River Basin Management Plan South West River Basin District

Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives

Contents

C.1 Introduction 3 C. 2 Actions we can all take 6 C.3 All sectors 10 C.4 Agriculture and rural land management 15 C.5 Angling and conservation 37 C.6 Central government 50 C.7 Environment Agency 57 C.8 Industry, manufacturing and other business 79 C.9 Local and regional government 87 C.10 Mining and quarrying 94 C.11 Navigation 98 C.12 Urban and transport 102 C.13 Water industry 107

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 2 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.1 Introduction This annex sets out tables of the actions (the programmes of measures) that are proposed for each sector. Actions are the on the ground activities that will implemented to manage the pressures on the water environment and achieve the objectives of this plan.

Further information relating to these actions and how they have been developed is given in:

• Annex B Objectives for waters in the South West River Basin District This gives information on the current status and environmental objectives that have been set and when it is planned to achieve these

• Annex D Protected area objectives (including programmes for Natura 2000) This gives details of the location of protected areas, the monitoring networks for these, the environmental objectives and additional information on programmes of work for Natura 2000 sites

• Annex E Actions appraisal This gives information about how we have set the water body objectives for this plan and how we have selected the actions

• Annex F Mechanisms for action This sets out the mechanisms - that is, the policy, legal, financial and voluntary arrangements - that allow actions to be put in place

Tables of actions The actions are set out in tables for each sector. For the purposes of this plan this is the sector that may be causing the pressure or is being affected by an action. 'Being affected' may mean that the sector is the one taking action or that the sector's activities are affected by an action implemented by others. Some actions will be noted against more than one sector, as one sector may be implementing action that requires another to take action in response.

The sectors are set out in table C1a below.

The tables set out the list of actions established at the outset of this plan period. It is expected that further measures will be identified during the implementation period for this plan. The plan includes many investigations that will help identify future actions, where it has not yet been possible to define these (see annex E). In some cases investigations are needed to confirm the pressure that is causing a problem, even before it will be possible to define an action. We also encourage sectors to put forward other measures so that these can be considered during the period of this plan.

Table C1b sets out an explanation of the headings in the actions tables. The subsequent tables set out specific actions relevant to each sector.

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Table C1a: Sectors

Standard list of sectors Sector Activity included Sector Activity included Agriculture and rural land Dairy / beef, sheep, pig and poultry (including outdoor Local Government Local and regional government including planning management pigs) authorities and national parks (including local authority Mixed and Arable urban drainage not covered by Water Industry) Horticulture Private water supplies - (potable supplies - water quality and Forestry sufficiency Land drainage (including Inland Drainage Boards) Contaminated land Other rural land development Private water supplies (potable supplies) protection Private sewage management (incl. septic tanks and private sewage systems) Angling & conservation Fisheries (angling) management Mining and quarrying Active mines and quarries Other habitat management (including conservation) Abandoned coal mines Abandoned other mines Central Government Defra Navigation Ports / marinas Natural Maritime shipping / boating Other central government organisations and agencies Inland navigation Environment Agency Urban and transport Private water supplies (potable supplies) protection Private sewage management (inc. caravan parks etc) Road, air & rail transport Contaminated land Flood risk management Other development activities Industry, manufacturing & Power generation Water industry Sewage - treatment other business Chemical industry Sewage - collection (including intermittent discharges from Oil industry combined sewage overflows) SMEs / Industrial estates Sewage - other drainage (inc flooding & leaking sewers) Construction Sewage - trade effluent management Aquaculture Sludge recycling to land Commercial fisheries (fresh, transitional & coastal Potable supply – treatment waters – not angling) Potable supply – storage & transfer (inc. leakage) Waste management Potable supply - planning Retail industry Food & drink industry Recreation & tourism (not covered by boating or angling e.g. parkland / amenity)

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Table C1b: Example table of headings and descriptions

Pressures Description of the action Lead organisation and partners What will happen Where it will happen Date The pressure being managed The action that will be taken The location or geographical This is the date by which the The organisation responsible extent of the action action will be put in place. for delivering the action and (“Implemented” means that other organisations that the action is already in place may be involved and able to have a beneficial effect)

Investigations

Sets out investigations measures that will be put in place

Natura 2000 protected areas and SSSIs

Sets out measures that will be put in place for Natura 2000 protected areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest

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Strategic environmental assessment and actions The purpose of the River Basin Management Plan is to improve the ecological status and potential of water bodies and so the environmental effects of the plan are predominantly positive. A Strategic Environmental Assessment was carried out that also considered the wider environment and identified potential adverse effects associated with some of the actions, as well as enhancements to add value to the measures included in the plan. Whilst many of the proposals to mitigate negative impacts are specific to the proposed action, others are applicable across a range of actions and will be considered at a project level. These generic mitigation measures are described in the table below. Further information is included in the statement of particulars – see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/default.aspx and go to Water Framework Directive..

Table 1c: Generic mitigation to be applied when implementing actions

Impact Mitigation Population and Avoid adversely affecting existing routes of public access to the human health countryside and water bodies. Identify opportunities to improve public access to the countryside, water bodies or water based recreation Biodiversity Target any actions designed to improve biodiversity to those locations where the gains can be maximised. Identify opportunities to link with existing ecological networks, sites or features or proposed improvements. Identify opportunities where biodiversity improvements can also benefit local populations. Cultural heritage Before undertaking an action, determine whether there are any historical features that are likely to be adversely affected and undertake an appropriate level of project level assessment and mitigation. Sustainability Adopt a sustainable procurement policy Reuse materials or use recycled materials or those from renewable sources where possible Implement a waste management plan to minimise waste directed to landfill. Take steps to minimise the ‘carbon footprint’ of the action by reducing energy demand and the ‘embedded energy’ of any materials used. Agriculture & Align agri-environment schemes to achieve biodiversity biodiversity benefits and complement other biodiversity initiatives.

Habitats Regulations Assessment A Habitats Regulations Assessment of this Plan was carried out by the Environment Agency in 2009. Natural England were consulted on the assessment and we have had regard to their advice.

Many of the measures in the Plan, most specifically those in Annex D, are designed to improve the water environment and help to maintain or restore Natura 2000 habitats and species at favourable conservation status. The overall purpose of the

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plan is to ensure no deterioration of the water environment and deliver the objectives of individual water bodies (normally ‘good ecological status’). However, the Habitats Regulations Assessment has identified certain types of measure in the plan with potential to negatively affect Natura 2000 sites. Whether a negative effect is likely depends on the exact location, spatial scale, nature and timing of the measure. The details necessary to make reasonable predictions about the effects on Natura 2000 sites will not be developed until the measures are progressed towards implementation.

We have concluded that the plan itself is unlikely to have any significant negative effects on any Natura 2000 sites. The Plan itself does not require further assessment under the Habitats Regulations. This conclusion is reliant on the fact that before any measures in the plan are implemented they must be subject to the requirements of the Habitats Regulations. Any plans, project or permissions required to implement the measures must undergo an appropriate assessment if they are likely to a have a significant effect.

Responsibility for Habitats Regulations Assessment of plans, projects or permissions required to implement the measures in this Plan remains with the relevant competent authority, for example if the measure requires planning permission the Local Authority will be the relevant competent authority. In most circumstances, a competent authority can only agree to a plan, project or permission when it has ascertained that it will not adversely effect the integrity of a Natura 2000 site. Changes to the measures in this plan may be required to avoid adverse effects on the integrity of any Natura 2000 sites.

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C. 2 Actions we can all take There are actions that we can all take to help protect and improve the water environment.

Table C2: Actions we can all take Pressure What will happen

Prevent pollution Check that household appliances are connected to the foul sewer, not the surface water drain.

Prevent pollution Adopt-a-beach to help keep beaches clean and stop litter at source.

Prevent pollution Ensure household oil storage is in good condition, with an up-to-date inspection record.

Prevent pollution Ensure septic tanks or private sewage treatment plants are well maintained and working effectively.

Prevent pollution Put cotton buds and other litter in the bin, not down the toilet. It may end up in the sea where it can harm wildlife. Take waste oil and chemicals such as white spirit to a municipal recycling facility: don't pour them down the sink or Prevent pollution outside drains. Use kitchen, bathroom and car cleaning products that don't harm the environment, such as phosphate-free laundry Prevent pollution detergents, and use as little as possible. This helps prevent pollution at source.

Prevent pollution Report pollution or fly-tipping to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. Prevent pollution, protect wildlife Join a river group to spot pollution, invasive non-native species, and take part in practical tasks. Eat fish from sustainable sources, caught using fishing methods that don't cause damage to marine wildlife and Protect wildlife habitats. Eliminate invasive non-native species from gardens. They can have a negative effect on native species and the Protect wildlife water environment. Please dispose of them responsibly.

Save water: in your garden Choose plants that tolerate dry conditions. To help lawns through dry periods, don't cut them too short.

Save water: in your garden To save water in gardens, collect rain in a water-butt, water at the beginning or end of the day, mulch plants, and

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use watering cans where possible instead of sprinklers or hosepipes.

Save water: in your house or office Purchase low energy and water use appliances Save water: in your house or office Ask your water company to fit a meter. On average, this can reduce household water consumption. Save water: in your house or office Fix dripping taps, and lag pipes to avoid them bursting in freezing weather. Save water: in your house or office Hand wash cars Save water: in your house or Consider installing a greywater recycling system in homes, blocks or workplaces. This can save one third of office domestic mains water usage. Save water: in your house or office Install a 'hippo' or 'save-a-flush' in toilet cisterns. Save water: in your house or Install a low-flush toilet, put flow regulators on taps and showers, and install waterless urinals at work. Install office aerating shower heads and tap inserts, which save up to 50% of the water used by conventional showers and taps. Save water: in your house or Ensure extensions or conservatories have their roof water draining into a soakaway or sustainable drainage system office and are not connected to the combined sewer. Save water: in your house or office Ensure that any off-road parking or patio around the house use permeable materials so rain can soak into the soil. Save water: in your house or Run dishwashers or washing machines with a full load on economy setting, and boil the minimum amount of water office needed in kettles or saucepans. Save water: in your house or office Turn off the tap when brushing teeth, and take short showers rather than baths. Save water: in your house or office Wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under the running tap - and use the remainder on plants.

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C.3 All sectors Many actions will apply to all sectors.

Table C3: Actions for all sectors

Description of the action Lead Where it will Pressure What Will Happen Date organisation happen - Summary and partners Where appropriate, subject to the Environment Agency carrying out a 12 week public consultation and making an appropriate case to the Secretary Acidification, Direct biological of State, designate a limited number of Water pressures, Microbiology, Protection Zones. Nutrients, Organic Pollutants, Regulatory tool to control diffuse pollution in high Environment Physical Modification, Priority South West RBD 2012 risk areas where other mechanisms are not Agency Hazardous Substances, working or are unlikely to work Priority Substances and Initially around 8 candidate locations across Specific Pollutants, Sediments. England. Potential for designation from 2010 with possibility of further WPZs by 2012

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Description of the action Lead Where it will Pressure What Will Happen Date organisation happen - Summary and partners A central spatially-enabled hydromorphological database will be created, this will provide a system that will quickly and reliably, supply data to better understand hydromorphological impacts of modifications to water bodies. it will be used to Environment Physical modification South West RBD 2010 provide available hydromorphological data as an Agency input into the approval/assessment processes for new physical modifications to ensure compliance with WFD requirements, especially those related to Article 4(7). Designation of Safeguard Zones - develop Radioactivity; Hazardous pollution action plan to identify specific measures substances and non- to address known causes of impact on drinking hazardous pollutants; Priority water abstractions leading to failure/risk of failure Environment South West RBD 2010 Substances and Specific of WFD Article 7.3 objective. Appropriate Agency Pollutants; Microbiology; measures may include pollution prevention, Nitrate Catchment Sensitive Farming, or Water Protection Zones . Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Pollution Prevention advice and campaigns - Environment South West RBD 2012 Priority Substances and targeted oil care advice in high risk areas Agency Specific Pollutants

Department for Reduction of water demand through specification Communities Abstraction of water efficient fittings in new and refurbished South West RBD 2010 and Local homes under Building Regulations Government

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Description of the action Lead Where it will Pressure What Will Happen Date organisation happen - Summary and partners Sediments (as a direct Influence Town and Country Planning Act pollutant); Priority Hazardous authorisation process to help minimise risk of Substances, Priority diffuse pollution from new developments (e.g. South West RBD Implemented Local Authorities Substances and Specific implement SUDs and use of Water Resource Act Pollutants; Microbiology; Planning Guidance) Nutrients; Organic pollutants

Ammonia; Hazardous substances and non- St Mary's; St - establish effective groundwater Environment hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Martin's; And 2015 monitoring programme Agency Priority Substances and Tresco; St Agnes Specific Pollutants

Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Isles of Scilly - Review applicability of national St Mary's; St Environment Nitrate; Phosphate; Priority legislation and implementation of dependant Martin's; Bryher And 2015 Agency Substances and Specific measures Tresco; St Agnes Pollutants

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Description of the action Lead Where it will Pressure What Will Happen Date organisation happen - Summary and partners Plans, processes and programmes (such as the Environment Agency Navigation and Recreation strategies) will be aligned to the requirements of hydromorphology to achieve WFD objectives (especially ecological potential) in two ways: i) Environment Physical modification mitigation measures required to reach good South West RBD Implemented Agency ecological potential that can be delivered through such plans will be identified; and ii) the prioritisation of environmental improvements will be influenced by the specific requirements to reach WFD objectives East Extension of abstraction control to include Catchment; North previously exempt areas (abstractions by Ports Devon Catchment; Abstraction and other artificial Environment and Harbour authorities from tidal waters under South & West 2012 flow pressures Agency certain conditions likely to remain exempt) Catchment; South Devon Catchment Investigations Radioactivity; Priority Substances and Specific Designation of Safeguard Zones - investigation of Pollutants; Nitrate; Hazardous source-pathway-target linkages to support Environment South West RBD 2010 substances and non- development of a pollution action plan to identify Agency hazardous pollutants; specific measures Microbiology

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Description of the action Lead Where it will Pressure What Will Happen Date organisation happen - Summary and partners Monitoring and investigation into mitigation measures techniques to establish the effectiveness of these measures and improve Environment Physical modification South West RBD 2011 understanding of hydro-morph-ecological Agency interactions. Outcomes will have a national application

Abstraction and other artificial Environment Improve flow estimates for surface water bodies South West RBD 2010 flow pressures Agency Investigations at sites identified under the Abstraction and other artificial Environment Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme South West RBD 2010 flow pressures Agency (where funded)

Monitoring and investigation of the effectiveness of Avon Environment Physical modification 2010 river restoration measures design and outcomes Catchment Agency

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C.4 Agriculture and rural land management Around three quarters of the South West is farmed. Permanent grassland occupies the majority of agricultural land with arable farming making up the next most extensive agricultural activity, supporting many lowland livestock farms. The agricultural sector is dynamic and reacts to changing consumer habits, regulatory control and the impact of commodity prices at both a global and local level. This means that many farmers face considerable pressures as small businesses, but can make a major contribution to the river basin district in terms of the economy, food security, landscape, water quality and water storage, biodiversity and recreation.

Farmers and landowners are natural champions of the environment, and most regard the soils they farm as their key asset and the water that flows through it as a major resource. The agricultural sector provides many public benefits but can also impact on water quality in a number of ways. The fragile soils that are found across large areas of the South West are easily degraded as a result of inappropriate management, causing local flooding, mud on roads, and damage to property. Pollution of our water environment also results, as sediment, manure, fertilisers and pesticides enter our rivers, estuaries and groundwater causing ecological impacts and affecting the quality of water supplies, driving expensive and unsustainable water treatment. These runoff problems are likely to be exacerbated by predicted climate change. Agriculture is also an abstractor of water.

Resolving these problems will have clear benefits to the ecology of our waters and water users. There will also be a range of significant additional benefits to farmers from delivering better soil management, to water customers through a reduction in the costs and impacts arising from drinking water treatment and to householders in areas vulnerable to surface water flooding.

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Table C4: Actions for the agriculture and rural land management sector

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water; Nutrients; Organic pollutants; Co-ordinate all the efforts to Wessex Water; Bristol Priority Hazardous Substances, deliver environmental benefits Water; Cholderton Priority Substances and Specific under a strong regional South West RBD 2012 Water; Environment Pollutants; Microbiology; partnership focussed on farm Agency; National Sediments (as a direct pollutant) pollution prevention Farmers' Union; Natural England; South West Water; Local Authorities Catchment; East Maintain a nationally funded Devon Catchment; Microbiology; Nutrients; Organic advice-led partnership under the Hampshire Avon Catchment; pollutants; Priority Hazardous England Catchment Sensitive North , Seaton, Natural England; Substances, Priority Substances 2010 Farming Initiative to reduce and Catchment; Environment Agency and Specific Pollutants; diffuse water pollution from South Devon Catchment; Sediments (as a direct pollutant) agriculture in at risk catchments West Cornwall and the Fal Catchment; Establish Strategic Partnership Priority Hazardous Substances, Catchments in river catchments at Priority Substances and Specific risk from agricultural diffuse water North Devon Catchment; Pollutants; Sediments (as a pollution that are not currently South & West Somerset 2012 Environment Agency direct pollutant); Organic covered by the England Catchment pollutants; Nutrients; Catchment Sensitive Farming Microbiology Initiative Advise farmers on nutrient Land managers and Nitrate planning and best practice to South West RBD 2010 owners reduce nitrogen loading to land -

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners England Catchment Sensitive Farming Initiative Establish and enforce Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in catchments at a high risk from nitrate Priority Hazardous Substances, pollution, requiring farmers to Priority Substances and Specific follow a programme of measures Environment Agency; Pollutants; Organic pollutants; South West RBD Implemented to reduce nitrate entering the Government; Defra Nutrients; Microbiology; water from farmland, with Sediments (as a direct pollutant) potential benefits in terms of other pollutants (see map D6 in annex D) Implementation of Nitrates Land managers and Nitrate Directive Nitrate Vulnerable South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment Zones (NVZ) Action Plan Agency Enforcement of nitrate input Land managers and Nitrate restrictions through NVZ action South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment plan by Cross compliance Agency Nitrates Action Programme in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones will help Nitrate address high nitrate Drift Reservoir 2010 Environment Agency concentrations in drinking water abstractions Address issue as priority action within this CSF catchment. Argal Reservoir; College Nitrates Action Programme in Nitrate Reservoir; 2010 Natural England Nitrate Vulnerable Zones will help Reservoir address high nitrate concentrations in drinking water

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners abstractions Maintain and progress the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme offering farmers an incentive to achieve environmental benefits Sediments (as a direct on agricultural land. Entry Level pollutant); Nutrients; Priority Stewardship is open to all those Defra; Natural England; Hazardous Substances, Priority farming in England and aims to South West RBD Implemented Land managers and Substances and Specific reward good land management. owners Pollutants; Organic pollutants; and address some of the Microbiology; Nitrate environmental issues affecting the wider countryside including diffuse pollution, soil erosion and the conservation of farmland birds Maintain the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme offering farmers an incentive to achieve Sediments (as a direct environmental benefits over and pollutant); Nutrients; above those required under the Microbiology; Priority Hazardous Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. South West RBD Implemented Defra; Natural England Substances, Priority Substances Higher Level Stewardship is and Specific Pollutants; Organic targeted by Natural England to pollutants maximise environmental and other public benefits in targeted areas within the RBD Sediments (as a direct Commission programmes of work pollutant); Microbiology; Priority under the South West Agricultural Natural England; South West RBD 2012 Hazardous Substances, Priority Resource Management Environment Agency Substances and Specific Programme (SWARM) to deliver

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Pollutants; Nutrients; Organic environmental protection and pollutants improvement as well as enhanced economic efficiency, for instance through Soils for Profit, Resources for Farming and Innovation Fund. Sediments (as a direct Develop and deliver a programme pollutant); Priority Hazardous of Farm Pollution Prevention Substances, Priority Substances visits, targeted at high risk soils South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency and Specific Pollutants; and farming activities, including Nutrients; Microbiology; Organic those impacts associated with pollutants soils and land driven problems Where appropriate, subject to the Environment Agency carrying out a 12 week public consultation and making an appropriate case to the Secretary of State, designate a Acidification, Direct biological limited number of Water pressures, Microbiology, Protection Zones. Nutrients, Organic Pollutants, Regulatory tool to control diffuse Physical Modification, Priority pollution in high risk areas where South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Hazardous Substances, Priority other mechanisms are not Substances and Specific working or are unlikely to work Pollutants, Sediments. Initially around 8 candidate locations across England. Potential for designation from 2010 with possibility of further WPZs by 2012

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Sediments (as a direct pollutant); Nutrients; Organic Progress delivery of cross- Environment Agency; pollutants; Microbiology; Priority compliance inspection and South West RBD 2010 Rural Payments Agency; Hazardous Substances, Priority enforcement Defra Substances and Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and non- Enforcement of Groundwater hazardous pollutants; Priority Regulations to control agri- South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Substances and Specific chemicals through Cross Pollutants Compliance Deliver Water Framework Directive priorities through the SW Regional Woodland and Sediments (as a direct Forestry Framework pollutant); Organic pollutants; Implementation Plan. This is a South West RBD 2012 Forestry Commission Nutrients; Abstraction and other regional partnership approach to artificial flow pressures shape our woods and forests for the future, helping to set priorities and target public investment The Cplus project will contribute to maintaining and improving river morphology, river water quantity Sediments (as a direct and quality in over 10 of the rivers Westcountry Rivers pollutant); Microbiology; South West RBD 2012 in the South West, and develop a Trust Nutrients; Organic pollutants model for delivering carbon sequestration payments for ecosystems services Sediments (as a direct Protect drinking water sources Dorset Catchment; East Bristol Water; 2012 pollutant); Nutrients; Priority from accidental contamination Devon Catchment; Westcountry Rivers

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Hazardous Substances, Priority through the provision of targeted Hampshire Avon Catchment; Trust; Wessex Water; Substances and Specific advice and projects to improve , Seaton, South West Water; Pollutants; Organic pollutants; catchment management Looe and Fowey Catchment Natural England; Microbiology Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group; Environment Agency; Cholderton Water; Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Restore wetlands through an advisory approach with Sediments (as a direct landowners through the 'Working South West Water; East Devon Catchment; pollutant); Organic pollutants; Wetlands Project'. This project will Implemented Devon Wildlife Trust; North Devon Catchment Nutrients; Microbiology restore valuable habitats and Environment Agency reduce land-use impacts on water quality Continue to develop funding for river improvement projects that Sediments (as a direct are ready for delivery, including North Cornwall, Seaton, Westcountry Rivers pollutant); Organic pollutants; the Camel Fisheries Project, 2012 Looe and Fowey Catchment Trust Nutrients; Microbiology AARC Project and other projects on the Upper Tamar, Fowey, Lynher, Tavy and Plym Killerton Estate Integrated Sediments (as a direct Management Project targeting the pollutant); Organic pollutants; Rivers Clyst, Culm and East Devon Catchment 2012 National Trust Microbiology; Nutrients; Physical Crannybrook working towards modification sustainable farming, through an advisory approach for tenant

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners farmers on the estate Enforcement of Sludge Land managers and Nitrate Regulations through cross South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment compliance Agency Nitrate; Priority Substances and Follow The Code of Good Specific Pollutants; Hazardous Agricultural Practice - Published Land managers and South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous advice for operators on nitrate owners pollutants and agri-chemical control Comply with EA Notice (WRA and Nitrate; Hazardous substances S86 and S161, Groundwater Land managers and and non-hazardous pollutants; Regulations, SSAFO) – make use South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment Priority Substances and Specific of site specific notices to remove Agency Pollutants nitrate and agri-chemical pollution risk to groundwater Make use of site specific notices to remove nitrate pollution risk to Nitrate groundwater. (WRA and S86 and South West RBD Implemented Local Authorities S161, Groundwater Regulations, contaminated land legislation) Use of statutory notice powers (WRA S86 and S161, Nitrate Groundwater Regulations, Silage South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oils Regulations) Development planning - planning liaison. Site specific groundwater Nitrate pollution prevention advice and South West RBD Implemented Local Authorities recommendations. Implement DCLG (Department for

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Communities and Local Government) Planning Policy Guidance Statement 23 (PPS23) on controlling pollution of groundwater that may arise from development of land Priority Substances and Specific Development planning structure Pollutants; Nitrate; Hazardous plans - influence location of Environment Agency; South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous development to protect Water companies pollutants groundwater Hazardous substances and non- hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Provide development planning South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Priority Substances and Specific standing advice Pollutants Follow advice on controlling Land managers and Nitrate South West RBD Implemented nitrate releases to land and water owners Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) educating and advising the farming community on Microbiology; Sediments (as a Integrated Farm Management, Linking Environment and direct pollutant); Organic South West RBD Implemented through the production of Farming pollutants; Nutrients publications and resources and a national network of volunteer demonstration farms Local agricultural partnerships Nitrate; Priority Substances and e.g. LEAF, NGOs such as Rivers Specific Pollutants; Hazardous Land managers and Trusts, Landcare, Farming & South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous owners Wildlife Advisory Group - advice pollutants to farmers on nitrate and agri-

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners chemical control The WATER project will contribute to maintaining and improving the ecological status of Microbiology; Nutrients; Organic over 240km of river in the Axe Westcountry Rivers pollutants; Sediments (as a and Exe catchments and develop South West RBD 2012 Trust direct pollutant) a region-wide Payments for Ecosystem Services model based on work to protect these important areas National Farmers' Union; "Tried and Tested" Nutrient Linking Environment and Management Plan offers practical Farming; Farming and advice to farmers and growers to Nutrients; Organic pollutants South West RBD Implemented Wildlife Advisory Group; help plan fertiliser and manure Country Landowners use in a way that protects the Association; Agricultural environment and saves money Industries Confederation Partnership approach to managing land use and other Nutrients impacts around Loe Pool to 2012 Loe Pool Forum prevent toxic algal blooms through the Loe Pool Forum Project will contribute to maintaining and improving fish Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct habitat and water quality in over Westcountry Rivers Batherm; Haddeo; Lowman; pollutant); Organic pollutants; 100km of river in the Exe Implemented Trust; River Exe and Pulham; Haddeo Microbiology catchment by coppicing, fencing Tributaries Association and buffering the river from the risks of land use impacts

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Argal Reservoir; College Reservoir; Crowdy Address issue as priority action Reservoir; Stithians Algae; Ammonia; Nitrate 2010 Natural England within this CSF catchment Reservoir; Upper Tamar Lake; Wistlandpound Reservoir; Exe East Devon Catchment; Targeted land use interventions Hampshire Avon Catchment; (e.g. best farming practice, Westcountry Rivers North Cornwall, Seaton, Physical modification provision of fencing, etc.), where 2012 Trust; Natural England; Looe and Fowey Catchment; salmon habitats are directly Environment Agency North Devon Catchment; impacted by land use activities South Devon Catchment Implement pesticides statutory Priority Substances and Specific Code of Practice. Comply with Pollutants; Hazardous Land managers and published advice for operators on South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous owners control of plant protection pollutants products Hazardous substances and non- Comply with new EC Sustainable Land managers and hazardous pollutants; Priority Use of Pesticides Directive to South West RBD 2012 owners; Central Substances and Specific control use of Plant Protection Government Pollutants Products Hazardous substances and non- hazardous pollutants; Priority EU review of approvals for Plant South West RBD Implemented EU Substances and Specific Protection Products Pollutants Hazardous substances and non- New EC Sustainable Use of hazardous pollutants; Priority Pesticides Directive to control use South West RBD 2012 Central Government Substances and Specific of Plant Protection Products Pollutants

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Hazardous substances and non- Groundwater protection advice to hazardous pollutants; Priority Veterinary Medicines Directorate South West RBD Implemented Central Government Substances and Specific products approvals process Pollutants Priority Hazardous Substances; Voluntary Initiative Educational Hazardous substances and non- Land managers and and advice programme to hazardous pollutants; Priority South West RBD Implemented owners; Voluntary improve and reduce agricultural Substances and Specific Initiative Partnership chemical use Pollutants Hazardous substances and non- Implement Groundwater Land managers and hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Protection: Policy & Practice - South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment Priority Substances and Specific external education on GW Agency Pollutants pollution prevention Priority Substances and Specific Proactive targeted farmer Pollutants; Nitrate; Hazardous education on control of agri- South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency substances and non-hazardous chemicals and nitrate pollutants Hazardous substances and non- NetRegs (Environmental hazardous pollutants; Priority Guidance to Business) - external South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Substances and Specific education on GW pollution Pollutants; Nitrate legislation Hazardous substances and non- Re-engineer existing discharges hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Water companies; to avoid direct discharges of South West RBD Implemented Priority Substances and Specific Environment Agency pollutants to groundwater Pollutants Hazardous substances and non- Registrations (in conjunction with Water companies; hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Standard Rules) - implement new Environment Agency; South West RBD 2012 Priority Substances and Specific regulatory approach arising from Industry leads; Land Pollutants implementation of new managers and owners

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Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Groundwater Directive (2006/116/EC) Groundwater protection advice to Priority Substances and Specific Chemicals Regulation Directorate Pollutants; Hazardous (formerly the Pesticides Safety Central Government; South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous Directorate) approvals process Environment Agency pollutants and research into amenity use of pesticides Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Hazardous Environmental Permitting – South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency substances and non-hazardous effluent discharges to ground pollutants Hazardous substances and non- Environmental Permitting – hazardous pollutants; Priority disposal of sheep dip and South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Substances and Specific pesticides Pollutants Hazardous substances and non- hazardous pollutants; Priority Follow Sheep Dip Statutory Code Land managers and South West RBD Implemented Substances and Specific of Practice - advice for operators owners Pollutants National Farmers' Union; Farming and Wildlife Stop Every Drop - an industry led Advisory Group; Country campaign promoting best practice Priority Hazardous Substances, Landowners for the use and disposal of sheep Priority Substances and Specific South West RBD Implemented Association; Agricultural dip to reduce pollution incidents Pollutants Industries associated with the use of these Confederation; Linking types of chemicals Environment and Farming

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 27 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners UK-wide suspension (temporary) Veterinary Medicines Cypermethrin South West RBD Implemented on use as sheep-dip Directorate Targeted action to address diffuse Dichlobenil pollution causing Freshwater Fish Yeo (Barnstaple) 2010 Water companies Directive failures Recently introduced UK-wide restrictions will see decreasing Chemicals Regulation Isoproturon trend in emissions and probable South West RBD Implemented Directorate compliance by 2015 with no further action Develop detailed 5-year Catchment Action Plan for Cannington Bk; Sutton Metaldehyde Steering Safeguard Zone. Proactive Metaldehyde Bingham Reservoir; Durleigh 2010 Group, Water implementation of Metaldehyde Reservoir Companies., farmers Steering Group 'Get Pelletwise' measures Water industry scheme to Metaldehyde address diffuse pollution in the Durleigh Reservoir 2010 Wessex Water catchment Withey Brook; Stour (lower); Tone, Wellington To This substance has been Taunton; Yeo Us Over banned/shortly to be withdrawn Compton; Durleigh Bk; Diuron; Methabenzthiazuron; from use in the UK. No further Lower ; Central Government; Simazine; Atrazine; Mecoprop; 2010 measures should be required Hampshire Avon (lower); Environment Agency Isoproturon; Diazinon; Dalapon although surveillance monitoring Upper Tamar Lake; Dart; will be done to confirm this Sutton Bingham Reservoir; Drift Reservoir; Exe; Durleigh Reservoir

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 28 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Reduction in water demand by Abstraction promoting water abstractor South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency groups Water efficiency campaigns (e.g. Regional Stakeholder Abstraction National Farmers' Union "Water South West RBD Implemented organisations; National Matters") Farmers' Union Extension of abstraction control to Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency include previously exempt uses Promote small-scale storage reservoirs, where they can be justified in the context of the twin Abstraction South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency track approach of resource development and water demand management Availability of grants for Regional Development Abstraction construction of irrigation and South West RBD 2012 Agencies industrial supply reservoirs Registration for previously exempt Abstraction and other artificial activity: abstraction of water South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency flow pressures within water meadow systems As part of South West Water's 'Upstream Thinking' project, the East Devon Catchment; Mires on the Moors project will National Park Abstraction and other artificial North Devon Catchment; restore upland blanket bogs and Authorities; South West flow pressures; Physical South & West Somerset 2012 mires on and Dartmoor Water; Environment modification Catchment; South Devon using sustainable management Agency; Natural England Catchment techniques, with flow, ecological and carbon capture benefits Direct biological pressures Contain and control invasive non- South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency;

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 29 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners native species at priority sites Forestry Commission; through partnership working Land managers and owners; Local Authorities; Natural England; Riparian owners; Environmental NGOs

Ensure that native species are protected and non-native invasive species do not spread as a result Environment Agency; Direct biological pressures of weed cutting activity by South West RBD 2012 Natural England establishing a weed removal Code of Practice

Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency flow pressures; Nutrients by Application of works notice and s85 of 1991 WRA 1991 (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Sediments (as a direct on Natura 2000 Protected Areas Environment Agency; South West RBD 2012 pollutant); Nutrients by developing a pollution action Natural England plan for protected areas (See Annex D)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 30 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Sediments (as a direct Contribute to achievement of pollutant); Direct biological Favourable Conservation Status pressures; Nutrients; Abstraction on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Natural England and other artificial flow by implementing agri-environment pressures; Physical modification scheme (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency flow pressures; Nutrients by revoking or amending abstraction licences (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency pollutant) by revoking or amending Discharge/PPC Consents (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Nutrients; Physical modification; on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Natural England Sediments (as a direct pollutant) through England Catchment Sensitive Farming Initiative (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Physical modification; on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Natural England Sediments (as a direct pollutant) through Compulsory Management Scheme to address invasive species, morphology and

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 31 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners hydrology pressures (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected Areas Direct biological pressures; through existing local projects to South West RBD 2012 Natural England Nutrients address water quality and invasive species pressures (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Local Authorities; Physical modification on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency through Flood Management Programme (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Physical modification; Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency flow pressures through land drainage consents (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct on Natura 2000 Protected Areas Environment Agency; South West RBD 2010 pollutant) through Regulatory Investigation Natural England into diffuse pollution (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Physical modification; Favourable Conservation Status Natural England; Sediments (as a direct South West RBD 2012 on Natura 2000 Protected Areas Environment Agency pollutant); Nutrients through River Restoration

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 32 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Scheme (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Environmental NGOs; Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas Land managers and flow pressures; Nutrients; through Specific Management owners; Local South West RBD 2012 Physical modification; Works to address water quality, Authorities; Natural Sediments (as a direct pollutant) invasive species, hydrology and England; Water morphology pressures (See companies Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Nutrients; Abstraction and other Favourable Conservation Status artificial flow pressures; Direct on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Natural England biological pressures; Physical through SSSI Management modification Agreement (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Agriculture and rural Physical modification; Favourable Conservation Status land management Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 (under query); flow pressures through Water Level Management Environment Agency Plans (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Internal favourable condition on River Dorset Catchment; North Abstraction and other artificial Drainage Board; West Frome SSSI, Amble Marshes Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and flow pressures; Physical 2010 Mendip Internal SSSI and North Moor SSSI by Fowey Catchment; South & modification Drainage Board; implementing water level West Somerset Catchment Environment Agency management plans Investigations Priority Hazardous Substances, Continue programme of Soil East Devon Catchment; 2012 Environment Agency Priority Substances and Specific Structural Survey work, focussing South & West Somerset Pollutants; Organic pollutants; on high risk catchments with little Catchment; South Devon

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 33 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Nutrients; Microbiology; current data. Ensure results feed Catchment Sediments (as a direct pollutant) into the evidence base to support catchment advisory work Dart; Durleigh Reservoir; Stour (lower); Hampshire Propetamphos; Algae; Picloram; Avon (lower); Exe; Lower Pentachlorophenol; Methyl- ; Tone, isoborneol; Geosmin; pesticides; Wellington To Taunton; Yeo Metazachlor; MCPB; MCPA; Further investigation required to Us Over Compton; Yeo Environment Agency; IPU; Sulcofuron; Flusilazole; confirm risk of failure of WFD 2010 (Barnstaple); Lower River Water companies Dichlobenil; Dicamba; Article 7 Fowey; Ashford Reservoir; Chlortoluron; Carbetamide; Sutton Bingham Reservoir; Carbendazim; Bentazone; ; Argal Ammonia; 2,4-D; Nitrate Reservoir; Drift Reservoir; Durleigh Bk Investigation of Groundwater Nitrate; Phosphate; Hazardous Dependant Terrestrial substances and non-hazardous Ecosystems (GWDTEs) to assess South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency pollutants; Priority Substances if they have been significantly and Specific Pollutants damaged as a result of groundwater pollution Investigate run-off incidents logged on the Environment Agency National Incident Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct Environment Agency; Response System so that the South West RBD Implemented pollutant) Natural England Environment Agency can identify and work to resolve reoccurring issues Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct Where we have clear evidence of South West RBD Implemented Natural England;

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 34 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners pollutant) impacts, investigate sources and Environment Agency impacts of sediments making use of techniques such as sediment fingerprinting and sediment trapping where appropriate. This will be supported by farm advisory initiatives Yeovil Bridport Sands / Investigation to improve Pressures on groundwater (GW) Inferior Oolite; Fullers Earth confidence in groundwater 2012 Environment Agency balance; Abstraction (southeast Yeovil); Forest quantitative status result Marble (east of Bruton) An investigation into the source of DrWPA substance Lower Frome And Piddle 2010 Environment Agency the failures for aluminium Demonstrations Catchment Organic pollutants; Microbiology; Project to test and demonstrate Nutrients; Priority Hazardous the effect of agricultural diffuse Defra; Environment Substances, Priority Substances Hampshire Avon Catchment Implemented pollution control measures in a Agency and Specific Pollutants; representative range of Sediments (as a direct pollutant) catchment types Further investigation - review fate of phosphate in groundwater / Phosphate Tamar 201 Environment Agency England Catchment Sensitive 2 Farming Initiative Investigate reasons for failure of WFD Article 7 so safeguard zone and development of detailed 5- Hampshire Avon (lower); Metaldehyde Steering Metaldehyde 2010 year catchment action plan can Stour (lower) Group be considered. Proactive implementation of Metaldehyde

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 35 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Steering Group 'Get Pelletwise' measures

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 36 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.5 Angling and conservation The South West has a rich and diverse range of wildlife, and retains a significant proportion of the UK’s overall resource of important wildlife sites, habitats and species. Nearly a tenth of the Region's land area is designated as nationally and internationally important wildlife sites, many of which are unique in Europe. At a more local level, areas of wildlife value may be designated as local nature reserves, county wildlife sites or non-statutory nature reserves. However, there have been significant declines in certain habitats and species in past years and much of our wildlife is still under threat. Biodiversity in the South West is particularly threatened by land use changes (development, agriculture and water management), climate change and environmental pollution. Locally, other pressures are significant - such as fishing methods in the marine environment.

Fish are one of the best indicators of the state of the water environment, and in the South West, fisheries play an important conservation role as well as providing great recreational opportunities. Work in developing angling creates significant contributions to the Governments’ social and economic priorities. Our figures show that there were over 85,000 licence holders resident in the South West in 2005 and that visiting anglers, mainly from the South East, London and the West Midlands, accounted for a quarter of the fishing and associated economic activity. Anglers’ annual expenditure on fishing inland waters in the South West totalled about £100 million, supporting approximately 2300 jobs and £50 million of household income. It is crucial that we conserve the fish stocks on which angling depends, and prevent parasites, diseases or inappropriate fish species spreading.

Please note that measures relating to commercial fisheries can be found within the Industry, manufacturing, and other business sector.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 37 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C5: Actions for the angling and conservation sector

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners Develop and start to deliver a programme to resolve the 30 most significant physical barriers to fish movement, for instance at Physical modification Evans on the Tavy, at Holne on the Dart, South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency at Silverton on the Exe, on the Okement at Jacobstowe, on the Somerset Frome and on the Stour at Lydden Develop and start delivering a habitat creation program to offset losses of important coastal habitats through sea- Physical modification level rise and climate change, focusing South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency on opportunities in the Severn, Exe and Tamar Estuaries and in Poole Harbour in the first instance Continue to develop and implement Environment Agency; Physical modification programme of river habitat improvement South West RBD 2012 works Abstraction and other As part of South West Water's 'Upstream East Devon 2012 National Park Authorities; artificial flow pressures; Thinking' project, the Mires on the Moors Catchment; North South West Water; Physical modification project will restore upland blanket bogs Devon Catchment; Environment Agency; and mires on Exmoor and Dartmoor using South & West Natural England sustainable management techniques, with Somerset Catchment; flow, ecological and carbon capture South Devon benefits Catchment Undertake habitat creation and Physical modification enhancement work in urban areas under South West RBD 2012 Wild Trout Trust the 'Trout in the Town' Programme

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 38 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners Complete a comprehensive assessment Biota removal (including and prioritisation of all obstructions to eel commercial fish take and migration in the South West River Basin South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency weed control) District as part of Eel Management Plan delivery Install eel passes at the top five priority sites in the South West River Basin District Parrett; Kings Biota removal (including as part of Eel Management Plan delivery, Drain; commercial fish take and 2014 Environment Agency to include sites on the River Parrett, King South Drain; North weed control) Sedgemoor Drain, South Drain and North Drain Drain Continue to develop funding for fish East Devon passes at five weirs on the Rivers Taw Physical modification Catchment; North 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust and Exe improving ecological conditions in Devon Catchment almost 90km of river AFTERLIFE Project following on from the Dorset Catchment; Natural England; Wessex STREAM project to carry out river Physical modification Hampshire Avon Implemented Water; Environment restoration on the Hampshire Avon and Catchment Agency River Frome Identification of priority landscapes for delivery of Biodiversity Action Plan Physical modification Objectives to focus landscape scale South West RBD 2012 Biodiversity South West restoration of habitats including wetlands, wet woodlands and native woodlands Somerset County Council; Kings Sedgemoor Wetland Restoration Kings Sedgemoor Physical modification 2012 Royal Society for Protection project on the Drain of Birds The Westcountry Angling Passport project Physical modification South West RBD 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust will contribute to improved bank

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 39 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners morphology in over 30km of river in over 20 catchments of the Westcountry by bringing areas of fishing into an angling scheme so farmers derive a profit from their river Landscape scale habitat restoration through the 'Wild Project', aiming Physical modification; West Cornwall and to restore and link wetland, heath and river 2012 Nutrients the Fal Catchment habitats from the North to the South Coast of the Penwith Peninsula Wessex Chalk Streams Project is a Physical modification; partnership approach acting as a ‘one stop Environment Agency; Sediments (as a direct shop’, working with riparian landowners Hampshire Avon Implemented Natural England; pollutant); Direct biological and managers to promote wildlife-friendly Catchment Wildlife Trust pressures river enhancement and management of the River Avon system Black Poplar and Woody Debris Project, using woody debris to help mitigate siltation problems on impacted fish Sediments (as a direct spawning areas in the Axe Catchment. South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency pollutant) Where bankside tree cover has been removed the project will seek to replant where appropriate Sediments (as a direct Dartmoor Wet Woodland Partnership pollutant); Microbiology; aiming to enhance the extent and value of Dartmoor National Park Nutrients; Physical South West RBD Implemented Dartmoor’s wet woodlands by working with Authority modification; Organic landowners in selected valleys pollutants Sediments (as a direct Freshwater Pearl Mussel Project - as part North Devon Implemented Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 40 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners pollutant); Nutrients of the national recovery project for Catchment species, continue the captive breeding programmes and undertake river restoration to allow juveniles to be reintroduced to the wild in the Taw and Torridge catchments Living River Project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the Sediments (as a direct Environment Agency; Local Hampshire Avon and its tributaries. pollutant); Physical Hampshire Avon Authorities; Natural Working with local communities to educate Implemented modification; Direct Catchment England; Wessex Water; and provide resources as well as involving biological pressures Wildlife Trusts local people in the practical management of the river ‘Green Blue' Programme, and associated Nutrients; Microbiology; advisory initiatives (for example in Areas Organic pollutants; of Outstanding Natural Beauty) promote British Marine Federation; Physical modification; environmental best practice to the South West RBD Implemented Royal Yachting Association Sediments (as a direct recreational boating community including pollutant) dealing with sewage and other waste from their boats The Cplus project will contribute to maintaining and improving river Nutrients; Organic morphology, river water quantity and pollutants; Microbiology; quality in over 10 of the rivers in the South South West RBD 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust Sediments (as a direct West, and develop a model for delivering pollutant) carbon sequestration payments for ecosystems services Nutrients; Organic Exeter and East Devon, Plymouth, Newton East Devon Natural England; Plymouth 2012 pollutants; Sediments (as a Abbot and North Devon Green Catchment; North City Council; Exeter City

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 41 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners direct pollutant); Infrastructure Study to protect and Devon Catchment Council; East Devon District Microbiology; Physical enhance the environment whilst planning Council; Devon County modification for significant new growth. Opportunities Council; Teignbridge will be identified for creating linked habitat District Council networks. Continue to develop new river Nutrients; Sediments (as a improvement projects to contribute to direct pollutant); Physical maintaining and improving water quality, South West RBD 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust modification; Organic for instance on the Yealm, Devon Avon pollutants; Microbiology and Erme, Tale Valley and White REDDS Project will contribute to Nutrients; Sediments (as a maintaining and improving water quality in direct pollutant); South Devon over 140km of river in the Dart catchment 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust Microbiology; Organic Catchment by coppicing, fencing and buffering the pollutants river from the risks of land use impacts Partnership approach to managing land use and other impacts around Loe Pool to Nutrients The Loe 2012 Loe Pool Forum prevent toxic algal blooms through the Loe Pool Forum Microbiology; Nutrients; Woodland establishment targeted at Organic pollutants; vulnerable soils within England Catchment South West RBD Implemented Forestry Commission Sediments (as a direct Sensitive Farming Initiative areas through pollutant) the England Woodland Grant Scheme Microbiology; Nutrients; Survey and advisory work in County North Cornwall, Organic pollutants; Wildlife Sites (CWS) to support the Seaton, Looe and Cornwall Wildlife Trust; Physical modification; maintenance and enhancement of Fowey Catchment; 2012 Farming and Wildlife Sediments (as a direct habitats, including river and wetland West Cornwall and Advisory Group pollutant) habitat which act as buffer strips the Fal Catchment Microbiology; Organic Restore wetlands through an advisory East Devon Implemented Devon Wildlife Trust; South

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 42 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners pollutants; Sediments (as a approach with landowners through the Catchment; North West Water, Environment direct pollutant); Nutrients 'Working Wetlands Project'. This project Devon Catchment Agency will restore valuable habitats and reduce land-use impacts on water quality Brue Valley Living Landscapes Project - a Organic pollutants; new wetland landscape scale project Nutrients; Physical Somerset County Council; targeting habitat enhancement and South & West modification; Sediments 2012 Natural England; Somerset creation including ambitious targets for the Somerset Catchment (as a direct pollutant); Wildlife Trust restoration of Wetland and other priority Microbiology habitats Microbiology; Nutrients; The River Teign & Tributaries project will Organic pollutants; help restore natural channel form over South Devon Physical modification; 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust 16km of river and the improvement of Catchment Sediments (as a direct ecological status on nearly 50km of river pollutant) River Exe Project will contribute to Microbiology; Nutrients; maintaining and improving fish habitat and Westcountry Rivers Trust; Organic pollutants; water quality in over 100km of river in the Batherm; Haddeo; Implemented River Exe and Tributaries Sediments (as a direct Exe catchment by coppicing, fencing and Pulham; Lowman Association pollutant) buffering the river from the risks of land use impacts Continue to develop funding for river Microbiology; Sediments improvement projects that are ready for North Cornwall, (as a direct pollutant); delivery, including the Camel Fisheries Seaton, Looe and 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust Nutrients; Organic Project, AARC Project and other projects Fowey Catchment pollutants on the Upper Tamar, Fowey, Lynher, Tavy and Plym Microbiology; Sediments Develop partnerships to create more new South & West 2012 Woodland Trust (as a direct pollutant); woodlands on the River Tone Somerset Catchment

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 43 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners Nutrients; Physical modification; Organic pollutants Stakeholder groups will monitor selected sample sites using the Riverfly Partnership Riverfly Partnership; Organic pollutants Anglers Monitoring Initiative methodology South West RBD 2013 Westcountry Rivers Trust to compliment long-term EA invertebrate monitoring and identify problems The Somerset Water Management Organic pollutants; Partnership following on from the Parrett Nutrients; Physical Somerset County Council; Catchment Project offering farm advice to South & West modification; Sediments 2012 Farming and Wildlife help manage runoff contributing to Somerset Catchment (as a direct pollutant); Advisory Group increased flood risk and water quality Microbiology issues Implement monitoring of silver eel Biota removal (including escapement on the River Huntspill and commercial fish take and Huntspill 2012 Environment Agency one other location, still to be identified as weed control) part of Eel Management Plan delivery Monitor commercial eel fisheries catch returns and through the assessment of Biota removal (including import and export data as part of Eel commercial fish take and Management Plan delivery. Target any South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency weed control) illegal exploitation of yellow eels and glass eels through Environment Agency enforcement teams Biota removal (including Repeat Somerset Levels eel trapping South & West commercial fish take and study at the same 30 sites as were used in 2012 Environment Agency Somerset Catchment weed control) the last round of survey Biota removal (including Re-stock glass eels to catchments as part South West RBD 2016 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 44 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners commercial fish take and of Eel Management Plan delivery. This is weed control) to include pre and post stocking surveys Assess yellow and glass eel populations Biota removal (including as part of Eel Management Plan delivery, Kings Sedgemoor commercial fish take and 2012 Environment Agency to include monitoring of Glass eels at Oath Drain; Parrett weed control) Lock and Greylake Sluice Marine biodiversity project to gather data Biota removal (including on the condition of the reef habitats commercial fish take and around the Isles of Scilly, and to work with Isles of Scilly 2010 Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust weed control) fishermen to secure long term site protection Environmental NGOs; Environment Agency; Contain and control invasive non-native Forestry Commission; Local Direct biological pressures species at priority sites through South West RBD 2012 Authorities; Natural partnership working England; Riparian owners; Land managers and owners Implement the action plan to support the GB Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy (see Annex F) focusing on ensuring no Direct biological pressures South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency deterioration in status, and encourage the establishment of partnerships to coordinate efforts where necessary Continue to develop our understanding of North Cornwall, the location of non-native invasive species Seaton, Looe and Alien species in Cornwall, including public participation Fowey Catchment; Implemented Cornwall Wildlife Trust in survey work to record extent of six key West Cornwall and aquatic invasive species the Fal Catchment Alien species Mitigate the spread and impact of non- South West RBD Implemented Bristol Zoo Gardens

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 45 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners native invasive crayfish through the South West White-Clawed Crayfish Conservation Project The Camel Invasive Weeds Project will remove invasive weed from tens of kilometres of the SAC by North Cornwall, Alien species controlling Himalayan Balsam and Seaton, Looe and 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust Japanese Knotweed on the river Camel Fowey Catchment using community pulling groups and contractors Audit high-risk fish movements and Direct biological pressures South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency enforce against illegal activity Continue to monitor for impacts from fish Direct biological pressures South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency farm escapes on native fish populations Increase awareness and education on fish Direct biological pressures stocking hazards and regulations, and South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency develop an accreditation scheme Support well designed artificial propagation (hatchery) options, that meet Direct biological pressures National Salmon Stocking policy, to South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency overcome factors limiting natural salmon spawning success Continue to monitor for undesirable fish Direct biological pressures species and undertake control where South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency possible Continue to monitor natural predation of salmon populations and consider Direct biological pressures South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency appropriate action by third parties where there is a well proven need

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 46 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners Designate Marine Protected Areas as part of the Finding Sanctuary Initiative, Direct biological pressures extended Bass Nursery Areas and explore South West RBD Implemented Natural England exclusion of the most damaging fishing methods from certain areas South West Water Vole Project aiming to Cornwall Wildlife Trust; improve river habitat management in the Environment Agency; South West through practical habitat British Association for Direct biological pressures creation and enhancement, control of non- South West RBD 2010 Shooting and Conservation; native invasive species, water vole Dorset Wildlife Trust; East reintroduction and education and Devon District Council awareness raising Direct biological pressures; The Stepping Stones Project carrying out Dorset Catchment; Physical modification; Dorset Wildlife Trust; habitat management and creation on chalk Hampshire Avon Implemented Sediments (as a direct Environment Agency streams Catchment pollutant) Winterbournes Project looking after and Direct biological pressures; Dorset Wildlife Trust; promoting rare species in winterbournes Dorset Catchment; Physical modification; Farming and Wildlife (spring fed rivers), carrying out physical Hampshire Avon Implemented Sediments (as a direct Advisory Group; Natural habitat restoration work to enhance Catchment pollutant) England degraded stretches The Tamar Hatchery project will improve the ecological status of fish in the Tamar Direct biological pressures Catchment and promote best practice Tamar catchment 2012 Westcountry Rivers Trust hatchery conservation work to protect genetic stocks The SeaTorbay partnership will improve South Devon Direct biological pressures understanding of coastal wildlife and 2010 Living Coasts Catchment conservation and how the public can

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 47 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners become involved. A key project is to map the uses of Tor Bay sea bed and the activities affecting it Extension of abstraction control to include Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency previously exempt uses Registration for previously exempt activity: Abstraction and other abstraction of water within water meadow South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency artificial flow pressures systems Explore feasibility and identify candidate Abstraction and other Natural England; South sites for piloting beaver reintroduction to artificial flow pressures; South West RBD 2012 West Water; Peoples Trust deliver habitat, flow and biodiversity Physical modification for Endangered Species benefits Purbeck Keystone Project, a partnership approach supporting farming practices to Abstraction and other encourage biodiversity and protect artificial flow pressures; Dorset Catchment Implemented Purbeck District Council habitats through monitoring, water level Physical modification management plan implementation and habitat management and creation work Priority Hazardous Education and liaison with recreational Substances, Priority North Cornwall, anglers promoting catch and release, Substances and Specific Seaton, Looe and carrying out invasive species surveys and Pollutants; Biota removal Fowey Catchment; 2010 Cornwall Wildlife Trust preventing use of illegal antifoulants, (including commercial fish West Cornwall and targeted at five Voluntary Marine take and weed control); the Fal Catchment Conservation Areas in Cornwall Alien species Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Abstraction and other Hampshire Avon artificial flow pressures; Catchment; South & Implemented Internal Drainage Boards Physical modification Water Level Management Plans will be West Somerset

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 48 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary partners developed and implemented to help bring Catchment sites designated under the Habitats Directive into Favourable Conservation Status

Investigations Continue investigation of eel populations at Marsh and as Slapton Ley; Biota removal (including part of Eel Management Plan delivery, Marazion River; commercial fish take and 201 Environment Agency including the use of traps at tidal barriers Parrett; Taw / 2 weed control) on the Taw and Parrett in order to assess Torridge recruitment of eels to rivers The South West White-Clawed Crayfish Conservation Project will carry out survey work to monitor the distribution of native Alien species South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency and non-native crayfish and establish 'Ark' sites to ensure the long-term survival of the species

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 49 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.6 Central government Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is a UK Government Department and is responsible for the Water Framework Directive in England. Defra champions sustainable development, and helps Government as a whole to deliver economic, social and environmental sustainability. Defra is also the focal point for rural policy. Defra has several delivery partners that have important actions in our Draft River Basin Management Plan, including the following:

• Marine and Fisheries Agency • Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) • Rural Payments Agency • Natural England • Environment Agency (see separate section) • Forestry Commission • National Park Authorities

Other Government Departments • Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) • Office of Government Commerce (OGC) - an independent office of HM Treasury • Health and Safety Executive (part of the Department of Work and Pensions), which includes the Pesticides Safety Directorate • Highways Agency (part of Ministry for Transport) • Defence Estates (part of Ministry of Defence)

The Crown Estate is a government organisation with a property portfolio encompassing many of the UK’s cityscapes, ancient forests, farms, parkland, coastline and communities. It has an important role as influencer, manager, guardian and facilitator. Working in partnership with others, the Crown Estate enables and nurtures productive commercial opportunities, protects vulnerable environments, and enables social integration.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 50 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C6: Actions for central government

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Sediments (as a Woodland establishment targeted at direct pollutant); vulnerable soils within England Catchment Organic pollutants; South West RBD Implemented Forestry Commission Sensitive Farming Initiative areas through Nutrients; the England Woodland Grant Scheme. Microbiology Contribute to the development of any EU level initiatives to improve legislation and Alien species South West RBD 2012 Central Government controls relating to invasive non-native species. Control and eradication of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) and water Environment Agency; Alien species South West RBD 2012 primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora) at selected Central Government sites Develop a national early warning system Alien species with contingencies for rapid response South West RBD 2012 Central Government control measures to eradicate new invasions Develop and implement codes of practice to Central Government; Alien species reduce the spread of invasive non-native South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency species Draw together a database of projects to facilitate better information sharing and Alien species South West RBD 2012 Central Government increase opportunities for partnership working Draw up Individual Species Action Plans for species identified as presenting particular Central Government; Alien species South West RBD 2012 risk levels, to minimise the risks associated Environment Agency with them

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 51 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Establish a central repository for holding Alien species data on invasive non-native species South West RBD 2012 Central Government distribution. Establish National Invasive Non-Native Alien species Species Forums to plan, prioritise and South West RBD Implemented Central Government coordinate action Increase awareness of the importance of the ‘preventative approach’ in addressing the threats posed by invasive non-native Alien species South West RBD 2010 Central Government species. This would include 'horizon scanning' for new potentially invasive species. Integrate invasive non-native species control Central Government; Alien species South West RBD 2012 measures across all policy areas Environment Agency Make appropriate use of existing legislative powers e.g. prohibit the sale of high-risk species; Salmon and freshwater fish act (S30); Import of live fish act; Wildlife & Environment Agency; Alien species South West RBD 2012 Countryside Act 1981; EA Fisheries Central Government byelaws; Convention on biological diversity; NERC Act; Habitats Directive; IMO convention on ballast water) Provide advice and training on identification, control and disposal of invasive non-native Central Government; Alien species South West RBD 2012 species to all relevant groups and Environment Agency encourage monitoring schemes. Set up and maintain a website that acts as a Alien species "one stop shop" for information and advice South West RBD Implemented Central Government on invasive non-native species.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 52 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Support established local fora by providing Central Government; Alien species advice and guidance and support control South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency actions by selected local fora Work to raise awareness of the of the risks Alien species transferring non-native species to the wild South West RBD 2010 Central Government amongst the public and target groups Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Direct biological Protected Areas by developing an Invasive South West RBD 2012 Natural England pressures species control programme for protected areas (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Direct biological Protected Areas through existing local South West RBD 2012 Natural England pressures; Nutrients projects to address water quality and invasive species pressures (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Environment Agency; Physical modification South West RBD 2012 Protected Areas through Flood Management Local Authorities Programme (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Environment Agency; Physical modification Protected Areas through Investigation into South West RBD 2012 Natural England water qualtiy, hydrology and morphology pressures (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Environment Agency; Physical modification Conservation Status on Natura 2000 South West RBD 2012 Natural England Protected Areas through River Restoration

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 53 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Programme for Protected Areas (See Annex D) Sediments (as a Contribute to achievement of Favourable direct pollutant); Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Natural England; South West RBD 2012 Nutrients; Physical Protected Areas through River Restoration Environment Agency modification Scheme (See Annex D) Nutrients; Physical Contribute to achievement of Favourable Land managers and modification; Conservation Status on Natura 2000 owners; Sediments (as a Protected Areas through Specific Environmental NGOs; direct pollutant); South West RBD 2012 Management Works to address water Water companies; Abstraction and other quality, invasive species, hydrology and Natural England; artificial flow morphology pressures (See Annex D) Local Authorities pressures Eradication and control at selected SSSIs Alien species South West RBD 2012 ; Natural England and Natura 2000 sites Contribute to achievement of favourable North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe Nutrients condition on Amble Marshes SSSI by 2012 Natural England and Fowey Catchment compulsory management scheme/notice Contribute to achievement of favourable Direct biological condition on Moors River System SSSI and Environment Agency; Dorset Catchment 2010 pressures River Frome SSSI by implementing invasive Natural England species control programme Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Moors River System SSSI and Natural England; Physical modification Dorset Catchment 2012 River Frome SSSI by implementing river Environment Agency restoration project Contribute to achievement of favourable Dorset Catchment; Hampshire Environment Agency; Nutrients condition on Moors River System SSSI, Avon Catchment; North 2012 Natural England River Frome SSSI, Avon Valley (Bickton To Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 54 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Christchurch) SSSI, Amble Marshes SSSI, Fowey Catchment; South & Langmead and Weston Level SSSI , North West Somerset Catchment; Moor SSSI, Stover Park SSSI, Loe Pool South Devon Catchment; West SSSI, Bere Stream SSSI and Langmead Cornwall and the Fal and Weston Level SSSI by developing a Catchment pollution action plan Contribute to achievement of favourable Abstraction and other condition on Moors River System SSSI, artificial flow Dorset Catchment; East Devon River Frome SSSI, North Exmoor SSSI, pressures; Direct Catchment; Hampshire Avon 2012 Natural England Avon Valley (Bickton To Christchurch) SSSI biological pressures; Catchment and Dunsdon Farm SSSI by implementing Physical modification SSSI management agreement Contribute to achievement of favourable Dorset Catchment; East Devon condition on Moors River System SSSI, Catchment; Hampshire Avon Nutrients; Physical River Frome SSSI, North Exmoor SSSI, Catchment; North Cornwall, modification; Direct Avon Valley (Bickton To Christchurch) SSSI, Seaton, Looe and Fowey biological pressures; The New Forest SSSI, Amble Marshes Catchment; South & West 2012 Natural England Abstraction and other SSSI, Langmead and Weston Level SSSI, Somerset Catchment; South artificial flow North Moor SSSI, Stover Park SSSI and Devon Catchment; West pressures Loe Pool SSSI by implementing agri- Cornwall and the Fal environment scheme Catchment Contribute to achievement of favourable Environment Agency; Nutrients condition on Stover Park SSSI by South Devon Catchment 2012 Natural England implementing lake restoration project Investigations Seek sustainable and cost-effective Central Government; Alien species methods for managing established South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency invasions, such as biological control Alien species Undertake risk assessments to identify South West RBD 2012 Central Government

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 55 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners priority invasive species for mitigation and control action at GB and national levels

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 56 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.7 Environment Agency The Environment Agency was established by the 1995 Environment Act and became fully operational on 1 April 1996. The Agency is a Non- Departmental Public Body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has the lead sponsorship responsibility for the Agency as a whole and the Agency is accountable to the Secretary of State for its day to day operations in England.

The Environment Agency's principal aim is to protect and enhance the environment and in doing so to contribute towards achieving sustainable development. In support of this aim, the Agency was identified as the “competent authority” for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, a role which complements its broad range of functions which include Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, Integrated Pollution Control, Waste Management, Water Quality, Land Quality, Water Resources, Conservation, Recreation, Fisheries, Flood Risk Management, Navigation and Radioactive Substances Regulation.

The Environment Agency's structure in the South West River Basin District is based on one Regional office in Exeter which operates through two Areas. Regions and Areas ensure national priorities are delivered at a local level while taking account of the needs of local communities and stakeholders. Head Office is responsible for corporate management of the Environment Agency, including policy development, strategic and operational objective setting and performance management.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 57 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C7: Actions for the Environment Agency

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Bournemouth and West Nutrients; Organic pollutants; Hampshire Water; Wessex Priority Hazardous Water; Bristol Water; Co-ordinate all the efforts to deliver Substances, Priority Cholderton Water; environmental benefits under a strong Substances and Specific South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency; regional partnership focussed on farm Pollutants; Microbiology; National Farmers' Union; pollution prevention Sediments (as a direct Natural England; South pollutant) West Water; Local Authorities Sediments (as a direct Develop and deliver a programme of pollutant); Priority Hazardous Farm Pollution Prevention visits, Substances, Priority targeted at high risk soils and farming Substances and Specific South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency activities, including those impacts Pollutants; Nutrients; associated with soils and land driven Microbiology; Organic problems pollutants Sediments (as a direct pollutant); Nutrients; Organic Continue the Axe Action Project, Yarty; Axe (Devon. pollutants; Microbiology; which is identifying and resolving lower); Axe (Devon. Priority Hazardous problems caused by land use through lower); Clyst; Blackwater Implemented Environment Agency Substances, Priority targeted enforcement and monitoring River; Axe; Corry Brook; Substances and Specific including wet weather survey Kit Brook; Axe Pollutants Desilting Programme on the Somerset Sedgemoor Old Rhyne; Nutrients; Organic pollutants; Levels & Moors will deliver flood Yeo Us Over Compton; Sediments (as a direct Implemented Environment Agency benefits, reduce fish kills and improve Yeo Ds Over Compton; pollutant) water quality. Areas nominated for South Drain; North Drain;

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 58 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners dredging include the South Drain, Mark Yeo Mark Yeo, West Sedgemoor and Northmoor Main Drain Continue to develop and implement Westcountry Rivers Trust; Physical modification programme of river habitat South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency improvement works Develop and start to deliver a programme to resolve the 30 most significant physical barriers to fish Physical modification movement, for instance at Evans on South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency the Tavy, at Holne on the Dart, at Silverton on the Exe, on the Somerset Frome and on the Stour at Lydden WFD mitigation measures manual for flood and coastal erosion risk management and land drainage activities. This manual will set out best practice options for measures to mitigate against the impacts of such Physical modification South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency activities upon ecology. This will be used to ensure that new and existing schemes and management activities will take into consideration WFD requirements and will results in minimal ecological damage Physical modification; Priority Develop and deliver guidance and Hazardous Substances, advice to planners to ensure potential South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Priority Substances and impacts from development are Specific Pollutants avoided and opportunities for

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 59 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners improvements realised Royal Society for Establish and implement a project on Protection of Birds; Natural the Lower Clyst to create new England; Land managers Physical modification intertidal and other habitats through Clyst 2012 and owners; Environment changes to flood risk management Agency; East Devon infrastructure District Council Torridge District Council; Taw Torridge Strategy to determine Environment Agency; the long-term solutions to sustainable Natural England; North Physical modification Taw / Torridge 2012 flood and coastal risk management Devon District Council; and habitat restoration Taw-Torridge Estuary Forum Complete a comprehensive Biota removal (including assessment and prioritisation of all commercial fish take and obstructions to eel migration in the South West RBD 2015 Environment Agency weed control) South West River Basin District as part of Eel Management Plan delivery Monitor commercial eel fisheries catch returns and through the assessment of import and export data Biota removal (including as part of Eel Management Plan commercial fish take and South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency delivery. Target any illegal exploitation weed control) of yellow eels and glass eels through Environment Agency enforcement teams Biota removal (including Re-stock glass eels to catchments as commercial fish take and part of Eel Management Plan delivery. South West RBD 2016 Environment Agency weed control) This is to include pre and post

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 60 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners stocking surveys Implement monitoring of silver eel Biota removal (including escapement on the River Huntspill commercial fish take and and one other location, still to be Huntspill 2012 Environment Agency weed control) identified as part of Eel Management Plan delivery Install eel passes at the top 5 priority sites in the South West River Basin Kings Sedgemoor Drain; Biota removal (including District as part of Eel Management Parrett; South Drain; commercial fish take and 2014 Environment Agency Plan delivery, to include sites on the North Drain; Kings weed control) River Parrett, King Sedgemoor Drain, Sedgemoor Drain South Drain and North Drain Assess yellow and glass eel Biota removal (including populations as part of Eel Parrett; Kings commercial fish take and Management Plan delivery, to include 2012 Environment Agency Sedgemoor Drain weed control) monitoring of Glass eels at Oath Lock and Greylake Sluice Biota removal (including Repeat Somerset Levels eel trapping South & West Somerset commercial fish take and study at the same 30 sites as were 2012 Environment Agency Catchment weed control) used in the last round of survey Natural England; Riparian owners; Environment Contain and control invasive non- Agency; Local Authorities; Direct biological pressures native species at priority sites through South West RBD 2012 Environmental NGOs; partnership working Forestry Commission; Land managers and owners Ensure exploitation of migratory Direct biological pressures South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency salmonids is maintained at

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 61 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners sustainable levels through enforcement and periodic review of Net Limitation Orders Minimise illegal Fishing on Coast, Direct biological pressures rivers and stillwaters through targeted South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency enforcement activity Control and eradication of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) and Environment Agency; Alien species South West RBD 2012 water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora) Central Government at selected sites Develop and implement codes of Central Government; Alien species practice to reduce the spread of South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency invasive non-native species Draw up Individual Species Action Plans for species identified as Environment Agency; Alien species presenting particular risk levels, to South West RBD 2012 Central Government minimise the risks associated with them Integrate invasive non-native species Central Government; Alien species control measures across all policy South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency areas Make appropriate use of existing legislative powers e.g. prohibit the sale of high-risk species; Salmon and freshwater fish act (S30); Import of Central Government; Alien species South West RBD 2012 live fish act; Wildlife & Countryside Environment Agency Act 1981; EA Fisheries byelaws; Convention on biological diversity; NERC Act; Habitats Directive; IMO

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 62 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners convention on ballast water) Stakeholder groups will monitor selected sample sites using the Riverfly Partnership Anglers Westcountry Rivers Trust; Organic pollutants South West RBD 2013 Monitoring Initiative methodology to Riverfly Partnership compliment long-term EA invertebrate monitoring and identify problems Provide advice and training on identification, control and disposal of Central Government; Alien species invasive non-native species to all South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency relevant groups and encourage monitoring schemes Reduction of extent of invasive non- Alien species South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency native species by operations Support established local fora by providing advice and guidance and Environment Agency; Alien species South West RBD 2012 support control actions by selected Central Government local fora Work to raise awareness of the of the risks transferring non-native species Alien species South West RBD 2010 Central Government to the wild amongst the public and target groups Continue to promote 'Catch and East Devon Catchment; Release' for recreational angling and North Cornwall, Seaton, key commercial fisheries operations Looe and Fowey Direct biological pressures 2012 Environment Agency (for instance in Christchurch Harbour), Catchment; North Devon in order to protect spawning fish Catchment; South Devon stocks Catchment Abstraction and other Continue to deliver investigations and South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 63 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners artificial flow pressures measures relating to understanding and resolving flow related impacts through the Environment Agency Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme Ensure all significant abstractions and Abstraction and other discharges are appropriately artificial flow pressures; South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency screened to minimise the entrainment Direct biological pressures of key fish species at key life stages Priority Hazardous Substances, Priority Enforce REACH Annex 17 restrictions South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Substances and Specific Pollutants Provide advice to small and medium Priority Hazardous sized businesses on obligations in Substances, Priority relation to priority substances, priority South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Substances and Specific hazardous substances and specific Pollutants pollutants through NetRegs website Priority Hazardous Floodplain Woodland Project - A Forestry Commission; Substances, Priority project to create and enhance wet River Otter; Culm; Little Woodland Trust; Natural Substances and Specific woodland and riparian woodland, Dart River; Waldon; Lud England; Environment Pollutants; Microbiology; initially focussing on sites within Brook; Little Dart River; Implemented Agency; Devon Wildlife Sediments (as a direct Devon and Cornwall. Target areas Am Brook; Wray Brook; Trust; Dartmoor National pollutant); Organic have been identified within those Taw Park Authority; South West pollutants; Nutrients; waterbodies most affected by diffuse Water Temperature pollution Priority Hazardous Work with the Isles of Scilly Council to St Agnes; St Mary's; Substances, Priority review and update waste Bryher And Tresco; St 2012 Environment Agency Substances and Specific management practices on the islands Martin's

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 64 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Pollutants; Nutrients to minimise the known risk to drinking water supplies Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Appropriate Exe 2011 Environment Agency techniques (invasive species) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Exe; Hawcombe Str; Management Measure - Retain Physical modification Nadder (lower); 2011 Environment Agency marginal aquatic and riparian habitats Hampshire Avon (lower) (channel alteration) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate Physical modification channel maintenance strategies and Hampshire Avon (lower) 2011 Environment Agency techniques e.g. minimise disturbance to channel bed and margins Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate Physical modification techniques to align and attenuate flow Hampshire Avon (lower) 2011 Environment Agency to limit detrimental effects of these features (drainage) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Appropriate Hampshire Avon (lower) 2011 Environment Agency vegetation control technique Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Re-opening Hampshire Avon (lower) 2011 Environment Agency existing culverts Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Sediment Physical modification Hampshire Avon (lower) 2011 Environment Agency management strategies (develop and revise) which could include a)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 65 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners substrate reinstatement, b) sediment traps, c) allow natural recovery minimising maintenance, d) riffle construction, e) reduce all bar necessary management in flood risk areas Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Hampshire Avon (lower); Physical modification Management Measure - Bank 2011 Environment Agency Hawcombe Str rehabilitation / reprofiling Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Preserve and Hampshire Avon (lower); Physical modification where possible enhance ecological 2011 Environment Agency Hawcombe Str value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Flood bunds Hawcombe Str 2011 Environment Agency (earth banks) (in place of floodwalls) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Flow Physical modification Hawcombe Str 2011 Environment Agency manipulation (e.g. construct structures to normalise flow; realign frontage) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Removal of Physical modification hard bank reinforcement / revetment, Hawcombe Str 2011 Environment Agency or replacement with soft engineering solution Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Set-back Hawcombe Str 2011 Environment Agency embankments (a type of managed

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 66 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners retreat) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Hawcombe Str; Physical modification Management Measure - Increase in- 2011 Environment Agency Hampshire Avon (lower) channel morphological diversity Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Preserve (e.g. fencing) and where possible Hawcombe Str; Physical modification 2011 Environment Agency enhance ecological value of marginal Hampshire Avon (lower) aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Preserve Hawcombe Str; ; Physical modification 2011 Environment Agency and, where possible, restore historic Hampshire Avon (lower) aquatic habitats Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate Hawcombe Str; Nadder Physical modification water level management strategies, (lower); Hampshire Avon 2011 Environment Agency including timing and volume of water (lower); Exe moved Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Hawcombe Str; Taw Physical modification Management Measure - Managed 2011 Environment Agency Estuary realignment of flood defence Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Selective Hayle 2011 Environment Agency vegetation control regime Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Hayle; Hawcombe Str; Physical modification Management Measure - Improve Hampshire Avon (lower); 2011 Environment Agency floodplain connectivity Nadder (lower) Physical modification Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Nadder (lower); 2011 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 67 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Management Measure - Structures or Hampshire Avon (lower) other mechanisms in place and managed to enable fish to access waters upstream and downstream of the impounding works Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Nadder (lower); Management Measure - Operational Physical modification Hawcombe Str; 2011 Environment Agency and structural changes to locks, Hampshire Avon (lower) sluices, weirs, beach control, etc Public communications campaign to raise awareness of the ecological impact of small in river dams North Devon Catchment; Physical modification 2012 Environment Agency constructed for fun, known locally as South Devon Catchment 'Tripper Dams' because they are generally built by day-trippers Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Alteration of Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency channel bed (within culvert) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate Physical modification channel maintenance strategies and Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency techniques e.g. minimise disturbance to channel bed and margins Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate channel maintenance strategies and Physical modification Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency techniques e.g. remove woody debris only upstream of, or within, areas of urban flood risk

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 68 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Appropriate Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency techniques (invasive species) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Flow Physical modification Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency manipulation (e.g. construct structures to normalise flow; realign frontage) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Managed Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency realignment of flood defence Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Operational Physical modification Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency and structural changes to locks, sluices, weirs, beach control, etc Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Re-opening Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency existing culverts Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Structures or other mechanisms in place and Physical modification Plymouth Sound 2027 Environment Agency managed to enable fish to access waters upstream and downstream of the impounding works Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Appropriate Plymouth Sound; St. Physical modification water level management strategies, 2027 Environment Agency Austell River including timing and volume of water moved Physical modification Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Plymouth Sound; St. 2027 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 69 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Management Measure - Preserve Austell River (e.g. fencing) and where possible enhance ecological value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Sediment management strategies (develop and revise) which could include a) substrate reinstatement, b) sediment Plymouth Sound; St. Physical modification 2027 Environment Agency traps, c) allow natural recovery Austell River minimising maintenance, d) riffle construction, e) reduce all bar necessary management in flood risk areas Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Plymouth Sound; St. Physical modification Management Measure - Selective 2027 Environment Agency Austell River vegetation control regime Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Flood bunds St. Austell River 2027 Environment Agency (earth banks) (in place of floodwalls) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Physical modification Management Measure - Increase in- St. Austell River 2027 Environment Agency channel morphological diversity Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Set-back Physical modification St. Austell River 2027 Environment Agency embankments (a type of managed retreat) Physical modification Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk St. Austell River; 2027 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 70 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Management Measure - Appropriate Plymouth Sound techniques to align and attenuate flow to limit detrimental effects of these features (drainage) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk St. Austell River; Physical modification Management Measure - Appropriate 2027 Environment Agency Plymouth Sound timing (vegetation control) Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk St. Austell River; Physical modification Management Measure - Appropriate 2027 Environment Agency Plymouth Sound vegetation control technique Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk St. Austell River; Physical modification Management Measure - Bank 2027 Environment Agency Plymouth Sound rehabilitation / reprofiling Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk St. Austell River; Physical modification Management Measure - Improve 2027 Environment Agency Plymouth Sound floodplain connectivity Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Preserve and St. Austell River; Physical modification where possible enhance ecological 2027 Environment Agency Plymouth Sound value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Preserve St. Austell River; Physical modification 2027 Environment Agency and, where possible, restore historic Plymouth Sound aquatic habitats Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Removal of St. Austell River; Physical modification 2027 Environment Agency hard bank reinforcement / revetment, Plymouth Sound or replacement with soft engineering

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 71 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners solution Flood/Coastal Erosion Risk Management Measure - Retain St. Austell River; Physical modification 2027 Environment Agency marginal aquatic and riparian habitats Plymouth Sound (channel alteration) Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Physical modification Natura 2000 Protected Areas through South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency Fisheries Enhancement Project (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Local Authorities; Physical modification Natura 2000 Protected Areas through South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Flood Management Programme (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected Areas through Environment Agency; Physical modification South West RBD 2012 Investigation into water qualtiy, Natural England hydrology and morphology pressures (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natural England; Physical modification Natura 2000 Protected Areas through South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency River Restoration Programme for Protected Areas (See Annex D) Physical modification; Contribute to achievement of Environment Agency; South West RBD 2012 Abstraction and other Favourable Conservation Status on Agriculture and rural land

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 72 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners artificial flow pressures Natura 2000 Protected Areas through management (under Water Level Management Plans (See query) Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Physical modification; Favourable Conservation Status on Environment Agency; Sediments (as a direct Natura 2000 Protected Areas through South West RBD 2012 Natural England pollutant); Nutrients River Restoration Scheme (See Annex D) Seek sustainable and cost-effective Environment Agency; Alien species methods for managing established South West RBD 2012 Central Government invasions, such as biological control The South West White-Clawed Crayfish Conservation Project will carry out survey work to monitor the Alien species distribution of native and non-native South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency crayfish and establish 'Ark' sites to ensure the long-term survival of the species Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected Areas by Direct biological pressures South West RBD 2012 Natural England developing an Invasive species control programme for protected areas (See Annex D) Investigate the impact of rising river temperatures on fish populations, and Temperature South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency where required undertake actions to manage them Abstraction and other Contribute to achievement of South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 73 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners artificial flow pressures; Favourable Conservation Status on Nutrients Natura 2000 Protected Areas by Application of works notice and s85 of 1991 WRA 1991 (See Annex D) Review existing hydropower schemes, including commercial Abstraction and other schemes, as to the revised artificial flow pressures; Environment Agency Guidance on South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Physical modification; Direct Hydro Power Schemes and Best biological pressures Practice in order to minimise ecological impacts Contribute to achievement of Abstraction and other Favourable Conservation Status on artificial flow pressures; Natura 2000 Protected Areas through South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Physical modification; land drainage consents (See Annex Nutrients D) Continue investigation of eel populations at and Biota removal (including Slapton Ley as part of Eel Taw / Torridge; Slapton commercial fish take and Management Plan delivery, including Ley; Marazion River; 2013 Environment Agency weed control) the use of traps at tidal barriers on the Parrett Taw and Parrett in order to assess recruitment of eels to rivers Contribute to achievement of Dorset Catchment; favourable condition on Moors River Hampshire Avon System SSSI, River Frome SSSI, Catchment; North Environment Agency; Nutrients 2012 Avon Valley (Bickton To Christchurch) Cornwall, Seaton, Looe Natural England SSSI, Amble Marshes SSSI, and Fowey Catchment; Langmead and Weston Level SSSI , South & West Somerset

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 74 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners North Moor SSSI, Stover Park SSSI, Catchment; South Devon Loe Pool SSSI, Bere Stream SSSI Catchment; West and Langmead and Weston Level Cornwall and the Fal SSSI by developing a pollution action Catchment plan Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Bere Stream Dorset Catchment; West SSSI, Moors River System SSSI, Nutrients Cornwall and the Fal 2012 Environment Agency River Frome SSSI and Loe Pool SSSI Catchment by revoking or amending discharge consents Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Stover Park Natural England; Nutrients South Devon Catchment 2012 SSSI by implementing lake Environment Agency restoration project Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Moors River Environment Agency; Physical modification System SSSI and River Frome SSSI Dorset Catchment 2012 Natural England by implementing river restoration project Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Moors River Environment Agency; Direct biological pressures System SSSI and River Frome SSSI Dorset Catchment 2010 Natural England by implementing invasive species control programme Contribute to achievement of Dorset Catchment; North North Somerset Internal Abstraction and other favourable condition on River Frome Cornwall, Seaton, Looe Drainage Board; artificial flow pressures; 2010 SSSI, Amble Marshes SSSI and and Fowey Catchment; Environment Agency; West Physical modification North Moor SSSI by implementing South & West Somerset Mendip Internal Drainage

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 75 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners water level management plans Catchment Board Investigations Priority Hazardous Continue programme of Soil Substances, Priority Structural Survey work, focussing on East Devon Catchment; Substances and Specific high risk catchments with little current South & West Somerset Pollutants; Organic 2012 Environment Agency data. Ensure results feed into the Catchment; South Devon pollutants; Nutrients; evidence base to support catchment Catchment Microbiology; Sediments (as advisory work a direct pollutant) Continue to develop our understanding of nutrient sources and Nutrients budgets in areas where there are South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency uncertainties about options for nutrient management Where we have clear evidence of impacts, investigate sources and impacts of sediments making use of Nutrients; Sediments (as a Environment Agency; techniques such as sediment South West RBD Implemented direct pollutant) Natural England fingerprinting and sediment trapping where appropriate. This will be supported by farm advisory initiatives Investigate run-off incidents logged on the Environment Agency National Nutrients; Sediments (as a Environment Agency; Incident Response System so that the South West RBD Implemented direct pollutant) Natural England Environment Agency can identify and work to resolve reoccurring issues Nutrients; Organic pollutants; Investigate the ecological impact of South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Direct biological pressures aquaculture Acidification, Microbiology, Undertake investigations to better South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 76 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Nutrients, Organic understand problems in waterbodies Pollutants, Physical where extended deadlines have been Modification, Priority put in place and identify actions to Hazardous Substances, resolve them where possible. Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants, Sediments. Investigations into the ecological outcomes of measures to mitigate against effects of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management activities, improving the understanding of the cost/benefit and technical feasibility of Physical modification South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency such measures and developing understanding of the underlying processes, ecological responses and applicability. Will use case studies, but outcomes will have a national application Microbiology; Organic pollutants; Physical modification; Salinity; Work with the Isles of Scilly Council to Abstraction and other develop our understanding of the artificial flow pressures; wider pressures and risks to the The Isles of Scilly 2012 Environment Agency Direct biological pressures; groundwaters and coastal waters to Priority Hazardous allow for effective future management Substances, Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Acidification;

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 77 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Nutrients Abstraction and other Improve flow estimates for surface South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency artificial flow pressures water bodies Investigations at sites identified under Abstraction and other the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency artificial flow pressures Programme (where funded) Abstraction and other Review and improve Environmental South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency artificial flow pressures Flow Indicators

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 78 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.8 Industry, manufacturing and other business The Public administration & defence sector contributes the highest proportion to the output of the South West River Basin District. The wholesale and distribution, retailing and construction sectors are also significant contributors and Transport equipment is the largest manufacturing sector. Retailing, Health, and Hotels & catering are all significant employment sectors in the South West River Basin District reflecting both the high number of tourists visiting the large ageing population. The South West has a vibrant business community, with the highest survival rate for new businesses outside the South East and East of England.

Commercial sea-fishing makes an important economic contribution to some coastal areas. The fishing industry is a small sector but is relatively more important to the regional economy than is typical nationally. In 2005, over 40,000 tonnes of fish & shellfish worth over £50 million were landed by UK vessels into major South West ports including Plymouth, Brixham, , Falmouth, Looe, , Poole and Weymouth.

All businesses have some environmental footprint, by emitting pollution, producing waste or simply using power. The South West Economic Strategy is a key document to manage the impact of future economic growth, by aiming to demonstrate that this growth can be secured within environmental limits to bring prosperity to the region.

Table C8: Actions for Industry, manufacturing and other business

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners ‘Fishing for Litter' project will involve fishermen on 60 vessels working out of Newlyn, Brixham, Looe and Plymouth in a project to Physical modification South West RBD Implemented (under query) permanently remove marine litter by providing collection bags and dedicated waste reception facilities Physical modification; Include Sustainable Drainage Systems in new Priority Hazardous development, and retrofit where possible. For South West RBD 2012 Local Authorities Substances, Priority instance, Plymouth City Council are Substances and Specific considering potential SuDS (sustainable

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 79 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners Pollutants drainage systems) schemes including Bickleigh down, Sherford and throughout the Derriford area Hazardous substances and Implementation of SuDS (sustainable non-hazardous pollutants; drainage systems) Code of Practice. Comply South West RBD Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and with published advice for operators on Specific Pollutants sustainable drainage systems Priority Substances and Comply with EA Notice (WRA S86 and S161, Specific Pollutants; Environment Agency; Groundwater Regulations, contaminated land Hazardous substances and South West RBD Implemented Land managers and legislation) – make use of site specific notices non-hazardous pollutants; owners to remove pollutant risk to groundwater Nitrate Waste exemptions - low risk approach to Nitrate South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency waste regulation activities Work with industry to develop and implement Sydling Water; Bere Nutrients 2012 Environment Agency Watercress growers voluntary code of practice Stream Hazardous substances and Comply with Local Authority Contaminated Local Authorities; non-hazardous pollutants; land remediation Notices – make use of site South West RBD Implemented Land managers and Nitrate; Priority Substances specific notices to remove pollution risk to owners and Specific Pollutants groundwater Nitrate; Hazardous substances and non- Provide development planning standing hazardous pollutants; Priority South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency advice Substances and Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and Development planning structure plans - Local Authorities; non-hazardous pollutants; influence location of development to protect South West RBD Implemented Water companies; Nitrate; Priority Substances groundwater; Implement DCLG (Department Environment Agency and Specific Pollutants for Communities and Local Government)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 80 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners Planning Policy Guidance Statement 23 (PPS23) on controlling pollution of groundwater Hazardous substances and Development planning: land contamination - non-hazardous pollutants; site specific advice and required action for Local Authorities; South West RBD Implemented Priority Substances and remediation of contaminated land through Environment Agency Specific Pollutants planning liaison Hazardous substances and Groundwater protection advice to Veterinary non-hazardous pollutants; Land managers and Medicines Directorate products approvals South West RBD Implemented Nitrate; Priority Substances owners process and Specific Pollutants Water companies; Hazardous substances and Registrations (in conjunction with Standard Land managers and non-hazardous pollutants; Rules) - Implement new regulatory approach South West RBD 2012 owners; Industry Nitrate; Priority Substances arising from implementation of new leads; Environment and Specific Pollutants Groundwater Directive (2006/116/EC) Agency Hazardous substances and Follow Petrol Retailing Code of Practice non-hazardous pollutants; (Groundwater Regulations) - advice for South West RBD Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and operators Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and Follow Solvents Code of Practice non-hazardous pollutants; (Groundwater Regulations) - advice for South West RBD Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and operators Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and Implement Groundwater Protection: Policy & non-hazardous pollutants; Practice - External education on GW pollution South West RBD Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and prevention Specific Pollutants Priority Substances and Local initiative to agree voluntary pollution South West RBD 2012 Land managers and

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 81 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners Specific Pollutants; prevention and remediation of existing land owners Hazardous substances and contamination for at risk sites. Outcome: non-hazardous pollutants bringing land back into beneficial use and remove potential sources of groundwater contamination Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Pollution Prevention Visits and campaigns Priority Substances and targeted in high risk areas to address small South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency Specific Pollutants; and medium enterprises and industrial sites Nutrients; Microbiology Priority Substances and NetRegs (Environmental Guidance to Specific Pollutants; Nitrate; Business) - External education on GW South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and pollution legislation non-hazardous pollutants Hazardous substances and 12 groundwater non-hazardous pollutants; Local Pollution Prevention Campaign bodies in the South 2015 Environment Agency Priority Substances and West RBD Specific Pollutants Priority Hazardous Substances, Priority General guidance to improve pesticide use South West RBD Implemented Amenity Forum Substances and Specific through the Amenity Forum Pollutants Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Comply with environmental permit conditions South West RBD Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants Priority Substances and Environmental Permitting – effluent Specific Pollutants; South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency discharges to ground Hazardous substances and

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 82 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Environmental Permitting - Process Industries South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and Regulation non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Environmental Permitting - waste disposal South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Implementation of 'oil-filled cables' operating Specific Pollutants; Industry leads; agreement with electricity transmission South West RBD Implemented Hazardous substances and Environment Agency companies non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Proposed oil pipelines Operating Environment Agency; South West RBD 2012 Hazardous substances and Agreement(s) Industry leads non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Environment Agency; Total Oil Operating Agreement South West RBD Implemented Hazardous substances and Industry leads non-hazardous pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Re-engineer existing discharges to avoid Water companies; Hazardous substances and South West RBD Implemented direct discharges of pollutants to groundwater Environment Agency non-hazardous pollutants; Nitrate CAMS – Implement abstraction licensing Environment Agency; Saline intrusion controls to minimise and manage risks from South West RBD Implemented Water companies saline intrusion

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 83 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners Trichloroethylene EU-wide ban on use South West RBD Implemented EU Recently introduced restrictions across the UK will see decreasing trend in emissions and Mercury and its compounds South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency probable compliance by 2015 with no further action Fluoranthene; Benzo(a)pyrene; Benzo (ghi) EU Restriction on use of PAH content in oil South West RBD Implemented EU perylene; Indeno (123-cd) used in the manufacture of tyres pyrene Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Tailings Dam Inspection and South Cornwall 2015 Environment Agency Priority Substances and Remediation Specific Pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Minewater Treatment South Cornwall 2015 Environment Agency Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants Education & liaison at a local level with Abstraction builders, plumbers and developers to improve South West RBD 2012 Water companies water efficiency Regional Promote water recycling and rainwater Development harvesting where cost-effective, appropriate Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Agencies; Water and used together with other water demand companies; management measures Environment Agency Reduction of water demand through labelling Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Industry leads; Defra scheme for water efficient products Abstraction Reduction of water demand through offering of South West RBD Implemented Defra; HM Revenue

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 84 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners tax incentives (enhanced Capital Allowances) and Customs for the purchase and use of efficient plant and fittings by commercial organisations Water efficiency requirements in Abstraction Environmental Permitting Regulation (EPR) South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency permits Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Abstraction and other Conservation Status on Natura 2000 South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency artificial flow pressures Protected Areas by revoking or amending abstraction licences (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Sediments (as a direct Conservation Status on Natura 2000 South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency pollutant); Nutrients Protected Areas by revoking or amending Discharge/PPC Consents (See Annex D) Investigations Organic pollutants; Direct Investigate the ecological impact of biological pressures; South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency aquaculture Nutrients Investigation into the impact of commercial shell and fin fisheries to improve the risk Dredging and trawling assessment of the impact of these activities (commercial fishing and South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency on ecology and to identify appropriate shellfish) measures. Will use case studies, but outcomes will have a national application. An investigation into the source of the failures Lower Frome And DrWPA substance 2010 Environment Agency for aluminium Piddle Priority Substances and Further investigation - Tamar-Sustainable Tamar 2015 Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 85 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date - Summary and partners Specific Pollutants; management of minewater pollution Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants West Cornwall; Priority Substances and Tamar; North Further investigation in accordance with Specific Pollutants; Cornwall; Teign, Avon, recommendations of Defra Non Coal Mine 2015 Environment Agency Hazardous substances and Dart And Erme; Looe Project non-hazardous pollutants And Fowey; South Cornwall Priority Substances and Lower Dorset Stour Specific Pollutants; Part 2a Remediation; Pilot investigation And Lower Hampshire Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and followed by Avon non-hazardous pollutants

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 86 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.9 Local and regional government Local Government is responsible for working with the community to implement Government policy and maintain public services and facilities, from parks and education to social services and transport. In addition to the delivery of public services by individual councils and other statutory agencies, there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of organisations working in partnership with each other i.e. through Local Strategic Partnerships bringing together key service providers from the private, business, community and voluntary sectors into a single partnership.

The South West River Basin District covers all or parts of six Unitary Authorities (Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Poole, Bournemouth and Wiltshire) and all or part of 19 Districts (West Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Exeter, Torridge, North Devon, West Somerset, Mid Devon, East Devon, Taunton Deane, Sedgemoor, Mendip, South Somerset, West Dorset, Purbeck, North Dorset, East Dorset, New Forest and Christchurch) and four counties (Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset).

Unitary Authorities are single tier and deliver the full range of services, including education, social services, council tax and housing benefits, public libraries, museums and art galleries, traffic and transportation, refuse collection, recycling and disposal, planning, environmental health, swimming pools and leisure facilities, parks, open spaces and countryside including footpaths, cemeteries and crematoria, markets and fairs, registration of births, deaths, marriages and electorates, collecting council tax and business rates, and county and district councils.

County and District councils share these responsibilities between the two tiers.

Town and Parish councils provide local representation but have limited powers and responsibilities.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 87 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C9: Action for local and regional government

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary

Include Sustainable Drainage Systems in new Physical modification; development, and retrofit where possible. For Priority Hazardous instance, Plymouth City Council are considering South West Substances, Priority 2012 Local Authorities potential SuDS (sustainable drainage systems) RBD Substances and Specific schemes including Bickleigh down, Sherford and Pollutants throughout the Derriford area

Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Follow SUDS Code of Practice - advice for South West Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and operators on sustainable drainage systems RBD Specific Pollutants

Development planning structure plans - Hazardous substances and influence location of development to protect Local Authorities; Water non-hazardous pollutants; groundwater; Implement DCLG (Department for South West Implemented companies; Environment Nitrate; Priority Substances Communities and Local Government) Planning RBD Agency and Specific Pollutants Policy Guidance Statement 23 (PPS23) on controlling pollution of groundwater

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 88 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary

Develop and start to deliver a programme to resolve the 30 most significant physical barriers to fish movement, for instance at Evans on the South West Physical modification 2012 Environment Agency Tavy, at Holne on the Dart, at Silverton on the RBD Exe, on the Somerset Frome and on the Stour at Lydden

Develop water level management improvement schemes to enhance floodplain and habitat South & West Physical modification connectivity in the Somerset Levels and Moors Somerset 2012 Somerset County Council through the WAVE (Water Adaptation is Catchment Valuable for Everyone) Project

Exeter and East Devon, Plymouth, Newton Devon County Council; East Microbiology; Nutrients; Abbot and North Devon Green Infrastructure East Devon Devon District Council; Organic pollutants; Study to protect and enhance the environment Catchment; Exeter City Council; Natural Sediments (as a direct 2012 whilst planning for significant new growth. North Devon England; Plymouth City pollutant); Physical Opportunities will be identified for creating linked Catchment Council; Teignbridge District modification habitat networks Council

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 89 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary Riparian owners; Environment Agency; Environmental NGOs; Contain and control invasive non-native species South West Direct biological pressures 2012 Forestry Commission; Land at priority sites through partnership working RBD managers and owners; Local Authorities; Natural England

Hazardous substances and Fire service Memorandum of Understanding non-hazardous pollutants; South West Environment Agency; Local (MoU) on implementing pollution control Implemented Priority Substances and RBD Authorities measures in emergencies Specific Pollutants

Priority Hazardous Substances, Priority General guidance to improve pesticide use South West Implemented Amenity Forum Substances and Specific through the Amenity Forum RBD Pollutants

Ammonia; Faecal indicator organisms; Hazardous Local initiative / awareness campaign to substances and non- encourage Local Authority and contractors safe South West 2012 Environment Agency hazardous pollutants; use of pesticides and herbicides in Source RBD Nitrate; Priority Substances Protection Zones in prioritised areas and Specific Pollutants

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 90 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary

Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Local initiative to encourage Local Planning Ammonia; Faecal indicator Authorities to use GP3 (Groundwater Protection: South West organisms; Hazardous Policy and Practice) to promote best practice 2012 Local Authorities RBD substances and non- and PPS23 (Planning Policy Statement 23) to hazardous pollutants; ensure remediation of brownfield land Nitrate

Recommend that all new homes are built to level Abstraction and other South West three of the Code for Sustainable homes, which Implemented Environment Agency artificial flow pressures RBD includes challenging targets for water efficiency

WFD mitigation measures manual for flood and coastal erosion risk management and land drainage activities. This manual will set out best practice options for measures to mitigate against South West Physical modification the impacts of such activities upon ecology. This 2010 Environment Agency RBD will be used to ensure that new and existing schemes and management activities will take into consideration WFD requirements and will results in minimal ecological damage

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 91 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected South West Local Authorities; Physical modification 2012 Areas through Flood Management Programme RBD Environment Agency (See Annex D)

Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected South West Physical modification 2011 Local Authorities Areas through Implementation of Appropriate RBD Coastal Management (See Annex D)

Contribute to achievement of Favourable Direct biological pressures; Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected South West 2011 Local Authorities Physical modification Areas through planning permission enforcement RBD (See Annex D)

Contribute to achievement of Favourable Sediments (as a direct Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected Local Authorities; Natural pollutant); Abstraction and Areas through Specific Management Works to ; Land managers other artificial flow 2012 address water quality, invasive species, RBD and owners; Environmental pressures; Nutrients; hydrology and morphology pressures (See NGOs; Water companies Physical modification Annex D)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 92 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary Investigations Investigations into the ecological outcomes of measures to mitigate against effects of Flood And Coastal Erosion Risk Management activities, improving the understanding of the South West Physical modification cost/benefit and technical feasibility of such 2010 Environment Agency RBD measures and developing understanding of the underlying processes, ecological responses and applicability. Will use case studies, but outcomes will have a national application

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 93 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.10 Mining and quarrying The varied geology of the South West means that there has been considerable production of industrial and constructional minerals from quarries and underground mines. Building stones and slate have been worked for centuries where suitable rocks occur. The most important environmental impacts are generally around sediment management.

There is a long history of metal and china clay mining in the west of the District. Waters leaching from long abandoned metal mines can be contaminated with toxic metals such as zinc, lead, cadmium, manganese, copper and can also be quite acidic. Such minewater related pollution can have significant ecological impacts, although in some places with a very long history of contamination, wildlife has adapted to the pollution to an extent. Land subjected to china clay extraction makes a smaller, but locally significant contribution to the pollution and sediment load. These contaminants are ultimately transported to our estuaries, where they accumulate in the sediments. Metal concentrations in the sediments of some South West estuaries (for instance The Fal, Fowey and Tamar) are among the highest in Europe.

Current mining and quarrying activity is well regulated. Dealing with the environmental legacy of historic activities will be expensive and presents a major technical challenge. Although we will make progress, it is likely that in places we will need to continue to live with the impacts for years to come.

Table C10: Mining and quarrying sector

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Develop agreements to manage the Priority Hazardous potential impacts of the withdrawal of Substances, Priority North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe the China Clay Industry, in particular in Substances and and Fowey Catchment; West Environment Agency; the areas around and Lee 2012 Specific Pollutants; Cornwall and the Fal Cornwall Wildlife Trust Moor, taking into account the Cornwall Sediments (as a direct Catchment Wildlife Trust produced biodiversity pollutant) vision for the area

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 94 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Priority Substances Comply with EA Notice (WRA S86 and and Specific S161, Groundwater Regulations, Industry leads; Land Pollutants; Hazardous contaminated land legislation) – make South West RBD Implemented managers and owners substances and non- use of site specific notices to remove hazardous pollutants pollutant risk to groundwater Hazardous substances Comply with Local Authority and non-hazardous contaminated land remediation Local Authorities; Industry pollutants; Priority Notices – make use of site specific South West RBD Implemented leads Substances and notices to remove pollution risk to Specific Pollutants groundwater

Natural England; Environment Agency; Contain and control invasive non- Environmental NGOs; Direct biological native species at priority sites through South West RBD 2012 Forestry Commission; pressures partnership working Local Authorities; Riparian owners; Land managers and owners

Nitrate; Hazardous Registrations (in conjunction with Environment Agency; substances and non- Standard Rules) - Implement new Industry leads; Water hazardous pollutants; regulatory approach arising from South West RBD 2012 companies; Land Priority Substances implementation of new Groundwater managers and owners and Specific Pollutants Directive (2006/116/EC)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 95 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Hazardous substances and non-hazardous Wheal Maid Tailings Dam Inspection pollutants; Priority South Cornwall 2015 Environment Agency and Remediation Substances and Specific Pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Hazardous Wheal Jane Minewater Treatment South Cornwall 2015 Environment Agency substances and non- hazardous pollutants Extension of abstraction control to Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency include previously exempt uses Investigations

6 waterbodies in the North Priority Hazardous Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Substances, Priority Investigate discharges from Fowey Catchment; 3 Substances and abandoned metal, and other non-coal waterbodies in the North Specific Pollutants; mines. Prioritise for inclusion in Devon Catchment; 5 2012 Environment Agency Hazardous substances national agreement with relevant waterbodies in the Tamar and non-hazardous mines partner organisations Catchment; 25 waterbodies in pollutants the West Cornwall and the Fal Catchment

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 96 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary partners Priority Substances and Specific Further investigation - Tamar- Pollutants; Hazardous Sustainable management of Tamar 2012 Environment Agency substances and non- minewater pollution hazardous pollutants

Priority Substances West Cornwall; Tamar; North and Specific Further investigation in accordance Cornwall; Teign, Avon, Dart Pollutants; Hazardous with recommendations of Defra Non 201 Environment Agency And Erme; Looe And Fowey; 2 substances and non- Coal Mine Project South Cornwall hazardous pollutants

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 97 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.11 Navigation Ports and marinas provide important regional infrastructure supporting local economies and businesses. Ports handle approximately 95 per cent of UK trade in tonnage terms. Domestic coastal freight services contribute to reducing road congestion and can provide a more environmentally friendly mode of transport than road or rail. This could increase in the future with an increase in coastal shipping. The South West River Basin District has a number of important ports including Plymouth, Poole and Fowey. Over half of Plymouth’s throughput is bulk fuels and the remainder is dry bulk, general cargo and ferry traffic to France and Spain. Poole, which is the largest port in the River Basin District also handles bulk and general cargo but its main business at present is ferry traffic. Together with other ports in the South West Poole has a very significant leisure related business. Fowey also has leisure and some cruise calls but the majority of traffic is exported china clay from local quarries. Shipping relies on safe access to water of an adequate depth for access to markets.

Ports authorities are responsible for navigational safety in their areas and generally have a statutory duty to ‘maintain and improve’ their ports. This leads to the requirement to undertake dredging to maintain and deepen channels to ensure safe access. Metal concentrations in some South West estuarine sediments are among the highest in the country and levels of chemicals used as anti-foulants are also high in a number of locations. This contamination can be released into the water as a result of dredging or disturbance. This causes operational problems for port and harbour authorities that may need to dredge for navigation purposes and for some shellfisheries. Ports and marinas can be directly affected by discharges upstream, leading to water quality issues.

The South West coast is popular with tourists and there are a significant number of marinas for example at Poole, Weymouth, Dartmouth, Plymouth and Falmouth. A British Marine Federation report on marinas and moorings for both inland and coastal sectors illustrated that the demand for moorings exceeds the supply in coastal waters. For inland waters, there is a strong demand for moorings for current and mid term requirements, with current waiting lists indicating an overwhelming demand for power moorings.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 98 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C11: Actions for the Navigation sector

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary Priority Hazardous 48 Develop national guidance framework on dredging Substances, Priority waterbodies in to inform Programme of Measures to meet WFD 2010 Defra Substances and South West objectives Specific Pollutants; RBD Priority Hazardous 48 Develop national guidance framework on disposal of Substances, Priority waterbodies in dredgings to inform Programme of Measures to 2010 Defra Substances and South West meet WFD objectives Specific Pollutants; RBD Priority Hazardous Apply national guidance framework on dredging and 48 Substances, Priority disposal of dredgings to refine local measures as waterbodies in 2012 Marine and Fisheries Agency Substances and appropriate (where not disproportionately costly or South West Specific Pollutants; technically infeasible) RBD Apply national guidance framework on dredging and dredged material disposal (ports sector) to provide guidance to all those undertaking or permitting 48 navigation dredging and dredged material disposal Dredging (sediment waterbodies in activities to assist in achieving the statutory 2010 Environment Agency management) South West objectives of the WFD and related EQS Directive RBD (2008/105/EEC) and refine local measures as appropriate (where not disproportionately costly or technically infeasible) 48 Review existing controls for dredging and disposal waterbodies in Tributyltin compounds of dredgings inside and outside harbour limits as 2012 Marine and Fisheries Agency South West appropriate RBD Tributyltin compounds EU-wide ban on marketing of TBT as a biocide in South West Implemented EU

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 99 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen happen - Date partners Summary the EU RBD EU-wide non-application of TBT to boat hulls from July 2003. From January 2008 TBT should not be South West Tributyltin compounds Implemented EU used on ship hulls or there should be a coating to RBD prevent leaching of underlying TBT anti-foulants British Marine Federation; Help prevent illegal use of old TBT containing South West British Waterways; Tributyltin compounds Implemented products RBD Environment Agency; Royal Yachting Association Land managers and owners; Natural England; Riparian Direct biological Contain and control invasive non-native species at South West owners; Local Authorities; 2012 pressures priority sites through partnership working. RBD Forestry Commission; Environmental NGOs; Environment Agency Extension of abstraction control to include previously exempt uses (abstractions by Ports and South West Abstraction 2012 Environment Agency Harbour authorities from tidal waters under certain RBD conditions likely to remain exempt) Nutrients; ‘Green Blue' Programme, and associated advisory Microbiology; Organic initiatives (for example in Areas of Outstanding pollutants; Physical Natural Beauty) promote environmental best South West British Marine Federation; Implemented modification; practice to the recreational boating community RBD Royal Yachting Association Sediments (as a direct including dealing with sewage and other waste from pollutant) their boats

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 100 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Lead Pressure What Will Happen Where it will happen - Summary Date organisation and partners Investigations (lower); Stour (lower); Lower River Tavy; Lower River Investigate the reason for failure: Camel; Lower ; Lower River Carnon And Perranwell Tributyltin to assess the contribution from Stream; Lower River Tamar; ; River Teign; Dart; Environment 2012 compounds dredging or disposal activities on Erme; Axe; Tone, Wellington To Taunton; River Otter; Parrett; Agency EQS compliance as appropriate ; Tone Ds Taunton; Brue; Yealm; Plymouth Sound; Inner; Carrick Roads Outer

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 101 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.12 Urban and transport Just over 3 million people live in the South West River Basin District making it one of the least densely populated of all of the river basin districts. It does however contain significant urban areas such as Plymouth, Poole, Exeter and Bournemouth, and the population is growing. North Dorset, Torridge, , West Wiltshire and Exeter were among the fastest growing 10% of local authority areas in England between 1994 and 2004.

The region has a relatively low density of population and this dispersed pattern of settlements reduces accessibility to key services and employment opportunities for many people. The larger cities and towns tend to have a net inflow of commuters drawn mostly from the surrounding area although longer distance commuting on the region’s trunk roads and motorways is a growing trend. We must plan for continued economic and population growth.

As economic, industrial and housing development continues, we are seeing an increase in problems related to runoff from urban areas and our highways. Rapid runoff of water from impermeable surfaces enters our sewerage network, washing pollutants with it. In many locations, the sewers that receive this surface water runoff are ‘combined’, meaning they also carry sewage. The sheer volume of runoff can overwhelm the sewerage network, and although the great majority of problems have now been resolved, maintenance remains a concern. Extreme runoff events are likely to become more frequent as climate change continues. A move to more sustainable drainage systems will reduce the direct impacts associated with urban runoff described above, with benefits for all water users. It will also contribute to managing our water resources better by holding onto our water for longer.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 102 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C12: Actions for the urban and transport sector

Description of the action Where it Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen will happen Date partners - Summary Sediments (as a direct pollutant); Priority Hazardous Substances, Environment Agency and Highways Agency South West Priority Substances and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Implemented Highways Agency RBD Specific Pollutants; Organic associated initiatives pollutants; Microbiology; Nutrients Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Highways Agency Programme to investigate South West Implemented Highways Agency Priority Substances and soakaways RBD Specific Pollutants WFD mitigation measures manual for flood and coastal erosion risk management and land drainage activities. This manual will set out best practice options for measures to mitigate against South West Physical modification the impacts of such activities upon ecology. This 2010 Environment Agency RBD will be used to ensure that new and existing schemes and management activities will take into consideration WFD requirements and will results in minimal ecological damage Physical modification; Priority Hazardous Include Sustainable Drainage Systems in new South West Substances, Priority 2012 Local Authorities development, and retrofit where possible. RBD Substances and Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and Follow SuDS (sustainable drainage systems) Code South West Implemented Industry leads

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 103 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen will happen Date partners - Summary non-hazardous pollutants; of Practice - advice for operators on sustainable RBD Priority Substances and drainage systems Specific Pollutants Develop inventory and review current private Nitrate; Priority Substances sewage discharges to ground. Review discharge and Specific Pollutants; consent/encourage applicants to apply for Hazardous substances and South West consents, and upgrade treatment or improve 2012 Environment Agency non-hazardous pollutants; RBD practice for small sewage treatment works and Faecal indicator organisms; septic tanks where investigations are found to Ammonia show non-compliance with legislation Nitrate; Priority Substances Registrations (in conjunction with Standard Rules) Land managers and and Specific Pollutants; - implement new regulatory approach arising from South West owners; Industry leads; 2012 Hazardous substances and implementation of new Groundwater Directive RBD Environment Agency; Water non-hazardous pollutants (2006/116/EC) companies Microbiology; Sediments (as a direct pollutant); Organic pollutants; Priority National Fire Service Protocol to minimise the risk South West Hazardous Substances, Implemented National Fire Service of pollution during fire emergencies RBD Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Nutrients Hazardous substances and Comply with EA Notice (WRA S86 and S161, non-hazardous pollutants; Groundwater Regulations) – make use of site South West Implemented Environment Agency Priority Substances and specific notices to remove pollutant risks to RBD Specific Pollutants groundwater Hazardous substances and Comply with new EC Sustainable Use of South West non-hazardous pollutants; Pesticides Directive to control use of Plant 2012 Land managers and owners RBD Priority Substances and Protection Products

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 104 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen will happen Date partners - Summary Specific Pollutants Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; Follow Pesticides Code of Practice - advice for South West Implemented Industry leads Priority Substances and operators on control of plant protection products RBD Specific Pollutants Priority Hazardous Substances, Priority General guidance to improve pesticide use through South West Implemented Amenity Forum Substances and Specific the Amenity Forum RBD Pollutants Hazardous substances and non-hazardous pollutants; South West Environment Agency; Implementation of Network Rail Pesticide protocol Implemented Priority Substances and RBD Industry leads Specific Pollutants Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; South West Comply with WRA consent conditions Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and RBD non-hazardous pollutants

Environment Agency; Forestry Commission; Land Contain and control invasive non-native species at South West managers and owners; Direct biological pressures 2012 priority sites through partnership working RBD Local Authorities; Natural England; Environmental NGOs; Riparian owners

Investigations Investigations into the ecological outcomes of South West Physical modification 2010 Environment Agency measures to mitigate against effects of Flood And RBD

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 105 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it Lead organisation and Pressure What Will Happen will happen Date partners - Summary Coastal Erosion Risk Management activities, improving the understanding of the cost/benefit and technical feasibility of such measures and developing understanding of the underlying processes, ecological responses and applicability. Will use case studies, but outcomes will have a national application Nitrate; Hazardous Investigations to identify areas at risk of substances and non- contaminants from urban and transport activities, hazardous pollutants; and develop targeted pollution prevention South West Faecal indicator organisms; partnerships. Outcome: reduction in pollution from 2012 Environment Agency RBD Ammonia; Priority non agricultural pesticides, road drainage, road Substances and Specific salt, hydrocarbons and foul drainage. Develop Pollutants Memorandum Of Understanding Lower An investigation into the source of the failures for DrWPA substance Frome And 2010 Environment Agency aluminium Piddle

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 106 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

C.13 Water industry There are two water and sewerage service companies operating in the South West River Basin District – South West Water and Wessex Water. All the households served by South West Water are within the SW River Basin District, and over half of the Households served by Wessex Water. In the South West Water area in particular, water and sewerage charges are significantly higher, as a proportion of disposable income, than in the rest of the country.

In addition, three water-only companies also operate in the District. More than half of the Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Company fall within the South West River Basin District as do all of the households supplied by the Cholderton Water Company and a small number of households served by Bristol Water.

As well as having some of the finest rivers in the country, the South West is also an outstanding coastal environment. Our rivers and coasts support a diverse ecology as well as a range of uses from tourism and recreation to the fishing industry. Protecting our waters and ensuring these uses can continue means that sewage and other effluents need to be treated to very high standards. Achieving these standards is complicated by significant seasonal fluctuations in the population which result from the popularity of the District as a holiday destination.

Although the water industry is regulated consistently across the country as a whole, the challenges companies face vary significantly across the District. For example, one important difference is the source of the drinking water supplied by the industry. For the companies operating in the West, drinking water is predominantly supplied from surface waters, while in the East, the bulk of the water supplied is taken from underground aquifers. This means that the companies in the South West operate in different ways to provide a secure high quality water supply.

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 107 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Table C13: Actions for the water industry

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Improvement of water company assets in the West Cornwall and the Fal Catchment under the next Organic Pollutants (BOD, round of company investment West Cornwall and the Fal Ammonia), Micro-biology (Faecal (PR09), including: 2010 South West Water Catchment Indicator Organisms) - Ensure no deterioration in current water quality as a result of increased volumes of discharge from Praze-An-Beeble STW Improvement of water company assets in the Dorset Catchment under the next round of company Organic Pollutants (Ammonia), investment (PR09), including: Nutrients (Phosphate), Micro- - Ensure no deterioration in Dorset Catchment 2010 Wessex Water biology (Faecal Indicator current water quality as a result of Organisms) increased volumes of discharge from Mere STW and Puddletown STW Improvement of water company assets in the East Devon Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09), Organic Pollutants (BOD, including: East Devon Catchment South West Water Ammonia) 2 - Ensure no deterioration in current water quality as a result of increased volumes of discharge from Willand (Jaycroft) STW,

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 108 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Sampford Peverell STW and Dunkeswell STW

Improvement of water company assets in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09), including: - Ensure no deterioration in current water quality as a result of Organic Pollutants (Ammonia) increased volumes of discharge North Cornwall, Seaton Looe and Micro-biology (Faecal from STW, Buckland 2010 South West Water and Fowey catchment Indicator Organisms) Brewer STW and STW - Improved shellfish waters as a result of the installation of UV treatment at (Nantstallon) STW, Bodmin (Scarletts Well) STW, STW, , Golent and STWs

Improvement of water company assets in the North Devon Organic Pollutants (BOD, Catchment under the next round Ammonia), Micro-biology (Faecal of company investment (PR09), North Devon Catchment 2010 South West Water Indicator Organisms) including: - Ensure no deterioration in current water quality as a result of

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 109 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners increased volumes of discharge from Hatherleigh STW

Improvement of water company assets in the South and West Somerset Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09), including: - Ensure no deterioration in current water quality as a result of increased volumes of discharge Organic Pollutants (Ammonia), South and West Somerset from Bishops Lydeard STW and 2010 Wessex Water Nutrients (Phosphate) Catchment Taunton Ham STW. - Improve discharges from Evercreech STW, Wells STW, Sherborne STW, Shepton Mallet STW, Glastonbury STW, and Yeovil Pen Mill STW associated with 2007 sensitive areas (eutrophic) designations Improvement of water company assets in the South Devon Catchment under AMP4 and the next round of company Nutrients (Nitrate), Micro-biology investment (PR09), including: South Devon Catchment 2010 South West Water (Faecal Indicator Organisms) - Nutrient removal from discharges from Kingsbridge STW. - Improved shellfish waters as a

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 110 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners result of a scheme to improve discharges from Heathfield STW by installing UV treatment and reducing spills from the inlet works and storm tank (AMP4).

Improvement of water company assets in the Tamar Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09), including: Organic Pollutants (BOD, - Ensure no deterioration in Tamar Catchment 2010 South West Water Ammonia) current water quality as a result of increased volumes of discharge from Gratton STW, Lamerton STW and Sparkwell STW Prioritisation of vulnerable groundwater areas which may need provision of first time rural Faecal indicator organisms; sewerage under Water Hazardous substances and non- Resources Act (1991) s101 hazardous pollutants; Ammonia; South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency targeting Source Protection Zone Nitrate; Priority Substances and 1 and Groundwater Flooding Specific Pollutants areas. Outcome - identification of priority areas to use in liaison with Local Planning Authorities Hazardous substances and non- hazardous pollutants; Nitrate; Comply with discharge consent South West RBD Implemented Water companies Priority Substances and Specific conditions Pollutants

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 111 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Comply with EA Notice (WRA and Hazardous substances and non- S86 and S161, Groundwater hazardous pollutants; Priority Regulations, Contaminated land Land managers and South West RBD Implemented Substances and Specific legislation) – make use of site owners Pollutants specific notices to remove pollution risk to groundwater Make use of site specific notices to remove nitrate pollution risk to Nitrate groundwater. (WRA and S86 and South West RBD Implemented Local Authorities S161, Groundwater Regulations, contaminated land legislation) Comply with Local Authority Hazardous substances and non- contaminated land remediation hazardous pollutants; Priority Notices – make use of site South West RBD Implemented Local Authorities Substances and Specific specific notices to remove Pollutants pollution risk to groundwater Hazardous substances and non- hazardous pollutants; Priority PR04 – Water Company South West RBD Implemented Central Government Substances and Specific spending review Pollutants; Nitrate Provision of first time rural Nitrate South West RBD Implemented Water companies sewerage schemes Sludge Regulations - advice to Environment Agency; Nitrate South West RBD Implemented operators Water companies Water companies; Nitrate Sludge Regulations - enforcement South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Priority Substances and Specific Re-engineer existing discharges Water companies; Pollutants; Nitrate; Hazardous to avoid direct discharges of South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency substances and non-hazardous pollutants to groundwater for

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 112 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners pollutants instance at Bosweddon STW, Bickerton and Denbury STW Separate surface water drainage South West Water; Nutrients and foul drainage where South West RBD Implemented Wessex Water appropriate Trial more sustainable alternatives to existing sewage South & West Somerset Nutrients works processes to reduce or 2012 Wessex Water Catchment mitigate the impact of nutrient rich effluents Wessex Water catchment schemes to address diffuse South & West Somerset Priority Hazardous Substances, pollution of groundwaters at 13 Catchment, Dorset Priority Substances and Specific locations across the South West, 2012 Wessex Water Catchment, Hampshire Avon Pollutants, Nutrients for example at Friar Waddon, Catchment Sturminster Marshall and Shapwick. Priority Hazardous Substances, General guidance to improve Priority Substances and Specific pesticide use through the Amenity South West RBD Implemented Amenity Forum Pollutants Forum Priority Substances and Specific Pollutants; Hazardous Control of mine water intrusion by Water companies; South West RBD Implemented substances and non-hazardous reducing groundwater abstraction Environment Agency pollutants Develop detailed 5-year Catchment Action Plan for Cannington Bk (Ashford Metaldehyde Steering Metaldehyde Safeguard Zone. Proactive Reservoir); Sutton Bingham 2010 Group, Water implementation of Metaldehyde Reservoir; Durleigh Reservoir Companies., farmers Steering Group 'Get Pelletwise'

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 113 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners measures Water industry scheme to Metaldehyde address diffuse pollution in the Durleigh Reservoir 2010 Wessex Water catchment Priority Substances and Specific Implement Groundwater Land managers and Pollutants; Hazardous Protection: Policy & Practice - South West RBD Implemented owners; Environment substances and non-hazardous External education on GW Agency pollutants; Nitrate pollution prevention Registrations (in conjunction with Land managers and Priority Substances and Specific Standard Rules) - Implement new owners; Water Pollutants; Hazardous regulatory approach arising from South West RBD 2012 companies; Industry substances and non-hazardous implementation of new leads; Environment pollutants; Nitrate Groundwater Directive Agency (2006/116/EC) Investigation of Groundwater Priority Substances and Specific Dependant Terrestrial Pollutants; Phosphate; Nitrate; Ecosystems (GWDTEs) to assess South West RBD Implemented Environment Agency Hazardous substances and non- if they have been significantly hazardous pollutants damaged as a result of groundwater pollution Coordinated education and awareness on water efficiency Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency and re-use to promote value of water Ensure the need for appropriate Developers; Water Cycle Studies are included Environment Agency; Abstraction in regional and local plans, South West RBD 2012 Local Authorities; particularly in growth or high risk Water companies areas

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 114 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Include strong water efficiency Regional Assemblies; policies in Spatial Strategies and Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Local Authorities; Local Development Plans / Central Government Frameworks Wessex Water; Reduction of water demand Bournemouth and Abstraction through installation of domestic South West RBD Implemented West Hampshire meters on change of occupier Water Reduction of water demand Abstraction through promotion of free South West RBD Implemented Water companies domestic meters Reduction of water demand Abstraction through use of innovative tariffs South West RBD 2012 Water companies for metered properties Reduction of leakage through active leakage control and Abstraction South West RBD Implemented Water companies customer supply pipe repair policies Schools based education and Abstraction awareness campaigns for South West RBD 2012 Water companies sustainable water use Extension of abstraction control to Abstraction South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency include previously exempt uses South West Water; Coordinated education and Wessex Water; Abstraction and other artificial awareness campaigns on water Energy Savings Trust; South West RBD 2012 flow pressures efficiency and re-use to promote Cholderton Water; value of water Bournemouth and West Hampshire

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 115 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Water; Bristol Water Use of tree planting to deliver Abstraction and other artificial water resource protection, South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency flow pressures including shading of rivers and streams to prevent over-heating Bristol Water; Cholderton Water; Water companies to improve Abstraction and other artificial Bournemouth and water efficiency through provision South West RBD 2012 flow pressures West Hampshire of water efficiency devices Water; Wessex Water; South West Water Forestry Commission; Environment Agency; Environmental NGOs; Contain and control invasive non- Land managers and Direct biological pressures native species at priority sites South West RBD 2012 owners; Local through partnership working Authorities; Riparian owners; Natural England CAMS – Implement abstraction licensing controls to minimise and Environment Agency; Saline intrusion South West RBD Implemented manage risks from saline Water companies intrusion Natura 2000 and SSSI actions Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2010 Environment Agency flow pressures; Nutrients by revoking or amending abstraction licences (See Annex

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 116 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Nutrients; Sediments (as a direct on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Environment Agency pollutant) by revoking or amending Discharge/PPC Consents (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Water companies flow pressures; Nutrients through Implementing AMP Investigation (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status Abstraction and other artificial on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Water companies flow pressures; Nutrients through Implementing AMP Schemes (See Annex D) Contribute to achievement of Favourable Conservation Status on Natura 2000 Protected Areas through Specific Management Land managers and Sediments (as a direct pollutant); Works to address water quality, owners; Local Abstraction and other artificial invasive species, hydrology and Authorities; South West RBD 2012 flow pressures; Nutrients; morphology pressures (See Environmental NGOs; Physical modification Annex D), including land Natural England; management schemes by South Water companies West Water at Colliford Reservoir, De Lank WTW, Countess Weir STW, Bystock Ponds, Squabmoor

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 117 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Reservoir, , Axe Valley, Lopewell Dam, Burrator Quarry, Mary Tavy, Venford Reservoir and Crowdy Reservoir. Contribute to achievement of Abstraction and other artificial Favourable Conservation Status flow pressures; Direct biological on Natura 2000 Protected Areas South West RBD 2012 Natural England pressures; Nutrients; Physical through SSSI Management modification Agreement (See Annex D) Modification of Abstraction licence to ensure no adverse effect on Abstraction and other artificial Wessex Water; integrity of Natura 2000 site Bourne 2015 flow pressures Environment Agency (prevent fish entrainment): Bourne (inc. Nine Mile)

Modification of Abstraction licence to ensure no adverse effect on Abstraction and other artificial Wessex Water; integrity of Natura 2000 site: Chitterne Brook 2015 flow pressures Environment Agency Chitterne Brook Stream Support (post project monitoring)

Modification of Abstraction licence Abstraction and other artificial to ensure no adverse effect on Wessex Water; Upper Hampshire Avon 2015 flow pressures integrity of Natura 2000 site: Environment Agency Hampshire Avon SAC

Abstraction and other artificial South West Water; South Devon Catchment 2015 flow pressures Modification of Abstraction Environment Agency

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 118 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners licences to ensure no adverse effect on integrity of Natura 2000 site (prevent fish entrainment): Dartmoor SAC

Contribute to achievement of favourable condition on Bere Nutrients Stream SSSI and River Frome Dorset Catchment 2010 Wessex Water SSSI by implementing AMP schemes

Investigations Investigation of water company assets in the West Cornwall and the Fal Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09). These include: Organic Pollutants (BOD, - Better understanding of the West Cornwall and the Fal Ammonia), Micro-biology (Faecal 2010 South West Water pressures on river and Shellfish Catchment Indicator Organisms) Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs), emergency overflows (EOs), and pumping stations (PSs), and from College STW,

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 119 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners alongside related investigations into the impacts of water company assets on the Fal Estuary and Helford Shellfish Waters as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Reduction Plan for each water Investigation of water company assets in the Dorset Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09). These include: - Investigations to assess the impact of water company assets on Poole Harbour SSSI, Radipole Lake SSSI, Bere stream SSSI Organic Pollutants (Ammonia), and River Frome SSSI (Maiden Nutrients (Phosphate), Micro- Newton - Dorchester). Dorset Catchment 2010 Wessex Water biology (Faecal Indicator - Better understanding of the Organisms) pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs), emergency overflows (EOs), Storm Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and pumping stations (PSs), alongside related investigations into the impacts of water company assets on

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 120 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners shellfish waters at Poole Harbour as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Reduction Plan for each water Investigation of water company assets in the East Devon Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09). These include: - Better understanding of the pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs) and pumping stations (PSs) alongside related Organic Pollutants (BOD, investigations into the impacts of East Devon Catchment South West Water Ammonia) 2010 water company assets on the Exe Shellfish Water as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Reduction Plan for each water. - Better understanding of the pressures on Bathing Water Quality at Lyme Regis and Teignmouth, and of pressures on the quality of drinking water supplies at Tottiford Water Treatment Works and Wimbleball Reservoir, as a result of

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 121 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners investigations Investigation of water company assets in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09). These include: - Better understanding of the pressures on Bathing Water Quality at East Looe, and on drinking water quality at Organic Pollutants (Ammonia) Lowermoor, De Lank, Bastreet North Cornwall, Seaton Looe and Micro-biology (Faecal and water treatment 2010 South West Water and Fowey catchment Indicator Organisms) works as a result of investigations - Better understanding of the pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs) and Sewage Treatment Works (STWs) to include: Sarah’s View CSO, Coulson Park SPS, Lostwithiel STW storm tank and Fowey STW storm tank Investigation of water company Organic Pollutants (BOD, assets in the North Devon Ammonia), Micro-biology (Faecal Catchment under the next round North Devon Catchment 2010 South West Water Indicator Organisms) of company investment (PR09). These include:

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 122 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners - Better understanding of the pressures on the Bathing Water Quality at Combe Martin Bathing Water, Ilfracombe Bathing Water, and Taw Torridge Bathing Water (a cBWD mandatory failure under the current Bathing Waters Directive) as a result of investigations. - Better understanding of the pressures on drinking water quality in the Slade and Meldon reservoirs as a result of catchment investigations - Better understanding of the pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs), sewage treatment works (STWs), emergency overflows (EOs), and pumping stations (PSs), alongside related investigations into the impacts of water company assets at Taw- Torridge, as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Reduction Plan for each water

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 123 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Investigation of water company assets in the South and West Somerset Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09) to deliver improvements or investigate the need for further investment. These include: - Investigate the impact of water company assets under the Somerset Level and Moors Organic Pollutants (Ammonia), South and West Somerset sustainable sewage treatment 2010 Wessex Water Nutrients (Phosphate) Catchment investigation. - Better understanding of the pressures on Bathing Water Quality at Burnham Jetty and Blue Anchor Bathing Waters as a result of investigations. - Better understanding of the pressures on drinking water quality Sutton Bingham and Durleigh reservoirs as a result of investigations Investigation of water company assets in the South Devon Nutrients (Nitrate), Micro-biology Catchment under the next round South Devon Catchment 2010 South West Water (Faecal Indicator Organisms) of company investment (PR09) . These include: - Investigate the impact of water

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 124 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners company assets on Loe Pool SSSI and Slapton Ley under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW Act). - Better understanding of the pressures on Bathing Water Quality at Tor Bay, Teignmouth and the Erme (a current cBWD mandatory failure) as a result of investigations. - Better understanding of the pressures on drinking water quality at Avon, Watercombe and Littlehempston water treatment works and Venford reservoir as a result of investigations - Better understanding of the pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into discharges from a number of consented storm overflows (CSOs), sewage treatment works (continued on next page)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 125 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners (STWs) and pumping stations (PSs), alongside related investigations into the impacts of Nutrients (Nitrate), Micro-biology water company assets on the (Faecal Indicator Organisms) Avon, Dart, Salcombe, Teign South Devon Catchment 2010 South West Water

Estuary and Yealm Shellfish (Continued from previous page) Waters, as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Reduction Plan for each water Investigation of water company assets in the Tamar Catchment under the next round of company investment (PR09) These include: - Better understanding of the pressures on Shellfish Waters through investigations into Organic Pollutants (BOD, discharges from a number Tamar Catchment 2010 South West Water Ammonia) of consented storm overflows (CSOs), sewage treatment works (STWs), emergency overflows (EOs), and pumping stations (PSs), alongside related investigations into the impacts of (continued on next page)

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 126 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners water company assets on the Tamar and Lynher Shellfish Waters as referenced in the Shellfish Water Pollution Organic Pollutants (BOD, Reduction Plan for each Ammonia) water. Tamar Catchment 2010 South West Water - Better understanding of the (continued from previous page) pressures on drinking water quality at Crownhill, Northcombe and Dousland water treatment works as a result of investigations An investigation into the source of 1 waterbody in the South DrWPA substance 2010 Environment Agency the failures for aluminium West RBD East Devon Catchment; Investigations to identify North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe sustainable solutions to protecting and Fowey Catchment; North Nutrients Drinking Water Protected Areas Devon Catchment; South 2012 South West Water as part of South West Water's Devon Catchment; West 'Upstream Thinking' project Cornwall and the Fal Catchment R&D on fate and transport of phosphate in groundwater to Environment Agency; Phosphate South West RBD 2012 determine impact on surface Water companies water Saline intrusion; Pressures on Investigation to verify risk of Bryher And Tresco; St South West Water; groundwater dependant deterioration in groundwater Martin's; St Mary's; Otter 2012 Natural England; ecosystems; Pressures on quantitative status Valley; St Agnes Environment Agency groundwater (GW) balance;

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 127 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009

Description of the action Where it will happen - Lead organisation Pressure What Will Happen Date Summary and partners Abstraction Programme of investigation of Abstraction and other artificial ecological impacts of managed Environment Agency; South West RBD 2012 flow pressures flows in HMWBs with water Water companies supply use Investigate reasons for failure of WFD Article 7 so safeguard zone and development of detailed 5- year catchment action plan can Hampshire Avon (lower); Metaldehyde Steering Metaldehyde 2010 be considered. Proactive Stour (lower) Group implementation of Metaldehyde Steering Group 'Get Pelletwise' measures Dart; Durleigh Reservoir; Stour (lower); Hampshire Propetamphos; Algae; Picloram; Avon (lower); Exe; Lower Pentachlorophenol; Methyl- River Tamar; Tone, isoborneol; Geosmin; pesticides; Wellington To Taunton; Yeo Metazachlor; MCPB; MCPA; IPU; Further monitoring to confirm risk Us Over Compton; Yeo Environment Agency; Sulcofuron; Flusilazole; 2010 of failure of WFD Article 7 (Barnstaple); Lower River Water companies Dichlobenil; Dicamba; Fowey; Ashford Reservoir; Chlortoluron; Carbetamide; Sutton Bingham Reservoir; Carbendazim; Bentazone; Colliford Lake; Argal Ammonia; 2,4-D; Nitrate Reservoir; Drift Reservoir; Durleigh Bk

Environment Agency River Basin Management Plan, South West River Basin District 128 Annex C: Actions to deliver objectives December 2009