local environment agency plan NORTH CORNWALL CONSULTATION REPORT DECEMBER 1997 BUDE BO D M IN NEWQUAY YOUR VIEWS This Consultation Report is our initial view of the issues facing the catchment. Public consultation allows people who live in or use the catchment to have a say in the development of our plans and work programmes. We welcome your ideas on the future management of this catchment: • Have w e identified all the issues? • Have we identified all the options for solutions? • Have you any comments on the issues and options listed? • Do you have any other information or views that you wish to bring to our attention? This is your opportunity to influence our future plans. We look forward to hearing from you. Geoff Boyd Area Manager, Cornwall E n v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y Please send your comments by 9 March 1998, preferably by writing to: NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE Team Leader, LEAPs Environment Agency Sir |ohn Moore House SOUTH WEST REGION Victoria Square B o d m in Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX2 7LQ Cornwall PL31 1EB Tel: 01208 78301 Fax: 01208 78321 Environment Agency Copyright Waiver This report is intended to be used widely, and may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that the extracts are not quoted out of context and that due acknowledgement is given to the Environment Agency. Published December 1997. 2 North Cornwall LEAP Consultation Report Ef\ - WW' U ^ / '03 \J The North Cornwall Catchment is an area of great diversity and outstanding beauty. Our vision is of this area being managed in a sustainable way, that balances the needs of all users with the needs of the environment. We look forward to a future where a healthy local economy leads to: • biodiversity and physical habitat for wildlife being enhanced • peoples enjoyment and appreciation of the environment continuing to grow • pressures from human wants being satisfied sustainably W e cannot realise this vision on its own and will seek to work in partnership with local authorities, local industry and local people to turn this vision into reality. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY North Cornwall LEAP Consultation Report 0 0 9 0 5 9 CONTENTS Part 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ ................................................................................................. 5 The Environment A g en cy...............................................................................................................................................................5 This Local Environment Agency Plan.............................................................................................................................................8 AREA STATISTICS............................................................................................. v ................................................................................. 9 AREA CHARACTERISTICS................................................................................ ................................. ,.............................................. 11 Landscape.......................................................................................................................................................................................11 W ildlife..................................................................................•.......................................................................................................... 11 Historic Environm ent.....................................................................................................................................................................12 Econom y.........................................................................................................................................................................................1 2 PROTECTION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP.....................................................................................................................................13 ISSUE 1: SAFEGUARDING SPECIAL AREAS OF C O N SERV A TIO N .....................*...................................................................... 17 ISSUE 2: M AINTAINING AND EN H AN C IN G BIODIVERSITY............................................................................................ ....... 18 ISSUE 3: FRESHWATER AN D ESTUARINE FISHERIES M A N A G E M E N T .................................................................................... 20 ISSUE 4: M EETING CURRENT AND FUTURE DEM AND FOR W A T E R ..................................................................................... 23 • ISSUE 5: GENERATION AN D M A N A G EM EN T OF W A ST ES..................................................................................................... 25 ISSUE 6: IMPACT OF AG RICULTURE.................................................................................................................. ....................... 27 ISSUE 7: IM PACT OF SEW AGE D ISC H A R G ES........................................................................................................................... 29 ISSUE 8: NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT OF SURFACE WATERS.......................:.............................................................................31 ISSUE 9: IMPACT OF D EVELO PM EN T....................................................................................................................................... 33 ISSUE 10: IM PACT OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.................................................................................................................. 36 ISSUE 11: SEA LEVEL RISE .:.................................................................................................................................... .....................38 ISSUE 12: OIL SPILL C O N T IN G EN C Y P L A N N IN G .....................................................................................................................39 ISSUE 1 3: AIR QUALITY....................................................................................... ......................................................................... 40 ISSUE 1 4: OUR PROPOSED TARGETS FOR RIVER WATER Q UALITY....................................................................!...................41 Part 2 ............................................................................................... i..............................................................................................43 Physical Characteristics.................................................................................................. ..................................................;.......... 45 Conservation - Landscape, Wildlife and Historic Environment................................................................................................ 47 Freshwater Biology.................................................. ..................................................................................................................... 51 Fisheries..................................................................................................................................................................................... ....55 Abstraction and Water Su p p ly............................................... .■................................................................................................... 62 Groundwater Protection............................................ ..................................................................................................................69 The Quality of Controlled W aters................................................................................................................................................71 Aqueous Discharges..................................................................................................................................................................... 81 Aquaculture...................................................................................................................................................................................85 Agriculture and Forestry.............................................................................................................................................................. 86 Waste M anagem ent..................................................................................................................................................................... 89 The Built and Developing Environm ent..................................................................................................................................... 93 Flood Defence............................................................................................................................................................................... 97 Recreation and Amenity ................................................. ]..........................................................................................................101 Mining and Quarrying................................................................................................................................................................103 Contaminated La n d ..................................................................................................................................................................