Environment Agency Fish Pass Manual Document – GEHO 0910 BTBP-E-E Published by: Environment Agency Rio House Waterside Drive, Aztec West Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk Further copies of this report are available from GEHO 0910 BTBP-E-E our publications catalogue: v2.2 Nov 2010 http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk © Environment Agency or our National Customer Contact Centre: T: 08708 506506 All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with E: [email protected]. 2 prior permission of the Environment Agency. Environment Agency Fish Pass Manual: Guidance Notes On The Legislation, Selection and Approval Of Fish Passes In England And Wales Authors: Greg S Armstrong Miran W Aprahamian G Adrian Fewings Peter J Gough Nigel A Reader Paul V Varallo 3 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........................................................................................................................................4 LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................9 LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................................................12 FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................................13 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................14 AIM OF MANUAL...............................................................................................................................................14 DEFINITION OF A FISH PASS ..............................................................................................................................14 PURPOSE OF A FISH PASS ..................................................................................................................................15 LEGISLATION ..................................................................................................................................................16 GENERAL ..........................................................................................................................................................16 OVERVIEW OF FISH PASS APPROVAL LEGISLATION ..........................................................................................16 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS IN RELATION TO FISH PASSES UNDER THE SAFFA 1975 (AS AMENDED BY SCHEDULE 15 TO THE ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995)........................................................................17 Fish Passes on Fishing Mill Dams ..............................................................................................................17 Fish Passes on New or Rebuilt Weirs ..........................................................................................................17 Fish Passes on Existing Weirs .....................................................................................................................17 Powers of Approval .....................................................................................................................................18 Protection of structure and operation of fish passes....................................................................................18 Compensation to Fishery Owners................................................................................................................18 Fish Pass Construction................................................................................................................................18 Fish pass maintenance.................................................................................................................................19 Recovery of Costs for Externally Promoted fish passes...............................................................................19 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS IN RELATION TO FISH PASSES UNDER THE THE EELS (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2009.....................................................................................................................19 Application to obstructions and reporting of obstructions ..........................................................................19 Eel passes where passage is being impeded ................................................................................................20 Powers of the Agency...................................................................................................................................20 Notices and Appeals.....................................................................................................................................20 ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR FISH PASS CONSTRUCTION AND APPROVAL UNDER THE LAND DRAINAGE ACT 1991 (AND WATER RESOURCES ACT 1991). ..............................................................................................................20 WATER RESOURCES ACT 1991 .........................................................................................................................21 Requiring fish passes or screens with Impoundment, or Abstraction or (Full or Transfer) licences ..........21 Compulsory Purchase..................................................................................................................................21 Impoundment Licences.................................................................................................................................22 Abstraction Licences....................................................................................................................................22 ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995 (AND WILDLIFE & COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981)..........................................................22 Conservation Duties ....................................................................................................................................22 Recreation Duties ........................................................................................................................................22 Sites of Special Scientific Interest ................................................................................................................23 Sustainable Development.............................................................................................................................24 Regard to Costs and Benefits.......................................................................................................................24 EC DIRECTIVES.................................................................................................................................................24 Formal Environmental Assessments ............................................................................................................24 Planning regulations....................................................................................................................................24 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).........................................................................................................25 OTHER LEGISLATION ........................................................................................................................................26 Transport & Works Act 1992.......................................................................................................................26 Private Bills .................................................................................................................................................27 Government Bills .........................................................................................................................................27 NATIONAL FISH PASSAGE PANEL (NFPP)...............................................................................................28 ROLE OF FISH PASSAGE PANEL .........................................................................................................................28 4 RATIONALE.......................................................................................................................................................28 MEMBERS OF PANEL AND REPORTING LINKS....................................................................................................28 OVERVIEW OF OPERATION................................................................................................................................29 PERFORMANCE MEASURE AND STANDARDS OF SERVICE..................................................................................30 FISH PASS APPROVAL...................................................................................................................................31 APPROVAL PROCESS .........................................................................................................................................31 Concept........................................................................................................................................................31 Treatment of Applications for Approval ......................................................................................................31 Approval Application...................................................................................................................................32