The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Scheme of Management 2010 The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Scheme of Management 2010 Compiled by the Suffolk Estuaries Officer, Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Unit in Conjunction with the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Relevant Authorities Group. Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Unit Dock Lane, Melton, Suffolk IP12 1PE Tel 01394 384948 Front cover photograph © Steve Plume RSPB Representative Relevant Authorities Associated British Ports 01473 231010 anglianwater Anglian Water 08457 919155 Babergh District Council 01473 822801 The Crown Estate 020 7210 4377 Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee 01553 775321 Environment Agency 01473 727712 Essex County Council 08457 430430 Essex Wildlife Trust 01621 862960 Harwich Haven Authority 01255 243030 Ipswich Borough Council 01473 432000 Kent and Essex Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Sea Fisheries Committee Committee 01843 585310 Natural England 0300 0602493 Port of Felixstowe 01394 604500 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 01603 661662 Royal Yachting Association (Eastern Region) 0845 3450400 Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Unit 01394 384948 Suffolk Coastal District Council 01394 383789 Suffolk County Council 01473 583000 Suffolk Wildlife Trust 01473 890089 Tendring Tendring District Council District Council 01255 425501 Contents 1 Protection of the Stour and Orwell Estuaries 2 Aims of this Management Scheme 2.1. Stour and Orwell Management Strategy 2010 2.2. Management Framework for the Stour and Orwell Estuaries 3 Activities taking place on the European Marine Site and their management. (A) i agricultural diffuse pollution (A) ii agricultural water abstraction (A) iii contaminated run off from roads and hard surfaced areas (A) iv industrial discharges (A) v sewage discharges (A) vi oil spills (A) vii anti-fouling paints (B) i maintenance of rights of way (B) ii public access to, and recreation around, the foreshore (B) iii wildfowling (C) i handgathering of shellfish (C) ii bait digging (C) iii shore-based angling (C) iv boat angling (D) i water ski-ing and the use of personal watercraft (D) ii swinging moorings and intertidal moorings (D) iii sailing and motor boats (D) iv marinas and boat yards (E) i molluscan fisheries (E) ii commercial fishing (other than molluscan shellfish) (F) i maintenance dredging and disposal of dredge spoil (F) ii anchoring and commercial moorings (F) iii ship wash from commercial vessels (F) iv non-toxic contamination (waste sewage disposal) from ships (F) v introduction of non-native species from shipping (F) vi toxic contamination from shipping (F) vii disturbance from port activities and cargo handling (F) viii toxic contamination from port activities and cargo handling (F) ix non toxic contamination from ports (F) x port maintenance (G) i military aviation activity (H) i maintenance of coastal defences (I) i Wrabness beach huts (I) ii boats used for housing and industry at Pin Mill 4 Appendix 4 The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Scheme of Management 2010 Contents Protection of the Stour and 1 Orwell Estuaries The Stour and Orwell estuaries are designated as a Special Protected Area (SPA), see page 6, under the European Birds Directive (79/409/EEC 1979, see appendix), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),and a Ramsar site (for wetland habitats), and form an important component of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The estuaries are included in the schedule of Natura 2000 European Marine Sites, a Europe-wide network of the most important sites for nature conservation. The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Group (EMG), set up in 1994, assists with the delivery, by the Relevant Authorities, of their duties under the Stour and Orwell Scheme of Management. Aims of this Management 2 Scheme The Scheme of Management sets out the Relevant Authorities’ statutory duties, in relation to their current and future operations, required to ensure the protection of the SPA. Once a site has been classified as a Special Protection Area, Regulation 33 of the Habitats Regulations requires that Natural England advises other Relevant Authorities as to the conservation objectives for the site, and the types of activities that may adversely affect it. The resulting document, known as the ‘Regulation 33 advice package’, is the basis upon which the Scheme of Management is written. Natural England published their Regulation 33 advice for the Stour and Orwell estuaries in February 2003. It is summarised in appendix 1, a full copy can be obtained from the Suffolk office of Natural England. Guidelines from the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra) promote the use of formal Schemes of Management as the most effective means of joint working by regulatory bodies (i.e. Relevant Authorities). This Management Scheme has been drawn up as a framework to enable the Relevant Authorities to carry out their responsibilities and functions, in line with the requirements of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, and with regard to the nature conservation features for which the Stour and Orwell European Marine Site has been designated. Review of the Scheme of Management by the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Group examines whether current management is sufficient to protect the European Marine Site. It then sets out a regime to monitor the condition of the site’s features and considers options to rectify any shortcomings in existing management measures. The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Scheme of Management 2010 5 SUFFOLK COASTAL The Stour and Orwell estuaries SPA MID SUFFOLK 6 SUFFOLK The Stour andOrwell Estuaries The Stour and Orwell estuaries SPA BABERGH IPSWICH COPDOCK FELIXSTOWEFE HARWICH AREA COVERED BY THE COLCHESTER STOUR/ORWELL MAP BELSTEAD TENDRING COLCHESTER ESSEX NACTON LEVINGTON FRESTON Scheme of Management 2010 CAPEL ST MARY SUFFOLK WOOLVERSTONE BENTLEY PINMILL TATTINGSTONE CHELMONDISTON HOLBROOK TRIMLEY ST MARTIN STUTTON SHOTLEY HARKSTEAD ERWARTON BRANTHAM FELIXSTOWE SHOTLEY GATE MANNINGTREE MISTLEY WRABNESS HARWICH BRADFIELD ESSEX RAMSEY © Suffolk County Council License LA 100023395 Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management 2.1 Strategy 2010 (see 2.2.) The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Strategy 2010 is the overarching framework within which the Scheme of Management provides the statutory functions. It addresses both non-statutory actions and statutory duties (taken from the Scheme of Management) and provides a vehicle for delivery. In addition to addressing the statutory responsibilities, the Management Strategy also identifies opportunities for improved recreational provision and commercial developments that are compatible with the protection of the landscape and wildlife. The strategy sets out a four year vision with an action plan that is to be reviewed by the Management Group, and reported to the Stour and Orwell Forum, on an annual basis, providing the flexibility necessary to enable the Stour and Orwell Estuaries EMG to respond to changing needs. Full documentation of the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Strategy can be found on the AONB website (www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org). 2.2. Management Framework for the Stour and Orwell estuaries Figure 1. Management framework Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Group Stour and Orwell Management Strategy Stour and Orwell Scheme of Management (Web based) Statutory Scheme Actions Action Plans Action plan 1 Action plan 2 Action plan 3 Action plan 4 Integrated Coastal and Supporting Recreational planning and environmental commercial activity sustainable change activities development Yearly Action Plan Review and Annual Report Strategy Review 2013/2014 The Stour and Orwell Estuaries Scheme of Management 2010 7 3 Activities taking place on the European Marine Site and their Management (A) I Agricultural Diffuse Pollution Potential • Non-toxic contamination through siltation and excessive eutrophication. effects with • Toxic contamination from agricultural chemicals (such as fertilisers), oils, diesels etc., which can enter the food chain and may regards to potentially affect saltmarsh vegetation composition. Reg. 33 advice • The growth of Enteromorpha mats can constitute a serious problem on many estuaries. • Significant possibility of pesticides entering estuaries • Potential for biological disturbance from microbial pathogens. • Birds and mudflats are thought to be moderately sensitive to nutrient changes. Location A large proportion of the area of both estuaries is flanked by agricultural land. Frequency All year round, but more of a problem during prolonged or heavy rainfall Authorities, Environment Agency organisations Private landowners and individuals involved Regular • The Environment Agency samples freshwater monthly around the estuaries, to test various quality parameters. • It also monitoring samples estuarine waters at outfalls, which enables the monitoring of nutrient levels, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), programme dissolved oxygen (DO) etc. Ongoing • Most farmers abide by a Code of Good Agricultural Practice (produced by Defra). management • The Environment Agency ensures farmers comply with nitrate, groundwater and water quality regulations by carrying out or mitigation measures routine and cross-compliance farm visits. in place • The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) also carries out farm inspections, provides advice to farmers and enforces regulations. • Natural England offers incentives through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme to farmers to minimize diffuse pollution. • A Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer (CSFO) for the Orwell