Saving eden: the next three years 1 2

The first thing to acknowledge is that we We expect these outcomes to become the don’t have all the answers yet. Key to basis for specialist working groups, with progressing this plan is the establishment each having a detailed strategy and action of a catchment coalition to agree a series of plan. We foresee that different organisations actions and responsibilities. We foresee that will bring different kinds of knowledge, this group of people and organisations will experience and skills to this process. These sit down around a table and agree a series specialist working groups would need to of very specific actions for making this move identify where they can add value through from a manifesto and series of aspirations collaboration, this should not be about to a technical plan over the next three years. doing by partnership for partnership’s sake… it’s all about adding value and making This document has two sections, the first The hard work starts here. bigger changes. sets out what the key outcomes are that we We have to find a way to change things in are aiming at achieving, these are followed the catchment. We have to find people and by some clear targets. The second sets out organisations that can make these changes the structural changes we think we need to real. And we have to do all of this in a achieve if we have any chance of delivering difficult economic climate in which time anything above and beyond what would and money are in short supply… So how have happened anyway. are we going to change anything?

section 1: section 2: the big outcomes A robust structure for change A water-friendly planning system 1 desk-based studies capture existing knowledge (2012) A resilient network of habitats 2 establish strategic WFD catchment coalition (2013) A dynamic and more natural river system 3 walkovers to ground-truth desk-based studies (2013) A river for people: accessible, fun and culturally vibrant 4 organisational peer review (2013-14) A water-friendly farming catchment 5 consult with 20/30 communities (2013-14) A knowledgeable and water-friendly end-user community 6 further develop evidence (2013-14) Joined-up thinking and investment at a catchment scale 7 fully costed, targeted and deliverable plan (2015) 8 last resort regulation 3 4

It is envisaged that there will be an additional 20,000 people living in the TARGETS Ensure that the Local catchment in the future so a key action Development Framework for is to shape the Local Development Carlisle and Eden is for water- Framework and planning system for the friendly communities e.g. Carlisle growth of Carlisle and Eden District. Key issues are about the capacity of existing Green City, Penrith Green Town. water infrastructure, how surface water is Promote awareness, showcase dealt with in a way that does not lead to unnecessary flooding, harmful effects on and evidence the multiple benefits the river environment and capacity problems water-friendly development can with wastewater and drinking water supply. bring to add credibility to this. 2013 and 2014 will see the Local Plan Provide guidance and training for Carlisle developed and completed to local authorities in water- – effectively setting the ground rules and aspirations for city growth. Carlisle friendly development control. City Council has developed a ‘Green Ensure future hydropower and Infrastructure Strategy’ to address these issues, but we wish to encourage them industrial schemes do not have One of the best ways to make sure and other stakeholders to make the growth a negative impact on the ecology that things don’t get worse is to of Carlisle an example of best practice in or morphology of our rivers. make sure that as new communities, sustainable development. Local authorities new businesses, new farms, or already have responsibilities for flood risk Improve engagement with the new houses are built they are assessments, consenting in-river works and tourism sector, particularly in the encouraged to be water-friendly works affecting watercourses on smaller Ullswater area, about sustainable water bodies – responsibilities that are not water-friendly growth. through the planning (development easy for local authorities. We think the next control) system. step is to support local authorities to make WHY SHOULD I CARE? If development good decisions through guidance, training is ill-judged you and your and specialist support. family may have to live with the The bottom line is that growth and consequences, either directly redevelopment will happen everywhere in (because you may live in a house the catchment but there is work to be done to influence development and work with that floods etc.) or indirectly planners to shape the rules, but perhaps (as you may be asked as a local more importantly to empower them to make taxpayer to pay for these issues good decisions. There is a need to river-proof to be sorted out in the future). development – not least for the tourism sector – and to respond appropriately to the emergence of hydropower schemes to prevent damage to the ecology and morphology of rivers. There is also work to be done on developing models for paying for the sustainable development of the wider urban and semi-urban areas through a range of mechanisms including developer contributions.

WHICH AUDIENCES? investors, Planners and politicians, Communities 5 6

The rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, lakes, bogs, mires and wetland network TARGETS Deliver Opportunity of the catchment are critical for a range Mapping to bring together of important species, including white- knowledge about the distribution clawed crayfish, salmon, eels, otters, and and quality of our habitat lampreys. But other ‘non-wet’ habitats such as woodlands and hedgerows are also networks and the opportunities crucial to the working of the ecosystem. The for improved resilience. The pilot Government’s Natural Environment White year has highlighted the vital Paper championed ecological networks that contribution that woodland can are better connected – this is critical to their make here. resilience to pressures like climate change, recovering from pollution, withstanding Produce a targeted and costed floods and droughts, and recovery from plan for improving, creating and disease. The diversity of habitats is also river and wetland habitats need to important as many species need a range of reconnecting freshwater-related be better connected. this is critical habitats throughout their lifecycle. However, habitats and building resilience to their resilience to pressures many habitat networks in Eden are not in throughout the landscape. such as climate change. optimal condition and affected by pressures such as overgrazing, invasive species and Ensure that future biodiversity unsympathetic maintenance. policies and agri-environment We believe there is a pressing need to look schemes include a stronger at the network of habitats in the catchment focus on freshwater habitats. to identify interventions that can strengthen it. The research and analysis should map the Better co-ordination of existing current habitat network, its scale, diversity and future investment through and quality, the gaps or weaknesses in partnership working. connectivity, and the areas where additional habitats can be created. It may be that Deliver the existing programme specific habitat assessments are required of habitat improvement in Eden. for areas with specific issues. A massive amount of work is already undertaken by Develop projects and secure key partners such as Natural England and funding to deliver the long-term Forestry Commission – the key for this plan habitat masterplan for a network is how we can co-ordinate the collective of resilient habitats in Eden. investment and effort to add value. The people of the catchment told us that Improved resilience and rivers allow them to see wildlife, and many connectivity of fish habitats wanted this to be protected and improved throughout the catchment. where possible. The strategy should shape the investment of all the key partner Improved resilience of stillwater organisations so that there is a joining-up habitats, with Ullswater as the of effort and focus. Given that many tens priority waterbody. of millions of pounds are invested in the catchment each year, we think that such WHY SHOULD I CARE? You told a strategy can add real value and make us you love wildlife by rivers, the catchment more robust and resilient and we want to ensure that it is to climate change and other challenges, as well as having a beneficial effect on the there in the future, and that it ecological status of the rivers. has the right habitats to cope with climate change and other risks. WHICH AUDIENCES? investors, farmers and land managers 7 8

This is more about the nature of the river and wetland environments of the catchment TARGETS Increase education and and how they work. One of the biggest and awareness about the importance ambitious challenges to securing good of dynamic natural river systems, ecological status is the historic modification in particular addressing the issue of waterways and rivers. These modifications have included straightening and dredging of maintenance and dredging. for land drainage or flood protection, weirs Develop a series of for mills and dams for water abstraction. The net effect of these changes can be re-naturalisation demonstration significant for wildlife, habitat and on the sites to evaluate and showcase speed at which floods reach population what is possible, cost effective, centres. There are some historic features acceptable to landowners, and the that no-one would seek to remove or reverse investment that may be available (e.g. Haweswater reservoir), but there are If the Eden and its tributaries are others that can be addressed to improve for leveraging these changes. to reach ‘good’ ecological status by the ecological status of our water bodies. Develop a phased targeted and 2027 (and, perhaps more importantly United Utilities is already committed costed plan for the long-term be the assets they should be for the to the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction re-naturalisation of rivers in communities of the Eden Valley) then Programme, which addresses some of these the Eden catchment. many of the pressures that need to be issues. We can also build on the excellent addressed are about creating a more work already undertaken, such as the Deliver a programme to remove River Eden Restoration Strategy, the River and ease fish passage throughout dynamic and natural river system. Caldew Habitats Project and the Barriers to Fish Migration Project. The key issue the catchment. is to identify what is possible, acceptable, Reduce the impact of abstraction affordable, and most beneficial. To achieve that we need more research and analysis of on the catchment. the water bodies. We think this should be Influence agri-environment an approach that looks at how the rivers of schemes to better support the catchment can become more natural and dynamic than they are now, and where river restoration. resources should be targeted to make WHY SHOULD I CARE? A lot of this possible. the other interventions in this The plan would also need to look at plan will be a waste of time potential investment, not least using the agri-environmental investment of Natural if the rivers are structurally England, Forestry Commission and the incapable of recovery because of rest of Defra Family. Some barriers and barriers and other modifications engineering works can be removed or preventing fish migration and a mitigated at relatively low cost, others natural river. require significant investment and extended timescales. The ecological recovery time of rivers can be considerable, so planning in the next three years is critical if this is to become a reality by 2027.

WHICH AUDIENCES? investors, farmers and land managers 9 10

The 850 square miles of the Eden catchment represent a vast network of TARGETS Deliver the Cherish Eden footpaths and ribbons of land and water Project – a five-year programme that people walk along, run along, walk their of community participation dogs through, play in, fish in, canoe through, including volunteer action, observe nature in, or simply places where people can pause and enjoy the beauty skills development, access and of the landscape and the natural world. recreation and cultural events. These things aren’t the subject of the EU’s WFD legislation, but they are what many Promote and develop access people care about and they are going to in the catchment. be important elements of this plan. Produce the Eden Fisheries Plan. We think that the Eden catchment can be improved over time to make it even more Maintain and develop accessible and even more enjoyable to the volunteering opportunities communities that live, work and play around to support healthy catchments. it. This has already started through projects like the £2.3m Heritage Lottery Fund Continue to deliver a targeted project Cherish Eden (in development). programme of family awareness/ This project will create a range of initiatives school events. for people to engage with their rivers throughout the catchment. Develop annual river events. Over the next year we will be mapping WHY SHOULD I CARE? This may and understanding recreation and make your quality of life better, cultural opportunities linked to the rivers before working on improving access and creating fun new activities for When we asked the people of Eden engagement. Without such a strategy there you and your family, and creating why they cared about their rivers is a risk of a multitude of different initiatives new cultural events that may a powerful theme was that the river that will confuse and fragment resources, change the way you see your whereas if approached strategically we landscape and its rivers. environment could be accessed and believe that we can make significant enjoyed in ways that made their changes by 2018. Where it is possible and lives richer. appropriate we would like to encourage even greater access to the water bodies in the catchment, we would like to encourage more responsible recreational and conservation volunteering opportunities throughout the catchment so the river can be enjoyed, experienced and cared for in innovative ways by future generations. And lastly we think that there is scope for a programme of cultural events and activities linked to our rivers that can emerge if we work closely with cultural and creative partners.

WHICH AUDIENCES? investors, communities, politicians and planners 11 12

We already know the kinds of actions that farms can undertake to become more water- TARGETS Develop A joined-up farm friendly – and many hundreds of farmers business and environmental advice in the catchment have made progressive programme – which will look changes in the past decade. But our for the opportunities for cost pilot year has identified the need for two initiatives that are currently lacking. The savings and efficiencies alongside first is a project that would take a catchment environmental improvements, approach to understanding the implications through long-term business of upland habitat management on the whole and investment planning. catchment’s future environment to lead us to better more sustainable solutions. The Develop a series of demonstration second is about targeting the farms where sites/projects to showcase intervention can do the most good through and evidence the business combined environmental and business advice. This might be on the most intensive benefits of water-friendly agri-businesses in the catchment – working farming on commercial farms with them on their business planning to so this has credibility. shape their infrastructure development by Our catchment is overwhelmingly helping them to access and secure grant-aid Better co-ordination of existing rural, dominated by productive to trigger water-friendly farming actions, but and future investment to develop farmland, and as such we have equally sometimes the most difference can packages of investment to support be made on smaller more marginal those farm businesses that want to develop a suite of solutions farm businesses. to bring about positive changes to undertake capital works, This isn’t about starting from scratch, which can deliver water-friendly to farm businesses and their some excellent initiatives already exist, but land management. better co-ordination can add value. We will farming benefits. need to build on the trust built up between Involve the farming community the farming community and organisations in the development of the like Eden Rivers Trust. This is more about widening the scope of existing initiatives evidence base. and plugging some gaps with new Help to educate future investment and support. FArmers through working with agricultural colleges, such as Newton Rigg. More effective and targeted regulation. WHY SHOULD I CARE? This is probably the largest contributor to failure at present. we need a constructive way to help local businesses make changes (if we start blaming people it doesn’t work).

WHICH AUDIENCES? Farmers and land managers, investors 13 14

Encouraging people to not drop litter, to reduce their water usage, maintain their TARGETS Develop a campaign septic tank system, or not introduce alien style to engage local people species into the catchment can only be with the catchment plan. achieved if we can reach out to communities and explain to them why these things are Form the Catchment Coalition to important and the difference they can make. bring together our key audiences. We think that there is a need to build on engage 20-30 local communities existing initiatives (like Cherish Eden and Green Eden), to develop a programme of with this catchment plan. education, awareness-raising and training Empower the local community across the catchment to spread these to take action. messages. We think the programme needs to reach out to our four key audiences: the Rural Sewage issues addressed catchment and end-user community; the in those catchments where it farmers and landowners; the organisations and businesses that invest the most has been highlighted as a reason money into the catchment; and the for failure. politicians and planners who will shape the future development of the catchment Influence the out-of-catchment and its communities. The education and water user community to awareness-raising programme will work conserve water and contribute at these four audience strands pushing to protection of the drinking Many of the outcomes that the plan out the key messages. seeks to achieve require a process water resource. of education and awareness-raising, We are increasingly aware that influencing consumption of water is relatively futile if Increased understanding, rather than capital investment. it does not reach the hundreds of thousands awareness and support among the of people outside the catchment across the four key audiences of this plan rest of the North West who consume a large about the importance of becoming percentage of the water abstracted from a water-friendly community. the catchment. The plan needs to reach out to the wider ‘end-user’ community, WHY SHOULD I CARE? Because people and encourage people two hours down save rivers, or destroy them… the M6 to change the way they use water for the good of a place they may not have we need to grow the constituency ever visited or thought about. That’s a big of people who care about our challenge. We believe that the process rivers, and who are willing to of developing the plan between now and act to save or improve them. 2015 will be critical to this process – and plans need to be developed for how proper engagement can be resourced.

WHICH AUDIENCES? investors, Communities 15 16

This isn’t a new idea to this plan. United Utilities and the Environment Agency TARGETS Communicate the have had a process in place to target that successes that past investment investment for many years, and there are has achieved. some significant achievements to show for that process. Over the past 20 years the Ensure that all the key investor negative impacts of the major communities organisations are signed up to have been markedly reduced because of support the plan’s development. investment in wastewater treatment works and other systems. Open dialogue with Defra Family But some of the pressures that remain on about the structure of future the catchment are still linked to the utility investment programmes in companies and their processes. We will the catchment to deliver the work with the utility companies and the objectives of this plan. Environment Agency to ensure that they are active and progressive participants ensure future investment from in the full plan, and to ensure that their united utilities is in line with investment is as holistic and beneficial as it can be. We do not propose a new process, this plan. but to support and assist with improving the Integrate the delivery of current process so that the utility companies work for the drinking water can be key partners in the wider plan. safeguard zones with the work If we are to address the negative But this is also about lots of other partner of this catchment plan. pressures on the catchment then a organisations – we all need to bring together our investment and our influence into a Ensure the catchment plan aligns critical strand of this will be about co-ordinated approach. Over the next three with timescales for delivery getting the investment in our water years, we need to actively engage Defra of the second Cycle River Basin and wastewater systems right. Family about how the structure of their future investment programmes will help to Management Plan. deliver the objectives of this plan. WHY SHOULD I CARE? Utility companies and defra family are the largest investors in the catchment, and they most likely deal with you on a day-to-day basis providing you with clean water, and treating your waste, flood protection, etc. If they are not behind this plan it will fail.

WHICH AUDIENCES? investors 17 18

establish a strategic 2 catchment coalition

A vast amount of money is spent in the that has come together on three occasions Eden catchment each year on a whole to direct this pilot plan, along with our range of activities by a whole range of Farmer Think Tank and the creation of the different partners, from Natural England independent Evidence & Impacts Forum. and United Utilities, Environment Agency However, in 2013 there will be a need for and Eden Rivers Trust, to farm businesses, the overarching organisational partnership highway authorities and countless other to be formalised and each partner to agree organisations, businesses and individuals. to some shared principles and to how they If the catchment plan is to succeed in can deliver this plan through their work. getting the 98 waterbodies into ‘Good’ It may be that this is best hosted and co- ecological condition, there needs to be a ordinated by an independent organisation; c omplete revolution in how different organisations it will almost certainly require management 1 desk-based studies work together. and secretariat capacity. There is massive potential for the existing We would suggest this overarching One of the most substantial tasks of This is the beginning (by no means the investment (yet alone the vast future partnership meet quarterly and be tasked the pilot year has been to establish the end) of a new process of being clear investment) in the catchment to bring about with strategic leadership on delivering the knowledge baseline for the water bodies about the pressures, reasons for failure, better and faster positive outcomes. This plan between 2013 and 2027. It would in the catchment. The mechanism for this status, challenges, evidence, activities and can be achieved by improving connections need to be accountable, transparent and has been the creation of the ‘desk-based solutions for each of the water bodies in between organisations and initiatives, have clear annual targets for delivery. studies’ (DBSs), which bring together in the catchment. It is not possible to do this knowledge exchange and sharing strategic It could play a key role in co-ordinating one document the knowledge of a range in a pilot year alone, or for the Environment objectives. We believe that there needs delivery, adding support for those involved of specialists within the Environment Agency to do without wider support. The to be a coalition of the most important and communicating strategic messages Agency. This is complemented by evidence existing DBSs were undertaken by the organisations in the catchment (‘important’ across stakeholder audiences. The from a range of existing databases (‘Easi Environment Agency with £20,000+ of in terms of influence, knowledge and partnership needs to transcend the ‘usual WFD’). The pilot year of the catchment officer time, and were not completed investment), which asks its members for a suspects’ of catchment management and plan resulted in 52 completed Environment until October in the pilot year. This has firm commitment to this plan as it evolves. should include farmers, residents, scientific Agency desk-based studies, and another meant that walkovers, peer reviews and and planning representatives. We believe We think all investment in the catchment 38 water bodies in ‘Good’ condition consultation on fully developed DBSs has that this partnership can result in more should be river-proofed by the partners to summarised, with eight ‘still waters’ not been possible in the pilot year. But strategic and joined-up investment by the ensure that opportunities are not missed still requiring this analysis. we have been able to start the process of spring of 2013, but reach fruition post the and to maximise the positive outcomes. peer review by beginning a discussion with fully costed and targeted plan in 2015. The process has started with a group Natural England colleagues about pressures provisionally called the ‘Catchment Brains’ linked to the Habitats Directive.

River Eden Catchment Coalition TARGET (Big Picture / Progress / Reporting / Accountability) The key organisations TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? committing to this plan Fine-tuning of DBSs This is the first step Environment Agency, by spring 2013. critical, and eight in a process of making Natural England and Cherish Investment WHY SHOULD I CARE? still-water DBSs are sure your money is Eden Rivers Trust. Eden Planners & Farming Group Community Politicians Think Tank Joined-up if you wondered if necessary. spent better – you Thinkers organisations actually told us that the speak to each other, organisations need to and wished they had, get their act together Evidence & Impacts Forum then this is for you. and co-ordinate their investment. Four Key Audiences – Working Groups 2013-15. WHICH AUDIENCES? Evidence & Impacts Forum ALL. 19 20

groun d-truthing of peer review desk-based 3 desk-based studies (DBSs) 4 studies (DBSs)

To become more accurate the DBSs need ground-truthed over the next three years). To become more widely owned, accurate will be longer, less readable and rather to be ground-truthed through a process of We would suggest that walkovers and and reflect other critical agendas the DBSs technical documents). walkovers so the paper-based research is community consultation go hand in hand need to be peer reviewed by a partnership Peer review can be undertaken in a tested with observation of the real world with the specialists who have walked of other organisations. Peer review sounds forum and would involve two to five days conditions and pressures. For example, the river. like jargon, but it really means that of work from representatives of the key a ‘walkover’ would consist of at least two representatives of all the key organisations This ground-truthing would take up to a organisations. The involvement of partners specialists: one a river specialist, the other sit around the table and make sure that year for two full-time employees – perhaps like the Forestry Commission, Natural a land management specialist. the final analysis takes account of the one from Eden Rivers Trust specialising in England, NFU and others would be critical. knowledge and opportunities that can This process is not currently resourced and ‘wet’ issues, and one from Defra Family, This may seem like a bureaucratic process come from the partners. will need to be included in the Environment with a clear demarcation from enforcement rather than delivery of real world changes, Agency’s business plan as a real cost of duties to sustain community trust with This will result in 98 documents that set but we believe it is the foundation of delivering WFD (through peer reviews we this process. out the evidence, challenges, actions, costs co-ordinated and targeted solutions to will prioritise which water bodies will be and partners for each of the water bodies – deliver WFD. This process would be open a crucial foundation stone for action. So, our to all organisations that have a legitimate future catchment plan will sit on top of, and and valuable perspective on the issues. summarise, the 98 individual DBSs (which

TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? 98 water bodies If the catchment plan Key investor/ 98 DBSs peer reviewed, This is the first step Key investor/ ground-truthed. is to be accurate and knowledge and consulted on by in a process of making knowledge reflect the realities organisations. early summer 2014. sure your money is organisations. it needs to be walked spent better. and seen by experts. Tarn Beck (River Irthing)

River Irthing (u/s Butter Burn)

Hazel Gill (River Irthing)

Butter Burn

River Irthing (u/s Crammel Linn Waterfall)

King Water Kirkcambeck Cam Beck

Gilsland

Walton

Lanercost

Scaleby Low Row

Laversdale Newtown River Irthing Brampton (d/s Crammel Linn Waterfall) Rockcliffe Solway Estuary Rockcliffe Beck Brunstock Beck Irthington Eden (River Eden) Harker (Cumb.Lower) Milton

Crosby-on-Eden Brunstock Hallbankgate Beaumont Cargo Burgh by Sands Houghton Quarry Beck Longburgh Monkhill Linstock Newby East Farlam Kirkandrews- on-Eden Eden Grinsdale River Eden Hayton (Cumb.Lower) Talkin (Lower)(lower) Warwick Bridge River Gelt Moorhouse Aglionby Thurstonfield Kirkbampton Warwick-on-Eden Powburgh Fenton Trout Beck

Beck (Cairn Beck) Castle Carlisle Carrock Little Orton Scotby Faugh Old Water Heads Nook

Great Orton Wetheral Great CasCastletle Carrock Corby Reservoir

Cummersdale Carleton Cumwhinton River Caldew Blackwell (dd/s/s CaldbeckCaldbeck) Cumwhitton Brisco Cairn Beck New Water

Durdar Cumrew

Dalston Cotehill Hornsby Pow Maughan Beck Pow Beck Wreay Newbiggin Buckabank Unthank Croglin Water (Upper)(upper)

River Petteril River Eden (d/s Blackrack Beck) Croglin (Lower)(lower) Gaitsgill

Low Hesket Armathwaite Ainstable Roe Beck (Lower) Raughton Head Stockdalewath Southwaite

21 High Hesket Briggle Beck (Croglin) 22 Welton Croglin Water Raven Beck (Lower) Renwick Ivegill consult with 20/30 communitiesBlackrack Beck f urther develop 5 on their local catchment plans Staffield 6 evidence base Sebergham

Kirkoswald Once the DBSs have been ground-truthed Eden River Trust’s HLF-funded Cherish Eden Glassonby BeckThere is a powerful need to review, impacts, and this requires ongoing research Unthank Calthwaite Caldbeck and peer reviewed, there is a critical stage project offers an opportunity to make this develop and improve the evidence base for and monitoring that includes end-users in Lazonby of them being shared with, and testedRiver Ive by, more than consultation and go a step further Gamblesby catchment-scale decision making. One of the process. Without clearer answers to the Whelpo Glassonby (Cald) Beck Hesket Newmarket the local communities. In many ways the Riverto identifyPetteril (d/s M6) community actions. When the the biggest problems we faced has been key questions then the whole approach will River Caldew people who live, work and play on and by consultation is finished in 2014 each of the Melmerby the lack of accessible and usable evidence. lack credibility. (Hesket Newmarket) Roe Beck (Upper) Fell Side the rivers are the real experts, and they may 20-30 river sections will have its own plan An independent evidence and impact forum Plumpton Great Salkeld But some key answers are still lacking – know more about the river than the technical that reflects the full array of specialistLittle Salkeldand for the Eden is addressing this challenge, Robberby Water particularly about more intensive agriculture. specialists. This marriageLamonby of technical and community views, and which will be the providing a mechanism for co-ordinating Gillcambon Beck Ellonby Skelton Hunsonby The scientific and research community community knowledge is the secret to a basis of the investment between 2014 and better evidence. The monitoring system Winskill Ousby need to be key partners in this process good plan, one that solves the issues and 2027. Each of the documents will be fully is far from perfect. Where the reasons for and should be supported to secure further addresses what people want from their river. costed and targeted and will enable us to Langwathby failure are unclear, or more evidence is

Catterlen investment if it is required. The evidence we River Caldew Johnby Briggle Beck Little create a robust plan for the whole Skirwith required for effective analysis, then this (Upper)The catchment breaks into 20-30 sectionsBlencow Laithes Crowdundle Beck have about what is affecting the Eden, and Mosedale catchment. There is a considerable amountEdenhall needs to take place. There is also a need to and we will consult with people onRiver what Petteril (u/s M6) to what extent, has evolved markedly as we Bowscale of work in this process – at least a day in evidence the most effective, proportionate they understand to be their local rivers. Newton Reigny have been working on this pilot plan. Some each of the 20-30 communities and quite Blencarnand best value for money solutions. This willMungrisdale involve taking the DBS andGreystoke maps questions can be answered, others will a lot more work to capture the findings and to the local community,Skitwath perhaps in the Penrith The walkover, peer review and community never lend themselves to simple analysis. Beck develop the DBSs afterwards, and then Culgaith Milburn Beck evening or at a weekend to the village hall Newbiggin consultationMilburn stages are designed to enhance Some water bodies fail for things like collating the different sectional plans into or community centre, and letting people River Eamont (Lower) our existing technical knowledge. What we ‘fish’ because of a complex interaction of River Eden Newbiggin a masterStainton plan for the river.Brougham This will be partly Motherby Yanwath Eamont have their say. This is a critical stage – Bridge know about the pressures affecting the water different pressures such as habitat changes, Penruddock achieved with the existing budgets of the Crowdundle Beck Dacre Beck (Lower) the catchment plan will not be owned, Temple Sowerby bodies changes as new technologies emerge, water quality, climate change and historic Hutton core organisations, partly byClifton redirecting understood and believed in unless it is Dacre Tirril new academic researchKnock takes place, and pollution, and no-one really knows how long investment, but will also require additional Swindale Beck near Dufton both technically robust (previous stage) Kirkbynew Thore questionsTrout Beck are asked and answered by they might take to fully recover. We have to investment of £25-50k. We believeMelkinthorpe that theRiver Lyvennet (Lower) but also reflects the views and knowledge the scientific community. There is a need learn to live with some ‘grey’ areas. But for Cliburn Trout Beck process will be most effective if it is led by Dufton of communities. EveryoneDacre Beck in the catchment Pooley Bridge identifiedLong Martonin the DBSs for further research, those questions that can be answered we (u/s Skitwath Beck) an Riverindependent Eamont body. (Upper) will be given the opportunity to get Askham testing, reclassification, or refinement of the need to provide better risk-based analysis Matterdale Brampton End involved and have their say, either at a Hackthorpe evidence base. TheTrout Beckkey stakeholder groups before 2015 to assist the Environment Great Strickland (Kirkby Thore) community consultation event, or by being want to see better evidenceTrout about Beck (Murton) their Agency with their decision making. Morland Crakenthorpe able to download the DBS and maps for Helton River Lowther River Leith Murton Dockray (Lower) Newby Appleby their section and providing feedback and King's Meaburn Aira Beck Hilton Beck Hilton comment online. Morland Beck Colby Ullswater Howtown Butterwick Little Strickland Sandwick Sleagill TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? Coupland Hoff Beck Swindale Beck (Brough) Bampton Grange Establish an inBurrellsdependent Evidence and We can better spend (Lower) River Eden Bampton River Lowther Glenridding Beck Reagill Goldrill Beck (below GrisedGrisedaleale Beck) Hoff (Kirkby Stephen (Swindale BecBeckk to HawesHaweswaterwater Beck) Impacts Forum – expGreaterts Ormside from across hundreds of millions to Eamont) Glenridding Rosgill Low Gill (Crooks Beck) Private, Public and ThirdLittle sectors. of pounds if we know Maulds Meaburn Ormside Patterdale Howe Grain Burnbanks Sandford Augill Beck River Lyvennet Warcop more than we do now Improve classification tools and monitoring North Shap Stainmore Red Tarn Haweswater Beck Crosby Ravensworth Drybeck – you said you would TARGETGrisedale Beck WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? network, and better use data to improve Brough Haweswater Reservoir Scale Beck Keld Swindale Beck change your behaviour between 20-30 Without your help we Communities and certainty in classification of ecologicalGreat (Great Musgrave) Musgrave Great Asby when you believed the communities Hartsop may get this wrong, key NGOs. status and reasons for failure by 2015.Little Musgrave Brough Sowerby South Stainmore Argill Beck Brothers Water River Lowther Hayeswater Helm Beck evidence, so we want consulted and thGoldrilleir Beck because what you Grisedale Tarn Swindale Beck Make thHoffe Beckevi (Upper)dence accessible to stakeholders to improve it. Kaber views captured in knowBlea a Waterbout your area (Lowther) and involve them better in deBlindv Beckeloping it. River Belah (Lower) the DBSs. is valuable to this Soulby Winton WHICH AUDIENCES? Build on the Eden Demonstration Test River Belah (Upper) process – you told us Little Asby Investors, farmers, Crosby Garrett Kirkby Catchment project to improve understanding Hartley that the experts don’t Stephen land managers and listen to local people, of ‘diffuse pressures’ from agricultWaitbyure and scientists. so we will. help identify sustainable on-farm solutions. Nateby

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Outhgill 23 24

Fully costed, targeted and Last resort 7 deliverable plan for 2015-2027 8 regulation

It would be nice if catchment planning was This might seem like a lot of hassle A key message from this pilot year for systems than they might otherwise have easy and you could do it in less than a year, and trouble, but the planning, evidence the plan has been that the overwhelming without our support. It’s a model that works. but it’s a complex business and to do it gathering, monitoring, and general soul majority of people care deeply about their But we also recognise that there will be a properly requires time. But, with the support searching happens in all the major rivers and, even if they do have a negative minority of businesses or individuals who of key partners, in approximately three years organisations, because they already spend impact, are keen to minimise it as soon as may choose to act irresponsibly and refuse we will have the most accurate, evidenced, many millions per year in addressing the they can. Many of the people who live, work all offers of support. The answer to this has effectively targeted and strategically joined issues. This plan will be different because or play in the catchment know that they to be robust and effective regulation – the up plan for any river in the UK. When we it will join everything up and provide straight have an impact but are compromised by the vast majority of the people we consulted, are finished we will have accurately captured answers to the critical questions that need realities of day to day life and the challenges and almost all the business people we what needs to happen throughout the to be answered. It will make clear whether of their businesses. For example, a young consulted, agreed on this. The solution catchment for it to reach its ‘Good’ or ‘High’ existing/planned investment is enough, family taking on a livestock farm may should be part carrot and part stick. We ecological status by 2027. At that point we or where additional investment is needed, inherit the outdated buildings, slurry store will offer everyone in the catchment all will be able to say with some confidence it will set out who is responsible for every and other infrastructure from the previous the support we can to help them and to what needs to be done on every water body action, and who will pay for them. And generation; there may be little, if any, spare lessen the cost and hassles that change to make this happen. This year has been above all it will have tight targets and capital to address all of the issues in the may bring. But we may ultimately have to about working out how we can do this, and milestones that will be publicly reported ideal manner, and the first priority will be use the power of the law to penalise those we’ve identified three phases for moving against, so that everyone involved can making a living and paying the bills. who won’t do the right thing. We think that from where we are now to the solutions be held accountable for their successes regulation can be more effective if we can So, most of our efforts for improving the being delivered. or failures. better target regulatory visits to risk areas or rivers are about helping people overcome risk businesses, and if we can help people these real life challenges with guidance, to comply through better guidance and support and, where possible, investment to support. The catchment coalition needs to help them create solutions that will be good include the regulators and they need to be for the bottom line and the rivers. Through ready with the stick when all other efforts to the plan we want to develop a whole suite phase 1 phase 2 phase 3 bring about change have failed. This is the of support mechanisms to incentivise good 2012–13 2013–15 2015–27 only fair approach to the majority who do practice and help people develop better Agree process Develop evidence/ Invest in targeted progress things. (and continue strategy/programmes strategic solutions current activities) (and continue current activities) TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? Where a polluter If you’ve made an Key organisations. acts irresponsibly effort to be water- and shows no interest friendly and someone TARGET WHY SHOULD I CARE? WHICH AUDIENCES? in progressive else is defiling the The fully targeted If this works all. solutions they should river it makes a and costed catchment your taxes will be be penalised promptly mockery of your, plan published for better spent, your through the law. and everyone else’s, the end of 2015. environment will be efforts. improved, and your children will inherit a healthier and more resilient landscape and river system. 225 26

There is no system yet for telling us We foresee that under each of the outcome whether any of the 98 water bodies, even themes there would be, by 2015 (if not those in ‘Good’ condition, are improving, long before, where possible) a rationale deteriorating or stable at their current status for targeting resources. The peer review level. This raises the potential that, rather and consultation process will make this than being able to focus away from the targeting less about what ‘experts’ decide Developing a system ‘Good’ water bodies, we may need to be behind closed doors (with the risk of it that people understand concerned about them as much as some not being understood or believed), and of those in less than ‘Good’ condition. more a reflection of the wider catchment Keeping ‘Good’ water bodies in a favourable community’s knowledge, experience The people of the catchment told us that The obvious starting point for targeting condition is as important as raising the and feedback. If we had decided how to they understand that resources have to be would be on those water bodies that are others to ‘Good’ status. prioritise without that full consultation targeted if the plan is to succeed. They in less than ‘Good’ condition – with the process we would simply have copied understand that this means different emphasis on addressing the key pressures. During the pilot year we encouraged previous failed planning processes. communities or businesses may be targeted But this is a classic example of why better the Environment Agency to start ranking differently because of where they are in evidence and analysis is required. We don’t the water bodies, within the classification the catchment. But there needs to be a quite know enough to target effectively yet. bands, as either ‘Improving’, ‘Stable’ clear rationale for targeting resources that The desk-based studies reveal that even the or ‘Deteriorating’. The implication being The peer review and consultation everyone can access and understand. technical experts are less than confident that those in ‘Good’ condition, which are process will make this targeting in the classification status and monitoring ‘Improving’, or ‘Stable’, will be a lower data for many water bodies. We also need priority. Through the peer review process we more a reflection of the wider to understand how to prioritise for other think this can become more sophisticated catchment community’s knowledge, issues like habitat creation. and reflect a range of other key agendas. experience and feedback. www.savetheeden.org