. transition can be expected, with beds of emergent minimal gradients. • Meandering planform with alternating species and wetland species. These active marginal and steep and shallow bank profiles, leading wetland fringe of vegetation acts as multiple functions for to vertical cliffs and point bars. fish and provides cover and foraging habitat for riverine mammals. Type II: Slow- • River bed gravels or other coarse substrate provide an flowing, naturally essential but generally scant habitat for a wide variety of eutrophic lowland invertebrate and fish species. Gravels and swifter flows rivers, dominated by also provide rooting opportunities for species such as clays with minimal water-crowfoot and water-milfoil and important habitat for gradients specific fish and invertebrate life stages. • Flora and fauna associated with still waters would develop in backwaters. Backwaters could also provide refugia to species during high flows. • Submerged exposed roots provide in-channel habitat for fish and invertebrates and potential holt and resting sides Vertical cliff (WYE010) in an area of active erosion and lateral migration for otters. Woody debris accumulations contribute to flow type variability and create refuge habitats and pools for • Bed materials likely to be dominated by aquatic species. Riparian scrub provides habitat for otter silts and sands with coarser gravels and bird species. Co-occurrence of wooded and open accumulating at riffles. river margins is important for a range of invertebrate • Flow patterns are likely to be dominated species. • by glide with coarser substrates Natural flooding regimes on wider floodplain can give rise underlying occasional riffles and finer to inundation wetland. materials underlying deeper pools.

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JNCC river type Characteristics of JNCC river types Ecological importance under conditions of low anthropogenic impacts Backwaters with finer substrates. • Riparian trees, with submerged exposed root systems, create a source of woody debris and leaf litter, and varying within- channel light and temperature. Co- occurrence with wooded and open river margins, with areas of riparian scrub. • Varying extent of floodplains

Type VI: Lowland • Catchments tend to be mid-altitude. • Aquatic mosses and specialist algal species use bedrock, base-rich, Moderate stream gradients and boulders and large cobbles as substrates, which mesotrophic rivers substrates dominated by gravels and invertebrates use in turn for cover and food. Birds use the in western and pebbles. boulders and fast flowing water to feed. northern Britain, with • Outcropping bedrock and boulders are • In the more geomorphologically stable sections, a moderate to fast common features creating variable flow submerged higher plants such as water-crowfoot and current with minimal types including step-pools, riffles and water-milfoil occur in patches. gradients. glides. • Unvegetated, periodically exposed shingle and sand bars • Exposed side and mid-channel bars give rise to diverse invertebrate assemblages of high both vegetated and unvegetated are conservation value and exposed shingle islands may be common as well as sandy margins with used by certain bird species for breeding. some vegetation. • Riparian trees are important for providing a source of • Riparian trees provide a source of woody debris, leaf litter and exposed tree root systems as woody debris, leaf litter and exposed submerged habitat and refuge areas for fish and tree root systems. invertebrates. • Where there is a floodplain, active • Vertical cliffs provide the best opportunities for nesting meandering can occur with vertical cliffs and burrowing for birds and invertebrates respectively. and point bars. Vertical cliffs are • Active channel process lead to high flow and substrate probably naturally most prevalent in diversity, providing a range of interconnected habitats for these river types. various fish, lamprey and invertebrate species life stages.

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2.3 SSSI Management

The River Wye (Lower Wye) SSSI has been divided into seven management units (from upstream to downstream):

• Unit 7 – Whitney Toll to Hay-on-Wye (part of Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) management Unit 1d) • Unit 6 – Bredwardine Bridge to Whitney Toll • Unit 5 – Hereford to Bredwardine Bridge • Unit 4 – Ross-on-Wye to Hereford • Unit 3 – Upstream of Monmouth to Ross-on-Wye • Unit 2 – Bridge to Monmouth • Unit 1 – Tidal River – Estuary to Brockweir Bridge

Where the Lower Wye crosses the border back into Wales it is either managed entirely by Natural Resources Wales (previously CCW) or by both English and Welsh statutory bodies. CCW units (from upstream to downstream) are:

• Unit 1d – Rhydspence to Hay-on-Wye (most of English SSSI unit 7) • Unit 1c - Redbrook to The Biblins (entirely in Wales, slight overlap with English SSSI unit 3 at upstream end, slight overlap with English SSSI unit 2 downstream end) • Unit 1b – Brockweir to Redbrook (part of English SSSI unit 2) • Unit 1a – Estuary to Brockweir Bridge (SSSI unit 1)

The location of these SSSI Units is shown on Figures 1-1 and 1-2.

2.4 SSSI condition assessment

There are seven English SSSI management units between Hay on Wye and the Severn estuary (Table 2.3). Units 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2 are all classed as being in ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition5. This is supported by the CCW catchment report which assesses most of the key species that make up the Welsh SAC and SSSI as also being in ‘unfavourable’ condition. Table 2.3 SSSI condition status English SSSI Unit Location Condition (Welsh management unit) 7 (part of CCW 1D) Hay on Wye to B4350 road bridge Unfavourable recovering 6 B4350 road bridge to Bredwardine Unfavourable recovering 5 Bredwardine to Wye Bridge, Unfavourable Hereford recovering 4 Wye Bridge, Hereford to Wilton Unfavourable Bridge, Ross on Wye recovering 3 Wilton Bridge, Ross on Wye to Unfavourable national boundary 1.5km upstream recovering of Mally Brook in Upper Wye Gorge

5 SSSI Units 1 and 2 are transitional waters and thus subject to saline influences with each tide, which changes the silt and nutrient content of the river.

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English SSSI Unit Location Condition (Welsh management unit) (excluding 650m of Wye by where it crosses into Wales – CCW unit 1 C). N/A (CCW unit 1C)* Start of CCW unit 1C at Wyastone Not assessed Leys and runs to Lower Redbrook 2 (CCW unit 1B) National boundary at Redbrook to Unfavourable Brockweir Bridge recovering 1 (CCW unit 1A) Brockweir Bridge to the Severn Favourable Estuary *The Welsh SSSI has not been numbered in the same way as the English SSSI. Unit 1C has been included because it is a short stretch of river that lies solely in Wales between Unit 3 (within England) and Unit 2 (borders England and Wales). The Welsh SSSI/ SAC has been assessed by species/ habitat and not by Management Unit, as such the condition of the Unit has not been assessed.

2.5 SAC condition assessment

Table 2.4 details the key species designated in the Wye SAC. There are 11 key species, of which only one (Sea lamprey) is in favourable (unclassified) condition. CCW (now NRW) recorded condition using species data. Conversely, Natural England recorded condition using general attributes (i.e. flow, water quality and habitats) and not by species. Natural England also have more recent desk based studies than NRW, which were carried out in 2010 to look at water quality issues. These informed the Diffuse Water Pollution Plan and Nutrient Management Plan.

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Table 2.4 Lower Wye SAC features and condition status, as assessed by CCW6 (Dyson, 2008) Key species (features) Condition status CCW management English Reasons for condition status unit SSSI 1A 1B 1C 1D unit 1. Watercourses of plain to Unfavourable:    2-7 Reduced water quality possibly from montane levels with the unclassified diffuse pollution from agriculture and Ranunculion fluitantis and prevalence of Japanese knotweed and Callitricho-Batrachion Himalayan balsam. vegetation 2. Sea lamprey Favourable:     1-7 Meets JNCC targets and Harvey and (Petromyzon marinus) unclassified Cowx (2003) suggested targets. 3. Brook lamprey (Lampetra Unfavourable:   3-7 Although JNCC ammocoete targets met, planeri) unclassified CCW CMP targets failed. More surveys are required. Difficult to distinguish between river lamprey in field. 4. River lamprey (Lampetra Unfavourable:     1-7 Although JNCC ammocoete targets met, fluviatilis) unclassified CCW CMP targets not met. More surveys are required. Difficult to distinguish between brook lamprey in field. 5. Twaite shad (Alosa Unfavourable:     1-7 Precautionary assessment of feature fallax) unclassified abundance and presence of adverse factors including flow depletion and entrainment in water intakes. 6. Allis shad (Alosa alosa)* Unfavourable:     1-7 Precautionary assessment of feature unclassified abundance and presence of adverse factors including flow depletion and entrainment in water intakes. 7. Atlantic salmon (Salmo Unfavourable:     1-7 Failure of adult run size management salar) unclassified target. Presence of adverse factors including flow depletion and localised water quality failures. 8. Bullhead (Cottus gobius) Unfavourable:   3-7 Presence of adverse factors, particularly unclassified localised water quality failures (although

6 As of 1st April 2013 Natural Resources Wales took over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), and Forestry Commission Wales.

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Bullhead thought to be widespread) 9. European Otter (Lutra Favourable     1-7 NE (2010) assessed there to be good riparian lutra) habitat and otter populations at capacity. 10. White-clawed crayfish Unfavourable:  7 Anecdotal evidence suggests major (Austropotamobius pallipes) declining decline of this species. Now confined to small areas of Wye catchment. Most recent assessment determined them to be in ‘unfavourable condition’. 11. Grayling (Thymallus No data No data No data No data thymallus)** *Qualifying feature but not a primary reason for SAC designation ** Grayling is not an SAC qualifying feature, but it is a reason for SSSI designation.

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2.6 Water Framework Directive (WFD)

2.6.1 Lower Wye WFD water bodies

The River Wye and its tributaries fall within the Severn River Basin District (RBD). The Lower Wye is composed of four river and one transitional WFD water bodies (Figures 1-1, 1-2 and Table 2.5). The upper most water body begins in Builth Wells, Wales, which is upstream of Hay-on-Wye and the start of the River Wye (Lower Wye) SSSI. The transition from river to estuarine is marked at Bigsweir Bridge, however without an obstruction to flow, saline intrusion is likely to fluctuate dependent on tide levels. Not one of the five water bodies is designated as artificial or heavily modified.

Table 2.5 details the Overall Ecological Status of the five water bodies that make up the Lower Wye. Two are assessed to be at Poor Ecological Status, one at Moderate Ecological Status and two at Good Ecological Status (GES). The reason the three water bodies fail to achieve GES is because of fish status, levels of cypermethrin (used as an insecticide common to sheep dip) and copper (River Wye – confluence of River Irfon to Brewardine Brook); phytobenthos status (confluence of Walford Beck to Bigsweir Brook); and levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (Wye transitional water body). All other quality elements for the water bodies are assessed as high or good. The morphology of all five water bodies is assessed to ‘support good’ ecological status. The ‘quantity and dynamics of flow’ (a hydromorphology quality element of WFD) has been assessed as ‘supports good’ ecological status for water body River Wye – confluence of Walford Beck to Bigsweir Bridge and tidal regime for the Wye transitional but not for the other water bodies of the Lower Wye.

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Table 2.5 WFD water body ID, name and status for the Lower Wye Water body ID Name Type Hydromorphological Overall Morphology Reason for status water body failing to status achieve GES GB109055037114 River Wye - River Not designated as Poor Supports Biological confluence Artificial/ Heavily Ecological Good quality – Fish River Irfon to Modified Status Ecological (Poor) Brewardine Status Physico- Bridge chemical – Copper (Moderate), cypermethrin (Moderate) GB109055037113 River Wye - River Not designated as Good Supports None Bredwardine Artificial/ Heavily Ecological Good Bridge to Modified Status Ecological Hampton Status Bishop GB109055037112 River Wye - River Not designated as Good Supports None Hampton Artificial/ Heavily Ecological Good Bishop to Modified Status Ecological confluence Status Kerne Bridge GB109055037111 River Wye - River Not designated as Poor Supports Biological confluence Artificial/ Heavily Ecological Good quality – Walford Brook Modified Status Ecological Phytobenthos to Bigsweir Status (Poor) Bridge GB530905415406 Wye Transitional Not designated as Moderate Supports Physico- Artificial/ Heavily Ecological Good chemical – Modified Status Ecological Dissolved Status inorganic nitrogen (moderate)

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The Severn River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) states that the key pressures on the whole Wye catchment which need to be addressed to improve ecological status include:

• Physical modification (including aggregate extraction) • Acidification • Alien species • Water quality (including chemical and organic pollutants, mainly from farming practices) • Sediments as a direct pollution • Biota removal (including commercial fish take and weed control) • Direct biological pressures • Fish stocking (including disease and predation) • Abstraction and other artificial flow pressures.

Although ‘morphology’ and ‘quantity and dynamics of flow’ and ‘tidal regime’ (where assessed) have been allocated ‘Supports Good’ status, addressing pressures in the Wye catchment will have additional benefits for the hydromorphology of the river. Where the SAC objectives are higher than WFD objectives, the SAC objectives must be met. This means that the Wye SAC could achieve GES in all water bodies, whilst not achieving favourable condition.

Physical modification (including aggregate extraction), alien species, sediments as a direct pollution, biota removal, abstraction and other artificial flow pressures have the potential to affect the geomorphology (the function and processes) of the river. Changing the form of the river, through the removal of substrate, altering bank profiles and vegetation impacts on the way the river functions, and can cause the river to adjust to the modification. The immediate impact on the river from the works can potentially remove or alter the habitats present for all aquatic and riverine fauna, as can the adjustment of the river to the change in form. Altering the amount of sediment or water in the system also affects the function and therefore the habitats of the river, temporarily or permanently affecting the biological communities of the river.

Restoration of physical habitat will not alone result in the river achieving favourable condition, additional actions are in place and need to continue to address water quality and invasive non-native species issues .

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2.7 Wider environment

Beyond the realms of the river’s geomorphology a number of other receptors should be considered in the development of restoration visions. Each of these receptors will have specific stakeholders and interest in activity to modify (either naturally or through intervention) channel functioning and distribution of habitats.

2.7.1 Designated sites

The Lower Wye abuts a number of SSSI in England and Wales, including: The River Wye (Upper), the River Lugg, Monnington Scar, the Upper Wye Gorge, Shorn Cliff and Caswell Woods, the Lower Wye Gorge, Pennsylvania Fields, Livox Wood, Pierce, Alcove and Piercefield Woods, Blackcliff- and the Severn Estuary (English Nature, 2014).

The Lower Wye site was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1971, and this designation covers an area from to Chepstow. The primary purpose of the AONB designation is “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Wye Valley (including its physical, ecological and cultural landscape)” (Wye Valley AONB, 2014a).

2.7.2 Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitat

UK Biodiversity Action Plans (for habitat and species) were succeeded by the UK Post 2010 Biodiversity Framework (2012). In England the most recent biodiversity strategy is ‘Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services’ and provides a comprehensive picture of how biodiversity commitments are being implemented at international and EU levels. A number of additional species (formerly UKBAP) will be present in the Lower Wye (for example brown trout and European eel) and restoration options should further consider the potential benefits of constraints on these species.

2.7.3 Historic environment

The Lower Wye flows through an area with rich historic environment which, despite evidence of prehistoric settlements, field systems, Roman sites, medieval castles and more recent industrialisation, occupation has remained at a sufficiently low level as to not significantly impact upon the river environment (Natural England, 2012).

The history of the landscape is linked to the former Royal hunting forest, farming, woodland management, mineral extraction and associated industries. Iron and coal have been exploited since Roman times with a wealth of tips, shallow small scale iron workings or , quarry faces, horse drawn tram roads and disused railway lines. Some small adit coal mines are still worked by local free miners and small sandstone quarries remain active. Coppice woodlands provided charcoal for smelting and fuel while the Forest of Dean was a major source of wood used in construction and shipbuilding. Other industries including tin plating, machine engineering, brick making, wire works and tanning are evident in remains visible in the numerous derelict industrial buildings and associated infrastructure.

2.7.4 Land use and landscape

Table 2.6 below shows the percentage of land use within the Wye catchment upstream of Redbrook, upstream of the transitional water body (gauging station

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55023). At this point the catchment is calculated as 4010km2. The vast majority of the catchment is grassland. The next two major land uses are arable and woodland.

Table 2.6 Land use in the Wye catchment, shown by percentage (CEH, 2012) Land use Percentage of cover Area (approximate km2) Woodland 12.9 517.29 Arable / horticultural 17.2 689.72 Grassland 61.2 2454.12 Mountain / heath / bog 4.4 176.44 Urban extent 0.7 28.07

Table 2.7 lists the land type for the River Wye SAC, which covers 2234.89 hectares (22.35km2). Subtracting the area of inland water body and tidal/ estuarine areas the two largest land types along the river are broad-leaved deciduous woodland (32% of remaining area) and improved grassland (27%).

Table 2.7 River Wye / Afon Gwy general site character (JNCC, 2014b) Land type Percentage of cover Area (approximate km2) Tidal rivers, , Mud 9.5% 2.12 flats, Sand flats, Lagoons (including saltwork basins) Salt marshes, Salt 1.5% 0.33 pastures, Salt steppes Inland water bodies 52.5% 11.73 (Standing water, Running water) Bogs, Marshes, Water 3.1% 0.69 fringed vegetation, Fens Heath, Scrub, Maquis and 1% 0.22 Garrigue, Phygrana Dry grassland, Steppes 5.3% 1.18 Humid grassland, 2.4% 0.54 Mesophile grassland Improved grassland 10.4% 2.32 Broad-leaved deciduous 12.3% 2.75 woodland Inland rocks, Screes, 0.2% 0.04 Sands, Permanent Snow and ice Other land (including 1.8% 0.4 Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites)

Within England, natural land boundaries have been defined. National Character Areas (NCAs) divide the country into 159 distinct natural areas. These are based on a combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and economic activity. They follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries. Natural England are currently revising its NCA profiles, as part of its responsibilities in delivering the Natural Environment White Paper, Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention, in order to make environmental evidence and information easily available to a wider audience. Revised profiles for all 159

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Character Areas are due to be published by April 20147. These documents provide a wealth of information; including land classification and detailed ecosystem service analysis of each of the NCAs (see Section 3.3 for more information on Ecosystem Services).

There are three NCAs along the Lower Wye. The upper most one is 100 Lowlands, then 104 and Over Severn and finally 105 Forest of Dean and Lower Wye. The River Wye between Hay-on Wye to , including the confluence with the River Lugg, flows along the southern border of Herefordshire Lowlands NCA. The River Wye then flows through the centre of South Herefordshire and Over Severn NCA, between Hampton Bishop and Ross-on Wye. Then the lower part of the River Wye flows along the western border of the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA. The blue boxes below provide a summary of the Herefordshire Lowlands NCA and the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA. At the time of writing this report, no character summary profile has been produced for the South Herefordshire and Over Severn.

Herefordshire Lowlands NCA The Herefordshire Lowlands NCA lies almost entirely within Herefordshire, with small areas to the north and east in and and to the south-east in . It is largely tranquil and rural in character but does include the larger settlements of Hereford and . There are small dispersed settlements of hamlets and villages, many of which contain older buildings with the local vernacular of black-and white timber-framed buildings. Restored cider barns with characteristic double doors and historic farmsteads are also common.

The landscape is gently undulating with steep-sided cornstone hills in the central area dominated by ancient woodland of ash and field maple or oak and bracken. Woodland within the area is a significant landscape feature, typically on the hill tops and valley sides. Many of these woodlands are actively managed (commercially) to produce quality timber, for example Garnons Estate. The NCA is an important area for commercial agricultural supported by the fertile and high-grade agricultural soils; the farming is mixed arable and livestock. Traditional orchards are still to be found, though suffering decline, with new orchards and dwarf varieties of trees also common. The area is also important for commercial production of soft fruit under polytunnels, supplying much of the UK. Historic parklands such as at Berrington Hall have many veteran trees that are important for invertebrates.

Source: Natural England, 2013

The wide, meandering river valleys of the Wye, Lugg and Frome create a distinctive lowland area amongst the gently undulating landscape with localised steep sided hills of Herefordshire Lowlands NCA. Much of the area is underlain by Old Red Sandstone, with localised deposits of alluvium and glacial drift. The rivers and their floodplains are recognised as major ecological, agricultural and recreational assets. Fertile soils support intensive mixed agriculture and pasture land with occasional wet meadow and permanent grassland is found along the river corridor. The whole NCA, including the river valleys, are recognised as tranquil areas and relatively

7 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/

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undisturbed by major infrastructure aside form a few A roads between Hereford, Hay-on-Wye and Leominster.

Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested for each of the NCAs. These offer guidance on critical issues that could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future. There are three SEOs identified for Herefordshire Lowlands NCA. These cover the protection and management of the River Wye SAC and the other watercourses and floodplains (SEO1), the protection and enhancement of the natural and historic environment (SEO2) and the protection, management and restoration of semi-natural habitats within the rural and urban areas of the NCA (SEO3). The most relevant one to this project is SEO1. One focus of this SEO is the development of riverine environment to tolerate more extreme flow levels by protecting and creating new wet meadow and woodland in the floodplain. Another is on the recreational opportunities related to the riverine environment. SEO3 picks up on the need to improve ecological connectivity, biodiversity, flood water storage capacity and ability of the landscape to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA The Forest of Dean and Lower Wye National Character Area (NCA) is bounded by the Wye Gorge, largely forming the Welsh border, to the west, the plain of South Herefordshire to the north, and the wide valley of the and Estuary to the south and east. The area is triangular in shape, tapering to a point in the south where the Wye opens into the low-lying Severn Vale at Chepstow. The central plateau, lying between 150 m and 250 m, dominated by the statutory forest, opens out into an undulating landscape of arable and pasture to the south and the west.

The landscape is a mosaic of woodland and open ground, a characteristic of medieval hunting forests. The extent of the woodland in the NCA (41 per cent of the area) makes an important national contribution to climate regulation and timber provision. The area is nationally important for woodland birds and butterflies. There are three designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) within the NCA: the River Wye; the Wye Valley Woodlands, containing an important range of woodland stand types and rare species including three species of whitebeam; and the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye Valley Bat SAC, which is internationally important for its population of lesser and greater horseshoe bats.

Source: Natural England, 2012

One of the key characteristics of the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA that is relevant to this project is the wooded, undulating plateau of ridges and valleys which sit over shallow Coal Measures and are contained by an outer rim of more open landscape on and Devonian Old Red Sandstone. This provides examples of active and past geological processes, with the River Wye cutting dramatic gorges through the landscape with steep, wooded slopes.

Notably the NCA has a rich historic environment, including prehistoric settlements and field systems (such as the hill forts on Symonds Yat); Roman sites (such as the Anglo-Saxon earthwork known as Offa’s Dyke that formerly marked the border between England and Wales); medieval castles; and an industrial landscape of iron and coal extraction, quarries, and associated tramways – many of which have been subsumed by the woodland canopy.

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There are four SEOs that have been identified for Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA. These cover the protection and management of the extensive internationally important woodland (SEO1); the protection, management and enhancement of the pastoral character of the farmland, with its ancient species-rich hedgerows, drystone walls and traditional orchards (SEO2); maintenance and enhancement of the settlement pattern of small villages using local characteristic material (SEO3); and the protection and enhancement of assemblages of internationally important species associated with the River Wye SAC and River Severn estuarine SAC (SEO4). Measures to protect and enhance the SACs include good land management practice to improve water quality, the reduction soil erosion and regulation of water flow.

2.7.5 Amenity and recreation

There is good access for amenity and recreation throughout the Lower Wye, including the , the , the , Forestry Commission access trails, the and a large network of rights of way. Additionally there is a public right of way (navigation) on the Lower Wye to Hay on Wye, although this does not confer rights of access to either bank side. The Lower Wye, its banks and surrounding land use provide recreational opportunities for watersports, angling, walking, cycling and equestrian (Natural England, 2012). Any restoration option would have to consider the public rights of access to both river and riparian zone to ensure continuity of this resource, which provides significant input into the local economy through tourism.

2.7.6 Navigation

The River Wye has been used for navigation for many centuries. In the past the Wye was an important commercial waterway but, the infrastructure that supports this, has long since been removed.

Historically the river has been used as a commuting and trade corridor from Roman and Norman times, evidenced by the settlements and castles along its length as protection and was one of the principal methods of transport, prior to any substantial road building allowing access into the region in the 1800’s. The 1662 Wye Navigation Act opened up the river to larger craft () through the removal of weirs and obstructions (previously placed to maximise salmon exploitation) and it is documented that shallow draught vessels were able to navigate upstream beyond Hereford, up to 25miles in a wet year. From here these vessels carried iron, coal, timber, gravel, stone, sand and other products to the developing ports of the coast or across the Channel. By 1835 however road travel had become more extensive and the river was no longer viewed as a ‘commercial highway’. In 1880 navigation to vessels was restricted to below the Brockweir Bridge and this represents the current realistic upper navigational limit on the Lower Wye (Wye AONB, 2014b).

Today, boating on the river is mostly and , but with some passenger sightseeing boats operating around Symonds Yat. A public right of navigation extends from Bigsweir Bridge upstream to Hay Town Bridge on the main River Wye, however this does not confer any rights to access to banks or adjoining land. Gloucester Harbour Trustees (as a Competent Harbour Authority) regulate navigation below the tidal limit of the Wye (Bigsweir Bridge) to the confluence with the Severn Estuary.

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2.7.7 Fisheries

The River Wye is the most productive salmon river in Wales (JNCC 2014b) and the Wye salmon population is particularly notable for the high proportion of multi sea winter fish, a stock component which has declined sharply in recent years throughout the UK. This pattern has also occurred in the Wye, with a consequent marked decline in the population since the 1980s. However, the Wye salmon population is still of considerable importance in UK terms and generates significant amount of tourism revenue from anglers fishing the entire catchment. Angling (throughout inland waters in Wales) is thought to contribute approximately £100million to the annual Welsh economy (SACC, 2014). The Wye is likely to represent a significant proportion of this as anglers are drawn from all UK regions to fish for salmon, trout and grayling along the Lower and Upper reaches of the river.

As such any restoration option should take consideration of the socioeconomic aspects for retaining angling access and rights to the river, the promotion of the sport and maintaining fish numbers. The Wye and Usk Foundation, in collaboration with (and partially funded by) regulatory organisations, conservation groups, charities and the wider Rivers Trust have led to significant improvements in fisheries resource within the lower Wye with programmes of habitat restoration, removal of barriers to migration, reducing agricultural runoff and bank poaching and reducing exploitation (through catch and release schemes) (WUF, 2014).

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3 Pressures and impacts

3.1 Methodology

3.1.1 Desk study

In order to identify the key morphological pressures on the Lower River Wye a review of existing literature and data was undertaken. The full findings of the desk study are reported in Sections 3 and 4 of the Technical Report.

3.1.2 Field survey

To verify the desk study findings and gain a more complete picture of the condition of the physical structure (geomorphology) of the Lower River Wye a series of spot checks were undertaken in January 2014.

To assess the need for channel restoration, the condition of the river channel as shown in aerial photography and recorded during the spot checks was compared to the characteristics of the river channel that might be expected with limited human impact (River Types as described by Mainstone, 2007, see Table 2.2).

3.2 Key findings

The dominant geomorphological function (‘sediment dynamics’, discussed in Section 3.2.1) and channel modifications as recorded by Halcrow (2012) (discussed in Section 3.2.3) are presented on Figure 3-1 to Figure 3-7 and RHS locations and Habitat Modification Class (discussed in Section 3.2.4) on Figures 3-19 and 3-20. All data are also displayed on the accompanying interactive mapper.

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Figure 3-1 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 1

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Figure 3-2 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 2

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Figure 3-3 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 3

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Figure 3-4 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 4

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Figure 3-5 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 5

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Figure 3-6 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 6

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Figure 3-7 Dominant geomorphological function and channel modifications (as recorded by Halcrow 2012) – sheet 7

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3.2.1 Dominant geomorphological function and processes

The majority of the Lower Wye (60% of reaches) has been characterised as sediment transfer zones, with the remaining 40% of reaches split broadly between an exchange, source or sink of sediment (data recorded from aerial photography, see Figure 3-1 to Figure 3-8). Those reaches marked as sediment transfer zones displayed few signs of erosion or deposition. As water levels were high during the January 2014 surveys, these findings were not verified by visual observations. The features in the aerial photography were assumed to be present but submerged by the high water levels. The historical map analysis supports the findings of a dominant function of a sediment transfer, with few depositional features mapped and little channel change over a 120 year period (Old Maps, 2010). There has been little change to the channel planform downstream of Hereford. This also reflects the largely stable nature of the Lower Wye. Almost 70% of the reaches have been recorded, using aerial photography and historical maps as geomorphological stable (Figure 3-9).

Figure 3-8 Dominant geomorphological function of the 67 reaches of the Lower Wye. Note the information was extracted from aerial imagery (verified by Halcrow). The percentages do not represent the length of river as the reaches are not of equal length.

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Figure 3-9 Dominant geomorphological processes for the 67 reaches of the River Lower Wye Combining the historical analysis with the surrounding topography, which confines the river in number of places (notably the gorge area around Symonds Yat) suggests that despite the presence of depositional (Figure 3-10) and erosional features there is little movement of the channel boundaries. The rate of erosion appears to be slow and the depositional features probably reflect an in-channel morphological adjustment in response to a naturally fluctuating sediment and flow regime. There are discrete exceptions to this stable sediment dynamic in SSSI Units 7 and 6 (between reach WYE001 and WYE010), where the channel has undergone lateral migration since the earliest maps from the late 1800s (Old Maps, 2010). One location is the meander bend between Turner’s Boat and The Weston (Figure 3-11), where active erosion following the recent high flows can be seen.

Figure 3-10 Area of deposition with side channel/ backwater (depending on water level). Mid- channel bar is a permanent feature, vegetated with trees and shrubs, with fresh overlay of fine sediment from the recent high water levels. This photo was taken near Fownhope, in reach WYE028.

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Figure 3-11 Recent erosion in area of active channel migration in WYE010

The natural dominant function of the river has been restored from an artificial sink of sediment by removing weirs from the Lower Wye. Halcrow (2012) report a weiring effect at 8 sites, but the removal of weirs or the failure of them will now allow future recovery of features and geomorphological diversity at these sites without further assistance.

3.2.2 Historic records

Records obtained from the British Library show that the main channel modifications on the Lower Wye have been for land drainage or flood defence. A summary of key flood schemes is provided in Table 3.1. The Monmouth Flood Defence Scheme was constructed between 1936 and 1937. Also on the main stem Lower Wye there are records of an embanked section near Hampton Bishop and a walled section approximately 10km upstream of the estuary constructed between the years of 1930 and 1980 (Brookes, 1983). Flood banks around Hampton Bishop on the north bank extend eastward towards the confluence with the River Lugg and River Frome and continue northwards through Holmer up to Leominster. These banks are regular in shape and set back from the river between 10-20m and are approximately 2.5m high and 3m wide. These banks could be removed to provide new flood storage capacity, subject to a detailed flood risk assessment. It appears that the main stem Lower Wye underwent only routine maintenance between 1930 and 1980, as opposed to the capital works and major improvements that were carried out on the tributaries, including the River Lugg SSSI (Figure 3-12).

Annual Reports and Accounts of the Wye and its successor the Wye River Authority held at the British Library reveal pioneer tree clearance and routine maintenance was undertaken each year through the Lower Wye catchment between 1956 and 1973. Pioneer tree clearance included the removal of obstructions such as fallen trees, overhanging branches and bushes that interfere with flows (including flood flows). Routine maintenance involved clearance of undergrowth from banks, brushing, dredging, clearance of blockages at bridges and shoal removal.

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Table 3.1 Key Flood schemes in the Lower Wye catchment Date(s) River Description of works 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, Sea Defences (Wye Section) Improvements to 1958, 1959 embankments to prevent flooding 1960, 1961 Wye Thornwell Farm (now Thornwell housing estate, Chepstow) to Red Cliff embankment strengthening (sea defences) 1969 Wye Chepstow Sea Defences (Black Rock to St Pierre) (includes new sea wall, raising of defences over 1 mile 1972, 1973 Wye Chepstow Sea Defences – Black Rock to St Pierre (mainly replacement sluice works) 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, Wye, Lugg Hampton Bishop Stank. 1965 Raising of 10,000 feet of embankment; new wall; small river realignment; piling 1971, 1972, 1973 Wye/ Lugg Hampton Bishop to Mordiford; Hampton Bishop to Mordiford. Alleviate flooding from 5800 ha through embankments with flapped outlets

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Figure 3-12 Channelisation in the Severn and Wye Basins (1930-1980) taken with permission from Brookes (1983)

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A number of weirs are marked on Ordnance Survey map but have all been removed or allowed to fail along the Lower Wye. Removal of these obstructions has allowed the natural, undisturbed flow and sediment regime to be returned and improved fish and lamprey passage throughout the catchment. Halcrow record minor weiring effects at 13 locations that largely relate to historic weirs, which are only apparent in surface flow at low tide. These effects are minor and over time the river will recover its desired function and processes naturally (natural recovery). It is unlikely that such minor weirs will significantly reduce the egress of migratory species into the catchment except under low flow conditions (out with the principal migrating season for SAC feature species). Minor weirs may reduce the ability of non-migratory species from moving between habitats (crayfish, bullhead).

In addition, since 1996 the Wye and Usk Foundation have undertaken a number of projects to address barriers or obstructions to fish migration in the tributaries of the Wye, either through the removal of barriers or modification to obstruction design (fish pass).

3.2.3 Halcrow (2012) study – Vision Report

Halcrow (2012) identified a number of modifications along the Lower Wye. Channel modifications were mapped using Atkins (2007); Ordnance Survey mapping, aerial photography, LiDAR, local knowledge of the project steering group and site visits (Halcrow, 2012). They note that the data set is not comprehensive and numbers of some modification types may be under-represented. This is also a limitation of the current study; however analysis of aerial photography during this investigation revealed fewer modifications such as croys, compared to Halcrow’s 2012 study. There was also the issue of high water levels during site surveys for the current study. High water levels may have concealed the extent of channel modifications, particularly bank protection and croys.

Halcrow (2012) identified the following channel modifications: • Access points (point data) • Bank reinforcement (line data) • Blockstones in channel (point data) • Bridges (point data) • Croys (point data) • Engineered bank profiles (line data) • Fences (point data) • Fishing platforms (point data) • Gravel extraction (licenced/ unlicenced) (point data) • Pontoons (point data) • Set back embankments (line data) • Sewerage Treatment Works (STW) (point data)

These are recorded as individual point and polyline shapefiles on the interactive map, which accompanies this report. The frequency of each modification is show on Figure 3-13, and discussed in the text below. The greatest frequency of channel modifications are croys, engineered bank profiles and set back/ perpendicular embankments.

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Figure 3-13 Frequency of channel modification recorded by Halcrow (2012) along the Lower Wye A total of 51 set back embankments were mapped by Halcrow. The set back embankments are manmade raised structures that are parallel to the river and located away (varying distances) from the channel bank top. Embankment material varies from gravel/ cobble to engineered earth and sheet-piles. The structures are designed to contain flood waters on a given extent of floodplain, and are typically located in rural areas to protect agricultural land. They limit the extent of the natural floodplain, but do not prevent floodplain connectivity. Consequently transitional habitats, suitable for a range of invertebrates, birds and mammals can establish, between the river and floodplain.

Bankside embankments (those located at the channel edge), bank re-profiling and channel resectioning are considered together under the category of artificial banks in the Halcrow 2012 study. Bankside (or bank top) embankments are located along the bank top and limit floodplain connectivity, increasing the capacity of the channel and reduce sediment storage areas (floodplains). Consequently a river with extensive embankments is likely to have more sediment stored along the bed or margins of the river. They are captured on the accompanying interactive mapper under the heading of engineered bank profile. They are combined with the RHS records in Table 5.1 under the same heading (see Section 5). There were 61 bank engineering works captured by Halcrow, totalling 19.5km with a mean length of 315m. When combined with the RHS, bank engineering works are present or extensive (over approximately 33% of the reach) at 44 out of the 67 reaches (see Table 5.1 in Section 5). Extensive bank engineering works (observed from mapped data from Halcrow) were recorded in 3 reaches; WYE004, WYE007 and WYE056. Analysis of aerial and ground photography (taken by Halcrow or during this study) reveal that through some reaches the river is naturally recovering by adjusting its bank profile, through bank slumping and erosion, and the formation of depositional features. In other reaches the resectioned parts of the river appear to be stable, often on straighter sections between meander bends or on the inside of meander bends.

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Tree lining helps to stabilise the banks of river channels, but not all resectioned reaches that have stable bank profiles are tree lined, see Figure 3-14A. It is worth noting that during engineering works to resection banks, trees are often removed. Consequently, resectioned banks often have no tree cover or trees with a uniform age structure. Trees provide cover and their exposed roots, seasonal leaf drop and woody debris create in-channel habitat for fish and invertebrates. Channel shading provided by trees also helps to regulate stream water temperature by reducing direct thermal heating from the sun. Tree-lined channels providing channel shading will become increasingly important as a key climate change adaptation measure, especially on river channels with a north-south orientation to facilitate the northerly migration of species within the river corridor. Thus improvements to the riparian zone and increasing the extent of trees along the river banks will be a key restoration measure.

Woody debris that falls from trees can alter morphological processes, in some instances create depositional features, and provide flow diversity. In this way trees can acts as a form of natural recovery for resectioned reaches. Resectioned reaches with limited tree lining and riparian scrub, display fewer morphological features and have less habitat diversity for riverine fauna (contrast Figure 3-14A to Figure 3-14B). Woody debris placement and management would need careful consideration to ensure it does not compromise the ability to navigate the river.

Figure 3-14 A) Upstream view from Bigsweir Bridge of stable, non-tree lined, resectioned banks of WYE064 (Halcrow reference Eco290212); B) Upstream view from Kerne Bridge, near Flanesford Priory, tree lined resection stretch of the Lower Wye Halcrow mapped 18 embankments which were perpendicular to the river. The majority of these are relicts of the disused railway which transverses the Wye valley. During a flood event these would impede the downstream progression of the out of bank flow. Bridges, historic remnants or existing, and their associated embankments also obstruct flow across the floodplain and flow within the channel where there are bankside abutments and in-channel piers. Halcrow recorded 32 bridges in the Lower Wye, ranging from major ones with bank and in-channel supports to minor bridges with no in-channel supports and less than 10m of bank reinforcements. These are captured as a morphological pressure, which they are, but are not considered a priority for restoration in this Management Report. This is because the effects on flow are localised and removal is likely to be considered infeasible in most cases due to the demand/ need for transport infrastructure and cultural value of some bridges.

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Halcrow records 32 locations of bank reinforcement on the Lower Wye, totalling 6.7km (out of 150km of river). The modifications include stone and brick flood defence walls in Hereford and Monmouth. Through the urban areas and along road these are typically formal, stable structures. In rural areas some locations of bank reinforcement is unstable in the form of tipped rubble or gravel mounds and may be washed away in high flow events. Figure 3-15 shows part of a collapsed brick wall, perhaps part of ad hoc bank (informal) protection. Unstable or slumped bank protection may be providing refugia for invertebrates, juvenile fish and crayfish.

Collapsed brick wall

Figure 3-15 Failed bank protection in WYE010

Flow deflectors or croys are artificial structures, constructed predominantly of concrete and stone on the Lower Wye, which protrude out into the channel from the bank toe. These are historical structures that landowners are allowed to maintain under agreement with the EA; however no new croys are permitted. Halcrow identified 85 croys (Figure 3-16). These generally extend less than 10% of the channel width (minor structures) but were recorded to be up to 25% of the channel width (major structures). These structures have the greatest frequency of all the modifications identified by Halcrow on the Lower Wye.

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Croys

Figure 3-16 Croys located along the outside bank of a meander bend at the start of WYE031 (Halcrow reference Eco290212 (22)) Other modifications recorded by Halcrow were access points, fishing platforms and reinforced structures at outfalls and intakes. The access points are typically steps down to the river, which introduce hard bank protection, such as concrete, stone or wood to the bank. This causes a small localised change to the morphology of the river, removing riparian vegetation and potentially causing a scour point to develop. Since the effects of these on the morphology are limited (unlikely to cause deterioration in Ecological Status at a water body level or affect Conservation Objectives) they are not considered a priority in this Management Report. Fishing platforms were recorded at 35 locations by Halcrow. They are slightly larger structures than access points; however have similar effects on the morphology and habitats of the Wye. Again, removal of these is not considered a priority restoration measure due to the small and localised scale of impact. However, a high concentration of access points and fishing platforms along a stretch of river should be avoided or reduced because of the cumulative adverse effects on channel morphology and habitat. Reinforced structures at outfalls and intakes comprise hard points in the bank. There are few occurrences (6) on the Lower Wye and consequently not a priority restoration measure.

3.2.4 River Habitat Survey – habitat modification data

Analysis of River Habitat Survey habitat modification data (surveyed between 1995 and 2008) reveals that the greatest types of modifications are resectioned bank/ bed, poaching and reinforced bank/ bed (see Figures 3-19 and 3-20). These modifications appear in just under half of the reaches within the Lower Wye (Figure 3-17 below).

According to RHS carried out between 1995 and 2008 on the Lower Wye, areas classed as being ‘severely modified’ reaches (HMC 5) are generally those that have undergone extensive resectioning (see Table 3.2 for an explanation of Habitat Modification Scores and Class). This resectioning is likely to be a result of historic channelisation activities carried out to improve the capacity of the channel to convey flows. These ‘severely modified’ reaches have been recorded in rural areas upstream of Hereford (SSSI Unit 5), and downstream of Kerne Bridge (SSSI Unit 3).

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Table 3.2 Habitat Modification Class and Scores description for RHS data Habitat Modification HMC Description Habitat Modification Class (HMC) Score (HMS) 1 Pristine/ semi-natural 0-15 2 Predominantly unmodified 17-199 3 Obviously modified 200-499 4 Significantly modified 500-1399 5 Severely modified 1400+

Sections of the river classed as being ‘significantly modified’ (HMC 4) also tend to be areas that have been resectioned, but to a lesser degree than those areas given ‘severely modified’ status. These sections of the river all tend to have additional modifications present including flow deflectors and reinforced bed and banks. Such sections are generally found downstream of Hereford in SSSI Units 4, 3 and 2.

Sections of the river classed as ‘obviously modified’ (HMC 3) are widespread occurring frequently along the Wye from just upstream of Hereford in SSSI Unit down to Monmouth at the downstream end of SSSI Unit 3. These sections are given this class generally as a result of some resectioning and/ or the presence of a bridge. Some of the spot checks are classed as ‘obviously modified’ due to the presence of embankments.

The RHS data analysis suggests that more than half of RHS surveys of the Lower Wye characterised the surveyed river sections as ‘predominantly unmodified’ with sites achieving HMC 2 or HMC1 (pristine/ semi-natural). Pressures at the survey locations with a HMC 2 that prevent the sites from achieving ‘pristine/ semi-natural’ condition (HMC 1) are generally as a result of relatively small areas of resectioned banks, poaching, flow deflectors and small sections of bank and/ or bed reinforcement.

Reaches WYE014, WYE017 and WYE018 upstream of Hereford are severely modified with a HMC of 5 primarily due to resectioning. Through Hereford, reach WYE023 and WYE024 have HMCs of 4 and 5, again as a result of resectioning.

Downstream of Fownhope, between Capler Wood (start of reach WYE 029) and (halfway along reach WYE047), there are 12 significantly modified sites (HMC 4) (spread across 19 reaches) which are all primarily the result of resectioning, but compared to HMC of 5 the resectioning recorded is less extensive. Between Flanesford Priory (three quarters through reach WYE047) and White Brook (halfway along reach WYE064), there are four sites of HMC 5 and six sites of HMC 4, spread across 18 reaches. All except one HMC 4 site in reach WYE063 (at Redbrook); have a high modification score because of resectioning. The site in WYE063 has a HMC score of 4 because of the presence of a bridge, outfall/ deflector, bank reinforcement and resectioning of bank/ bed.

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Figure 3-17 Channel modifications recorded during RHS surveys between 1995 and 2008.

Five out of the eight HMC 5 sites and eight out of the twenty HMC 4 sites along the Lower Wye also have bank/ bed reinforcement present. They are located as following:

• Two sites are within WYE023 (Hereford) • Two within WYE029, one at the start and another at the end of the reach • One in the middle of WYE031 • One towards the end of WYE047 (Flanesford Priory) • One at the start of WYE051 (downstream of Lower ) • One in the middle of WYE055 (downstream of Symonds Yat) • One at WYE060 (Monmouth) • Three sites relatively close together (possibly overlapping) in WYE063 (at Redbrook) • And the final one in the middle of WYE063 (upstream of Bigsweir Bridge).

The bank protection is less severe than resectioning and the greatest amount of bank protection out of the HMCS 5 and HMCS 4 sites is in WYE023 (Hereford) and WYE060 (Monmouth).

As discussed in 3.2.3, there are an unusually high number of historical croys/ deflectors present on the Lower Wye. Using only the RHS data they appear in 15 of the 67 reaches defined. Combining these data with Halcrow (2012) data and analysis of aerial photography undertaken during this study, the croys feature in 27 of the 67 reaches along the Lower Wye. Figure 3-18 shows an example of croys in reach WYE064.

Further information on the analysis of RHS data is presented in the accompanying Technical Report (Section 4.7).

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Croys on both sides of the channel Halcrow reference Eco290212 (61)

Figure 3-18 Location plan of croys in the location of Bigsweir Bridge

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Figure 3-19 RHS locations and HMC score – sheet 1

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Figure 3-20 RHS locations and HMC score – sheet 2

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3.2.5 River Restoration Centre (RRC) 2009 report – Comments on the impact of fishing platform revetments

The RRC was commissioned in 2009 to provide advice on river restoration for revetment works and fishing platforms constructed by local anglers. The River Wye is a popular river for fishing and is used extensively by anglers, as demonstrated through the widespread and numerous fishing platforms and croys recorded by Halcrow (2012). The RRC study focused on the River Wye at Willersley, an area of the Wye that has a very active character (WYE010). It was noted that local anglers have preferred sites and these often are at location where erosion is occurring. Consequently where fishing platforms have been created there is often toe bank revetments, comprised of a variety of materials including wire fencing, sand bags, metal and wooden stakes or concrete in other places. The revetment then stops or reduces the natural erosive processes of the river. Individually these have a small but nonetheless cumulative effect on the river’s ability to move freely.

Another concern is the deposition of building within the channel. Some of the structures show signs of scour around and signs of failure and on eventual collapse will deposit artificial material into the channel.

3.2.6 Description of pressures in relation to impacts on channel geomorphology and ecology

Those reaches that display some degree of human impact (pressures) are likely to require, to differing extents, restoration to bring the river closer to its near-natural (low anthropogenic impact) state, where more natural geomorphological and ecological conditions operate (see Table 2.2). Resectioning has reduced the diversity of geomorphology and the channel has less of the typical features expected. As a result there is a reduction in optimum habitats for ecological features. However, some reaches of the river channel have adjusted or are in the process of adjusting and recovering following disturbance. Those sections which are recovering now exhibit good morphology (form and function) and associated habitat diversity within the river channel. A summary of anthropogenic pressures on the Lower Wye is presented in Table 3.3.

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Table 3.3 Pressures caused by human activity and their impact on the Lower River Wye SSSI Feature Description of impact Consequences Example Riparian Degraded riparian • Increases the amount of surface runoff zone vegetation or absent reaching the channel which may supply high riparian buffer strip loads of fine sediment or dissolved nutrients. Clogs gravels, detrimental to fish spawning Change in the type of habitat (inc. salmonids and lampreys. terrestrial vegetation along • Increases the vulnerability of the river corridor the river corridor away from to suffer erosion (soil loss) during floods that characteristic of the river where the ground is bare. type, due to land use. This • Makes the banks more vulnerable to erosion may include complete (e.g. lack of roots binding the banks). removal due to urban • A thin riparian buffer zone acts as a poor filter developments, ploughing or for such runoff. reduction in variety and • Nutrient inputs may increase algal and Tilled field, limited riparian scrub buffer density of vegetation due to macrophyte growth, the former smothering the (WYE030). grazing by livestock bed and preventing invertebrate and fisheries Note, few fields with a large diffuse sediment features from utilising optimum habitats. source, like the field photographed, were • Salmon fry require clean in-channel substrate observed during the January 2014 surveys to survive; therefore accelerated silt input from or are captured in Halcrow’s photographs riparian zone degradation will detrimentally affect this species. Sedimentation can directly impact invertebrate and fisheries populations through smothering of habitat or clogging of gills, whilst indirect impacts may result from behavioural adaptation to increased turbidity, or loss of prey. • Lack of riparian vegetation reduces cover for fish from bird predation, and habitat for invertebrates, which is fish food source

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Feature Description of impact Consequences Example Lack of trees • May make the banks more vulnerable to erosion (e.g. lack of roots binding the banks). Overall there is a good • Lack of a supply of woody debris which would, coverage of trees in the if present, vary flow and sediment deposition Lower Wye catchment patterns and associated habitat benefits relative to other lowland (particularly beneficial for Type II and VI, rivers, however there are Table 2.2). sections of river which have • Lack of channel shading increases summer limited riparian flora and may water temperatures. benefit from additional trees • Lack of cover for fish, crayfish and otter. where appropriate in the • Reduced organic input from leaf fall may landscape setting. The reduce habitat suitability for lamprey scarcity of trees and lack of ammocoetes. woody debris in some • Reduced habitat suitability for invertebrates Photograph taken near WYE008 reaches are a relic of the from in-channel woody-debris. pioneer tree clearance • Increased macrophyte and algal growth in undertaken between 1930s high nutrient reaches. and 1980s • Reduced foraging and nesting/ roosting

opportunities for birds and bats. Banks Degraded bank face • Reduces the habitat variability along the vegetation banks. • Lack of marginal cover and channel shading Change in the type of bank for fish and otter and lack of habitat for face vegetation along the insects. river corridor away from that • Reduces feeding opportunities for salmonids characteristic of the river type (aerial invertebrates). (see Table 2.2), due to land • Exposed faces makes banks more vulnerable use or channel modification. to erosion (lack of roots binding the banks). This may include damage by livestock or modifications such as channel straightening, bank protection and channel maintenance Straight and resectioned reach (WYE012)

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Feature Description of impact Consequences Example Accelerated bank erosion • Increases the supply of sediment to the channel, which can lead to increased siltation Increase in bank erosion due of coarse substrates used for fish spawning. to land use or channel • Loss of bank side cover. modification. This may • Breaching of informal banks in high flows can include damage by livestock cause scour, loss of land and waterlogging as or modifications such as flood water gets trapped behind embankments channel straightening, bank on fields. protection and channel • Increased siltation may also result in a maintenance behavioural avoidance of a section by fish, a loss of invertebrate prey (through smothering There were few sites of of individuals and habitat) and potential accelerated erosion due to clogging of gills and other respiratory organs. livestock. The majority of Poaching by stock along tributary in reach livestock observed were WYE030 sheep. They reduce the vegetation cover along the banks rather than cause direct sediment supply through trampling

Lack of morphological • Reduces the habitat variability along the diversity due to channel banks. resectioning and bank • Lack of riparian and in-channel cover for fish. protection • Reduced invertebrate community resulting in reduced food supply for fish. The resectioning of the river • Loss of habitat connectivity (e.g. spawning channel, creating a habitat may be disconnected from juvenile trapezoidal cross section is habitat). often associated with land • Reduces the variation in flow patterns use or attempts to improve associated with sinuous channels such as fast flow conveyance and slow areas and secondary circulations. This reduces the range of habitats associated with different flow velocities (see Table 2.2). • Resectioned channels typically have a higher An illustration of revetment (WYE010) stream energy than would be anticipated (Natural England, 2009) naturally and are often incised (through erosion), thereby increasing the risk of bank erosion/ geotechnical failures. • Higher flows in trapezoidal channels are

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Feature Description of impact Consequences Example particularly hostile to fish (especially fry) and invertebrates, causing loss or fragmentation of localised populations, especially where refuges are missing (fallen trees and backwater features). • Reduced deposition may result in a reduction in spawning habitat for salmonids, lampreys and other lithophilous fish (e.g. barbel, chub and dace). Bed Lack of morphological • Reduces the range of habitats which would be diversity due to historic expected to be characteristic of the river type channel resectioning such as those associated with different water depths and flow velocities (see Table 2.2). For example, shallow areas typical of gravel Resectioned part of the Wye, tree cover riffles can be damaged or removed by present on both banks (uniform age Channel deepening dredging. structure), but few morphological features (dredging) and re-shaping • Straightened channels typically have a higher (WYE018) associated with resectioning stream energy than would be anticipated to improve water conveyance naturally and are often incised (through and land drainage can lead to erosion), leading to an armoured bed a uniform bed topography sometimes composed of large cobbles rather with little variation in than gravels. composition (sediment type) • Reduced habitat suitability for Ranunculus community, bullhead and spawning habitat for salmonids, lampreys and other coarse fish (e.g. chub and dace). • Higher flows in trapezoidal channels are particularly hostile to fish (especially fry) and invertebrates, causing loss or fragmentation of localised populations, especially where refuges are missing (fallen trees and backwater features). • Certain invertebrate species rely on silty substrates or gravel substrates which may be washed out in artificially straightened sections. • Mixed substrate typology required by pearl mussel, and some fish spawning habitat.

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Feature Description of impact Consequences Example Flow Lack of floodplain • Reduction in the occurrence of floodplain connectivity due to inundation means that fine sediment, which embankments would otherwise be deposited in the floodplain, is deposited within the channel, this Creating embankments along can increase siltation. the river bank tops can • Higher energy flow is kept within channel, increase the amount of water which can increase the risk of erosion and that can be contained in the embankment failure. Embankments may then channel before the floodplain be subject to sudden breaches, which can is inundated. There are some cause erosion and flooding of the land on the locations where flaps are built floodplain beyond. into the embankments to • If embankments are over-topped flow can improve hydrological become trapped behind the embankments connectivity. and increase the duration of floodplain Embankment as part of the flood alleviation inundation. scheme at Hampton Bishop (WYE025). Note • This leads to reductions in the effectiveness of the height of the pub in relation to the water sediment transfer thus increasing level. sedimentation and channel vegetation, causing choking during summer low flows and poor oxygenation. Deflected flow • On the inside of the meander bend, results in a reduction of flow velocities and the creation Creation of croys (deflectors) of steeper exposed banks. deflects flow away from • Deflects flow into the centre of the channel channel edge towards the and create slower, shallower areas in the river centre of the channel, margins downstream, which develop through generating artificial habitats, deposition. In reaches with low morphological primarily benefiting fisherman diversity this can be used as a way to help and navigation, rather than rehabilitate habitats. This may be beneficial to the biodiversity of the river fry and small fish during high flows, but artificially creates this habitat where it would not naturally exist. Croys should be located and designed carefully. Alternative options for flow diversity include woody debris, Downstream view of croy, which is deflecting backwaters, and secondary channels. flow into the centre of the channel (end of • Introduces artificial bank material into the river WYE030) system, with limited biological benefits. • Croys on both sides of the channel can Many of the croys shown on aerial squeeze the flow and potentially cause photographs were submerged during the erosion of the bed. January 2014 survey.

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3.3 Vision for the Lower Wye

The proposed Restoration Vision for the Lower Wye is based on the characteristics described in Table 2.2 (based on Mainstone 2007 Rationale paper). Restoring the geomorphology of the different river types as far as possible will allow the recovery of the ecology and biological communities of the Lower Wye.

Halcrow’s 2012 Vision for the River Wye SSSI summarises restoration vision as shown in the blue box below.

Vision for Lower Wye (Hay-on-Wye to the Severn Estuary)

The Lower Wye will be a river with good connectivity to its floodplain, supporting appropriate and sustainable natural riparian and floodplain habitats. There will be minimal physical modifications and maximum dynamic natural processes. Physical modifications will be limited to immovable constraints. As a result the river will support a self-sustaining and optimum balance of habitats for the characteristic communities of the river, complementary to upstream sections of the river. The Lower Wye will maintain an integrated and functional river corridor, resilient to change and complementary and not limiting to features associated with the upstream reaches. The river will rely on minimal intervention and maintenance and provides maximum ecosystem services including recreational uses.

The characteristic geomorphology of the river will include: • Varied flow including runs, glides and faster flow; • Mobile gravels and bars; and • Erosion on the outside and deposition on the inside of meanders.

Source: Halcrow (2012)

Restoration of a river system will result in an improvement or increase in the ecosystem services provided by the river. An ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components of their environment, which acts as a system. The multiple ways which society benefits from the ecosystem are collectively known as ‘ecosystem services’. That is, natural systems are humanity’s life-support system, providing essential ecosystem services.

In 2001 the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) (MA, 2005a, 2005b) was initiated with the objective to assess the consequences of the ecosystem change for human well-being and provide scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems. The MA divided ecosystem services into four broad categories; provisioning, such as the production of food and water; regulating, such as the control of climate, flood and water purification; supporting, such as nutrient cycles and soil formation; and cultural, such as aesthetic, spiritual, educational and recreational. The provision, regulation and cultural ecosystem services influence human’s well-being (their security, basic material for good life, health and good social relations) and in turn are affected by changes in human well-being. It is clear from these broad categories that rivers and their ecosystems provide multiple benefits to humans, including water supply for drinking, control of flooding or for recreational benefits.

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Natural England has provided a detailed analysis of ecosystem services provided by each of the 159 National Character Areas (NCAs) in England (see Section 2.7.4 for more information on the NCAs relevant to the Lower Wye catchment). For 100 Herefordshire Lowlands NCA and 105 Forest of Dean and Lower Wye NCA, the River Wye is noted for providing water, regulating water flow, and for creating a sense of place/ inspiration, an area of tranquillity and used for recreation. Its floodplains and wetlands also provide climate regulation services, as these areas have areas of higher carbon storage in soils, particularly in undisturbed traditional flood meadows found along Wye and Lugg. The wet meadows and wet woodlands are also acknowledged to regulate water quality (Natural England, 2012 and 2013). Those ecosystem services that are provided by the Wye and its floodplain are discussed in more detail below.

Water is taken from the Wye catchment through abstraction for public water supply and agriculture, with very little industrial use. Surface and groundwater resources in the NCS have been assessed as ‘no water available’, which means that no new abstraction licenses will be granted unless it can be demonstrated that there will be no adverse effect on the integrity of the Wye SAC. Opportunities identified for water supply include:

• Maintaining flow levels by managing abstraction • Encourage riparian zone management • Slow the flow of water across landscape, through ponds, scrapes and more natural drainage • Prevent water quality deterioration caused by diffuse pollution and rapid runoff.

Rivers, woodlands, floodplain grassland, hedgerows and semi natural habitats are the main contributors to the regulation of water flow. It is acknowledged in Herefordshire Lowlands NCA (Natural England, 2013) that historically a number of rivers and watercourses through the area have had the channel modified to ‘improve’ water flow. In most cases restoration of natural channel course and profiles is understood to improve flood water management. Opportunities identified for water regulation include:

• Investigate opportunities to increase the use of river valleys for flood storage • Investigate opportunities to create and extend semi-natural floodplain habitats, such as flood meadows, wet woodland and reedbeds to mitigate severity of downstream flood events • Regulating soil erosion.

Biological diversity was a key component to MA because the basis of all ecosystems is a dynamic complex of plants, animals and microorganisms. The MA recognises that interactions exist between people, biodiversity and ecosystems and that changing human conditions drive, both directly and indirectly, changes in biodiversity, changes in ecosystems, and ultimately changes in the services ecosystems provide.

One of the MA report key message on biodiversity is that over the last century many people have benefited from the conversion of natural ecosystems to human- dominated ecosystems and from the exploitation of biodiversity. These gains have been achieved at growing costs in the form of losses in biodiversity and the degradation of many ecosystem services. The prominent drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem service changes are reported by MA as habitat change (such as land use changes, physical modification of rivers or water withdrawal from rivers),

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climate change, invasive alien species, overexploitation and pollution. Improved valuation techniques and information on ecosystem services demonstrate that although many individuals benefit from biodiversity loss and ecosystem change, the costs borne by society of such changes are often higher. The MA recognises that progress towards biodiversity conservation is necessary for improvements in human well-being and that it will be necessary to strengthen response options that are designed with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as the primary goal (MA, 2005c). This restoration plan is in line with this concept.

3.4 Summary

On the whole, reaches along the Lower River Wye exhibit good morphology close to that which might be expected under natural circumstances. It is one of the best remaining rivers of its type, but has still been modified (Wheeldon, 2014) Natural England (citation sheet SO55/4) state that the Lower Wye “has a relatively natural fluvio-geomorphic regime and has remained relatively free from man-made straightening, widening and deepening schemes. Consequently it has the potential to support optimum habitats for feature species, which are supported by the WFD water body 2009 assessments which state their morphology ‘supports good’ ecological status. A summary of the 67 reaches, associated River Habitat Survey Habitat Modification Class, SSSI unit and condition and WFD water body and ecological status are presented in Table 3.4 below.

The Lower River Wye is relatively unmodified and this is the conclusion drawn for the SSSI condition assessment (blue box below). Nevertheless there are some pressures recorded by RHS, the Halcrow (2012) study and within the Severn RBMP such as invasive non-native species, water quality, diffuse pollution among others (see Section 2.6.1). The restoration measures to directly address the morphological pressures are detailed in the following section. In the event where targets set out to achieve favourable condition are higher than that for GES, the favourable condition targets the higher targets must be met.

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Table 3.4 Reach by reach summary of the RHS Habitat Modification Class, SSSI unit and condition and WFD water body and overall ecological status Number RHS SSSI WFD Reach of RHS HMC SSSI SSSI condition Adverse condition Remedies underway WFD water body ID WFD water Overall Morphology ID sites unit reasons (needs continued body name Ecological implementation) Status WYE001 2 2, 2 WYE002 0 Entry level scheme (ELS), Overgrazing, fertiliser use. WYE003 0 invasive species control invasive freshwater species, 7 Unfavourable recovering programme, reducing diffuse WYE004 2 3, 2 siltation and water pollution- River Wye - water pollution from WYE005 0 agriculture/ run off confluence River Poor agriculture (DWPA) GB109055037114 Irfon to Ecological Supports Good WYE006 0 Brewardine Status WYE007 1 2 Bridge WYE008 5 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 Overgrazing, fertiliser use, 6 invasive freshwater species, ELS, invasive species control Unfavourable recovering WYE009 1 1 siltation and water pollution- programme, DWPA WYE010 2 2,2 agriculture/ run off WYE011 3 1, 3, 1 Overgrazing, fertiliser use, ELS, invasive species control invasive freshwater species, programme, DWPA, and 6,5 Unfavourable recovering siltation and water pollution- Catchment Sensitive Farming agriculture/ run off (CSF) delivery WYE012 3 2, 1,1 WYE013 2 2 WYE014 4 2,5,2,2 WYE015 3 1,2,3 River Wye - Fertiliser use, invasive Good WYE016 0 ELS, invasive species control Brewardine freshwater species, siltation GB109055037113 Ecological Supports Good 5 Unfavourable recovering programme, DWPA, and Bridge to WYE017 2 2,5 and water pollution- Status (CSF) delivery Hampton Bishop WYE018 2 2,5 agriculture/ run off WYE019 2 2, 3 WYE020 0 WYE021 4 2,2,2,3 WYE022 0 WYE023 5 4,2,3,3,5 WYE024 1 4 WYE025 2 2,2 WYE026 0 WYE027 0 WYE028 3 2,3,3 WYE029 4 2,2,4,4 Fertiliser use, invasive WYE030 5 4, 1,4,4,3 ELS, invasive species control freshwater species, siltation River Wye - 4 Unfavourable recovering programme, DWPA, and CSF Good WYE031 2 4,2 and water pollution- Hampton Bishop delivery GB109055037112 Ecological Supports Good agriculture/ run off to confluence WYE032 0 Status Kerne Bridge WYE033 0 WYE034 0 WYE035 0 WYE036 0 WYE037 0 WYE038 3 2,3,4

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Number RHS SSSI WFD Reach of RHS HMC SSSI SSSI condition Adverse condition Remedies underway WFD water body ID WFD water Overall Morphology ID sites unit reasons (needs continued body name Ecological implementation) Status WYE039 0 WYE040 1 2 WYE041 1 1 WYE042 0 WYE043 1 3 Fertiliser use, invasive ELS, invasive species control freshwater species, siltation programme, National Diffuse 4,3 Unfavourable recovering and water pollution- Water Pollution action, agriculture/ run off DWPA, and CSF delivery WYE044 1 3 WYE045 1 3 WYE046 0 WYE047 4 3,4,5,3 WYE048 2 3,4 WYE049 0

WYE050 1 4 3 Unfavourable recovering Fertiliser use, invasive ELS, invasive species control WYE051 2 5,2 (same freshwater species, siltation programme, National Diffuse area) and water pollution- Water Pollution action, WYE052 1 3 agriculture/ run off DWPA and CSF delivery WYE053 0 WYE054 2 2,2 WYE055 2 2,2 River Wye - WYE056 6 4,3,3,2,2,2 Poor confluence 3,CCW Unfavourable GB109055037111 Ecological Supports Good WYE057 1 1 Walford Brook to Unit 1C recovering* Status Bigsweir Bridge WYE058 1 2 3,CCW Unfavourable Unit 1C recovering* WYE059 1 1 WYE060 1 5 CCW Not assessed No assessment No remedies identified WYE061 0 Unit 1C WYE062 2 2, 1 (same area) 2, CCW WYE063 6 2,3,4,4,5,2 Unfavourable recovering TBC TBC Unit 1C Unfavourable recovering/ WYE064 4 2,4,2,2 2,1 TBC TBC Favourable WYE065 0 1 WYE - Moderate WYE066 0 1 Favourable TBC TBC GB530905415406 transitional water Ecological Supports Good body Status WYE067 0 1

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4 Potential solutions

4.1 Selecting restoration solutions

As summarised at the end of Chapter 3, the more than half of the Lower Wye shows signs of good or recovering morphology. Reaches where morphology was recovering included processes of geotechnical failure and erosion of resectioned banks. The potential restoration solutions available for the Lower Wye have developed using professional knowledge and experience, following the site visits undertaken during January 2014, analysis of photographs taken and data mapped by Halcrow (2012), and review of the UK River Restoration Centre Manual of River Restoration and Mainstone (2007) Rationale paper.

JNCC (2014) guidance states that where a site has been notified as an example of a high quality river, the aim of the SSSI designation is to “conserve the habitat for the characteristic communities of the river.” Therefore this Management Report should also be used to support the conservation of high quality sites, using characteristics outlined in Table 2.2, as well as restoring sites where anthropogenic morphological pressures exist. Full ‘restoration’ of sites may not be possible due to topographical and legitimate land use constraints, such as valley sides, transport infrastructure and flood protection, but restoration of the sites should be attempted where feasible.

Prioritising of reaches for restoration is discussed in Section 5.2.

4.2 Meeting WFD objectives

Developing restoration measures that help to achieve ‘favourable condition’ will also help achieve the objectives of the WFD. Improving the morphology of the river channel and addressing the impacts of land use pressures on the floodplain would help achieve and maintain Good Ecological Status, and would not cause deterioration in the status of the water body.

4.3 Room for river approach

The “room for river” approach or “making space for rivers” is an important philosophy for river restoration. It marks a shift in thinking for river management. For decades floodplains have been built on and rivers constrained by urban developments. Consequently the river’s natural migration, processes and connection with its floodplain have been constrained and often prevented. The “room for the river” approaches to flood and erosion risk management and habitat restoration are increasingly being used across continental Europe, including a national programme in Holland, and on powerful rivers such as in the Rhine, Meuse, Danube and Loire, primarily as a way to manage flood risk8.

The ‘Room for the River approach takes into account the following:

8 The following weblinks are two useful sources of river restoration case studies, which approaches which allow the river to move across its floodplain: Europe’s River Wiki: http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page UK’s RRC Manual of River Restoration Techniques: http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_manual.php

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• Dynamic fluvial systems are often unable to adapt naturally to changes in rainfall because they are constrained by traditional flood defence structures. Climate change is likely to mean more intensive rainfall, resulting in increased river flooding and changes in patterns of erosion. Traditional flood management solutions will continue to have a key role but alone may not always be effective or sustainable in the face of increasing flood and erosion risk over the next century, as acknowledged by the Government’s strategy “Making Space for Water” and the Pitt Review.

• The risks caused by the historic and current management of mobile rivers, and a potential “room for the river”, or “making space for water” restoration approach is illustrated in Figure 4-1. Where critical infrastructure is a constraint, a similar “erodible corridor” approach may be taken. The erodible corridor concept “consists of defining a corridor in the alluvial floodplain, within which decision-makers will not seek to control erosion using engineered protections. At its simplest the concepts tries to balance the environmental benefits of allowing the river to move freely (within the corridor), and allowing sedimentary processes to occur and the economic benefits derived from protecting property and infrastructure (outside the corridor).

The Room for the River approach can also be reflected in the development of a riparian zone comprising a variety of flora, which is allowed to establish up to 12 m away from the river’s edge (see Riparian zone management visualisation box, in Section 4.7). Much of the River Wye is classed as stable and therefore, The Room for River approach is most likely to involve work reconnecting the Wye to its floodplain. There are some identified reaches where lateral migration is the dominant process and in these areas, the Room for River approach will also involve allowing the river to move freely. The Room for River approach can only be applied where flood risk can be managed, suitable land management incentives are available and it is appropriate to the landscape. It will require detailed negotiation with landowners and detailed feasibility studies to determine where this approach could apply.

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Changing the way we manage rivers can provide a wide range of benefits to ecological diversity,

land husbandry and landscape value, with wider social and economic gains.

Figure 4-1 Risks relating to embankments and reinforcement on mobile river (top), and potential benefits of restoration and making room for the river (bottom)

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4.4 Restoration categories

Restoration measures to restore the river channel to the condition described in the restoration visions (Section 2.2), have been categorised into riparian zone restoration and channel restoration/ rehabilitation. Riparian zone restoration is required extensively throughout the River Wye catchment and channel restoration/ rehabilitation is confined to local areas as river morphology is considered largely to be in favourable condition throughout the catchment.

Riparian zone restoration measures • Improve riparian zone to reduce accelerated sediment supply (protecting fish and invertebrate habitat), to provide more shade to the channel to benefit fish and natural control water temperatures and to provide the means for large woody debris accumulation downstream which will enhance riverine habitats, support variable ecological receptor life stages and increase flow type variability. Woody debris must neither compromise flood risk nor navigation rights • Increasing riparian vegetation would also enhance allochthonous organic input which may benefit juvenile lamprey life stages

Channel restoration/ rehabilitation measures • Remove hard bank protection and croys to allow natural channel adjustment • Reprofile resectioned banks with no sign of natural recovery • Promote natural channel adjustment and allow it to continue where present (including deterioration of bank protection, croys and erosion of embankments) • Reduce or cease channel maintenance • Breach embankments where it does not conflict with the Catchment Flood Management Plan Policy Unit and WFD Mitigation Measures Assessments to restore floodplain connectivity and function

4.5 Scale and timing of restoration

The restoration measures have been further classified into four categories based on the degree of intervention needed, have each been assigned a colour code (Table 4 1). These categories are as follows:

1. Significant channel restoration - where the river has been extensively modified by major structures such as weirs, channel straightening and extensive lengths of bank reinforcement* 2. Assistance of natural channel recovery - where the river has started to recover a natural morphology, or displays the ability to recover, to past channel modifications, but the ability of the river to adjust fully or within a short time scale is considered unlikely without human intervention. There is typically less disturbance to the river in the short term compared to ‘significant channel restoration’ 3. Natural recovery, conserve and protect (no active restoration) - where the river channel is actively recovering a natural morphology from past channel modification. Natural fluvial processes are altering the channel bed and banks and improved habitats are developing. Optimal channel morphology is considered likely to develop without human intervention

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4. Riparian zone management (including tree planting and woody debris installation) - where riparian zone is degraded and in need of rehabilitation or where invasive species are growing. Where riparian zone management is recommended, tree planting and reduced grazing pressure are the principal measures intended for implementation. Where such measures are not possible, woody debris installation should be carefully considered against navigational needs and health and safety. . Urban - reaches within urban areas that are constrained by development, infrastructure and are considered high flood risk areas. These reaches have not been considered in detail in the restoration plans. However, a general action applies, ensure that sustainable appropriate design is used for any new works and even if opportunities are limited, enhance these areas where possible.

Each of the four different categories has different timescales for implementation/ commencement of the works and the full recovery of the section of river being restored (Table 4.1)

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Table 4.1 Reach scale and restoration option classification Category Colour Description Timing Ecological benefits code Significant Red Opportunities for weir removal, Commencement of works dependent Improve connectivity between channel weir improvement, or the removal on funding available (short to long channel and riparian zone/ restoration of extensive bank reinforcement. term). Full recovery, including floodplain. Also to realign or re-meander established habitats, expected Improves bank habitat. sections. between 10 and 30+ years (medium Improve sediment dynamics within Weir removal will increase to long term) depending on scale of reach. accessibility to the upper works. Improve flow and substrate catchment to migratory species diversity. and allow localised movement of species/ lifestages within reaches. Assisted Orange Removal of minor channel Commencement of works dependent Improve connectivity between natural structures (localised or short on funding available (short to long channel and riparian zone/ channel sections), such as bank term). Full recovery, including floodplain. recovery reinforcement and embankments. established habitats, expected Improves bank habitat. between 3 and 15 years (short to medium term). Natural Yellow The channel is currently adjusting Already occurring (immediate). Full Allow deposition of coarse recovery, towards favourable condition and recovery, including established sediments for spawning and conserve no intervention is required or very habitats, expected between 3 and 15 juvenile life stages and protect minor improvement like riparian years (short to medium term). zone replenishment could be implemented. Riparian Blue The geomorphological processes Commencement of restoration Reduced fine sediment input from Zone are optimal, however the riparian measure dependent on landowner surface runoff and increased Management zone could be improved with agreement, cooperation, funding and marginal cover for fish. fencing, buffer strips and/ or potentially legislation (short to long Remove fine sediment from surface planting and tree management term). Full recovery/ establishment of runoff to prevent siltation of and installation of woody debris habitats expected between 3 and 15 substrates where appropriate without years (short to medium term). compromising either flood risk or navigation rights.

Riparian zone management increases marginal cover, reduces the impact from sedimentation and produces in-

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Category Colour Description Timing Ecological benefits code channel habitat diversity for a variety of species and life stages.

Urban Grey The channel is typically modified Commencement of channel Enhancement of habitats and flow by bank protection and enhancement is dependent on diversity would improve cover, and disconnected from its floodplain, funding and flood risk modelling. quality/ variety of bed substrate for which has been built upon. fish and invertebrates. It would help Erosion and deposition are to connect up these reaches with generally discouraged because of good habitat upstream and risk to infrastructure and flooding. downstream. Connection to the floodplain cannot be restored at these locations because of the economic and social cost to the urban area as a result of flooding. Measures to enhance the habitats and flow diversity within the channel, which do not adversely affect the flood risk should be implemented.

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The River Wye flows through a couple of urban areas. Through these reaches the river is constrained by development and infrastructure. These areas are also considered as high flood risk. To improve the condition of the SSSI through these reaches enhancement of the habitats and geomorphology of the river is required within the constraints of the urban requirements. Removal of bank protection or breaching of embankments is likely to put structures at risk of erosion and increased flooding, therefore full restoration of the river is unlikely to be feasible.

Those reaches in ‘optimal’ condition (with very few modifications) are acknowledged not to need assisted or significant restoration works (see Table 5.1). Some of these reaches, however, may benefit from some riparian zone rehabilitation. The reaches in optimal condition require conservation and protection from degradation and should adopt the following guiding principles:

• Conserve the existing riparian and river bank vegetation • Look for opportunities to improve the width, density, composition of the riparian zone • Retain woody debris within the channel (unless it poses a significant flood risk to buildings or infrastructure or impair navigation and pose health and safety issues with regards to navigation) • Do not increase the number of channel modification (e.g. creation of croys, maintaining resectioned banks or hard bank reinforcement, such as fishing platform revetments). New or replacement modifications should only be permitted with appropriate consent, where there is an immovable constraint and using agreed sympathetic techniques to minimise impacts. There is an agreement between the EA and landowners that historic croys may be maintained but that no new croys are to be constructed • Ensure that, if new land drainage ditches are excavated, or old ones restored, these are not routed to directly discharge into the river but are routed into an area of wetland or wet woodland to ensure that this water is filtered before entering the channel.

These principles should be applied to the whole river (in addition to the specific proposals).

Additionally, the following principles should apply to the restoration of the whole river:

• Restoration measures should work in tandem with the natural processes of the river; allowing lateral migration of the channel, and utilising natural recovery as much as possible • Improve the connectivity between the floodplain and the river channel where it has been removed through resectioning • Restoration at all scales should be monitored to enable adaptive management and improve measures implemented elsewhere in the catchment.

4.6 Descriptions of the restoration measures

Restoration measures for Type I, II, V and VI (based on Mainstone, 2007) that are relevant and applicable to the Lower Wye as follows:

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• Reduced/ modified channel maintenance and other operations (gravel removal has only one occurrence on the Lower Wye (Halcrow, 2012), but more in the Upper and Middle Wye which affects the supply of gravel and the bed of the Lower Wye). • Sensitive restoration of banks, including reprofiling of artificially resectioned banks and removal of croys (note, there are limited embankments and the sensitive bank reprofiling would help address the issue of floodplain connectivity, In addition, some croys are protected structures.), increase the zone of hydrological transition and the development of wetland flora. • Riparian tree planting, and where appropriate, the introduction of woody debris. This is most likely a potential restoration measure in the tributaries and upper reaches where flood risk management and navigation is not a major constraint. • Livestock management (limited observations and records of poaching; to be managed in conjunction with improvements to riparian zone. • Setting back embankments where possible to adopt the ‘making room for the river approach’.

The removal of in-channel control structures, namely weirs, has previously been undertaken to aid navigation and only the remnants of the structures remain. This has fully or partially restored the flow and sediment regime of the river, reducing the depth of water and reducing the deposition of fine sediment.

4.6.1 Channel restoration

(a) Reduce gravel removal

Reduction of gravel removal frequency or all together would reduce disturbance of bed, reducing impact on submerged higher plants such as water crowfoot and water mudflat and attendant plant-dwelling invertebrate fauna. A variety of coarse fish (dace and chub) and salmonid species will benefit from reduced habitat disturbance. Gravel supply downstream would be enhanced creating habitat suitable for spawning and juvenile salmonids. There is one record of unlicenced extraction in the Lower Wye in reach (WYE009), therefore it is not a priority restoration measure for the Lower Wye. There are many more gravel extraction sites in the Middle and Upper Wye, as found by Jeffries et al. (2007) and these have an impact on the Lower Wye. It is a recommendation of this study that reduction of gravel extraction should be a priority restoration measure upstream of Hay-on-Wye where it is deemed feasible.

(b) Bank reprofiling including embankment modification

Historic resectioning has removed morphological diversity and consequently the habitat diversity biological communities require. Remeandering is one way of creating flow and substrate diversity, including vegetated and unvegetated shingle bars. However few reaches in the Lower Wye catchment are reported to have been straightened, therefore remeandering has not been proposed in this Management Report. One of the channel modifications is resectioning, which involved the reprofiling of the river banks, and some dredging creating a trapezoidal shaped channel. In some places the river has started to naturally adjust to the steeper and slightly higher river banks through bank slumping and erosion. Re-profiling the river banks to create non uniform bank profiles, potentially in conjunction with the appropriate placement of large woody debris, along existing trapezoidal sections would assist the natural recovery of the river. It would help to re-establish habitat

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lost, such as vertical cliffs on the outside of meander bends and flow and habitat diversity.

As discussed in 3.2.3, there were 51 set-back embankments and 61 records of engineered bank profiles that include bank top embankments. Reviewing Ordnance Survey maps and from evidence collected during the January 2014 surveys there were few bankside embankments. The largest ones typically appeared in urban areas and protect these communities. Consequently embankment removal, breaching or set-back embankments are not a catchment wide restoration measure. The locations that would be eligible for embankment modification are long stretches of floodplain disconnection away from housing. An illustration of where this may be possible is in the vicinity of Hampton Bishop, assuming no adverse impact on flood risk. The breaching of embankments typically has the lowest cost, rather than the complete removal or set back of embankments, due to the volume of ground works and the engineering involved with designing new embankments. Where improved floodplain connectivity is possible, modification of embankments should be considered.

(c) Removal of croys and fishing platform revetments

Croys create flow diversity and shallower areas however their placement can work against natural processes. They create flow and substrate diversity and variation in water depth but if constructed in areas where there would naturally be faster and deeper flows they reduce the natural morphological diversity certain biological communities require. Croys on the outside of meander bends may slow flow and prevent erosion by creating shallower areas at normal flows. Removal of croys would help to re-establish habitats lost such as vertical cliffs on the outside of meander bends. Vertical cliffs provide the best opportunities for nesting by sand martins, burrowing bees and wasps and other invertebrates.

There is an existing agreement with fisheries that landowners can keep and maintain existing croys that are historic but that there are no new croys to be constructed. However, removal of historic croys should be considered as a restoration measure. Where croys are present on both sides of the channel, on the outside of meander bends, or where the structure is solely a concrete, rip rap or gabion basket jutting out into the river with no habitat benefits the structure should be removed.

The removal of bank toe protection is recommended to allow eroding river banks to return, increasing the habitat types along the river. Because of developments on the floodplain in urban areas, removal of bank protection would potentially put infrastructure at risk. Therefore bank protection removal at these locations, such as Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, has been scoped out. In rural areas, where buildings are not at risk, bank protection removal should be considered. It is recognised that landowner agreement will be required. An alternative option is to replace the hard, building materials with natural materials, such as planting and brushwood (Natural England, 2009).

4.6.2 Riparian zone improvement

Increase riparian trees and scrub (see bank reprofiling). Although the catchment has a good coverage of trees (12.9% taken from CEH, 2012), and there are many woodlands near to the river, an absence of trees and dominance of uniform vegetation (semi-improved grassland) along some reaches of the Lower Wye was recorded. An absence of trees along the river edge reduces the sources of woody

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debris, leaf litter and exposed tree roots, which provide submerged habitat for fish and invertebrates. Poor riparian vegetation also makes the banks more prone to erosion, thus increasing sediment supply of the river and may result in accelerated bank erosion and consequent channel migration. Limited riparian shrubs also provide limited cover for mammals and reflect a limited transitional zone between the river and floodplain. The co-occurrence of tree lined and open sections is likely to be important for a range of invertebrate species.

Riparian zone improvement could also extend to improving linkages between the river and floodplain habitats. For example at the Letton lakes area between Willersley and north of Staunton-on-Wye there are extensive wet which are hydrologically connected to the Wye when water backs up channels during high flows on the Wye. However because of ditching and road maintenance they are becoming separated.

4.7 Restoration visualisations

The following boxes provide descriptions and illustrations of the various restoration measures outlined in Section 4.6. Each box includes the category of restoration and the potential benefits to geomorphology and ecology and constraints.

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Riparian zone management Category: Rehabilitation- Riparian zone management Description of actions: Illustration: Riparian zone management can involve a range of actions that allow a mosaic of different habitats to develop along the river

The intention is not to create an entirely wooded

corridor but to create a more varied corridor where land Riparian use pressure is reduced corridor – strip of land Actions could include combinations of the following: parallel to

• Providing a strip of species rich grassland parallel the river to the channel which is cut periodically. • Creating areas of species rich grassland in between meanders to create a riparian corridor. • Planting of suitable species along banks parallel to the channel where the river is straighter. • Planting clumps of vegetation between meanders to create a wider corridor of vegetation.

• Temporary fencing areas of river bank (ideally 12m

behind the bank top, this is a guideline) to reduce livestock access and allow existing vegetation to fully establish (appropriate management of Riparian corridor of native mixed trees and shorter vegetation within fence line would be required). vegetation - parallel to straighter channel Reducing grazing pressure is a preferred (foreground) or creating a corridor along alternative to fencing due to potential flood risk and meandering sections (in distance) landscape and visual constraints (see constraints). • Allowing periodic summer grazing by livestock to Description of actions continued: reduce undesirable species and prevent over- • shading. Light grazing with appropriate stocking Improve connectivity of river to floodplain habitats levels at the right time of the year, possibly (e.g. wetlands that are hydrologically dependent controlled by temporary electric fencing, can on the river). improve vegetation structure and niche habitat • Look for opportunities to create wet meadows or structure. Any planted trees would need protection wet woodlands. Potentially combine bank until mature. reprofiling, to reconnect the river to its floodplain, • If grazing is not possible, alternative forms of with the development of riparian zone. vegetation management could be undertaken such • Control invasive non-native species along the as rotational mowing, occasional thinning out, river banks, such as Himalayan balsam, which is pollarding or coppicing of trees a concern along the Wye catchment.

Potential benefits: • Helps concentrate any siltation along the channel margins and in areas of slow flow such as pools and backwaters. This provides suitable discrete habitats for lamprey ammocoetes. • Improves water quality by acting as a filtration system for run-off (e.g. phosphorus) and restricting access of livestock to the bank and river channel. The expansion of the network of semi-natural habitats adjacent to watercourses including floodplain grazing marsh, and the restoration of hedgerows across slopes would also help to intercept sediment and nutrients before they enter the water. • Creation of a source of woody debris to provide morphological diversity through small-scale erosion and sediment deposition in the channel, creating a variety of habitat niches for various aquatic species including bullhead, juvenile salmonids, crayfish and resting areas for adult fish. • Bank-side vegetation creates diversity in shading and cover- important for juvenile fish. • Bank side trees regulate water temperature, this may offer a significant benefit in future by off-setting the impact of climate change. • Reduced rates of bank erosion due to the increase in vegetation cover. • Bank-side trees and dense vegetation can provide habitat for otters and bats. • One way to apply the room for river approach (discussed in Section 4.3), by providing a corridor for the river to migrate, without causing a loss to arable land.

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• Supporting the restoration and creation of new wetland habitat and expansion of winter water storage capacity, will help to sequester carbon as well as reduce flood risk by increasing the resilience of the system to climate change. • Control of invasive non-native species will help to reduce soil erosion. Himalayan balsam shades out other natural vegetation, reducing the proportion of plants with stabilising roots and then dies back in winter leaving the bank faces exposed and vulnerable to fluvial erosion/ scour. Examples:

Example of a good corridor of riparian vegetation (viewed from the air) upstream (taken from River Mease SSSI/ SAC Restoration Plan, Jacobs 2012). Note that the corridor contains a range of different vegetation types and densities and also varies in width

Note how this contrasts with an area of more intensive land use right up to the river bank:

Potential constraints • Creating a riparian corridor will require a change in land management, it will therefore be necessary to provide appropriate incentives and funding (see Section 6) • There would need to be flexibility in the width of the riparian zone created to allow for site specific conditions and constraints • Riparian improvements to be undertaken after any in-channel restoration work such as bank re-profiling • Fencing is not a desired option on the River Wye due to potential flood risk management and landscape and visual constraints • Woody debris cannot impede the navigation of the river, nor cause any health and safety problems.

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Woody debris installation Category: Riparian zone management Description: Illustration:

• Woody debris is a natural feature of rivers where Woody debris in channel alters flow adjacent trees or branches fall into the channel. It patterns and creates bed and bank provides a variety of important ecological and diversity, for example by encouraging small-scale geomorphological functions.

• Woody debris can include whole trees, branches, twigs and leaf litter. • Woody debris could be introduced to areas of straightened, widened or deepened channels to create physical habitat variation. • Fallen trees should be left in place where possible (anchored if in a flood risk zone or near infrastructure). Concept of introduced woody debris to create • Woody debris can be either installed in the bank to sinuosity/ variability of flow in a straight section of remain in place, or introduced less formally to ‘find channel its own place’.

Potential benefits:

• Creation of in-channel sinuosity and habitat niches, but unlikely to cause significant erosion in a low energy system. • Provides small-scale variations in flow velocity providing slower areas of flow and small pools that accumulate finer sediments and act as fish refuges and nursery sites, spawning habitat for bullhead. • Creates areas of cover and shading that can reduce predation of fish, but also provide foraging sites for terrestrial species such as otter.

• Valuable invertebrate and algae habitats, creating Example of trapped woody debris along the Afon food sources for fish, helping to sustain aquatic/ Ceiriog (taken from River Dee SSSI Restoration terrestrial food chain. Management Report, Jacobs 2013) • Helps regulate sediment transfer and water quality by temporary trapping of mobile silts, reducing siltation of shallower gravels/ riffles and turbidity improving spawning habitats. • Introduced river gravels with woody debris improves bed structure, flow variation and habitat diversity.

Potential constraints and other considerations • The Wye has rights of navigation and so any placement or introduction of woody debris would need to be carefully considered. • Woody debris can become snagged on bridges and other structures and in exceptional events create blockages. When planning work involving the installation of woody debris, consideration should be given to the need to anchor the debris to prevent it being washed downstream and collecting on structures. • Where the river channel is relatively narrow, woody debris may accumulate in significant quantities, for example where it collects on a fallen tree, which may create an obstruction which the natural flow of the river is incapable of moving. This may increase flood risk to the surrounding land or increase the risk of bank erosion. Where such obstructions occur it may be necessary to intervene to reduce the amount of woody debris in the channel. In-channel obstructions may reduce the passability of reaches for migratory species. • Needs careful planning in terms of locations

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Bank protection removal Category: Assisted natural recovery Description: Illustrations: Past • Allowing or assisting non-essential bank reinforcements to degrade can allow the river to develop more natural bank profiles and planform morphology, more able to adjust to changes in flow and sediment supply • May need to be undertaken in conjunction with re- profiling of the bank face to lower slopes to ensure banks are stable and to maximise habitat gains. This would be through the removal of material from the bank to form a more gently sloping bank face. The actual slope of the bank will depend upon its location and would need to be confirmed during detailed design

Future (Year 1)

Potential benefits:

• Allows natural bank materials to be exposed, allowing natural supply of sediments to channel • Natural banks support a more diverse range of habitats, including undercut banks and naturally vegetated banks (fish cover and juvenile habitat, opportunity for crayfish) • Improvements to natural channel planform may increase the amount of optimal spawning and Future (Year 10) juvenile habitat within the main river for a range of species, whilst maintaining connectivity between important habitats at different life stages.

Potential constraints and other considerations • Removing bank protection may lead to short term increases in bank erosion, although recovery of the bank face and riparian vegetation will reduce the impact of this. In many locations the riparian zone vegetation may need re-establishing first. Otherwise where arable land may be adjacent, this will be susceptible to accelerated erosion. • Removal of bank protection structures should also involve re-profiling the river bank (where banks have been steepened) • Altering agricultural use of the riparian zone will require a change in land management along the river channel (see riparian zone management)

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Removal of croys Category: Assisted natural recovery

Description: Illustration: Where croys are present on both sides of the channel, Present on the outside of meander bends, or where the structure is solely a concrete, rip rap or gabion basket jutting out into the river with no habitat benefits the structure should be removed. This would include the removal of soil and hard bank protection used to create croys. It may be possible to allow croys to degrade over time, rather than removing them but this will depend on the location and need to take into account angling access, navigation, erosion risk etc. There is an agreement between the EA and landowners that historic croys may be maintained but that no new croys may be constructed. In locations where the channel has been resectioned, with an absent, thin or uniform riparian zone, little depth variation and with a uniform flow (e.g. Geo 29212) it is recommended that native trees are planted and the croys are potentially replaced with the placement of WYE063,– potential to remove bank protection large woody debris where appropriate. and deflector to restore natural bank and flow regime (Halcrow 2012 reference: Geo290212 (41)) Potential benefits: • Removes artificial structures from the channel, which are altering the bed and banks of the river. • Allows natural features (vertical cliffs) to re- develop. • In conjunction with riparian zone improvements and potential placement of woody debris, it encourages habitat diversity, such as creating cover, foraging habitat and resting places for invertebrates, fish and mammals. It creates transitional habitats between river and floodplain and establishes a riparian corridor along the bank top connecting different parts of the catchment together.

Potential constraints and other considerations Downstream extent of WYE063, an opportunity to • Requires works within the river channel and may improve riparian zone diversity and create flow result in a short period of disturbance. and depth diversity with large woody debris • Access to the river would be required for the use of (Halcrow 2012 reference Eco290212 (51)) the angling communities along the Wye. • Due to a potential change in rates of erosion or deposition, the management of land may change and would therefore require landowner agreement. • This may be considered as a reduction in access to the river and therefore landowners and angling groups would need to be consulted. • Some loss of land and potential ownership issues.

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Embankment modifications; removal, Category: Assisted natural recovery breaching or set back Category: Significant restoration works

Description: Illustration: • Complete removal of the mound of earth and other material that piled on the river’s edge, which currently increases the height of the river banks. • Breaching of approximately 30m stretches of embankments (i.e. removing parts of embankments that are currently not failing of their own accord) at ingress and egress points on the river channel will assist the retreat of the embankments through fluvial scour. • Movement of the mound of material that is piled up along the river’s edge, from the bank edge to a suitable location away from the channel as far as possible. The set-back embankment would need to be engineered to meet current standards. Present • Flood risk modelling of all three options is required prior to removal of ground works to ensure there are no adverse effects to flood risk of near-by urban areas.

Potential benefits: • Provides connectivity between the river channel and the surrounding floodplain reducing flood impacts downstream • Reduces ‘wash out’ impact of flood flows on in- channel habitats and ecology by allowing water flow energy to dissipate beyond the channel (removing the risk of catastrophic failure of the embankments in high flow events) • Allows the deposition of fine sediment onto the Following recovery (year 1) floodplain thereby reducing the likelihood of the deposition of fine sediment within the river channel

• Improves drainage of the floodplain by allowing surface water to drain freely into the river channel • Removes the risk of catastrophic failure of the embankment where the river bed has aggraded between the embankments • May act as an offline/ backwater are during high flows to prevent loss of species downstream, • Increases the potential for wetland plant species to develop in inundated floodplain.

Following recovery (year 10) varied flora establishes

Potential constraints and other considerations • Will increase the frequency of floodplain inundation which may necessitate changes in farming practices on the floodplain • Can only be done in agreement with landowners and if appropriate land management scheme options can be used to support it.

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Bank reprofiling Category: Assisted natural recovery (short lengths) Category: Significant restoration works (long lengths of work) Description: Illustration: The stretches of river that have been resectioned, typically have trapezoidal cross sections, with steep uniform banks and greater depths that would be naturally found. As a consequence the channels have A fewer morphological features and are disconnected to the floodplain. In addition, at the same time as the A1 B resectioning bankside trees and shrubs removed. Therefore riparian zone improvement will be important to maximise the benefits of bank reprofiling. • Reprofiling the banks can take on various forms, B principally by excavating part of the river bank on 1 one or both sides of the channel. Short sections, approximately 10 – 20m could be cut on one side of the channel, or the whole section of bank that is

resectioned could be excavated along both sides of the channel to create a two stage channel formation. A A1 • The design of the excavation should reduce the heights of the banks and create some diversity in the high flow width of the channel, creating berm like features. These areas will become part of the marginal, potentially wetland habitat. • The excavated banks would add variety to the banks along the existing uniform section. • In some areas of the catchment bank top

embankment form part of the engineered bank B B1 profile. In these instances, there should be A A1 consideration for the removal of the embankments (see description for embankment modification). • Flood risk modelling is recommended (required in the case of embankments) prior to removal of ground works to ensure there are no adverse effects to flood risk of near-by urban areas.

Potential benefits: • Provides connectivity between the river channel and the surrounding floodplain reducing flood The figures above illustrate an example of the impacts downstream. form bank reprofiling could take.

• Reduces ‘wash out’ impact of flood flows on in- Cross section A-A1 represents the existing cross channel habitats and ecology by allowing water section. Cross section B-B1 illustrates how the flow energy to dissipate within these sections . bank would be lowered and set back from the • Creates refugia habitat in high flows. current bank top edge to create a localised • Provides a more natural cross section which could pocket of a low-flow ledge. increase physical habitat availability. As a minimum these areas are recommended to • Allows the deposition of fine sediment into the be between 10 and 20 m in length and cut back areas cut out along the banks thereby reducing the into the river bank by approximately 5 m, likelihood of the deposition of fine sediment within although this is just a guide and dimensions the river channel. need to be determined on a site specific basis. • Increases the potential for wetland plant species to develop in inundated floodplain.

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Potential constraints and other considerations • Potentially result in the loss of agricultural land, reducing the yield of the farm. • May lead to ownership issues. • Potentially requires large amount of earthworks and may produce surplus ground material that would have disposed of or reused within the design. • Can only be done in agreement with landowners and if appropriate land management scheme options can be used to support it. • Expensive.

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5 Reach-by-reach restoration options

5.1 Organisation of the options

Table 5.1 below shows a record of the modifications recorded at each of the reaches. The restoration measures required for each reach are dependent on the morphological pressures, as explained in Section 3 and is further explored in Table 5.2. The sources of data are Halcrow’s 2012 investigation, RHS data, January 2014 spot check observations and aerial photography. In Table 5.1, each of the reaches have been allocated a restoration category (significant restoration works, assisted natural recovery, conserve and protect or urban) dependent on the type and extent of channel modification. In addition, those reaches where riparian zone vegetation could be improved are shown in a separated column from the other restoration measure categories. Where croys are presented the reach has been classified as requiring assisted natural recovery. It is recognised that not all croys will be removed, and those suitable for removal will need to be identified through consultation and feasibility assessments. Those reaches that are assessed to need conservation and protection display natural geomorphology with only localised modifications9.

The Halcrow 2012 investigation and RHS data can be found on the accompanying interactive mapper. The intention is for the interactive mapper to be explored by the River Managers, alongside this report, to identify the areas where there are restoration opportunities dependent on the pressures identified in Table 5.1. It is acknowledged that there are multiple constraints on each reach and the opportunities to restore the river will be largely dependent on landowner and stakeholder agreement, cooperation and buy-in. This Management Report should be used to explain what the various restoration measures are, what form they could take and, along with the Technical Report, illustrate the benefits of river restoration to the biology of the river and the community it serves.

9 The degree of channel modification assessed has largely been desk based, using previously collected data, aerial photography and OS maps and consequently the extent/ severity of modification may not be accurate (e.g. potentially under-recorded).

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Table 5.1 Morphological pressures affecting each reach (where Y = yes; P = present >33% of the reach and E = extensive >33% of the reach) Reach ID Length SSSI Number of Habitat Croys Reinforced RHS Engineered Set back Signs of Signs of Need for riparian Restoration categories (m) Unit RHS sites Modification Class bed/ bank resectioned bank profile embankment poaching potential tilled zone (Overall) (at each RHS site) (Halcrow and land runoff improvement RHS data) WYE001 1379 7 2 2, 2 Y P* P Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE002 304 7 0 E+ Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE003 201 7 0 P E+ Y Assisted natural recovery WYE004 1165 7 2 3, 2 E E Y Y Significant channel restoration WYE005 1415 7 0 P E Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE006 947 7 0 P E Assisted natural recovery WYE007 2039 7 1 2 Y P E E Y Y Y Significant channel restoration WYE008 6325 6 5 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 Y P* P+ Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE009 2808 6 1 1 P Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE010 3652 6 2 2,2 Y P* P Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery + WYE011 5384 6,5 3 1, 3, 1 P* Y P P Assisted natural recovery WYE012 1909 5 3 2, 1,1 Y P Y Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE013 1634 5 1 2 Y P* Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE014 2196 5 4 2,5,2,2 Y P* Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE015 1814 5 3 1,2,3 Y P Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE016 564 5 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE017 1773 5 2 2,5 Y P* Y Assisted natural recovery + WYE018 1158 5 2 2,5 Y P* P Y Assisted natural recovery WYE019 879 5 2 2, 3 P* Y Assisted natural recovery WYE020 656 5 0 P Y Y Assisted natural recovery + WYE021 6630 5 4 2,2,2,3 Y P* Y P P Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE022 2427 5 0 E Constrained by flood defences and urbanisation - Hereford + WYE023 4611 4 5 4,2,3,3,5 Y P Y P P Y Y Assisted natural recovery - potentially limited by urban constraints WYE024 1190 4 1 4 Y P E Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE025 5868 4 2 2,2 Y P* P E+ Y Y Significant channel restoration WYE026 1159 4 0 P P Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE027 959 4 0 P Y Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect

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Reach ID Length SSSI Number of Habitat Croys Reinforced RHS Engineered Set back Signs of Signs of Need for riparian Restoration categories (m) Unit RHS sites Modification Class bed/ bank resectioned bank profile embankment poaching potential tilled zone (Overall) (at each RHS site) (Halcrow and land runoff improvement RHS data) WYE028 6124 4 3 2,3,3 Y P Y P Y Y Assisted natural recovery + WYE029 3034 4 4 2,2,4,4 Y P* Y P* P Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE030 4783 4 5 4, 1,4,4,3 Y Y Y Assisted natural P recovery + WYE031 4399 4 2 4,2 Y P* Y P* P Y Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE032 1655 4 0 P P+ Y Significant channel restoration WYE033 1254 4 0 Y P P P Significant channel restoration WYE034 656 4 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE035 362 4 0 Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE036 737 4 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE037 558 4 0 P Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE038 1998 4 3 2,3,4 P* Y P* Y Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE039 548 4 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE040 2785 4 1 2 Y P* E Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE041 1119 4 1 1 Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE042 419 4 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE043 1224 4,3 1 3 P Y P* Y Constrained by urbanisation – Ross on Wye WYE044 815 3 1 3 Y Y P* Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE045 2503 3 1 3 Y P* Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE046 1602 3 0 P+ Y Y Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect + WYE047 3442 3 4 3,4,5,3 P* Y P* P Natural recovery, conserve and protect - constrained by topography + WYE048 1569 3 2 3,4 Y P Y P P Y Assisted natural recovery - constrained by topography WYE049 659 3 0 Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE050 2059 3 1 4 Y P Y P* Y Assisted natural recovery - constrained by topography WYE051 1114 3 2 5,2 (surveys cover Y P* Y P* P Y Assisted natural the same area) recovery - constrained by topography WYE052 1884 3 1 3 Y P Y P* P Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE053 2060 3 0 P Y Y Natural recovery,

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Reach ID Length SSSI Number of Habitat Croys Reinforced RHS Engineered Set back Signs of Signs of Need for riparian Restoration categories (m) Unit RHS sites Modification Class bed/ bank resectioned bank profile embankment poaching potential tilled zone (Overall) (at each RHS site) (Halcrow and land runoff improvement RHS data) conserve and protect WYE054 3801 3 2 2,2 Y P* Y P Y Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect WYE055 1308 3 2 2,2 P Y P Y Assisted natural recovery - constrained by topography and urbanisation + WYE056 3947 3 6 4,3,3,2,2,2 Y P* Y E P Y Assisted natural recovery - constrained by topography WYE057 736 3,CCW 1 1 P Natural recovery, Unit 1C conserve and protect WYE058 674 3,CCW 1 2 Y P* E+ Y Assisted natural Unit 1C recovery WYE059 2140 CCW 1 1 P P+ Y Assisted natural Unit 1C recovery – constrained by topography and transport infrastructure WYE060 1021 CCW 1 5 Y P Y P* E Constrained by Unit 1C urbanisation – Monmouth WYE061 589 CCW 0 Y E+ Constrained by Unit 1C urbanisation – Monmouth WYE062 1685 CCW 2 2, 1 (surveys cover Y P Y P* Y Assisted natural Unit 1C the same area) recovery + WYE063 4564 CCW 6 2,3,4,4,5,2 Y P Y P E Y Y Assisted natural Unit 1C, recovery 2 + WYE064 2922 2,1 4 2,4,2,2 Y P* Y P P Y Y Assisted natural recovery WYE065 6078 1 0 Y P P+ Y Assisted natural recovery – constrained by topography and transport infrastructure. Tidal WYE066 12179 1 0 P P+ Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect – tidal WYE067 4308 1 0 P* P+ Y Natural recovery, conserve and protect – tidal, constrained by urbanisation - Chepstow P* = recorded on RHS 500m survey but not mapped by Halcrow (2012).

Note, where there are signs of poaching there is not necessarily a need to improve the riparian zone cover, but consideration for livestock densities to reduce poaching of the river banks may be required.

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Table 5.2 summarises Table 5.1 by SSSI Unit, and illustrates that all the morphological pressures identified in the Lower Wye catchment occur within each of the Units. Table 5.2 Summary of morphological pressures by SSSI Unit SSSI Condition Reaches Length (by Number of Habitat Croys (number of Reinforced bed/ RHS resectioned Engineered bank Set back Need for riparian Unit assessment reach RHS sites Modification Class reaches) bank profile (Halcrow embankment zone length) (at each RHS site) and RHS data) improvement 7 Unfavourable WYE001 – 7450 5 HMC 1 = 0 Y (2/7) Y (2/7) None – but Y (5/7) Y (7/7) Y (5/7) recovering WYE007 HMC 2 = 4 resectioned banks HMC 3 = 1 are included in HMC 4 = 0 engineered bank HMC 5 = 0 profile 6 Unfavourable WYE008 – 18169 11 HMC 1 = 3 Y (2/4) Y (4/4) Y (1/4) Y (1/4) Y (3/4) Y (3/4) recovering WYE011 HMC 2 = 7 HMC 3 = 1 HMC 4 = 0 HMC 5 = 0 5 Unfavourable WYE012 – 21640 21 HMC 1 = 3 Y (1/11) Y (3/11) Y (7/11) Y (8/11) Y (2/11) Y (6/11) recovering WYE022 HMC 2 = 12 HMC 3 = 3 HMC 4 = 0 HMC 5 = 3 4 Unfavourable WYE023 – 45442 28 HMC 1 = 3 Y (8/21) Y (10/21) Y (7/21) Y (11/21) Y (10/21) Y (15/21) recovering WYE043 HMC 2 = 8 HMC 3 = 7 HMC 4 = 9 HMC 5 = 1 3 Unfavourable WYE044 – 28173 24 HMC 1 = 1 Y (8/15) Y (9/15) Y (10/15) Y (11/15) Y (8/15) Y (7/15) recovering WYE058 HMC 2 = 9 HMC 3 = 8 HMC 4 = 4 HMC 5 = 2 2 Unfavourable WYE063 – 7486 10 HMC 1 = 0 Y (2/2) Y (2/2) Y (2/2) Y (2/2) Y (2/2) Y (2/2) recovering WYE064 HMC 2 = 5 (excluding HMC 3 = 1 Welsh HMC 4 = 3 sections) HMC 5 = 1 1 Favourable WYE065 – 22565 0 HMC 1 = 0 Y (1/3) Y (1/3) None – but Y (2/3) Y (3/3) Y (3/3) WYE067 HMC 2 = 0 resectioned banks HMC 3 = 0 are included in HMC 4 = 0 engineered bank HMC 5 = 0 profile

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5.2 Prioritising the reaches

Four ways to prioritise the restoration of the Wye SSSI Units have been explored. These have been determined based on the data analysis of pre-existing data. A feasibility study will be required to identify the viability of each reach prioritised for restoration in conjunction with stakeholder engagement. Consequently the four methods below are only a starting point to identifying reaches or sites within reaches that can be fully or partially restored.

5.2.1 Prioritisation method 1

One possible way to prioritise is by the reaches with a RHS HMC score of 4 or 5 (severely or extensively modified). Using this method there are 14 reaches (out of the 67 mapped) (see Table 5.1). A limitation of this method is that reaches that could be significantly or severely modified are not accounted for if they have not had an RHS carried out in them.

5.2.2 Prioritisation method 2

Alternatively, prioritising those reaches which need little assistance to recover from morphological pressures (i.e. those that only have HMC 1, 2 or 3), to bring the SSSI Unit to favourable condition, may return the greatest benefits at the least cost. Using this method there are 26 reaches which could be prioritised (see Table 5.1).

As previously mentioned, a limit of solely using RHS HMC scores to prioritise reaches in need of restoration, is it discounts those reaches where RHS have not been conducted (i.e. 24 out of 67 reaches, although three of these fall within SSSI Unit 1, which is assessed to be in favourable condition).

5.2.3 Prioritisation method 3

Another way to prioritise would be to identify areas requiring assisted natural recovery or significant restoration, which are flanked by areas upstream and downstream requiring only conservation. This would help link up reaches with relatively natural habitats and geomorphology, creating a greater natural area overall. This method probably has the greatest potential to improve habitat connectivity. The following areas have been identified:

• Area 1: WYE012 – WYE016, with the exception of WYE014, fall in the restoration category ‘conserve, protect and natural recovery’. Restoring reach WYE014 would create an area of good geomorphology and habitat that would require protecting. These 5 reaches fall within Unit 5 and cover a length of 8,117m (5.2% of the Lower Wye). • Area 2: WYE034 – WYE049, with the exception of WYE040, WYE043 (urban), WYE044 and WYE048, fall in the restoration category ‘conserve, protect and natural recovery’. Restoring WYE040, WYE044 and WYE048 would connect up a length of 20,996m of good geomorphology and habitat throughout Unit 4 and 3 (13.4% of the Lower Wye).

Whilst considering the length of the Lower Wye that would be restored using this method, it is worth noting that WYE065 – WYE067 falls within Unit 1 and covers 22,565m (14.4% of the Lower Wye). Therefore prioritising the restoration of WYE014, WYE40, WYE044 and WYE048 would potentially result in a third (33%) of the Lower Wye reaching favourable condition.

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5.2.4 Prioritisation method 4

Method 4 prioritises the reaches based firstly on RHS HMC scores 4 and 5 and secondly, as in method 3, restoring reaches that would maximise habitat connectivity. Three areas have been identified as requiring restoration using this method (see Table 5.1)

• Area 1: WYE012 – WYE018, out of which WYE014, WYE017 and WYE018 are identified to require assisted natural recovery (three reaches require restoration). These fall within Unit 5 and cover 11,048m (7% of the Lower Wye). • Area 2: WYE023 – WYE033, which all reaches except WYE026 and WYE027 (which require conservation) have been assessed to require assisted or natural recovery (nine reaches require restoration). These fall within Unit 4, and cover 35,036m (22.4% of the Lower Wye). • Area 3: WYE034 – WYE052, out of which reaches WYE040, WYE044, WYE048, WYE050, WYE051 and WYE052 (six reaches) have been identified to require assisted natural recovery. As mentioned above these fall within Unit 4 and 3 and cover a length of 26,053m (16.7% of the Lower Wye).

Within these three areas 18 reaches have been identified as requiring restoration to varying degrees. Assuming that when restored these reaches would achieve favourable condition, a total of 60.6% of the Lower Wye would be assessed as favourable, principally in Units 5, 4, 3 and 1.

5.2.5 Summary of prioritised reaches

Table 5.3 shows a summary of the reaches prioritised using each of the four methods described above.

Table 5.3 Summary of reaches to be prioritised using the 4 different methods described above Method Distribution Reaches to be prioritised Number of sites of reaches Scattered WYE014, WYE023, WYE024, WYE029, WYE030, 1 throughout WYE031, WYE038, WY047, WYE048, WYE050, 14 Lower Wye WYE051, WYE056, WYE063 and WYE064 Scattered WYE001, WYE004, WYE007, WYE008, WYE009, throughout WYE010, WYE011, WYE012, WYE013, WYE015, Lower Wye WYE019, WYE021, WYE025, WYE028, WYE040, 2 26 WYE041, WYE043, WYE044, WYE045, WYE052, WYE054, WYE055, WYE057, WYE058, WYE059 and WYE062. Area 1 WYE014 (Unit 5, connecting 8,117m) 3 4 Area 2 WYE040. WYE044 and WYE048 (Units 3 and 4, connecting 20,996m) Area 1 WYE014, WYE017 and WYE018. (Unit 5, 4 18 connecting 11,048m)

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Method Distribution Reaches to be prioritised Number of sites of reaches Area 2 WYE023, WYE024, WYE025, WYE028, WYE029, (Unit 4, WYE030, WYE031, WYE032 and WYE033. connecting 35,036m) Area 3 WYE040, WYE044, WYE048, WYE050, WYE051 (Unit 4 and 3, and WYE052. connecting 26,053m)

Prioritisation method 4 is recommended because it connects up and extends the length of existing good geomorphology and habitats. Method 4 builds upon method 3 because method 3 only identified 4 reaches to restore which is a very limited number for the size of the Lower Wye catchment. When developing the restoration plans and undertaking feasibility studies it is potentially worth exploring these four reaches first.

As discussed at the start, should one of these prioritisation methods be carried forward it would only be a starting point in the restoration process as landowner consultation may dictate where restoration measures can be implemented. Landowner involvement is ultimately a huge contributing factor. Final prioritisation is likely to be driven strongly by stakeholder buy-in and wider socio-economic and other wider environmental factors.

In addition to the prioritised sites, continued promotion and employment of land management best practice is required throughout the catchment. This includes reduced livestock densities, creating permanent grassland buffer strips and planting hedge rows to trap and reduce soil erosion and diffuse pollution.

5.3 Restoration plans

Restoration plans have been created for the reaches targeted by prioritisation method 4. These plans set out at a high level the potential approach for each location.

The outline plans comprise the following components:

• Reach name • Location • Category of intervention required/ restoration option • SSSI designation • Start and end grid references • Location map • Annotated maps, aerial and ground based photographs detailing the suggested actions • Summary of potential benefits and constraints.

The dimensions of restoration actions shown on the plans are indicative and do not necessarily represent the actual footprint of the activity, which would be determined by future detailed planning of actions in discussion with landowners.

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The plan outlines the options that have been identified as desirable to meet the conservation objectives for the river. This Management Report will require updating following consultation to include stakeholder feedback, particularly where better data or information is made available, or constraints and opportunities are identified. The consultation event will also help inform the prioritisation of reaches for restoration.

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WYE014 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Near and Preston-on-Wye Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 5 Unfavourable recovering • Resectioned channel WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Evidence of poaching GB109055037113 Morphology: Supports Good • Potential need to increase diversity of riparian zone Start NGR: 338051,242680 End NGR: 340103, 242367 Restoration actions:

Eroding bank

Fishing platform

Riffle

As can be seen in the aerial Resectioned channels can have degraded riparian and bank face vegetation, an altered planform, photograph the fishing platform has a lack of morphological diversity due to engineered bed and banks and potentially accelerated erosion. small localised effect on flow. Reach WYE014 has a low sinuosity and a 500m RHS site recorded resectioning. Aerial imagery reveals some erosion along the banks which is the rivers response to the modified bank profile There is a riffle at the upstream extent (Natural Recovery). The erosion, coupled with the tree covered banks, provides a diversity of habitat of reach WYE014 which is good for invertebrates and fish. habitat for salmonids.

Resectioned channel

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013

Poaching is a source of fine sediment, which can affect the bed of the river when deposited, smothering gravels used for spawning. The trampled banks provide habitat for some invertebrates however Signs of poaching elevated amounts are unnatural to the catchment and a sign of high stocking density. This is a small area of poaching, and is not severe. There is an opportunity for riparian zone improvement by planting a variety of flora to increase the diversity of the riparian zone. Riparian scrub provides cover and resting sites for riverine mammals. For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel Bank reprofiling: The length of Floodplain connectivity is improved. Transitional Landowner consultation is modification resectioning and therefore extent of bank habitats between aquatic and terrestrial zones required because of potential loss reprofiling needs to be considered. improved. of land along bank top, with Investigate impact on flooding. financial implications. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved riparian Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised Landowner consultation is improvement zone. In these locations determine best aquatic habitat. required because of potential loss approach (see above table on riparian Complies with Habitats Directive and Biodiversity of agricultural land along bank zone techniques). One suggestion is to 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of top, with financial implications. plant a variety of native riparian flora along Herefordshire and Lowlands NCA, such as bank top. biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation (see Section 3.3)

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WYE017 and WYE018 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Downstream of Monnington on Wye Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 5 Unfavourable recovering • Resectioned channel WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Short section of bankside embankment (recorded within GB109055037113 Morphology: Supports Good Halcrow’s 2012 dataset as set-back embankments) Start NGR: 341501, 241750 End NGR: 343257, 241474 • Evidence of poaching • Opportunity to improve riparian zone Restoration actions: These two reaches are recorded to be severely/ extensively modified through RHS as a result of resectioning.

The photograph New Weir Roman site – below illustrates the Scheduled Monument resultant straight and uniform planform.

Bank reprofiling would help to vary the high flow channel width and improve the transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013 The aerial photography illustrates a mixture of agricultural land use (arable and grassland) with patches of woodland.

Overall there is a good coverage of trees along reach WYE017, but Downstream view of the Lower Wye near Canon Bridge; uniform

riparian zone diversity/complexity could be improved along the right flow and simple riparian zone comprising grass and regularly bank of reach WYE018. spaced trees

For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel and Bank reprofiling: The length of Floodplain connectivity is improved. Transitional Landowner consultation is required floodplain resectioning and therefore extent of bank habitats between aquatic and terrestrial zones because of potential loss of land modification reprofiling needs to be considered. improved. along bank top, with financial Potentially increases the morphological diversity implications. Embankment modification: feasibility of bed and banks Potential increase of flooding of study to remove localised section, agricultural land and schedule including impact on flooding. monument. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved riparian Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised Landowner consultation is required improvement zone. In these locations determine best aquatic habitat. because of potential loss of approach (see above table on riparian Complies with Habitats Directive and agricultural land along bank top, zone techniques). One suggestion is to Biodiversity 2020. Benefits the ecosystem with financial implications. plant a variety of native riparian flora services of Herefordshire and Lowlands NCA, along bank top. such as biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation (see Section 3.3)

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WYE023 and WYE024 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Hereford to Hampton Bishop Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 4 Unfavourable recovering • Resectioned channel/ engineered bank profiles • Bank protection WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Croys GB109055037113 and Morphology: Supports Good • Poaching GB109055037112 • Bankside and set back embankments Start NGR: 350685, 239508 End NGR: 354514,238137 • Urbanisation of floodplain Restoration actions:

Resectioned channel /

engineered banks

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © There are multiple morphological modifications along Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may the Lower Wye through Hereford and continuing lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013 downstream to Hampton Bishop (reach WYE025, picture below). Because of the urban and flood defence constraints there is a limit to the restoration possible through these reaches.

Due to transport infrastructure, business and homes it is not feasible to remove bank protection. However, the diversity of riparian vegetation through reach

WYE025 could be improved.

The greatest opportunity to restore morphological diversity lies in WYE024, however feasibility and flood risk studies would need to be undertaken to ensure Upstream view of channel at Hererford, there would be no increase in flood risk through arable land use both sides of channel Hereford and Hampton Bishop.

Formal bankside flood embankment on left side of channel at Hampton Bishop

For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel Reprofile banks where possible, firstly Floodplain connectivity is improved. Transitional Cannot increase flood risk through modifications undertake feasibility study for the habitats between aquatic and terrestrial zones Hereford or Hampton Bishop. Need to length of bank reprofiling required. improved. maintain current level of flood protection Removal of bank protection and croys. Increases the morphological diversity of bed and and allow future flood risk improvements. banks Potentially historic rights on croys. Work with anglers to identify redundant croys. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised Landowner consultation is required improvement riparian zone. In these locations aquatic habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive because of potential loss of agricultural determine best approach (see above and Biodiversity 2020. Benefits the ecosystem land along bank top, with financial table on riparian zone techniques). services of Herefordshire and Lowlands NCA, implications. One suggestion is to plant a variety of such as biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality native riparian flora along bank top. and climate regulation (see Section 3.3)

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WYE025 – WYE027 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Downstream of Hampton Bishop Conserve Significant channel restoration Key issues: SSSI Unit 4 Unfavourable recovering • Croys • Reinforced bed/banks WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Resectioned channel/ engineered bank profiles GB109055037112 Morphology: Supports Good • Bank top embankments (recorded within Halcrow’s 2012 dataset as set-back embankments) Start NGR: 354514, 238137 End NGR: 356593, 234980 • Signs of poaching • Need for riparian improvement Restoration actions:

There are multiple

morphological

pressures through

these three reaches.

Bankside and set back

embankments are the

most extensive. These

disconnect the river

from its floodplain, Downstream view of embankments at

adjusting the Hampton Bishop (start of WYE025)

transitional habitats

between terrestrial and

aquatic zones.

Breaching or setting

back the embankments

have the potential to

recreate these habitats

and reduce flood risk

downstream.

Embankments along the River Lugg (WYE025)

Upstream extent of the Wye Valley AONB

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014 100026380, 2013

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel and Embankment modifications and potential Floodplain connectivity is improved. Transitional Landowner consultation is required floodplain creation of a flood storage area. habitats between aquatic and terrestrial zones because of potential increase of modifications Undertake flood risk study. improved. flooding of agricultural land, with Reprofile banks where possible. Increases the morphological diversity of bed and banks financial implications Undertake feasibility study. Benefits the ecosystem services of Herefordshire and Removal of bank protection and croys Lowlands NCA, such as flow regulation. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved riparian Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised aquatic Landowner consultation is required improvement zone. In these locations determine best habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive and because of potential loss of approach (see above table on riparian Biodiversity 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of agricultural land along bank top, zone techniques). One suggestion is to Herefordshire and Lowlands NCA, such as with financial implications. plant a variety of native riparian flora biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate along bank top. regulation (see Section 3.3).

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WYE028 and WYE029 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Near Fownhope Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 4 Unfavourable recovering • Croys • Reinforced bed/banks WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Resectioned channel/ engineered bank profiles GB109055037112 Morphology: Supports Good • Embankment perpendicular to river • Signs of poaching Start NGR: 356593, 234980 End NGR: 356978, 230653 • Potential diffuse pollution from runoff from tilled land • Need for riparian zone improvement Restoration actions: This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey There are multiple morphological pressures along reach material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on WYE028 and WYE029.Croys are the most frequent behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary modifications; nineteen croys and one fishing platform have Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised been mapped. reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013 The dominant function of the two reaches has been recorded as transfer of sediment, however the aerial imagery below reveals areas of deposition along the left hand side of the channel. The location of croys, on the inside of the meander bend, is likely to further encourage the deposition of sediment.

The photograph below (left) shows simple vegetation structure, comprising mainly grass. There is an opportunity to combine bank reprofiling with the creation of wetland, wet woodlands. The resectioning appears to have increased the depth of the channel .Reprofiling the inside bank of the meander bend would help to improve the connectivity of the river with its floodplain.

Upstream view of channel in location of croys near Kidley Hill (WYE027)

Downstream view of the Lower Wye near Kidley Hill (WYE027) For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel Reprofile banks, remove bank Increases the morphological diversity of bed and banks Landowner consultation is required modifications protection and croys where Benefits the ecosystem services of South Herefordshire because of potential loss of agricultural possible. Identify where hard bank and Over Severn NCA, such as biodiversity. land along bank top, with financial protection can be replace with implications. natural materials. Undertake Historic rights on croys. Work with feasibility study. anglers to identify redundant croys. Improve Localised areas require improved Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised aquatic Landowner consultation is required riparian zone riparian zone. In these locations habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive and Biodiversity because of potential loss of agricultural determine best approach (see 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of South land along bank top, with financial above table on riparian zone Herefordshire and Over Severn NCA, such as biodiversity, implications. techniques). flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation (see Section 3.3) and the Wye Valley AONB. Increase large Pin large woody debris to the river Creates a variety of channel habitats for fish and Navigational rights on the river for wood debris banks. invertebrates. recreation. Need to ensure woody debris Potentially place around croys to Creates flow diversity and potentially accumulation of and associated deposition doesn’t enhance feature. sediment, creating morphological diversity compromise these rights.

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WYE030 – WYE033 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Near Hoarwithy Assisted natural recovery Significant channel restoration Key issues: SSSI Unit 4 Unfavourable recovering • Croys • Reinforced bed/banks WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Resectioned channel/ engineered bank profiles GB109055037112 Morphology: Supports Good • Bankside embankment (recorded within Halcrow’s 2012 dataset as set-back embankments) Start NGR: 356978, 230653 End NGR: 361065, 230137 • Signs of poaching • Potential diffuse pollution from runoff from tilled land • Need for riparian zone improvement Restoration actions:

Suspension footbridge

is registered as a listed

building

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013

There are multiple morphological pressures recorded along these four reaches including resectioning. Reaches WYE030 and WYE031 have been awarded RHS HMC 4 primarily because of resectioning. Comparing this to the Halcrow 2012 study shows that embankments, engineered bank profiles and bank defences are present.

Additionally around the reach boundary WYE030 and WYE031 there is a large collection of croys (12) along the right bank. These are located on the outside of meander bend and deflect flow into the centre of the channel (as the photograph above illustrates). As discussed in Section 3, these provide flow diversity and varied habitat, however on the outside of the meander bend they potentially work against the natural processes, such as erosion. Therefore Croy (WYE030) deflecting flow into the centre of the removal of formal deflectors on the outside of meander channel bends is recommended to restore natural processes.

Croys

For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel and Reprofile banks, modify Increases the morphological diversity of bed and Landowner consultation is required floodplain embankments remove bank banks. Floodplain connectivity is improved. because of potential loss of agricultural modifications protection and croys where possible. Transitional habitats between aquatic and terrestrial land along bank top, with financial Identify where hard bank protection zones improved. implications. can be replace with natural materials. Benefits the ecosystem services of South Historic rights on croys. Work with Undertake feasibility study and flood Herefordshire and Over Severn NCA, such as anglers to identify redundant croys. risk study. biodiversity and flow regulation. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised Landowner consultation is required improvement riparian zone. In these locations aquatic habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive and because of potential loss of agricultural determine best approach (see above Biodiversity 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of land along bank top, with financial table on riparian zone techniques). South Herefordshire and Over Severn NCA, such as implications. biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation (see Section 3.3) and the Wye Valley AONB.

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WYE040 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Upstream of Ross-on-Wye Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 4 Unfavourable recovering • Croys • Reinforced bed/ banks WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Set back embankment GB109055037112 Morphology: Supports Good • Signs of poaching • Need for riparian zone improvement Start NGR: 358774, 227177 End NGR: 358890, 225617 • Historic bridge piers Restoration actions:

Historic bridge piers introducing artificial material into the channel and causing deflection of flow – not recorded as a listed building or scheduled monument

Reach WYE040 has been assessed to require assisted natural recovery because of the presence of croys and reinforced banks. Although these structures are at discrete locations, they This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance nevertheless introduce artificial material into the channel, in a Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. reach that already has a variety of morphological features (point Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil bar and erosion). proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013

Fishing

platform

Bridge piers

Croys Opportunity for riparian zone

The aerial imagery improvement

reveals semi-improved

grassland on the right

bank of the channel,

which provides an

opportunity to improve

the terrestrial habitat

and the transitional Point bar

zone between

terrestrial and aquatic

habitat. For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel Remove croys and bank protection Reduces the amount of artificial bank and bed material, Landowner consultation required. modifications where possible. improving the morphology of the reach. Local importance of bridge piers, Remove bridge piers. Benefits the ecosystem services of South Herefordshire potential adverse impact on cultural and Over Severn NCA, such as biodiversity. landscape. Historic rights on croys. Work with anglers to identify redundant croys and location where artificial material can be removed from the channel. Riparian zone Localised areas require improved Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised aquatic Landowner consultation is required improvement riparian zone. In these locations habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive and Biodiversity because of potential loss of determine best approach (see 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of South agricultural land along bank top, with above table on riparian zone Herefordshire and Over Severn NCA (see Section 3.3) such financial implications. techniques). as biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation and the Wye Valley AONB.

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WYE044, WYE048, WYE050 – WYE052 Category: Riparian zone improvement Location: Near Kerne Bridge Assisted natural recovery Key issues: SSSI Unit 3 Unfavourable recovering • Croys WFD water body: Good Ecological Status • Reinforced bed/ banks GB109055037112 Morphology: Supports Good • Resectioned channel /engineered bank profiles GB109055037111 Poor Ecological Status • Bank side embankments (recorded within Halcrow’s 2012 Morphology: Supports Good dataset as set-back embankments) Start NGR: 358771, 224025 End NGR: 357275, 216265 • Signs of poaching • Need for riparian zone improvement Restoration actions:

Reach WYE044 is recorded to have resectioning, poaching (RHS), one fishing platform and bank protection (Halcrow, 2012). It is situated downstream of Ross-on-Wye. The aerial imagery shows extensive growth of macrophytes downstream of the road bridge, and bank protection along the right bank.

There are likely to be urban constraints limiting bank removal, but changing any hard bank protection to natural material around the fishing platform may be one way to restore the reach.

Overall reaches WYE044, WYE48, WYE050 – WYE052 have good tree cover. Apart from localised areas (WYE050).

The reaches are confined by the topography. Removal of embankments would potentially improve the transitional habitats between the aquatic and terrestrial zones, however it’s likely to have limited results. Opportunity to improve riparian zone

For aerial photographs contained within this report the images are the property of ©Getmapping and © Next Perspectives 2014 This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2013

Action Site specific details Site specific benefits Site specific constraints Channel and Reprofile banks, modify embankments Increases the morphological diversity of bed and banks. Landowner consultation is required floodplain remove bank protection and croys Floodplain connectivity is improved. Transitional habitats because of potential loss of agricultural modifications where possible. Identify where hard between aquatic and terrestrial zones improved. land and/ or increased flooding of land, bank protection can be replace with Benefits the ecosystem services of Forest of Dean and with financial implications. natural materials. Undertake feasibility Wye Valley NCA, such as biodiversity and flow Historic rights on croys. Work with study and flood risk study. regulation. anglers to identify redundant croys. Riparian Localised areas require improved Provides cover for mammals and a naturalised aquatic Landowner consultation is required zone riparian zone. In these locations habitat. Complies with Habitats Directive and because of potential loss of agricultural improvement determine best approach (see above Biodiversity 2020. Benefits the ecosystem services of land along bank top, with financial table on riparian zone techniques). Forest of Dean and Wye Valley NCA, such as implications. biodiversity, flow regulation, water quality and climate regulation (see Section 3.3) and the Wye Valley AONB.

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6 Implementing the plan

6.1 Working with landowners and land managers

To restore the Lower River Wye SSSIs and SAC to favourable condition the Environment Agency and Natural England recognise the need for effective and positive engagement with land owners and land managers in the Wye catchment.

Delivering the restoration plans will involve working in partnership with a range of individuals and organisations (see Section 6.5).

The restoration actions presented in the Management Report are required to achieve favourable condition in the SSSIs and SACs of the River Wye. Therefore this report informs future decision making by the Environment Agency, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales (Statutory Bodies). Implementation of the Management Report (comprising the restoration plans) will require effective and positive engagement with stakeholders.

The views and concerns of a cross section of stakeholders on the draft strategy will be sought through a consultation event. The consultation event will involve: individual land owners; land managers; farmers; representatives from local communities; relevant public bodies and delivery partners. To facilitate the involvement of land owners and other stakeholders the Statutory Bodies have taken steps to inform the community and other stakeholder groups of this project. This report and the accompanying Technical Report are pre-consultation documents and they will require updating to incorporate comments and suggestions made during the consultation process The comments and information generated through this will shape the final strategy and prioritisation of reaches for restoration. Future detailed discussions with land owners about specific river reaches will be an essential part of developing reach specific restoration projects in the coming years.

6.2 An opportunity

Floodplain land owners and managers are currently faced with a range of challenges including:

• Crop damage and/ or soil loss associated due to flood events (which are natural, but due to climatic change likely to increase in frequency and magnitude in the future) • Managing nutrient runoff in accordance with the catchment diffuse water pollution plan • Altering land use or maintaining land drainage in areas where the river is re-adjusting following the cessation of land drainage work • Limits on water availability for abstraction, especially during the summer (which is likely to increase in frequency and severity due to climatic change).

The Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Natural England Statutory Bodies recognise these pressures and want to work with farmers to help them deal with these issues whilst protecting the internationally important wildlife within the river.

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This Management Report offers a means by which farmers can be supported to meet the challenges of farming the floodplain. It is designed to be a strategic, high level guide and may assist in the uptake of agri-environmental schemes and provide an opportunity for farmers to seek financial assistance to adapt their practices. For example, financial support (through New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) in England and Glastir in Wales) may be given to farmers to change land management practices where land is subject to repeated flood impacts (crop damage or soil loss) and/ or land drainage issues. Similarly the restoration plans can be used as means of supporting farmers who wish to apply for grants or other funding streams, to fund adaptive floodplain land management e.g. woodland planting can be funded through grants schemes. Table 6.1 provides a summary of potential further work required to develop design to accurately cost and implement each option.

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Table 6.1 Summary of potential further work required to develop designs to accurately cost and implement each option Restoration Action Feasibility assessment Design measure requirements Improve riparian Determine the actual extent Produce a plan of zone (e.g. width or length) of the proposed improvements required improvements Determine whether it will be from which the necessary to undertake actual extent of planting or just allow the works can be natural colonisation and derived, enabling succession to occur a detailed cost to through appropriate be derived. management Evaluate the need for alternative land management arrangement Riparian Zone Management Management Zone Riparian (e.g. fencing, crossing points and livestock watering arrangements). Remove bank Consider factors such as Produce a protection (along such as: ecological specification for resectioned banks) constraints, ground the removal of the Reprofile conditions, access to the bank protection, resectioned banks site and potential means of including – where no natural disposing of spoil. The drawings recovery exists importance of these factors illustrating how Breach is likely to vary. the work should embankments be undertaken Remove croys/ Undertake flood risk and how the site allow to degrade analysis to ensure no should look on naturally adverse flood risk on urban completion. areas.

Croys: identify those that

Assisted natural recovery recovery natural Assisted do not have historical rights on them and ones that prevent natural processes from occurring. Look to potentially enhance ones which add diversity to an otherwise uniform reach. Reprofile extensive Determine the actual extent Produce a length of the river of realignment required, specification for which have been and whether small sections the reprofiling of historically along the longer stretch of bank with any resectioned. resectioning can achieve bank protection Breach or remove the same benefits as removal, including embankments reprofiling the whole drawings (larger earth section. illustrating how works) the work should Undertake flood risk be undertaken analysis to ensure no and how the site

Significant channel works works channel Significant adverse flood risk on urban should look on

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Restoration Action Feasibility assessment Design measure requirements areas. completion.

Consider factors such as Look to combine ecological constraints, reprofiling with archaeological features, removal of bank ground conditions, access protection and to the site and potential riparian zone means of disposing spoil. improvement, to Consider the landscape potentially create and cultural aspects of the wetlands, wet work, to maximise benefits. meadows or wet woodland. Similarly look to combine embankment modifications with riparian zone improvements

6.3 Prioritisation and cost

The Lower Wye is considered to have a relatively natural morphology, one that supports Good Ecological Status. Supporting this, a review of the existing data combined with spot check visits in January 2014 revealed that although there are a number of pressures on the river between Hay-on-Wye and the Severn Estuary, these are generally neither severe nor extensive. However, any restoration measures must not compromise the environmental constraints of flood risk management, landscape and visual value, navigation rights, historic structures, or other infrastructure etc. Like most catchments in Britain the riparian zone vegetation could be improved through tree planting and creation of a riparian scrub. Surface runoff containing fine sediment from tilled fields was rare, with buffer strips present in most fields. The extent and severity of livestock poaching too was limited, and the need to prevent stock access to the river is minor. Best land use practices should be encouraged, nevertheless, such as drinking water points away from the river’s edge where poaching exists. Measures to address these issues are also in place through the Diffuse Water Pollution Plan, catchment sensitive farming and agri-environment schemes.

Consequently the restoration measures are primarily localised (with the exception of embankment set back) and prioritisation of restoration is more straight forward than other catchments. It also reflects the primarily desk based nature of this report. The reaches are split up using a variety of parameters, such as fluvial process and land uses, as discussed earlier in this report. Consequently restoration measures apply to reaches rather than parts of reaches; this is particularly the case for riparian zone improvement. The length of resectioning is undetermined and could extend from tens of metres to hundreds of metres, surpassing reach boundaries. Bank protection and embankments also extend past reach boundaries and are not contained within one reach.

Four methods of reach restoration prioritisation have been devised and are detailed in Section 5.2. Methods are based either on RHS HMC or a combination of RHS

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HMC and restoration category identified for each reach. Two of the methods (3 and 4) also incorporate opportunities to restore reaches that are flanked by reaches upstream and downstream in the ‘conserve’ category. These approaches, particularly method 4, have the greatest potential help improve longitudinal habitat connectivity.

The cost of the various restoration measures identified for the Lower Wye is presented in Table 6.2.

Table. 6.2 Cost for restoration measures

Action Min Max Assumptions HLS cost (and Cost Cost Glastir cost) Work with £0 £0 This does not account N/A angling clubs, to for the cost of time spent cease liaising with angling maintenance of clubs croys Remove bank £75/m £138/m Cost based on length of N/A reinforcement reinforced bank Remove £2/m £138/m Cost based on length of N/A embankment embankment. Disposal costs of material not included Replace £250/m £550/m Based on experience of N/A artificially projects circa one straightened kilometre in length. channel with a Assumed rural area and more sinuous no major services channel to create diversions required fish spawning habitat Fill gaps in £7/m £7/m Assume 50% of channel Based on 12m riparian length (between both riparian width and vegetation by banks). £400/ hectare planting (£345/ hectare) (including establishing permanent grass margins) Improve riparian £7/m £7/m Assume 100% of Based on 12m corridor channel length (divided riparian width (including tree between both banks). £400/ hectare planting) (£379.80/ hectare) Fencing (both £2.50/m £13/m Assume 50% of reach N/A banks) (low (divided between left (Glastir allows for preference as a and right bank) streamside restoration fencing either in measure due to Entry level or

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Action Min Max Assumptions HLS cost (and Cost Cost Glastir cost) potential under Advanced landscape and e.g. post and rail visual and flood at £10.40 per risk constraints) metre) Field gate (£149 £298 £894 Assumes 2 as minimum N/A each) and 6 as maximum

6.4 Shaping the actions

The level of detail to which the potential restoration option, taking into account the whole river function and form are described in this report reflects a strategic focus. To accurately cost and implement the restoration actions, further work will be required to undertake feasibility studies and then develop outline and detailed designs for each of the restoration actions included in the plans. The degree of feasibility assessment and design work required will depend upon the details of each restoration action and the outcomes of further consultation. Both stages of this further work would need to be undertaken in co-operation with land owners who will play an important role in shaping the detail of future restoration work.

Co-operation and engagement will not end with the implementation of restoration measures. The Environment Agency and Natural England will continue to work proactively with land owners to ensure the long terms success and sustainability of the restoration measures. This will include monitoring the restored areas and where necessary, undertaking adaptive management. Management of the river and its surroundings is an ongoing and long term process, with an emphasis on maximising the habitat value of the river environment.

Examples of the types of management that might be necessary include:

• Managing woody debris within the channel in line with best practice and ensuring this does not compromise navigation along the Wye • Managing living trees through coppicing or pollarding to maintain healthy trees and managing the supply of woody debris or the degree of shading • Keeping fences in a good state of repair to exclude farm animals from poaching river banks • Rarely but occasionally removing blockages, caused by a localised build-up of debris (including wood or rubbish), from the river channel.

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6.5 Delivery mechanisms, guidance and sources of funding

Whole river restoration plans are based on multi-partner working, time horizons suited to the nature and scale of each site’s problems and solutions (typically over 20 to 30 years), a negotiated settlement to any disagreements, and a best endeavours approach to implementation. Funds need to be secured to maintain best endeavours over time, including rolling bids to obvious budgets such as Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) capital works, European Funds, and Environmental Stewardship, but also opportunistic bids to a range of other funding sources including European programmes. Similar work from organisations, including ‘third sector’ partners such as the Rivers Trusts, has a vital part to play.

Delivering the restoration vision will involve working in partnership with a range of individuals and organisations including, but not limited to:

• Association of Rivers Trust • Angling Associations • Water companies ( (Dwr Cymru) and Water) • National Farmers Union • Country Land and Business Association • Forestry Commission • The Wildlife Trusts. • Navigation Group • Wye Catchment Partnership

All stakeholder contributions that can help to deliver this plan will be welcomed.

6.5.1 Water Framework Directive Improvement Fund

In 2011 the Government in England announced a £110m fund to improve the health of over 880 lakes, streams and other water bodies, whilst also helping to boost local involvement in caring for blue spaces. £92 million will be provided over the next four years to remove non-native invasive weeds and animals, clear up pollution, and remove redundant dams, weirs, and other man-made structures so that wildlife can thrive in water catchments across England.

An additional £18 million was allocated during 2011 to provide help to farmers to install measures such as buffer strips and fences to protect watercourses and other actions to prevent agricultural pollution, under the Catchment Sensitive Farming programme. This fund is not currently available. Alternative funding streams will need to be identified to take forward WFD actions and mitigation measures for delivering the WFD objectives. Funding for WFD projects may be available under the NELMS scheme, see section 6.5.4.

6.5.2 European Funding

The Innovation and Environment Regions of Europe Sharing Solutions (Interreg) are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It includes monies for water management, including:

• Improving quality of water supply and treatment, including co-operation in the field of water management

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• Supporting integrated, sustainable and participatory approaches to management of inland and marine waters, including waterway infrastructure • Adapting to climate change effects related to water management.

The LIFE + programme is the EU’s funding mechanism for the environmental improvement initiatives. LIFE projects support a wide range of water-related issues, such as urban water management, industrial wastewater treatment, river basin monitoring and improving groundwater quality. LIFE has co-financed over 3000 projects across the EU, equating to approximately €2.2bn to the protection of the environment.

To date the LIFE programme has had four phases. The next funding period for the LIFE programme is 2014-2020 with a budget of €3.4 billion in current prices. The LIFE 2014-2020 Regulation holds focus on the Environment and Climate Action sub-programmes of the overall LIFE programme. There are three priority areas within the ‘Environment’ arm of the new programme: environmental and resource efficiency; nature and biodiversity; and environmental governance and information. Climate change adaptation, mitigation, governance and information are covered by the ‘Climate Action’ branch.

Thematic priorities have been identified within the LIFE sub-programmes, of which nature, water and biodiversity are identified as among the priorities. Best practice, innovation and demonstration projects, including dissemination/ information projects are also identified as being amongst the priority projects.

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) provides grants for the development of a fisheries sector that is sustainable, profitable, well managed and internationally competitive.

6.5.3 Environmental Stewardship Schemes

The Environmental Stewardship schemes have historically been an appropriate source of funding for this type of work, and were particularly appropriate to measures aimed at improving the riparian zone and giving the river more space by defining such land as buffer strips. Improvements to the riparian zone can also provide improved soil conservation, especially in arable areas.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform means that Environmental Stewardship schemes in England are changing and the current Rural Development Programme for England ended in December 2013. The new CAP proposal is for a New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS), see section 6.5.4.

6.5.4 New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS)

The NELMS is a new scheme for the next Rural Development Programme for 2014 – 2020 and is likely to be open from January 2015. The NELMS scheme is expected to replace the Environmental Stewardship scheme and the English Woodland Grant Scheme with a single new scheme. NELMS will be open for applications from farmers, foresters and other land managers. Payments are likely to be awarded through a multi-criteria analysis of potential policy objectives designed to assist the prioritisation of applications. Whilst the priorities are not currently formally agreed, the working assumptions for the NELMS priorities are likely to include:

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• Meeting Biodiversity 2020 ambitions and the requirements of the Habitats, Species and Birds Directives • Raising the priority of soil and water agendas, including the WFD • Delivery optimises the use of synergies with other priorities, such as woodland creation, soil improvements and air quality • Climate change resilience will be an over-arching objective.

Further information is available at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/nelms-evidence-synthesis-paper_tcm6- 36208.pdf http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/developments.aspx

6.5.5 Glastir

In Wales, Glastir has replaced the existing agri-environment schemes. It commenced in January 2013 and will remain valid for the next few years. It pays for the delivery of specific environmental goods and services aimed at:

• Combating climate change • Improving water management • Maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

It is designed to deliver measurable outcomes at both a farm and landscape level in a cost effective way and consists of the following five elements:

• Glastir Entry (previously called All-Wales Element (AWE)) - a whole farm land management scheme open to application from all farmers and land managers throughout Wales • Glastir Advanced (previously called Targeted Element (TE)) - a part farm scheme which runs alongside AWE. It is intended to deliver significant improvements to the environmental status of a range of habitats, species, soils and water. This may require changes to current agricultural practices. Financial support from the Welsh Government is targeted at locations where action will lead to the required result • Glastir Commons (previously called Common Land Element) - designed to provide support for the delivery of environmental benefits on common land • Agricultural Carbon Reduction and Efficiency Scheme (ACRES). A capital grant scheme available to farmers and land managers who hold an AWE contract. It is aimed at improving business and resource efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions of agricultural and horticultural holdings • Glastir Woodlands (previously called Woodland Element) - designed to support land managers who wish to create new woodland and/or manage existing woodlands (see Glastir Woodlands Creation Scheme below).

Glastir is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013. This is financed by the Welsh Government and the European Union.

6.5.6 Catchment Sensitive Farming

In England Catchment Sensitive Farming is a partnership between the Environment Agency and Natural England, funded by Defra and the EU Rural Development

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Programme. The initiative delivers practical solutions to reduce diffuse pollution from agricultural land to protect water bodies and habitats. (See also Section 6.5.4 NELMS)

6.5.7 Nutrient Management Plan

A Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) had been produced for the River Wye SAC. NMPs identify the main sources of nutrients in the catchment and set out the measures to manage the sources of nutrients to an appropriate level. In the case of the River Wye SAC, the NMP is specifically focused on phosphorous.

The recommended measures to reduce levels of phosphorous in the River Wye, include the establishment of riparian buffer strips, cultivate compacted tilled soils, establish artificial wetlands, fence off rivers and streams from livestock, loosen compacted soil layers in grassland fields and farm track management.

A new Farming Advice Service has been set up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which offers free expert advice. This service provides events including workshops, farm walks, drop-in clinics and newsletters. Whilst funding is not available, this free expert advice could be used to assist the shaping of sustainable restoration management plans that also deliver wider environmental benefits.

6.5.8 Forestry Commission English Woodland Grant Scheme

The planting of riparian woodland may be supported by the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) administered by the Forestry Commission. This stream of funding has been designed to develop the co-ordinated delivery of public benefits from England’s woodlands. Grants are available to improve the stewardship of existing woodland and to promote and enable the creation of new woodland. This scheme is likely to be merged into the NELMS scheme which will be launched with the new Rural Development Programme for 2014 – 2020.

6.5.9 Wye and Usk Foundation

The Wye and Usk Foundation have grants available to undertake work in the main stem Wye and its tributaries. Each year, the Wye and Usk Foundation receive grants to undertake invasive species control. This is a funding mechanism that could be accessed as part of a partnership approach to the restoration plans. Further information on the Wye and Usk Foundation is available at: http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/

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7 References

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Dyson (2008) Countryside Council for Wales Core Management Plan (including conservation objectives) for River Wye Special Area of Conservation.

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Mainstone, C. (2007) Rationale for the physical restoration of the SSSI river series in England. Natural England, Peterborough.

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Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005b) Ecosystems and Human Well-Being Synthesis. Available from: http://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.356.aspx.pdf [accessed on 31/03/14]

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Natural England (2009) River Wye at Willersley near Hereford – Comments on the Impacts of Fishing Platform Revetment. Report written by River Restoration Centre, prepared by Hammond, D. and Pepper, A. for Natural England.

Natural England (2011) Conservation objectives and definitions of favourable condition for designated features of interest – River Wye (Lower Wye)/Afon Gwy Isaf). Natural England, Worcester. Available at http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/fct/FCT_1006327_CD.pdf [accessed on 20.02.14]

Natural England (2012) Natural Character Area Profile: 105. Forest of Dean and Lower Wye. Available from: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/3526102?category=587130 [Accessed on 19/03/2014]

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Natural England (2014) Citation Sheet (SO55/4) Available from: http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006327.pdf [accessed on 20.02.14]

Old Maps (2010). Historic maps. Available from http://www.old- maps.co.uk/index.html [accessed on 20.02.14]

RRC Manual for River Restoration Techniques, available at http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_manual.php [accessed on 20.02.14]

SACC (Sustainable Access Campaign Cymru) (2014) The value to the Welsh economy of angling on inland fisheries in Wales. Available from: http://www.accesscymru.org/The%20value%20to%20the%20Welsh%20economy% 20of%20inland%20fisheries%20in%20Wales%202014-01-23.pdf [Accessed 19/03/2014]

Wheeldon, J., Mainstone, C. and Cathcart, R. (Natural England) (2010) Guidelines for the restoration of physical and geomorphological favourable condition on river SSSIs in England

Wheeldon J. (2014) Personal communication (as a comment in first draft of this report) WUF (Wye and Usk Foundation) (2014) Available from: http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/ [Accessed on 19/03/2014]

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Wye Valley AONB (2014a) Background History. Available from: http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/our-countryside/background-history/ [Accessed on 19/03/2014]

Wye Valley AONB (2014b) Industrial Heritage. Available from: http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/heritage/industrial-heritage [Accessed on 19/03/2014]

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Appendix A Raw data combined

The following table presents the key reasons for the changes in reach boundaries for the 67 reaches identified. A change in fluvial processes and morphological features, a change in land use and a change in topography are the main reasons for a change in reach. For example, there would be a change in reach at the point where there has been no signs of erosion and deposition (transfer of sediment) and where there was a length of river where point bars and eroding banks had formed. Another factor were morphological pressures, such as a collection of croys, which would be altering the flow patterns for a distance along the river.

The data was entered into an attribute table in ArcGIS and then extracted into the table below. A limited number of characters were set up in the field for reach boundary, so to enter all the necessary detail some words were abbreviated. These words are explained in the key below.

Key Acronym Definition LB Left bank RB Right bank BB Both banks IG Semi-improved grassland BL Broadleaf woodland TL Tilled land SU Suburban/ urban Irr meandering Irregular meandering W/ With E Erosion D Deposition Reg tree lining Regular tree lining Cont tree lining Continuous tree lining U/S Upstream RBS Riparian buffer strip Emb Embankment WWTW Waste Water Treatment Works FP Floodplain

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Potential Sediment Reach_ID Reason for change in reach boundary Function Process Supply* Spot check Start U/S extent of SSSI unit 7 WYE001 Straight, IG grassland BB, reg tree lining LB, Transfer Stable occasional tree lining RB Spot check 1 WYE002 Arable, good RBS Transfer Stable Spot check 1 WYE003 Zone of deposition, moderate riparian zone diversity Sink Narrowing Spot check 1 WYE004 Straight, arable land on BB, low riparian zone Transfer Stable diversity BB Spot check 1 WYE005 E&D, semi-cont tree lining BB, arable RB, IG on LB Exchange Laterally Highly localised (poaching) migrating from poaching on LB, TL on RB No WYE006 Straight, single tree lining BB, arable RB, IG LB Transfer Stable No WYE007 Low sinuosity, arable w/ single tree lining RB, Transfer Stable Potentially from Spot check 2 - Woodland & IG (poaching) LB poaching on LB, drove past - no TL on RB safe spot to pull in, no photographs WYE008 Irr meandering, E&D, Predom IG on BB, trees - Exchange Laterally Potentially from occasional RB, absent LB migrating poaching BB but Spot check 3, 4 limited and 5 WYE009 Straight, arable single tree line LB, IG occasional Transfer Stable Potentially from tree lining RB TL on LB, limited poaching on RB No WYE010 Irr meandering, E&D, sparse single tree lining BB, IG Exchange Laterally Potentially from on BB, some TL on LB migrating TL on LB and poaching BB Spot check 6 WYE011 Irr meandering, wooded and arable on alternative Transfer Stable banks No WYE012 Resectioned, sparse regular tree lining on BB, RP, Source Widening Erosion BB from IG and arable, erosion absence of trees/ poaching Spot check 7 WYE013 Meandering, greater tree cover BB, mid channel Exchange Laterally island migrating No WYE014 Resectioned, sparse regular tree lining, erosion, Source Widening Erosion BB from predom arable BB absence of trees/ poaching No WYE015 Meandering, riffles, macrophytes, greater tree cover, Transfer Stable arable/ woodland No WYE016 Low sinuosity, absent tree lining BB Transfer Stable No evidence from aerial imagery No WYE017 Meandering, continuous tree lining BB Transfer Stable No WYE018 Low sinuosity, sparse single tree lining Transfer Stable Spot check 8 WYE019 Meandering, continuous tree lining BB, sign of Source Laterally Natural erosion RB, bank protection migrating No WYE020 Straight between bends, sparse tree lining BB, sign Source Widening Potentially some of erosion LB poaching No WYE021 Semi continuous tree lining BB, varied width, Transfer Stable Potentially TL localised pockets of erosion runoff on RB u/s extent No WYE022 Straightened, semi continuous tree lining on RB, Transfer Stable sparse on LB, SU on RB No WYE023 Irreg meandering, urban confinements, pred semi Exchange Stable Potentially cont tree lining BB poaching RB No WYE024 Straight, arable BB, single tree line LB, semi contin Transfer Stable Narrower buffer RB, set back emb LB on LB for arable land Spot check 9 WYE025 E&D, IG & TL, semi continuous tree lining BB Exchange Laterally Potentially from migrating poaching, good RBS by arable land Spot check 10 WYE026 Low sinuosity, caravan park LB + RS bank, semi Transfer Stable cont tree lining, narrow rbs No WYE027 Meandering, TL&IG on BB, poaching on RB, Sparse Transfer Stable Poaching on RB tree lining on RB Spot check 11 WYE028 Irr meanders, TL & IG, areas of sparse tree lining, 16 Transfer Stable Localised croys, weir remnants poaching on RB, Spot check 11 & thin RBS on BB 12 WYE029 Low sinuosity, BL on LB, TL & IG on RB isolated Transfer Stable Runoff from TL trees, 4 croys, possibly resectioned LB and poaching Spot check 13 WYE030 Low sinuosity, occasional clumps of trees BB, TL&IG Transfer Stable Low Spot check 13 & 14 WYE031 Irr meander, 7 croys, E&D on RB, semi cont tree on Source Widening Potentially LB, occ clumps on RB poaching/ runoff Spot check 14 WYE032 Low sinuosity, sparse tree lining, arable & IG Transfer Stable No WYE033 Croys and deposition Sink Narrowing Outfall? No WYE034 Transfer, LB single tree lining, RB scattered tree Transfer Stable Spot check 15 - lining not visited WYE035 Erosion on LB, arable on RB, IG on RB, scattered Source Widening No

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Potential Sediment Reach_ID Reason for change in reach boundary Function Process Supply* Spot check tree lining WYE036 Woodland on RB, arable on LB, straight Transfer Stable New spot check 15 - included in photos for 16 WYE037 Mid channel island and bank protection on RB Sink Stable New spot check 15 - included in photos for 16 WYE038 Erosion on RB & sparse tree lining, regular tree Exchange Lateral lining on LB migration No WYE039 Transfer, stable, scattered tree lining RB, single LB Transfer Stable No WYE040 Croys, deposition, erosion and poaching Exchange Lateral migration Spot check 16 WYE041 Continuous tree lined and stable Transfer Stable WYE042 Absent tree lining LB, single tree lined RB, Sink Narrowing deposition LB WYE043 RP, IG, SU, single contin tree lining BB Transfer Stable WYE044 TL on LB, IG/ TL on RB, regular tree lining, D=mid Sink Lateral channel, point & WWTW migration WYE045 Predominantly TL, contin tree lining BB Transfer Stable WYE046 Semi contin tree lining on opp banks, D&E, TL, Exchange Lateral Potentially RP&IG migration poaching and TL Spot check 17 - runoff - no signs not visited WYE047 Cont tree lining, point & mid channel deposit, Sink Lateral predominantly arable migration WYE048 BL on RB, arable & sparse single tree lining on LB Transfer Stable Potentially from Spot check 18 - TL drove by, not available stopping place WYE049 Arable LB, IG on RB, sparse tree lining BB Transfer Stable increasing valley confinement WYE050 RP on RB, confined on LB - garden, road & BL, Transfer Stable valley side, croys WYE051 BL (RB), grassland &works (RB), contin tree lining, Transfer Stable valley sides BB, croy WYE052 Straightened, croys, bank protection (RB), grassland Transfer Stable Localised & single treeline BB poaching WYE053 Steep sided valley, woodland on adj sides, IG with Exchange Lateral Localised sparse tree on opp bank migration poaching on LB Spot check 19 WYE054 Wider floodplain, IG/ TL & reg tree line on BB, Transfer Stable Potentially discrete areas of SU on RB poaching on RB Spot check 20 WYE055 Steep wooded valley sides, SU + bank protection Transfer Stable BB, IG & single tree line LB New spot check WYE056 Steep wooded valley, two mid channel islands Transfer Stable WYE057 TL & single tree line on LB, IG and reg tree line on Transfer Stable RB WYE058 Steep wooded valley + A40 on RB, LB regular tree Transfer Stable line + TL/ RP WYE059 Straight (unnaturally), LB wooded, RB IG + sparse Source Lateral tree line, erosion + A40 migration WYE060 SU confined BB, LB continuous tree line, RB semi Transfer Stable continuous WYE061 IG +reg tree line on BB, meandering, major tributary Source Stable Trib is large - sediment source sediment supply Spot check 21 WYE062 Straight, IG BB, continuous tree line, croys 5LB & Transfer Stable 5RB, E+D WYE063 Steep wooded valleyside, ltd fp on 1 bank=IG sparse Exchange Laterally tree line, croys, E&D migrating Spot check 22 WYE064 Wider FP, IG & TL, regular tree line, croys, low Transfer Stable sinuosity Spot check 23 WYE065 Estuarine, wooded adjacent banks, IG on opp with Transfer Stable Spot check 24 sparse/ reg tree line (drive by) and 25 WYE066 Wider +varied width, mudflats, wooded & IG with Sink Stable sparse tree lining WYE067 Wider + varied width, confined by SU (Chepstow), IG Sink Stable sparse tree line *Observations from aerial photography

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