PROVISION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN

GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN FRAMEWORK

Final

March 2006

Client: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

Sub-Title: Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan: Generic Environmental Monitoring Plan Framework

Project No: CC147

Date of Issue: 21 March 2006

Status: Final

Version No: V1

Produced By Authorised For Release By

…………………………………………… …………………………………………………… Liz Baker Dr. Kieran Conlan Principal Environmental Scientist Director

Cascade Consulting (Environment and Planning) Ltd Directors: Dr Kieran Conlan, Dr Thomasine Rudd, Helena Conlan Registered Office: Enterprise House, Manchester Science Park Lloyd Street North, Manchester, M15 6SE

Tel: 0161 227 9777 Fax: 0161 227 1777 e mail: [email protected]

Registered in England and Wales No. 4176068. VAT No.: 703 4163 72

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan Final Generic EMP Framework

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN FRAMEWORK REPORT...... 1 1.2 REQUIREMENT FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN...... 2 1.3 APPROACH AND CONTENT OF THE GENERIC EMP FRAMEWORK REPORT ...... 3 2 BACKGROUND TO DCWW’S WATER RESOURCES AND DROUGHT PLANNING ...... 5 2.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 2.2 WATER RESOURCE STRATEGY...... 5 2.3 DROUGHT OPTIONS WITHIN WATER RESOURCE ZONES...... 5 2.4 WATER RESOURCE OPTIONS REQUIRING DROUGHT PERMISSIONS.....6 3 DATA SOURCES AND CONSULTATION ...... 10 3.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 10 3.2 CONSULTATION...... 10 3.3 DATA COLLECTION...... 11 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE DROUGHT PERMIT/DROUGHT ORDER SITES...... 14 4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 14 4.2 PROTECTED SITES...... 15 4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS ...... 16 4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN ...... 16 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MITIGATION...... 18 5.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 18 5.2 SITE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ...... 19 5.3 GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ...... 23 5.4 MITIGATION ...... 48 6 COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EA’S WATER COMPANY GUIDELINES ...... 51 7 REFERENCES ...... 56

Appendices

Appendix 1 Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005, Version 2.0, October 2005, Environment Agency

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List of Tables

Table 2.1 DO/DP Site Locations and Extent of Hydrological Influence

Table 2.2 DO/DP Schemes Grouped by Water Resource Type, Illustrating the Conditions of a DO/DP, the Water Resources Benefit and Primary Hydrological Impacts

Table 5.1 Generic Monitoring Recommendations

Table 6.1 Compliance of this Generic EMP Framework with the EA’s “Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005”

Cascade Consulting with APEM Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan Final Generic EMP Framework

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN FRAMEWORK REPORT

The overall objective of the project is to produce an environmental monitoring plan (EMP) in support of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s (DCWW) Final Drought Plan. This entails preparing EMPs for 34 drought order (DO) or drought permit (DP) sites that have been selected throughout North, South West and South East Wales.

The overall scope of work is intended to meet the requirements of Sections 8.1 (Monitoring ) and 8.2 ( Mitigation ) of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005) (see Appendix 1).

To date, a Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006) has been completed. The key objective of the Phase 1 Scoping Report was to provide an initial review and ranking of all 34 DO/DP sites within the DCWW region. Each site has been assessed based on three factors: likelihood of use, environmental sensitivity and flow and level effects of the DO/DP. These have each been defined as being of minor, moderate or major significance.

The methodology has used a staged approach to establish where each DO/DP site falls within the ranking.

• Step 1 is to consider ‘likelihood of use’. If there is a major likelihood of use, the sites are automatically classed as high priority. For minor likelihood of use, sites are classed as low priority.

• Step 2 is to rank the sites on environmental sensitivity (major to minor).

• Step 3 is to rank the sites on flow and level effects of the DO/DP.

By following this approach, a site with a major likelihood of use, minor environmental sensitivity, and minor flow and level effects is ranked higher than a site with moderate likelihood of use, major environmental sensitivity and moderate flow and level effects. This does not mean that the EMP for the latter will be any less detailed than that for the former. It is simply a way of prioritising which EMPs will need to be prepared first.

Within Phase 2, a separate EMP report will be completed for each of the 34 DO/DP sites. The final reports will be fundamentally the same, documenting the findings and outlining the EMP and mitigation for each site. The approach for preparing the EMPs for higher and lower ranked sites will also be similar. However, for the lower ranked sites, less intensive work will be undertaken to develop the monitoring

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strategies. Rather, lessons learnt in undertaking the monitoring strategies for the higher ranked sites, e.g. in terms of deriving the number of monitoring sites along a stretch of river, will inform recommendations for the preparation of the later EMPs.

Under Section 7.6 of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005), “details of completed, ongoing or planned studies for proposed drought permit or drought order sites should be included in a company’s drought plan. It is in the interest of a water company to provide the results of completed studies to the EA for comment. This early provision of information will enable the EA to make a preliminary assessment and advise whether any additional data would be required in support of a drought permit or drought order application. Drought permits and drought orders may take up to eight weeks from initiation to implementation and even actions wholly within the control of the water company will often take some time to implement. The early provision of information will assist the EA in processing a drought permit application or responding to a drought order application promptly and will help identify any potential issues in advance”.

Phase 2 of the overall project, to prepare the 34 site specific EMPs, is currently underway. It is anticipated that the EMPs will be published in stages in the next few months, culminating in completion of all of these reports before June 2007 when they will be published with the Final Drought Plan. In the meantime, such reports as have been completed will be published on Welsh Water’s web-site as they become available.

This Generic EMP Framework Report has, therefore, been prepared in support of DCWW’s Draft Drought Plan for submission to the National Assembly of Wales (NAW) for the required deadline of 31 st March 2006. It is intended that this report will demonstrate the extent to which DCWW has progressed with the detailed EMPs for its DO/DP sites, whilst also providing generic monitoring recommendations to be used in the preparation of the site specific EMPs.

In the event of a drought occurring in 2006 where there is a requirement for DCWW to make an application for a DO/DP prior to the preparation of a site specific EMP report, this Generic EMP Framework can be applied to provide guidance on the necessary monitoring required at a site during and following the implementation of the DO/DP.

1.2 REQUIREMENT FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN

The background to the requirement for DCWW to establish an EMP is described in Section 1.2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). Additional background to DCWW’s water resources and drought planning activities is provided in Section 2 of this Generic EMP Framework Report.

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To summarise, under section 39B of the Water Industry Act 1991 (WIA), as introduced by the Water Act 2003, the production of a Drought Plan by water companies is now obligatory. This requirement originated from the awareness that droughts of significant severity (such as those during the dry summers of 1975, 1976, 1984, 1989 and 1990) are likely to occur in the future. Such events require prior consideration by water companies of actions that will need to be taken to balance the demands of their customers and the integrity of the environment.

A Drought Plan describes how a water company’s activities of supplying adequate quantities of water will deviate from the norm in times of drought, with as little recourse as possible to a drought order/drought permit (DO/DP). In the Drought Plan, a water company must describe the measures they may need to take to restrain the demand for water within their catchment area and obtain extra water from other sources, and how they are to monitor the effects of a natural drought and those resulting from the application of a DO/DP.

DCWW has made a commitment to prepare EMPs for all DO/DP schemes which have been identified from its Drought Contingency Plan. This comprises the 34 sites discussed in this Generic EMP Framework Report.

1.3 APPROACH AND CONTENT OF THE GENERIC EMP FRAMEWORK REPORT

The overall scope of this Generic EMP Framework is to review and address the specific guidelines / requirements of Sections 8.1 ( Monitoring ) and 8.2 ( Mitigation ) (see Appendix 1) of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (2005) and determine the extent to which each has been met.

Whilst the requirements of Section 8.3 ( Environment-Habitats Regulations and Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act ) and Section 8.4 ( Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive ) of the guidelines (EA, 2005) are outside the scope of this project, the potential implications of the associated legislation in preparing the EMPs has been considered. For example, an understanding of the requirements of an “Appropriate Assessment” has informed the review of specific environmental features associated with Natura 2000 sites and consequent recommendations for monitoring.

Much of the work, for example, in terms of identifying the proposed 34 DO/DP sites and their associated hydrological and environmental characteristics, has already been undertaken and is described in the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

This report provides the information required to fulfil the generic requirements of the

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EMP guidelines, acting as an interim stage subject to finalisation of the detailed site specific EMPs.

Following sections of this report comprise:

Section 2 Background to DCWW’s Water Resources and Drought

Section 3 Data Sources and Consultation

Section 4 Description of the Drought Permit/Drought Order Sites

Section 5 Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation

Section 6 Compliance with the Requirements of the EA’s Water Company Guidelines

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2 BACKGROUND TO DCWW’S WATER RESOURCES AND DROUGHT PLANNING

2.1 INTRODUCTION

A water company can apply for a DO/DP when there has been an exceptional shortage of rain which results in a serious deficit in water supplies. DCWW is to prepare EMPs for all DO/DP schemes which have been identified from the Drought Contingency Plan. A total of 34 DO/DP schemes throughout Wales are considered.

DCWW’s water resources and drought planning includes the following issues, which are considered in more detail in Sections 2.2 to 2.4:

• Water resource strategy

• Drought options within water resource zones

• Water resource options requiring drought permissions.

2.2 WATER RESOURCE STRATEGY

Each water company in England & Wales has prepared Water Resource Plans (WRPs) to demonstrate how they propose to meet their identified supply and demand balance in the long term (25 year planning horizon). An agreed analysis method was used to define the deployable output (reliable yield) for each resource zone. The analysis required is for each resource zone to be modelled to show how it would have performed in the event of a recurrence of any of the historically recorded severe drought events (i.e. of 1975/76, 1984, 1989 and 1995). At the end of the modelled drought, the resource zone should still contain sufficient storage volume to maintain an emergency provision, broadly equivalent to 30 days worth of demand. This has enabled companies to quantify the frequency and magnitude of failure to meet unrestricted customer demand. For those zones where current or projected deficits were identified, DCWW has proposed a series of sustainable resource enhancements to overcome these.

Within their Drought Contingency Plan, DCWW has established the approaches it proposes to adopt when facing a severe drought, given the water resources and assets it currently has at its disposal (DCWW, 2003). In accordance with the requirements of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005), drought options have been established for each WRZ.

2.3 DROUGHT OPTIONS WITHIN WATER RESOURCE ZONES

The range of resource enhancement options available in each Water Resource Zone

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(WRZ) is dependent on the current water supply options and readily available alternatives. These may include:

i. Water efficiency measures and demand management measures, as specified in the Drought Contingency Plan, coupled with maximising the deployable output of operational water resources within their licence;

ii. Utilising the licensed contingency within operational water resources;

iii. Re-introducing water resources which remain authorised for licensed abstraction but have been removed from operation; and

iv. Application for a DO/DP to amend the licence conditions of existing resources and/or re-introduce non-operational resources.

Only those options which are classified in item (iv), requiring a DO/DP, are included in the EMP as part of DCWW’s Drought Plan. These are the only options which may impose an additional burden of the natural drought on the environment. These are described in more detail in Section 2.4 and in the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

For seven WRZs, none of the available options in the Drought Contingency Plan require a DO/DP. These WRZs, which are not considered further, are: Bala, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Dyffryn Conwy, North Ceredigion, Ross on Wye, South Meirionydd and Tywyn/Aberdyfi (see Figure 2.1, Section 2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006)). The Alwen Dee WRZ is covered in less detail in the Drought Plan as it is subject to special provision managed by the Environment Agency in conjunction with the Dee Consultative Committee.

2.4 WATER RESOURCE OPTIONS REQUIRING DROUGHT PERMISSIONS

A total of 34 schemes have been identified from the Drought Contingency Plan that may require a DO/DP. The extent of the study area for each DO/DP site is described in Table 2.1 below. Eight of the schemes are located in the North Region; six in the South West Region; and twenty in the South East Region. The schemes are also set out in Table 2.1 and Figure 2.2, Section 2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

The 34 DO/DP schemes can be grouped into eight basic types characterised by the water resource type and the conditions of the DO/DP (see Table 2.2 below).

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Table 2.1 DO/DP Site Locations and Extent of Hydrological Influence

Site Code Site Name Grid Reference Extent of Hydrological Influence North Region N1 Nant y Lladron near Llyn Bran SH96900-60800 Study area includes Llyn Bran, approximately 11 km of river network in the upper Afon Aled catchment, including Nant-y-Lladron, Nant- y-Fleiddiast and Afon Aled. The downstream limit is defined by the Bryn Aled intake. N2 Withdrawn N3 Afon Dwyfor below the SH55900-44000 Study area extends from Llyn Cwmystradllyn along Afon Henwy and Afon Dwyfor downstream to the tidal limit. Cwmystradllyn regulation discharge N4 Alaw Reservoir SH37430-85390 Study area extends from Llyn Alaw along approximately 7 km of Afon Alaw downstream to the tidal limit. N5 Cefni Reservoir SH44600-77200 Study area extends from Cefni Reservoir along the full length (approximately 5 km) of the Afon Cefni downstream to the tidal limit. N6 Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir SH69260-62410 Study area extends from Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir for approximately 1km of the Afon Llugwy downstream to the feeder culvert intake to Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir. A separate remaining flow constraint applies to the Afon Llugwy downstream of the feeder culvert, which would not be affected. N7 Aled Isaf Reservoir SH91700-59900 Study area extends from Aled Isaf Reservoir along approximately 12km of the Afon Aled downstream to the Afon Elwy confluence. N8 Bodlyn Reservoir SH64670-23760 Study area extends from Llyn Bodlyn along approximately 6km of the Afon Ysgethin downstream to the tidal limit. N9 Llyn Cwellyn Reservoir SH55220-55590 Study area includes Llyn Cwellyn and approximately 11km of the Afon Gwyrfai downstream to the tidal limit. South West Region SW1 River Tywi at Nantgaredig SN48700-20400 Study area includes the Afon Tywi catchment and particularly about 5 km from the Nantgaredig intake to the tidal limit. SW2 River Teifi at Llechryd SN22800-43500 Study area includes the Afon Teifi for approximately 4 km, from the Llechryd intake downstream to the tidal limit. SW3 River Western Cleddau at SM95340-16900 Study area includes the Western Cleddau for approximately 1km, from the Crow Hill intake downstream to the tidal limit. Crowhill SW4 Crai Reservoir SN88260-21900 Study area extends from Crai Reservoir along approximately 8km of the Afon Crai downstream to the River Usk confluence, and possibly extends into the River Usk downstream of the confluence. SW5 Ystradfellte Reservoir SN94600-17500 Study area extends from Ystradfellte Reservoir along approximately 3.5 km of Afon Dringarth and approximately 2 km of the Afon Mellte (continuation of the Afon Dringarth) to the downstream limit at the swallowholes at Porth-yr-Ogof. SW6 Preseli Reservoir SN06170-29180 Study area extends from Preseli Reservoir along approximately 3km of the Afon Syfynwy downstream to Llys-y-Fran Reservoir.

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Site Code Site Name Grid Reference Extent of Hydrological Influence South East Region SE1 River Teme at Leintwardine SO40430-73770 Study area includes the 3 Leintwardine boreholes adjacent to the River Teme. Study area extends approximately 5km upstream and boreholes downstream on the River Teme, and 5km upstream on the River Clun and River Redlake. Groundwater information required for a radius of 5km. SE2 River Teme at Whitbourne SO72800-57300 Study area includes the River Teme for approximately 15km downstream to the confluence with the River Severn. SE3 River Wye at Builth Wells SO04500-51500 Study area includes the River Wye for approximately 5km downstream of the Builth Wells intake. SE4 River Wye at Llyswen SO12400-39500 Study area includes the River Wye for approximately 7km downstream of Llyswen intake downstream to the Hay-on-Wye WwTW discharge. SE5 River Wye at Hereford SO51000-40000 Study area includes the River Wye for approximately 5km downstream from Broomy Hill intake. SE6 River Wye at Monmouth SO51670-13160 Study area includes the River Wye for approximately 9km downstream of the Mayhill intake to the tidal limit. SE7 River Dore adjacent to SO36710-35310 Study area includes Vowchurch boreholes adjacent to the River Dore. Study area extends approximately 5km upstream and 10km Vowchurch boreholes downstream on the River Dore; downstream limit is defined by the confluence with the River Monnow. Groundwater information required for a radius of 5km approx. SE8 River Lugg adjacent to Pilleth SO24900-67600 Study area includes groundwater abstraction at the Pilleth boreholes adjacent to the River Lugg. Study area extends approximately 5km boreholes upstream and up to approx 12km downstream, past the EA's flow gauge at Byton. Groundwater data required within 5km radius. SE9 River Usk at Prioress Mill SO36636-02342 Study area includes the River Usk for approximately 10km downstream from the Prioress Mill intake to the tidal limit. SE10 Withdrawn SE11 River Rhondda adjacent to SS93200-99200 Study area includes the Afon Rhondda Fawr for approximately 12km downstream from the Tynywaun intake. Treherbert SE12 Elan Reservoir SN92520-64500 Study area extends from Elan Valley Reservoirs, the entire length (approximately 5km) of the Afon Elan and the downstream River Wye to the tidal limit. SE13 Usk Reservoir SN83230-28840 Study area extends from Usk Reservoir along the entire length (approximately 80km) of the downstream River Usk to the tidal limit. The study area also includes the Trinant and Nant Henwaen stream capture systems for Usk Reservoir. SE14 Talybont Reservoir SO10500-20410 Study area extends from Talybont Reservoir along approximately 4km of the Nant Caerfanell downstream to the confluence with the River Usk and the River Usk (see SE13). SE15 Grwyne Reservoir SO23260-30710 Study area extends from Grwyne Reservoir along approximately 20km of the Grwyne Fawr to the confluence with the River Usk. SE16 Cwmtillery Reservoir SO22020-06980 Study area extends from Cwmtillery Reservoir along the Tillery Brook and the downst ream Ebbw Fach River for approximately 2km to the confluence with the Afon Ebwy. SE17 Carno Reservoir SO16460-12930 Study area extends from Carno Reservoir along approximately 23km of the Afon Ebwy downstream to the confluence with the Sirhowy River. SE18 Shon Sheffrey Reservoir SO12810-11540 Study area extends from Shon Sheffrey Reservoir along approximately 24km of the Sirhowy River to the confluence with the Afon Ebwy. SE19 Pontsticill Reservoir SO05960-11930 Study area extends from Pontsticill Reservoirs along approximately 6km of the Tal Fechan to the confluence with the River Taff and downstream along approximately 18km of the River Taff to the confluence with Afon Rhonda. SE20 Llwynon Reservoir SO01180-11410 Study area extends from Llwynon Reservoir along approximately 5km of the Afon Taff Fawr to the confluence with the River Taff and downstream along approximately 18km of the River Taff to the confluence with Afon Rhonda. SE21 Withdrawn SE22 River Arrow at Dunfield SO26950-58000 Study area includes the three Dunfield boreholes located on a tributary of the River Arrow, tributary of River Lugg. Study area extends boreholes the full length of the stream; 5km upstream on the River Arrow and approximately 20km downstream on the River Arrow to the confluence with the River Lugg. Groundwater information required for a radius of 5km approx.

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Table 2.2 DO/DP Schemes grouped by Water Resource Type, Illustrating the Conditions of a DO/DP, the Water Resource Benefit and Primary Hydrological Impacts

Water Resource benefit Drought Permission Primary Hydrological Water Resource type of Drought Permission DO/DP Schemes conditions enable Impact of DO/DP Scheme Scheme Conservation of reservoir Reduction in compensation Supported abstractions from storage during a drought and Reduction in river flow 1 flow component of river N7, SE12, SE13 supported river improvement of reservoir downstream from reservoir support winter refill. Provision of additional water Unsupported abstractions Reduction in river flow SW1, SE3, SE4, SE5, 2 Increase in river abstraction resource beyond licence from supported river downstream from river intake SE6, SE9 conditions. Provision of additional water Unsupported abstractions Reduction in river flow 3 Increase in river abstraction resource beyond licence SW2, SW3, SE2, SE11 from unsupported river downstream from river intake conditions. Conservation of reservoir SW4, SW5, SW6, N3, Impounded reservoir (with Reduction in compensation storage during a drought and Reduction in river flow N4, N5, N6, N8, SE14, 4 compensation releases only) release from reservoir to river improvement of reservoir downstream from reservoir SE16, SE17, SE18, SE19, winter refill. SE20 Provision of additional water Impounded reservoir (with Regulation releases from Increase in river flow 5 resource beyond licence SE15 compensation releases only) reservoir to river downstream from reservoir conditions. Provision of additional water Interaction between resource beyond licence groundwater and adjacent Groundwater abstraction Increase in groundwater conditions. watercourses are typically 6 SE1, SE7, SE8, SE22 adjacent to river abstraction complex but may result in reduction in downstream river flow Provision of additional water Drawdown of redundant Discharge permit/ Increase in river flow from 7 resource beyond licence N1 reservoir infrastructure discharge to river intake conditions. Provision of additional water Change in lake drawdown Lake with managed water 8 Increase in lake abstraction resource beyond licence regime and downstream river N9 level conditions. flow

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3 DATA SOURCES AND CONSULTATION

3.1 INTRODUCTION

In this section, the data collection and consultation process for the provision of the EMP are described, addressing Sections 8.1.7 and 8.1.8 of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005). The following sections describe how information has been obtained to inform the report, including:

• Consultation with the Environment Agency (EA), Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and other external organisations.

• Review of available data.

• Gap analysis of the available data and recommendations for gathering additional information.

3.2 CONSULTATION

Consultation with a variety of organisations has been undertaken to inform the Scoping Phase, as documented in Section 3.2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). The main objectives of the consultation process have been to:

• inform consultees about the objectives and general approach for undertaking the various stages of the project; and

• discuss catchment-wide issues and request relevant information relating to each DO/DP site.

To summarise, consultation for the Scoping Phase has comprised the following:

• Holding three regional hydrology meetings in July/August 2005 between DCWW and Cascade Consulting/APEM (one each for the N, SW and SE regions) to discuss water resource and hydrological issues associated with each site;

• Meeting with the EA in September 2005 and CCW in October 2005 to discuss project objectives and request information that each organisation held on each of the sites. CCW was specifically consulted about the availability of data and reports for DO/DP schemes that may affect SACs, SPAs, NNRs, SSSIs or Ramsar sites;

• Sending data requests to DCWW Capital and ECAR (environment conservation and recreation) managers;

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• Contacting other organisations such as Cadw in order to obtain information relating to the location of all scheduled ancient monuments in Wales, and the Sports Council for Wales;

• Issuing a copy of the draft Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2005) in December 2005 to the EA and CCW for their review and comment. Feedback was required on whether the report, which includes the catalogued data / information, documented all known available data identified to date. Comments were received from the EA and CCW and agreement has been reached that the Phase 1 Scoping Report represents a true and fair record of data availability which can be obtained and reviewed in more detail in Phase 2 of the project;

• Holding a consultation meeting in February 2006 with DCWW, EA, CCW, Cascade Consulting and APEM in order to discuss progress with the project and to discuss the proposals to prepare this Generic EMP Framework Report. At this meeting, confirmation was given by the EA and CCW that such a report was required and the general approach and contents were also agreed.

Consultation is on-going and will be undertaken throughout Phase 2 of this project. As described in Section 3.3 below, additional, more detailed requests have already been made to obtain site specific information from the EA, CCW, DCWW and other organisations. With respect to the latter, contact has been made with other consultees, including: Wildlife Trusts, local Biodiversity officers, National Parks, local ecologists, Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) officers, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) officers, Pond Conservation Trusts, Archaeological Trusts, the Highways Agency and angling clubs.

Further liaison with the EA and other consultees will be carried out to discuss the detailed EMPs to ensure that the monitoring proposed at each DO/DP site is adequate. This will also involve consulting with CCW in order to determine whether the proposed monitoring is adequate in order for them to assess the potential impacts where proposals fall within or adjacent to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), National Nature Reserves (NNRs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or RAMSAR sites.

3.3 DATA COLLECTION

Information about each of the 34 DO/DP sites has been gathered following consultation with various organisations as part of the Scoping Phase, as detailed in Section 3.2 above.

The EA was requested to document relevant long term ecological and environmental data records from their routine monitoring programmes. The spatial extent of the

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information request was defined by the extent of hydrological influence identified up and downstream of each DO/DP site (see Table 2.1).

Data requests from CCW resulted in the collection of relevant reports from the CCW library in Bangor. In addition, data were requested for routine CCW monitoring of Habitats Directive Annex I habitats and Annex II species.

The available information has been catalogued and assessed to identify the extent of existing environmental monitoring in the vicinity of each site. Cataloguing of available information was separated into the following categories:

• GIS / mapping

• Water resources

• Hydrodynamics (water flows and levels)

• Geomorphology

• Water quality

• Aquatic ecology (including phytoplankton, benthic diatoms, fisheries, invertebrates and macrophytes)

• Terrestrial ecology (including birds and mammals)

• Landscape and visual amenity

• Recreation

• Archaeology and cultural heritage.

Phase 2 of the project is underway which entails preparing the detailed EMPs for each DO/DP site. F0llowing the cataloguing of information for each DO/DP site during the Scoping Phase, the descriptions of available data and reports have been reviewed and additional, more detailed requests have been made to acquire copies of relevant information from the EA, CCW, DCWW and other organisations. With respect to the latter, gap analysis has been used to identify sites with a limited or lack of environmental monitoring / information and other organisations have been contacted to fill any apparent baseline information gaps. Consultation with specific organisations is described in Section 3.2 above.

Specific data requested from the EA included:

• River flow gauge stage / discharge data.

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• Spot gauge data.

• Groundwater data.

• Water level management plans.

• River Habitat Survey (RHS) data.

• GQA (General Quality Assessment) chemistry data. 1

• Diatom data from the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive (WFD) monitoring.

• Phytoplankton data.

• National Fisheries Monitoring Programme (NFMP) data.

• GQA biology data. 2

• Catchment Abstractions Management Strategy (CAMS) data.

• Ecological monitoring studies targeted at water resources issues (including Review of Consents site issue briefings for the Habitats Directive).

• Salmon Action Plans (SAP) and Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAP).

• Additional conservation orientated studies including Habitats Regulations assessment work.

1 The GQA scheme has been replaced under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), although the same data, quality criteria and statistical methods are being used. 2 Same as footnote 1.

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4 DESCRIPTION OF THE DROUGHT PERMIT/DROUGHT ORDER SITES

4.1 INTRODUCTION

A comprehensive review of each of the 34 DO/DP sites has already been undertaken and is presented in the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). The DO/DP sites are listed in Table 2.1 of this Generic EMP Framework Report. In the following sections, a description of the DO/DP sites is provided with reference to Sections 8.1.2 to 8.1.5 of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005).

The extent of the study area for each DO/DP site is described in Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). This has been derived by reviewing the hydrological characteristics and operation of each DO/DP scheme to determine the possible extent of influence. This possible extent of influence will be established in greater detail, where appropriate, in each EMP in Phase 2. In addition, the potential timing of the implementation of the DO/DP (i.e. in appropriate months or seasons of the year) has been reviewed based on scheme type and its associated water resource benefit. Each site description includes details of:

• study and catchment areas;

• water resource issues;

• hydrology of the DO/DP scheme;

• site usage and environmental information, including: routine environmental monitoring; water quality classifications (results from 2004); and the protected areas of conservation (and whether these are water dependant).

A map is also presented for each DO/DP site and its surrounding area showing features of interest, including the location of protected areas, routine EA sampling sites, flow gauging stations and scheduled ancient monuments.

Under Section 8.1.2 of the EA Guidelines, a water company’s EMP should include details of sites that could be affected by its proposed drought actions. These should include: potential drought order/drought permit sites; alternative sources sites; and temporary transfer locations.

These requirements are addressed on a site specific basis in Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

DCWW’s Drought Contingency Plan identifies the range of water resource

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enhancement options available in each WRZ. These are dependent on the current water supply options and readily available alternatives and are stated in both the Drought Contingency Plan and Section 2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). Prior to applying for a DO/DP, available water efficiency measures and demand management measures would already be implemented, together with maximising the deployable output and contingency of operational water resources within the licence.

The alternatives to each DO/DP scheme are therefore limited to reintroducing water resources which remain authorised for licensed abstraction (but have been removed from operation) and other DO/DP schemes. The range of these alternatives and their implementation order during a drought event are stated for each WRZ in Appendix 2 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

4.2 PROTECTED SITES

With reference to Section 8.1.3 of the EA Guidelines, a water company should highlight in its EMP:

• Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

• National Nature Reserves (NNRs)

• Ramsar sites.

Furthermore, with reference to Section 8.3.1 of the EA Guidelines, under the terms of The Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 (known as the Habitat Regulations) the water company is a competent authority and should have regard to the requirements of the Habitats Directive.

These requirements are addressed on a site specific basis in Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

The environmental sensitivity of each site has been identified according to the ecological and nature conservation interests of the area and, in particular, the proximity of the protected area designations. Each site has been assessed according to whether the extent of hydrological influence includes or is considered to influence a protected site. Designated sites outside the extent of hydrological influence are considered not to be influenced by the DO/DP scheme.

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4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

Section 8.1.4 of the EA Guidelines, which covers environmental baseline conditions, states that when designing its EMP a water company should consider the environmental factors that will need to be assessed at each site that could be affected by its proposed drought measures and also how it proposes to assess their baseline conditions. These factors could include:

• Ecology

• Physical habitat (including water quality)

• Amenity

• Recreation.

Details of known available data for each site are presented in Appendix 3 (tables presenting the Data Proformas) of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report provides a commentary on each site, describing key environmental features of interest.

Consideration of the environmental factors that will need to be assessed at each site that could be affected by the proposed drought measures and also how baseline conditions are to be assessed is described in Section 5. This discusses, for example, how the scoping of key environmental features such as SAC conservation interests will be undertaken, such that appropriate baseline monitoring is recommended to inform the overall assessment process. Scoping out other features of interest, such as birds, or recreational activities, for example, etc. will also be undertaken where appropriate. However, justification for the inclusion or exclusion of baseline monitoring will be provided on a site specific basis.

4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN

With regard to Section 8.1.5 of the EA Guidelines, the water company’s EMP should include details of:

• the perceived sensitivity of sites and the environmental features thought to be most at risk of damage from the company’s proposed drought measures.

These requirements are addressed on a site specific basis in Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

The environmental sensitivity of each site has been identified according to the ecological and nature conservation interests of the area and, in particular, the proximity of the protected area designations. Each site has been assessed according to whether the extent of hydrological influence includes or is considered to influence

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a protected site. Designated sites outside the extent of hydrological influence are considered not to be influenced by the DO/DP scheme.

In addition, as discussed in Section 4.3 above, scoping of features to be included within an EMP will also be undertaken on a site specific basis. This is described in more detail in Section 5.

With regard to Section 8.1.5 of the EA Guidelines, the water company’s EMP should also include details of:

• existing studies at potentially affected sites.

Details of known available data for each site are presented in Appendix 3 (tables presenting the Data Proformas) of the Phase 1 Scoping Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006). Section 4 of the Phase 1 Scoping Report provides a commentary on each site, describing key environmental features of interest. Further to gaining an understanding of data availability for each site, requests have been made to a variety of consultees, including CCW and the EA, to provide actual datasets, reports and information which will enable this requirement to be fulfilled.

Data collection and monitoring requirements detailed in Section 8.1.1 and the remaining issues under Section 8.1.5 of the EA Guidelines 2005 are addressed in Section 5 of this report.

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5 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MITIGATION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

In this section, the generic environmental monitoring recommendations and environmental mitigation have been described. These address the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005) Sections 8.1.1, 8.1.5, 8.1.6 and 8.2.1.

With regard to Section 8.1.1 of the EA Guidelines:

• The WIA states that water companies shall address in their drought plans how they ‘will monitor the effects of the drought and of the measures taken under the drought plan’. A water company should include details of how the impact of the drought, the impact of the company’s drought activities and a given site’s recovery will be assessed by its monitoring plan. Monitoring should focus on those features of greatest sensitivity or importance.

In Section 8.1.5 of the EA Guidelines, the water company is to include in its EMP a robust monitoring regime to enable the environmental impacts of a DO/DP to be identified and compared with a baseline reference. Specifically these relate to:

• The need for additional routine data or one-off studies to ascertain baseline conditions so that the likely impacts of potential drought actions can be assessed;

• Additional monitoring to be undertaken when a drought develops;

• Continued monitoring to assess when sites return to baseline conditions after a drought, the duration of which would be dependent on the nature of the site and the type of drought.

A generic monitoring regime has been established in Section 5.3, addressing in turn these three distinct periods. This also addresses the requirements of Section 8.1.1 of the EA Guidelines.

Guidance on the specification of the monitoring regime to be included in the EMP is provided in Section 8.1.6 of the EA Guidelines. It requires the following to be addressed:

• Adequate arrangements for monitoring.

• Assessment of the impacts of its potential drought actions.

• The scheduling of sites.

• Which parameters are to be monitored.

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• The method used for monitoring.

• The frequency of data collection.

• Where appropriate, whether additional data collection is required from established EA monitoring sites.

As the above points have yet to be reviewed in detail for all sites, monitoring recommendations described in Section 5.2 are generic. To enable all DO/DP schemes to be addressed by the generic monitoring regime, DO/DP schemes have been grouped by water resource type, as set out in Table 2.2.

Guidance on the specification of mitigation and compensation measures to be included in the EMP is provided in Section 8.2.1 of the EA’s Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005). The EMP should include details of:

• Any measures within the plan that may be necessary to mitigate or compensate for the serious impacts of any drought action in its plan on the environment or water users;

• Identifying sites that may require mitigation. In some cases mitigation actions may be necessary to prevent derogation of other abstractions;

• Identifying sites requiring mitigation during a drought and detail the actions required;

• Discuss the proposed mitigation or compensation measures with the Environment Agency and any other affected parties;

• Additional permits or approvals required to carry out such measures.

Details of these mitigation and compensation measures have been addressed in Section 5.4.

5.2 SITE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

5.2.1 Overview

This sub-section describes the methods that will be employed to define the site- specific monitoring for the detailed EMPs to be submitted before June 2007. It provides the framework for the detailed analysis of the 34 DO/DP sites. The Generic EMP, to fulfil the immediate requirements of the drought planning activities, is described in Section 5.3.

The site specific EMPs will review the existing baseline environmental monitoring data in the zone of influence of each DO/DP. The initial extent of the study area for each DO/DP site is described in Table 2.1. This has been derived by reviewing the

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hydrological characteristics and operation of each DO/DP scheme to determine the possible extent of influence. This possible extent of influence will be established in greater detail, where appropriate, in each EMP. In addition, the potential timing of the implementation of the DO/DP (i.e. in appropriate months or seasons of the year) has been reviewed based on the scheme type and its associated water resource benefit.

DCWW reservoirs included in a DO/DP are not included in the study area. Each reservoir has a system of operational controls which address reservoir levels from full (and spilling to the watercourse) and various stages of drawdown through critical levels such as a drought level (amongst other things a trigger to apply for a DO/DP) to a minimum water level. None of the DOs/DPs relate to changes to the minimum water level or use of any emergency storage in the reservoirs. Consequently, any effects to reservoir water levels or ecology during a drought are already covered by the licence and do not form part of the DO/DP which the EMP supports. The exception is DO/DP scheme N9 (a lake with a managed water level) and lake drawdown effects on ecology and landscape will be addressed for this scheme.

5.2.2 Environmental Criteria to be Monitored

The site specific EMPs will assess a range of environmental criteria to be monitored on a scheme-specific basis. These criteria have been further sub-divided to increase specificity (see list below).

The scoping of these environmental criteria in the site specific EMPs will be based on the findings from the Scoping Report which identified the presence of Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and Natura 2000 (SAC and SPA) Annex I habitats and Annex II species. These features are underlined in the list of criteria below. The existing and proposed monitoring would be assessed with a view to the Life in UK Rivers protocols and the existing EA monitoring protocols. They would be scoped out of the EMP if they were not reported to be present in the zone of influence of the DO/DP.

A number of environmental criteria identified with an asterisk (*) on the list below have been included within this Generic EMP Framework, however, when a site specific EMP is undertaken, consideration will be given as to whether these features could be scoped out of the monitoring plan. These include terrestrial ecology, landscape and visual amenity, recreation, and archaeology and cultural heritage. The reasons for scoping out these criteria could include: the far-ranging spatial extent of the feature (e.g. otters); tolerance to habitat changes (e.g. other mammals); and/or monitoring practicalities (e.g. recreation, etc). These criteria would need to be assessed on a scheme specific basis and would only be included in the EMP in circumstances where the impact of the DO/DP could be distinguished from the

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effects of the natural drought or indeed any other potentially influencing factors. A more detailed explanation of the scoping out of criteria, or alternatively, proposed monitoring for these criteria, is described in Table 5.1, Section 5.3.

The following criteria are addressed in Table 5.1:

• Hydrodynamics (water flows and levels)

Standing waterbody levels.

Standing waterbody releases.

River flows.

River cross section and wetted area.

River velocity profiles.

Groundwater levels.

DCWW groundwater abstractions.

• Geomorphology

River Habitat Survey/ channel, bed and bank morphology.

Fluvial audit to identify channel function and character.

Fine sediment deposition.

• Water Quality

Water quality.

Phytoplankton.

Benthic-diatoms.

• Aquatic Ecology.

Fish, including:

Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar.

Alis and Twaite Shad Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax.

Bullhead Cottus gobio.

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River, Brook and Sea Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, L. planeri and Petromyzon marinus.

Invertebrates, including:

Freshwater Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera.

White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius p. pallipes.

Macrophytes, including:

Floating Water Plantain Luronium natans.

Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation.

• Terrestrial Ecology.

Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana. *

Otter Lutra lutra.*

Water vole Arvicola terrestris *

Other mammals.*

Birds.*

Terrestrial & semi-aquatic habitat.*

• Landscape and Visual Amenity.

Aesthetic quality.*

• Recreation.

Water contact sports.*

Angling.*

• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage.

Features directly linked to surface water or groundwater.*

5.2.3 Approach to Monitoring Specification

The assessment of the impacts of the potential drought actions (DO/DP) on aquatic ecology will be determined using a combination of the following approaches:

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• The use of a statistically determined number of monitoring sites to detect a halving or doubling in population of various components of the biota, but initially based on the salmonid populations. This approach is known as a Class 3 level of precision according to Bohlin et al. (1990). This will allow a statistically determined direct comparison of the biota before and after the application of the DO/DP. This statistical approach is the basis for the EA National Fisheries Monitoring Programme (NFMP).

• Control sites to compare impacted versus unimpacted sites will be selected in consultation with the Environment Agency and CCW. These monitoring sites will be used to assess the influence of flow effects on biota. They will be located in similar neighbouring catchments that are not influenced by the DO/DP scheme.

Thus, via a combination of control sites and a defined level of statistical precision, the impact of drought actions over and above the impact of a drought itself will be evaluated. This addresses Section 8.1.1 of the Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005, (EA, 2005).

The selection of environmental monitoring sites will be determined following the compilation of the site specific EMPs. Walkover surveys will be proposed to identify flow sensitive habitats that are at potentially high risk of being affected by the implementation of a DO/DP. Such areas would include riffle habitats, spawning areas and peripheral ‘silty’ habitats preferred by some Annex II species.

In accordance with the Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005, (EA, 2005) the EMPs need to specify the parameters and methods of monitoring as well as the frequency of data collection. The site specific EMPs will assess the available data from the existing monitoring sites and recommend whether additional routine or one off studies are required. The long term nature of the established routine monitoring sites will provide valuable baseline conditions. Where possible, arrangements will be made to incorporate routine EA monitoring sites close to a given EMP site.

5.3 GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

5.3.1 Overview

The site specific EMPs have not been completed for all DO/DP sites, therefore, generic monitoring recommendations for the DO/DP schemes are presented in Table 5.1. Each environmental criteria and sub-division has been separately assessed for baseline monitoring, monitoring during implementation and monitoring post implementation of a DO/DP. The recommended monitoring has been identified according to the type of DO/DP scheme (detailed in Table 2.2) or the presence / absence of a Habitats Directive Annex II species. The generic monitoring has been proposed in terms of the parameters, monitoring methodology and frequency of

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survey. In addition, the potential timing of the implementation of the DO/DP (i.e. in appropriate months or seasons of the year) has been reviewed based on the scheme type and its associated water resource benefit.

5.3.2 Baseline Monitoring

Gap analysis will be carried out on the existing data for site specific EMPs and an assessment will be made whether it is considered sufficient to evaluate the baseline monitoring conditions. It is important to note that the baseline monitoring is required to identify impacts of the drought actions over and above the effects of natural drought conditions. If the existing monitoring is not regarded sufficient to allow the assessment of the likely impacts of potential drought actions, additional routine or one-off monitoring would be recommended.

This would be carried out in liaison with the EA. Consideration would be given as to whether it would be appropriate for the EA to carry our additional monitoring on behalf of the company. This addresses Section 8.1.6 of the EA Guidelines (EA, 2005)

The baseline monitoring programme would be specifically tailored to the DO/DP site and would address the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and Natura 2000 (SAC and SPA) Annex I habitats and Annex II species that are present. A detailed explanation of the monitoring criteria and reasons for these being scoped in or out of the site specific EMP are detailed in Table 5.1. The monitoring methodologies will include those from the Life in UK Rivers protocols and the existing EA monitoring protocols. These will be modified as required for drought purposes (e.g. species level invertebrate analysis).

5.3.3 Monitoring During DO/DP implementation

An assessment will be made of whether additional monitoring would be required during a drought situation and the specifics of what the additional monitoring would entail. These are detailed in Table 5.1.

5.3.4 Monitoring Post DO/DP Implementation

Recommendations will be made in the site specific EMP for monitoring of the site following the drought to assess the return to baseline conditions (Table 5.1). The type of drought and nature of the site would determine the duration of the post-drought monitoring.

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Table 5.1 Generic EMP Monitoring Recommendations

Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Hydrodynamics (water flows and levels) Standing waterbody • Applicable to DO/DP types 1, 4, 5, 7, 8. • Continue the baseline monitoring of standing • Continue the baseline monitoring programme. levels • Monitor standing waterbody surface level to waterbody surface level. supplement the long-term record. • Continue the baseline frequency of recording. Standing waterbody • Obtain and interrogate existing records and • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. (impounding maintain the present frequency of recording (daily reservoirs and or weekly depending on site). managed lakes) level • Monitoring method maintained as present. data provide complimentary data for review of spill frequency, duration and seasonality, in addition to standing waterbody release data. Standing waterbody Several types of releases may be permitted/ Several types of releases may be permitted/ • Continue the baseline monitoring programme. releases required under licence and these need to be required under licence and these need to be separately identifiable in a measured record: separately identifiable in a measured record: Standing waterbody Compensation releases: Compensation releases: (impounding • Applicable to DO/DP types 1, 4, 5, 8. • Continue the baseline monitoring of flow released reservoirs and • Monitor flow released to the downstream river to the downstream river system as compensation managed lakes) system as compensation water. water. release flow data • Obtain and interrogate existing records and • Continue the baseline frequency of recording. provide data for continue to monitor daily flow (or sub-daily where • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. review of the required to be recorded at that frequency). Regulation releases: influence of the • Monitoring method maintained as present. • Continue the baseline monitoring of flow released standing waterbody Regulation releases: to the downstream river system as river on the downstream • Applicable to DO/DP type 1. regulation water. river system. • Monitor flow released to the downstream river • Continue the baseline frequency of recording.. system as river regulation water. • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. • Obtain and interrogate existing records and • Reservoir spills: continue to monitor daily flow (or sub-daily where • Continue the baseline monitoring of flow required to be recorded at that frequency). reservoir spill to the downstream river system • Monitoring method maintained as present. from over-topping of the reservoir Reservoir spills: impoundment’s spillway. For DO/DP type 8 this • Applicable to DO/DP types 1, 4, 5, 8. is additional flow to the river system. • Monitor flow reservoir spill to the downstream • Continue the baseline frequency of recording.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation river system from over-topping of the reservoir • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. impoundment’s spillway. For DO/DP type 8 this • Other scheme-specific releases (fisheries releases, is additional flow to the river system. hydropower releases): • Obtain and interrogate existing records and • Continue the baseline monitoring of flow released continue to monitor daily flow (or sub-daily where to the downstream river system from other required to be recorded at that frequency). releases including Section 20 schemes. • Monitoring method maintained as present. • Continue the baseline frequency of recording. Other scheme-specific releases (fisheries releases, • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. hydropower releases): • May be applicable to DO/DP types 1, 4, 5, 8. • Obtain and interrogate existing records and continue to monitor flow released to the downstream river system from other releases including Section 20 schemes. • Maintain the present frequency of recording. • Monitoring method maintained as present. River flows The suitability of the baseline riv er monitoring will River flow monitoring duri ng implementation of a • Continue the baseline monitoring programme. depend on the type of watercourse impacted and DO/DP will depend on the type of watercourse • From assessment of data collected during River flow data assist the extent of hydrological monitoring in the impacted and the extent of baseline hydrological implementation of a DO/DP and comparison with the baseline catchment: monitoring in the catchment: baseline data, it may be possible to refine the understanding of the Stream capture systems feeding impounding Stream capture systems feeding impounding baseline spot gauging programme, including the river catchment, reservoirs: reservoirs: appropriate locations and the timing of establish the zone of • May be applicable to DO/DP types 1, 4. • Continue the baseline monitoring of flow released monitoring to improve the precision of influence of the • Monitor flow released to the downstream river to the downstream river system. Additional identification of impacts relating to a DO/DP. DO/DP scheme and system. monitoring may be specified from any baseline assist in the • Obtain and interrogate existing records and investigation of the relationship between differentiation of continue to monitor stage or discharge (where engineering structures and downstream flow. drought-related required for normal operation). • Continue the baseline frequency of recording. impacts and DO/DP • Monitoring method maintained as present. The • Monitoring method maintained as present. impacts on relationship between engineering structures and Gauged catchments: hydrodynamics and downstream flow may require investigation. • Continue the baseline monitoring of river stage hydro-ecology. Gauged catchments: (and calculation of discharge where appropriate) • May be applicable to all DO/DP types. at continuous flow gauging stations. Additional • Monitor river stage (and calculation of discharge flow gauging may be specified from the baseline where appropriate) at suitable continuous flow investigation of the significance of normal gauging stations. These may be located within, operation of flow control structures on river flows. upstream and downstream of the zone of To include tailored monitoring, where influence of the DO/DP scheme. Obtain and appropriate, for Habitats Directive Annex II interrogate existing local spot flow records to species, e.g. shad and lamprey. assess their relevance to describing typical river • Continue the baseline frequency of recording at

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation flows and river flows during episodes of drought continuous flow gauging stations. where available for key locations. • Continuous flow monitoring method maintained • Obtain and interrogate existing records and as present. Method for additional flow gauging on continue to monitor stage/ discharge (daily a catchment-specific basis dependent on records and sub-daily records where they relate to assessment of the baseline programme. known drought episodes). Ungauged catchments: • Continuous flow monitoring method maintained • Flow gauging programme during implementation as present. For key river reaches which are not of a DO/DP is catchment-specific and dependent gauged, additional catchment-specific flow on assessment of the baseline programme. To gauging may be required to develop the baseline, include tailored monitoring, where appropriate, especially the significance of normal operation of for Habitats Directive Annex II species, e.g. shad flow control structures on river flows. and lamprey. Ungauged catchments: • May be applicable to all DO/DP types. • Obtain and interrogate existing spot flow records to assess their relevance to describing typical river flows and river flows during episodes of drought. • Monitoring frequency dependent on current spot flow gauging and development of a supplementary catchment-specific spot flow gauging programme where appropriate. • Additional flow gauging may be required to develop the baseline, especially the significance of normal operation of flow control structures on river flows. Naturalised flow: • Applicable to all DO/DP types where the river is designated as a SAC. • Obtain and interrogate existing EA modelled data on naturalised flow for key river reaches, or await preparation of data. These data will be generated as part of the RAM methodology for EA Stage 4 review of SAC rivers. River cross section River cross section and river level data are typically • Where identified (catchment-specific) the • From assessment of data collected during and wetted area surveyed to address high flow episodes and baseline programme to survey river cross-section, implementation of a DO/DP and comparison with flooding. River cross section data are typically not wetted width, depth and area would be repeated baseline data, it may be appropriate to reduce (or Data on river cross- available to assess the impacts on wetted width, during implementation of a DO/DP, using the increase) the number of sites to be monitored section and the depth and area during low flows and drought. same methodology. The timing of survey would during implementation of a future DO/DP or wetted width, depth Available data will be identified, obtained and be informed by timely review of gauged flow data change their location. and area inform the interrogated, where appropriate supplemented by and reservoir release data (where relevant). availability of in- elements of the following monitoring programme: • Additional walk-over survey may be appropriate

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation channel and aquatic • Desk study to identify river reaches with potential to conf irm the key reaches during implementation margin habitat and for significant changes to wetted width, depth and of a DO/DP. form a key linkage area, based on relevant available hydrometric, between geomorphological and habitat data. This may be hydrodynamic supplemented by site visit (without survey). impacts of a DO/DP • Where appropriate, specification of a walk-over and the identification survey to identify key reaches and subsequent of ecological programme to survey river cross-section, wetted consequences. width, depth and area (including periods of seasonal low river flow). River velocity profiles It is not considered appropriate to routinely specify Scheme-specific and dependent on monitoring Scheme-specific and dependent on monitoring a baseline monitoring programme to address programme identified for the baseline. programmes identified for the baseline and during River velocity data changes in river velocity during a DO/DP associated implementation of a DO/DP. inform short and with a reduction in river flow (DO/DP types 1, 2, 3, medium term 4, 6, 8). changes in sediment River velocity profiling and flow may be appropriate deposition and for those schemes (DO/DP types 5, 7) which would morphological action be associated with a potentially significant increase from a DO/DP in river flow and will be addressed on a scheme- scheme. specific basis. Groundwater levels The need for baseline investigation of groundwater Scheme-specific and dependent on monitoring Scheme-specific and dependent on monitoring levels and interaction with either abstraction or programme identified for the baseline. programmes identified for the baseline and during Understanding of surface water levels will depend on the type of implementation of a DO/DP. groundwater flows scheme and the local riparian habitats: and levels informs Impacts on river baseflow from the abstraction of the interaction groundwater: between DO/DP • May be applicable to DO/DP type 6. schemes and both • Obtain and interrogate existing routine river baseflow and groundwater level monitoring data. Obtain and riparian habitats. interrogate relevant local groundwater surveys and modelling study output. Water-level dependent habitats hydraulically linked to the watercourse (e.g. wetlands, ponds) as identified in a statutory nature conservation designation: • May be applicable to all DO/DP types. • Appropriate baseline monitoring programme will be DO/DP scheme-specific and site-specific. DCWW groundwater • Applicable to DO/DP type 6. • Continue the baseline monitoring of groundwater • Continue the baseline monitoring programme. abstractions • Monitor groundwater abstraction rate to abstraction rate.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation supplement the long-term record. • Continue the baseline frequency of recording. Short (daily/weekly) • Obtain and interrogate existing records and • Monitoring method maintained as baseline. and medium maintain the present frequency of recording (daily (monthly/seasonal) or sub-daily depending on site). changes in • Monitoring method maintained as present. groundwater abstraction rates can develop the baseline understanding of local impact on baseflow when used in conjunction with river flows. Geomorphology River Habitat • Applicable to all DO/DP types. None recommended. No changes to EA RHS survey programme. Survey/ channel, bed, • Obtain and interrogate existing RHS data (and bank morphology specific bank-side condition surveys for Habitats Directive Annex II species, e.g. Otter and Ranunculion ) to assist in characterisation of the river catchment, including the extent of channel naturalness. Fluvial audit to • Applicable to all DO/DP types. None recommended. None recommended. identify channel • Identify and review available fluvial audits. function and character Fine sediment • May be applicable to DO/DP schemes where the Scheme-specific and dependent on monitoring From assessment of data collected during deposition river is designated as a SAC or with presence of programme identified for the baseline. Basket implementation of a DO/DP and comparison with specific Habitats Directive Annex II species (e.g. sampling considered most appropriate for fine baseline data, it may be appropriate to reduce (or Shad, Lamprey, Atlantic Salmon). sediment deposition during low flow and the increase) the number of sites to be monitored • Direct measurements of siltation of the river-bed timescales of a DO/DP. during implementation of a future DO/DP or of key habitats. Data may be available from field change their location. survey for Condition Assessments. • Appropriate methods are identified in the Life in UK Rivers protocol for monitoring siltation in rivers (Parts 1-3). These include bulk cores, freeze-coring and baskets/ traps. Locations to coincide with monitoring sites for key species. Monitoring frequency and method is dependent on each site and habitat type. Monitoring on a seasonal/ annual basis to be reviewed after the first year to inform future baseline monitoring.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Water Quality Water quality • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Parameters monitoring of water quality. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Take field measurements of the following physico- collection. chemical determinands: temperature, pH, • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. dissolved oxygen (concentration and saturation) and conductivity. • Collect samples for laboratory determination of alkalinity, hardness, chloride, chlorophyll a, suspended solids, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium, unionised ammonia, nitrate, total oxidised nitrogen (TON), orthophosphate, calcium and total phosphorus. Where appropriate, analysis will be carried out for a suite of heavy metals. Methodology • Spot sampling according to existing GQA monitoring protocols. • Analytical determination of parameters at a UKAS accredited laboratory. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on a monthly basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Phytoplankton • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Parameters monitoring of phytoplankton. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Chlorophyll a concentration. collection. • Phytoplankton community composition. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. Methodology

• Laboratory determination of chlorophyll a

concentration. • Phytoplankton should be identified to genus level, with important or dominant taxa recorded to species, and enumerated using a counting chamber.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Frequency

• Monitoring frequency is recommended on a monthly basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Benthic-diatoms • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Parameters monitoring of benthic diatoms. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Benthic diatom community composition. collection. Methodology • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • According to the DARES protocol (Kelly et al., 2005). • Undertaken 3 times a year (spring, summer and autumn), coinciding with macroinvertebrate surveys. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Aquatic Ecology Fish – including • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Atlantic Salmon Parameters monitoring of juvenile salmonids. programme. Salmo salar • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data salmonid species identification. collection. • density and age class (fry, parr, smolt etc.). • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • numbers and individual lengths. Methodology • According to the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Cowx and Fraser, 2003). • Electric fishing using a cluster approach composed of a combination of (quantitative) triple and (semi-quantitative) single shock sites. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Alis and Twaite Shad • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Alosa alosa and Parameters monitoring of Alis and Twaite Shad. programme. Alosa fallax • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Adult run size. collection. • Spawning distribution. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Juvenile density represented by catch per unit effort (CPUE). Methodology • Where known to occur, monitoring is to be conducted according to the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Hillman, et al., 2003). • Fish counters will be used to record the data and time of shad migration. • Egg surveys will be carried out at spawning sites using kick sampling and egg identification. The prevailing environmental conditions will determine the timing of sampling. • Juvenile netting surveys using seine netting in the upper estuary or lower river will be carried out on a monthly basis from late summer to early autumn (July to October) . Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Bullhead Cottus • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring gobio Parameters monitoring of Bullhead. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Bullhead densities. collection. • Length range. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Physical parameters relating to the site. Methodology • To be combined with juvenile salmonid electric fishing surveys. • Sampling to be carried out in mid- to late August at the earliest and preferably in September or October.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. River, Brook and Sea • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Lamprey Lampetra Parameters monitoring of River, Brook and Sea Lamprey. programme. fluviatilis, L. planeri • Continue the frequency as per baseline data • Lamprey species. and Petromyzon collection. • marinus Length range. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Densities. • Bankside vegetation description. • riparian land use. • general river flow conditions. Methodology • As detailed in the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Harvey and Cowx, 2003), surveying is required of both optimal and sub-optimal habitats. • Where possible, the locations should be combined with juvenile salmonid electric fishing surveys. • Quadrat based quantitative and semi-quantitative electric fishing. • To be undertaken in July at the earliest but preferably between August and October. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Invertebrates • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Parameters monitoring of Invertebrates. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Actual abundance will be recorded for all animals collection. in all samples. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Identification to species level where possible (with the exception of Oligochaeta , Sphaeriidae , Chironomidae , Simuliidae and other Diptera to genus level only). • A suite of environmental parameters will be

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation collected including wetted width, depth, substratum composition, macrophyte cover, riparian vegetation, shading, riparian land use, altitude, slope, distance from source and underlying geology. Methodology • Five replicate Surber sample units (5 x 0.1m 2) will be taken from shallow stony habitats using a standard Environment Agency (EA) sampling procedure for RIVPACS/LIFE analysis, detailed in the EA manual BT001. • A single 3-minute kick/sweep sample will be collected that will encompass all the instream habitat types. • Sampling to be conducted in spring (March to May), summer (July to September) and autumn (October to November). Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Freshwater Pearl • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Mussel Parameters monitoring of Freshwater Pearl Mussel. programme. Margaritifera • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data margaritifera Population density, age structure and recruitment. collection. • Attributes of the supporting habitat e.g. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. suspended solids concentrations, water quality, flow regime, phosphate and river morphology. • Key river features e.g. substrate, bankside vegetation, flow characteristics and algal cover. Methodology • Where known to occur, monitoring to be conducted according to the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Young et al., 2003). • 5 x 50m transect sampling programme. • During low flows in clear water, bright sunshine and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. • RHS survey.

34 Cascade Consulting with APEM Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan Final Generic EMP Framework

Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. White-clawed • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Crayfish Parameters monitoring of Crayfish. programme. Austropotamobius p. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data pallipes Environmental conditions at the time of the collection. survey. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Habitat details. • Abundance. • Distribution. Methodology • Where known to occur, monitoring to be conducted according to the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Peay, 2003). • One survey site in every 500m stretch. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Macrophytes • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Parameters monitoring of Macrophytes. programme. • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Survey the whole channel plant community collection. including bryophytes and filamentous algae • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. species. • Apply an extended species list to cover all channel species rather than just those used in the trophic ranking system. • Record the percentage cover (and take a photographic record) of filamentous and epiphytic algae/diatomaceous scum. Methodology • Surveys of 100m sections of river should be undertaken according to the MTR methodology (Holmes et al., 1999).

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation • Surveys in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Surveys should be carried out on a similar date to data collected in previous years. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Floating Water • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring Plantain Luronium Parameters monitoring of Floating Water Plantain. programme. natans • • Continue the frequency as per baseline data Numbers of individuals. collection. • Frequency of occurrence. • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Size of populations. • Population distribution. • Environmental conditions such as substrate integrity, water transparency and associated species composition. Methodology • Where known to occur, sampling will be conducted according to the Life in UK Rivers monitoring protocol (Willby et al., 2003). • Surveys to be conducted between late June and mid-September. • Monitoring of 100m sections of the river. • To be combined with macrophyte surveys. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Ranunculion • Applicable to all DO/DP types. • Continue the monitoring as per baseline • Continue as per the baseline monitoring fluitantis and Parameters monitoring of Ranunculion fluitantis and programme. Callitricho- Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation communities. • Batrachion Species determination of macrophytes. • Continue the frequency as per baseline data • vegetation Percentage cover estimates. collection. communities Methodology • Monitoring method maintained as per baseline. • Monitoring should be conducted between mid-

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation June and the end of August, with subsequent monitoring visits at the same time of year. • Where known to occur, monitoring is to be combined with macrophyte surveys. Frequency • Monitoring frequency is recommended on an annual basis. A review of data is recommended after the first year to inform baseline monitoring for a further 3 years. Terrestrial Ecology Desmoulin’s whorl Potentially applicable to all DO/DP types where If specific Desmoulin’s whorl snail monitoring is If specific Desmoulin’s whorl snail monitoring is snail there is the potential for changing water required then undertake annual survey as defined required then undertake annual survey as defined levels/wetted width in rivers/standing water or in the monitoring protocol. in the monitoring protocol. Every six years Population size & adjacent wetlands. undertake a quantitative assessment as defined in distribution the monitoring protocol. Monitoring Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo Habitat availability moulinsiana (Killeen & Moorkens, 2003), one of the Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers monitoring protocol series sets out the standard methods for monitoring population and habitat features allowing a judgement to be made whether the site/population is in favourable condition.

The monitoring protocol defines a staged approach to monitoring as follows:

• Initial survey to determine distribution of the population within the study area. This information is used to determine the number and location of permanent monitoring transects • Full quantitative survey counting all snails and classifying as adult or juvenile. Environmental variables (vegetation height, vegetation species composition and ground moisture levels) should also be recorded. The quantitative survey should be undertaken at the outset and every six years after. • Annual survey recording adult snails according to abundance classes and juvenile snails at present/absent.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Quantitative surveys should be undertaken between late September and end of October, whilst annual surveys should be undertaken in August.

The data can be used to undertake a condition assessment of the site against a series of defined targets. The population/site is then classed as follows:

• Favourable • Unfavourable (declining, maintained, recovering) • Partially destroyed (habitats) • Destroyed (habitats)

Information on river flow and groundwater levels can be used to link site status to management regimes.

Given the resource implications and the fact that snail habitat would be naturally affected by a natural drought, it is recommended that Desmoulin’s whorl snail monitoring should only be undertaken specifically for a DO/DP application under very exceptional circumstances and at sites of potential high risk. Monitoring must be able to differentiate between the effects of the DO/DP and the effects of the natural drought.

Information on river flows, groundwater levels and channel condition would be recorded as part of existing DO/DP monitoring covered elsewhere in the monitoring plan. If specific snail monitoring was required some of these parameters may need review (i.e. ensure groundwater dipwells are in the correct location). Otter Applicable to all DO/DP types, but with most Otter distribution Otter distribution concern for Types 1-4, 6 and 8 where reductions in Population size river flow may occur. Only in exceptional circumstances would Only in exceptional circumstances would monitoring of otter distribution in the study monitoring of otter distribution in the study Otter distribution Monitoring the Otter Lutra lutra (Chanin, 2003), area/catchment be undertaken as a specific element area/catchment be undertaken as a specific element

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation one of the Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers of the DO/DP application. However, each DO/DP of the DO/DP application. However, each DO/DP Habitat availability monitoring protocol series states monitoring application needs to be assessed on a case-by-case application needs to be assessed on a case-by-case populations of otter, which are large animals that basis and if otter monitoring is deemed necessary basis and if otter monitoring is deemed necessary can cover large distances, is difficult. In one day an then methods would use the monitoring protocols then methods would use the monitoring protocols otter may travel along several kilometres of a river, as set out in Chanin, 2003. as set out in Chanin, 2003. and its home range is likely to extend to tens of kilometres. Except very large catchments, a river Habitat condition Habitat condition may support one or two male otters and up to three females, which is not considered a viable, self- Monitoring of fish populations, water flow, water Monitoring of fish populations, water flow, water sustaining population unless otters also live in quality and channel condition would be undertaken quality and channel condition would be undertaken adjacent river systems. In addition, otters can as set out in the sections above. as set out in the sections above. tolerate a very wide range of habitat conditions.

It is therefore important to understand that monitoring otter populations is not a realistic aim for most SACs (Chanin, 2003) and therefore probably most other catchments.

However, the monitoring protocols do establish methods for:

• Monitoring the distribution through assessment of signs • Detecting changes in their habitat (food supply and water quality)

Otter distribution

It is necessary to understand the study area within the context of the whole catchment. This requires approximately 60 monitoring sites (usually a bridge and associated river banks). The surveys should be carried out in May-September. Baseline surveys should be carried out annually for five years and then at three-year intervals.

Comparison of positive and negative records can be undertaken, using statistical analyses where necessary. Significant changes need to be viewed against existing influencing factors (i.e. extreme weather conditions including natural drought).

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Given the high resource requirements and the wide range of factors that could naturally influence otter distribution it is recommended that otter distribution monitoring would only be implemented specifically for a DO/DP under very exceptional circumstances.

Habitat condition

The monitoring protocols identify that otter are tolerant of a wide range of habitat conditions and to establish whether their habitat is in favourable condition only two factors need to be considered: food supply and pollutants (Chanin, 2003).

Food supply can be measured directly by monitoring fish population, or indirectly by assessing channel ‘naturalne ss’, river flow and water quality. Targets have been identified for each aspect.

The above aspects are already encompassed within proposed existing baseline monitoring for DO/DP applications. These data could also be used to assist in wider otter catchment/SAC assessments being undertaken by the appropriate regulatory authority.

Water vole Applicable to all DO/DP types, as water vole habitat Water vole population size & distribution Water vole population size & distribution could be in either along rivers or within standing Population size & water bodies. Only in exceptional circumstances would Only in exceptional circumstances would distribution monitoring of water vole distribution in the study monitoring of water vole distribution in the study Population size and distribution area/catchment be undertaken as a specific element area/catchment be undertaken as a specific element Habitat availability of the DO/DP application. However, each DO/DP of the DO/DP application. However, each DO/DP It is necessary to understand the study area within application needs to be assessed on a case-by-case application needs to be assessed on a case-by-case the context of the whole catchment. The Water Vole basis and if water vole monitoring is deemed basis and if water vole monitoring is deemed Conservation Handbook (Strachan, 1998) sets out necessary then methods would use the monitoring necessary then methods would use the monitoring best practice for water vole survey and monitoring methods set out for baseline monitoring. methods set out for baseline monitoring. of population size and distribution. Habitat condition Habitat condition Water voles maintain their territories generally between late February and October, inclusive. Monitoring of water flow and water quality would Monitoring of water flow and water quality would

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation Surveys will comprise walking the catchment and be undertaken as set out in the sections above. be undertaken as set out in the sections above. recording field signs (droppings/latrines, burrow holes, feeding remains, and tracks/runways). The optimum time for surveys (particularly upland catchments) is April to September.

Estimating population size has been attempted using latrine counts for a given area using a mathematical formula. However, the imprecision of this method which can be affected by numerous external factors (i.e. prevailing weather conditions, timing of surveys, ease of access habitat and counting latrines, surveyor interpretation etc) means that results are probably insensitive to the detection of statistically significant changes (Capreolus consultancy, 2002).

However, long term monitoring by regular re- surveys can be undertaken to give early warning of potential threats. If undertaking monitoring it is preferable to undertake latrine counts in combination with an assessment of percentage site occupancy, which provides an index of population abundance and monitors changes in distribution (Capreolus consultancy, 2002).

However, given the high resource requirements and the wide range of factors that could naturally influence water vole distribution (i.e. mink, grazing damage, insensitive flood management etc) it is recommended that water vole monitoring would only be implemented specifically for a DO/DP under very exceptional circumstances.

Habitat condition

Water vole habitat condition can be measured by assessing channel condition (particularly vegetation type and structure), river flow and water quality.

Some of the above aspects which are likely to be affected by a DO/DP (i.e., water flow and quality)

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation are already encompassed within proposed existing baseline monitoring for DO/DP applications. These data could be used to assist in wider catchment assessments being undertaken by the appropriate regulatory authority.

Other mammals Other mammals are not water-habitat dependent None recommended None recommended and will therefore not be directly affected by either the drought or the conditions associated with the DO/DP. Mammals will of course need intermittent access to water for bathing/drinking purposes, and it is possible that some DO/DP sites may satisfy this requirement.

However, the intermittent access to water will be monitored through the measurement of water quantity and quality. These aspects are already encompassed in the proposed existing baseline monitoring for DO/DP applications as set out above. Birds Potentially applicable to all DO/DP types where No additional monitoring recommended for the No additional monitoring recommended for the there is the potential for changing water majority of DO/DP sites. majority of DO/DP sites. Over-wintering levels/wetted width in rivers/standing water or adjacent wetlands. Bespoke wetland surveys only in exceptional Bespoke wetland surveys only in exceptional Breeding circumstances. circumstances. Standard bird census techniques exist to allow Riverine assessment of bird species diversity, relative density and distribution across a given study area. These include:

• Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which can be modified to be used in the breeding season as well as for over-wintering birds • Common Bird Census (CBC), which can be modified for cover habitats including river corridors

Both systems use a double belt transect approach which allows large sample sizes to be achieved, and relative density and abundance index to be

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation calculated.

However, there are many factors that could affect bird population dynamics ranging from the large scale (including overseas influences) to the small scale (macro-habitat changes). Given this wide range of influencing factors it is recommended that bird monitoring be excluded from any future DO/DP monitoring.

However, it is recognised that many riverine and wetland birds depend on the water environment and water margin areas, particularly for nesting and feeding. The condition and availability of water habitat and sources of food will be monitored through the following monitoring:

• Fish population • Aquatic macrophyte • Aquatic invertebrate • Water level and wetted width • Water flow • Water quality

All these elements are encompassed within the DO/DP monitoring elsewhere.

However, all DO/DP applications will be assessed on site-by-site basis. Under exceptional circumstances there may be a need to monitor riparian and adjacent wetlands which support important bird populations and are considered to be at significant risk. In these circumstances bespoke monitoring proposals should be considered, which could include monitoring the hydrological regime of wetlands (i.e. using piezometers with define water table protection levels).

However, monitoring proposals should only be employed where the effects of the DO/DP can be

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation distinguished from the effects of the natural drought or indeed any other potentially influencing factors.

Terrestrial & semi- Potentially applicable to all DO/DP types where No additional monitoring recommended for the No additional monitoring recommended for the aquatic habitat there is the potential for lowering the water table in majority of DO/DP sites. majority of DO/DP sites. adjacent floodplain or the surrounding land of standing waterbodies. Bespoke habitat/species surveys only in exceptional Bespoke habitat/species surveys only in exceptional circumstances. circumstances. For the majority of DO/DP applications no bespoke terrestrial or wetland surveys will be undertaken. Instead standard surface water and groundwater monitoring already embedded within the DO/DP monitoring plan will suffice.

However, all DO/DP applications will be assessed on site-by-site basis, and if certain habitats and the communities they support are considered to be at significant risk then bespoke monitoring proposals should be considered.

This could include:

• Monitoring plant communities (i.e. NVC surveys) • Monitoring the hydrological regime of wetlands (i.e. using piezometers with define water table protection levels) • Monitoring specific target species (i.e. great crested newt, marsh fritillary)

However, monitoring proposals should only be employed where the effects of the DO/DP can be distinguished from the effects of the natural drought or indeed any other potentially influencing factors. Landscape and Visual Amenity Aesthetic quality Applicable to all DO/DP types, but with most Undertake routine GQA aesthetic assessment Undertake routine GQA aesthetic assessment concern for Types 1-4, 6 and 8 where reductions in supported by fixed point photography every three supported by fixed point photography every three river flow may occur. months for the duration of the DO/DP. months for two years after the cessation of the DO/DP.

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation The Environment Agency has developed as part of the General Quality Assessment (GQA) standard procedures for rivers and canals a specific method for assessing aesthetic quality.

The quality assessment is based on three key parameters:

• Litter (gross, general, sewage, dog faeces) • Oil, surface scum, foam, sewage fungus, ochre • Colour and odour

Each parameter is scored based on a defined set of attributes. Points are summed to give a total score, which is then translated into an overall aesthetic quality grade of 1 (good) to 4 (bad).

An assessment site is defined as 50m of river including bed and both banks up to 5m from the river edge. This method could be employed at the DO/DP application sites providing a spatial coverage commensurate with the area of influence.

Baseline surveys should be undertaken for at least two years in advance of the DO/DP and a minimum of four times per year to cover seasonal differences.

The GQA aesthetic assessment could be combined with a general assessment of river cross section and wetted (dealt with in sections above) as well as fixed point photography at each assessment site. Recreation Water contact sports Applicable to all DO/DP types, but with most No user satisfaction surveys are recommended. User satisfaction survey could be employed after the concern for Types 1-4, 6 and 8 where reductions in Continued monitoring of the physical water DO/DP event to gauge users perceptions of the Angling river flow may occur. environment (water level and wetted width). effects of the DO/DP in high use or sensitive areas.

For the majority of DO/DP applications no bespoke During implementation of a drought permit, similar Continued monitoring of the physical water user satisfaction surveys will be undertaken. Instead data to that obtained in baseline surveys would be environment. the water environment (i.e. water levels, wetted generated from creel surveys and angler usage width etc) will be monitored, which is already census information. These data would be obtained Following a drought, post permit implementation encompassed in the DO/DP monitoring elsewhere. from both anglers on the bank and from contacting would involve gathering data similar to that

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation clubs, associations and riparian owners. identified for baseline monitoring covering a period However, user satisfaction surveys could be of at least 3 years. employed where recreational use is particularly intensive or sensitive. It must also be noted that most water contact sports will already be impacted by the natural drought.

User satisfaction surveys could be employed to gauge baseline conditions for water users including canoeists, boaters etc. If used, surveys should be undertaken for at least one year in advance of the DO/DP application.

In the event of being considered necessary, angling user and catch surveys would be undertaken. This would include analysis of existing catch and usage data (e.g. from local angling association records, angling matches etc.) and collection of angler census information. The latter would be collected both from anglers on the bank and by approaching local angling clubs / associations, riparian owners etc. The objective would be to develop a historic / current perspective of angler usage and catch for the river / reach in question. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Features directly Potentially applicable to all DO/DP types where a In exceptional circumstances there may be a need to In exceptional circumstances there may be a need to linked to surface reduction in river flow or groundwater levels could undertake bespoke structural/.archaeological undertake bespoke structural/.archaeological water or groundwater occur. integrity surveys combined with fixed point integrity surveys combined with fixed point photography. photography. For the majority of DO/DP applications no bespoke archaeological surveys will be undertaken. Instead In exceptional circumstances there may be a need to In exceptional circumstances there may be a need to the water environment (water level, wetted width, monitor groundwater levels. monitor groundwater levels. groundwater) will be monitored, which is already encompassed in the DO/DP monitoring elsewhere.

However, all DO/DP applications need to be assessed on a site-by-site basis. In certain cases where highly sensitive extant archaeological remains are present and considered to be at high risk there may be a requirement to undertake some bespoke condition assessment survey. This could

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Parameter Baseline Monitoring Monitoring During Implementation Monitoring Post Implementation include undertaking a formal structural/archaeological integrity survey supported by fixed point photography.

If buried organic remains are considered to be at high risk there may be a need to install additional piezometers to monitor groundwater levels and establish protection levels.

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5.4 MITIGATION

5.4.1 Overview

The site specific EMPs will address mitigation and compensation measures that are tailored to the DO/DP site requirements. It will be necessary to consider whether a DO/DP site or the extent of hydrological influence includes a designated area or Habitats Directive Annex I habitats or Annex II species. This exercise was carried out during the Scoping Phase of the project (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006).

The most suitable choice of mitigation measures for a particular scheme will depend upon the conditions put on the DO/DP. These measures would be mitigating for serious impacts of the drought actions over and above the effects of natural drought conditions by avoiding, reducing or remedying the impacts. Since the site specific EMPs have not been completed to date, a range of mitigation measures are suggested that are generic for the purposes of this report. This section addresses Section 8.2.1 of the “Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005” (EA, 2005).

5.4.2 Mitigation and compensation measures

A range of mitigation or compensation measures are available to compensate for serious potential impacts of any drought action on the environment or water users. The operational and environmental mitigation and compensation measures are presented below. From previous experience, examples of such mitigation and compensation measures may be separated according to the type of water resource scheme. However, some measures, such as utilising an alternative supply, could be investigated regardless of the scheme type.

a) If the scheme includes an impounding reservoir:

Flow releases for fisheries enhancement from the reservoir to the downstream river system (under normal licence condition).

Supplementary flow releases from the reservoir to the downstream river system (e.g. freshets for fisheries or flushing of water quality problems).
Temporary change to the river abstraction "hands-off" flow conditions.
Fish removal or stocking as appropriate.
Gravel cleaning.
Net buy-backs (i.e. purchase existing licences from estuary / river fishermen to reduce pressure on stocks).

Aeration at suitable depths if oxygen depletion is detected

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b) If the scheme includes increasing river flows:

Introduce variation into the pattern of releases.

c) If the scheme includes a river abstraction:

Temporarily reduce the volume of abstraction, if possible, to prevent observed ecological damage.
Temporarily change the daily pattern of abstraction (such as reduced / staged abstraction).
Fish removal if there is insufficient water
Aeration at suitable depths if oxygen depletion is detected.
Fish stocking.
Gravel cleaning.
Net buy-backs (i.e. purchase existing licences from estuary / river fishermen to reduce pressure on stocks).

d) If the scheme includes groundwater abstraction:

Temporarily reduce the rate of abstraction, if possible, to prevent observed ecological damage.

Temporarily change the daily pattern of abstraction (to reduce abstraction peaks).

Fish removal if there is insufficient water.
In surface watercourses adjacent to groundwater sources where there is an identified hydraulic interaction, aeration at suitable depths if oxygen depletion is detected.

e) If the scheme includes a lake with a managed water level:

Modify the lake outflow structures (e.g. weirs) to retain more water in the lake to assist management of the water level. This would probably require a separate DO/DP.

Temporarily reduce the volume of abstraction.
Create refuges for organisms a few metres from the shoreline to offer alternative habitats to marginal species.

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The site specific EMPs will be reviewed to ensure that the implications of implementing any mitigation measures and / or compensatory measures can be monitored both during and after the operation of the drought permit /drought order. The effectiveness of any mitigation can thus be tested.

5.4.3 Site Selection for Mitigation

The selection of DO/DP sites that may require mitigation for serious impacts of the drought actions will be considered in the site specific EMPs. The recommendations for generic site selection would be:

• To identify whether a DO/DP site or the extent of hydrological influence includes a designated area or contains Habitats Directive Annex I habitats or Annex II species.

• To consider whether the DO/DP application is for only one site or a combination of sites that may have a cumulative effect.

• To prevent derogation of other abstractions.

It would be important, however, to concentrate attention on the identification of significant effects of the DO/DP over and above the effects of a natural drought.

5.4.4 Consultation on Proposed Mitigation and/or Compensation Measures

The selection of proposed mitigation and/or compensation measure(s) for a DO/DP scheme will be conducted in consultation with the regulators and any other affected parties. An explanation will be provided of the actions required to implement the measures including the necessity to apply for additional approvals or permits to carry out these measures. Each site specific EMP will state the specific permits / approvals required for the mitigation and compensation measures, following consultation. The mitigation measure will aim to minimise the impacts on other users.

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6 COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EA’S WATER COMPANY GUIDELINES

Previous sections of this Generic EMP Framework have made reference to the EA Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005) and described how each of the requirements in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 have been addressed by DCWW to date. This section provides a summary of the specific requirements and where they have been established.

Table 6.1 indicates whether or not the guideline/requirement has been addressed with this Generic EMP Framework Report. It can be seen from Table 6.1 that all the requirements of Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of the EA Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines (EA, 2005) have been addressed by DCWW.

Table 6.1 then goes on to indicate whether a particular issue has been addressed at either the site specific (i.e. DO/DP site) or generic level. Reference to the relevant section of the Generic EMP Framework Report where further discussion on the relevant guideline / requirement is described is also provided.

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Table 6.1 Compliance of this Generic EMP Framework with the EA’s “Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005”

Generic EMP Section Guideline / Requirement Addressed / Site Specific/ Framework No. Covered ( or x) Generic Report (Note 1)

8.1 Monitoring

8.1.1 The WIA states that water  Generic Section 5 companies shall address in their drought plans how they ‘will monitor the effects of the drought and of the measures taken under the drought plan’. A water company should include details of how the impact of the drought, the impact of the company’s drought activities and a given site’s recovery will be assessed by its monitoring plan. Monitoring should focus on those features of greatest sensitivity or importance.

8.1.2 A water company’s environmental  Site Specific Section 4.1 monitoring plan should include details of sites that could be (See Section 4 of the affected by its proposed drought Phase 1 Scoping actions. These should include: Report (Cascade • Consulting with potential drought order or APEM, 2006)). drought permit sites; • alternative sources sites; • temporary transfer locations.

8.1.3 A water company should highlight  Site Specific Section 4.2 in its environmental monitoring plan: (See Section 4 of the • Phase 1 Scoping Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Report (Cascade • Special Areas of Conservation Consulting with (SACs) APEM, 2006)). • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) • National Nature Reserves (NNRs) • Ramsar sites.

Refer to section 8.3 for further information. 8.1.4 When designing its monitoring  Site Specific Section 4.3 plan a water company should consider the environmental factors (See Section 4 (and that will need to be assessed at completed proformas) each site that could be affected by of the Phase 1 Scoping its proposed drought measures and

52 Cascade Consulting with APEM Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan Final Generic EMP Framework

Generic EMP Section Guideline / Requirement Addressed / Site Specific/ Framework No. Covered ( or x) Generic Report (Note 1) also how it proposes to assess their Report (Cascade baseline conditions. These factors Consulting with could include: APEM, 2006)).

• ecology • physical habitat (including water quality) • amenity • recreation.

8.1.5 The water company’s  Site Specific Section 4.4 environmental monitoring plan should include details of: (See Section 4 of the • Phase 1 Scoping the perceived sensitivity of sites Report (Cascade and the environmental features Consulting with thought to be most at risk of APEM, 2006)). damage from the company’s proposed drought measures; 8.1.5 The water company’s  Site Specific Section 4.3 environmental monitoring plan should include details of: (See Section 4 (and • completed proformas) details of existing studies at of the Phase 1 Scoping potentially affected sites; Report (Cascade Consulting with APEM, 2006)).

8.1.5 The water company’s  Generic Sections 5.2 environmental monitoring plan and 5.3 should include details of:

• the need for additional routine data or one-off studies to ascertain baseline conditions so that the likely impacts of potential drought actions can be assessed; 8.1.5 The water company’s  Generic Sections 5.2 environmental monitoring plan and 5.3 should include details of:

• additional monitoring to be undertaken when a drought develops; 8.1.5 The water company’s  Generic Sections 5.2 environmental monitoring plan and 5.3 should include details of:

• Continued monitoring to assess when sites return to baseline conditions after a drought, the duration of which would be dependent on the nature of the site and the type of drought.

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Generic EMP Section Guideline / Requirement Addressed / Site Specific/ Framework No. Covered ( or x) Generic Report (Note 1)

8.1.6 A water company is responsible for  Generic Section 5 ensuring that adequate arrangements for monitoring are included in its plan to assess the impacts of its potential drought actions.

8.1.6 A water company should liaise with  Generic Sections 3.2 the Environment Agency to identify and 5 what is required.

8.1.6 A company should include in its  Site specific / Generic Sections 4.1 plan the schedule of sites, and 5.3 parameters to be monitored, the method of monitoring and the frequency of data collection.

8.1.6 There could be some circumstances N/A [Generic] [Section 5.2] where it would be appropriate for the Environment Agency to carry out additional monitoring on behalf of the company. This could be where the Environment Agency is already carrying out monitoring at or close to a given site and could make a small change to its routine programme to collect the required data. A company should include details of such agreements in its plan.

8.1.7 The Environment Agency will share  Site Specific Section 3 its long-term ecological and environmental data records with water companies. A water company should discuss with the Environment Agency what data are available from the Environment Agency’s routine programme and make arrangements for obtaining the required information. Examples of records that could be available include:

• GQA (General Quality Assessment) biology • GQA chemistry • River Habitat Survey (RHS) data • Catchment Abstractions Management Strategy (CAMS) data • Habitats Regulations assessment work and other conservation orientated studies • Targeted ecological monitoring

54 Cascade Consulting with APEM Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Provision of an Environmental Monitoring Plan Final Generic EMP Framework

Generic EMP Section Guideline / Requirement Addressed / Site Specific/ Framework No. Covered ( or x) Generic Report (Note 1) for water resources purposes. 8.1.8 A water company should also  Generic Section 3 consult with English Nature or CCW, in relation to any drought plan proposals that may affect any SAC, SPA, NNR, SSSI or Ramsar sites. The company should liaise with English Nature or CCW to ensure that the monitoring proposed to assess the potential impacts at these sites is adequate. This will be mainly applicable to sites that may be affected by possible drought permits or drought orders but could also be relevant to other drought measures.

8.2 Mitigation

8.2.1 A water company must include any  Generic Section 5.4 measures within its plan that may be necessary to mitigate or compensate for the serious impacts of any drought action in its plan on the environment or water users. The environmental monitoring plan should assist in identifying sites that may require mitigation. In some cases mitigation actions may be necessary to prevent derogation of other abstractions (for example, by providing alternative supplies or releasing compensation water into watercourses to limit the impact of reduced flows). The drought plans must identify sites requiring mitigation during a drought and detail the actions required. The water company should discuss the proposed mitigation or compensation measures with the Environment Agency and any other affected parties. The plan must also include details of any additional permits or approvals required to carry out such measures.

Notes:

(1) Environment Agency (2005) Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005, Version 2.0, October 2005, Environment Agency, Bristol.

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APPENDIX 1

Water Company Drought Plan Guidelines 2005,

Version 2.0, October 2005, Environment Agency

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