Restoring the River Axe Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation River Restoration Plan Draft for comment - 7 December 2015 to 17 January 2016 CONTENTS Chapter Page Executive Summary 1 Aim of the restoration plan 1 Working with others 2 How to comment on the draft plan 3 Delivering the restoration plan 3 1 Restoration of the River Axe 5 1.1 Introduction 5 1.2 The need for restoration 7 1.3 A restoration vision 7 1.4 How can we deliver this restoration? 8 1.5 Our approach 8 1.6 How to use this plan 10 1.7 Who is this plan for? 11 2 The River Axe Site of Special Scientific Interest 12 2.1 Geology and hydrology 12 2.2 Ecology 13 2.3 Conservation objectives for the River Axe SSSI 13 2.4 Condition of the River Axe SSSI 14 2.5 Water Framework Directive objectives 16 2.6 Land use and land use change 17 2.7 Water quality 17 2.8 Flood risk 18 2.9 Invasive non-native species and disease 19 2.10 Influences on geomorphology and channel change 20 3 River sector descriptions 23 3.1 Summary of sector descriptions 23 3.2 Upper sector 25 3.2.1 Physical characteristics 26 3.2.2 Historical change 26 3.2.3 Geomorphological behaviour 27 3.2.4 Significant issues 27 3.3 Mid sector 29 3.3.1 Physical characteristics 30 3.3.2 Historical change 30 3.3.3 Geomorphological behaviour 31 3.3.4 Significant issues 31 3.4 Lower sector 33 3.4.1 Physical characteristics 35 3.4.2 Historical change 35 3.4.3 Geomorphological behaviour 36 3.4.4 Significant issues 36 DRAFT FOR COMMENT 4 Channel modifications and restoration measures 38 4.1 Geomorphology and channel change 38 4.2 Impact of existing modifications 39 4.3 Potential restoration and management options 41 4.4 Summary of restoration options –management sheets 42 5 Consultation, actions and implementation 44 Figures 1 Map of River Axe SSSI/SAC 6 2 Geomorphological reaches within the SSSI/SAC as identified in 24 BBR 2004 3 Map showing upper sector SSSI units and geomorphological 25 reaches 4 Upper sector length of each characteristic bank type 28 5 Map showing mid sector SSSI units and geomorphological 29 reaches 6 Mid sector length of each characteristic bank type 32 7 Map showing lower sector SSSI units and geomorphological 33 reaches 8 Lower length of each characteristic bank type 37 9 Remedial actions location plan 46 10 Decision making process for restoration plan actions related to 52 structures Tables 1 Summary of condition of River Axe SSSI management units 15 2 Summary of influences on sediment and morphology in the Axe 21 catchment 3 Upper sector features summary 27 4 Mid sector features summary 32 5 Lower sector features summary 36 6 Assessment approach 40 7 Remedial priority issues 40 8 Summary of potential solutions. 42 9 Draft remedial action programme 43 10 Draft remedial action programme 45 Glossary 48 Annex 1 Management sheets – web link provided to access these during 50 comments phase 1 Weycroft Weir 2 Town Weir 3 Bow Bridge A35 blockstone weirs 4 Whitford Bridge 5 Whitford gauging station 6 Weycroft Bridge 7 Stoney Bridge and Axminster Flood Defence Scheme 8 Whitford blockstone weirs 9 Bank Revetments 10 Riparian zone river bank tree management 11 Riparian zone invasive non-native plant management 12 Riparian zone livestock management DRAFT FOR COMMENT Annex 2 Decision making related to structures such as weirs 51 and sluices Bibliography 53 DRAFT FOR COMMENT Executive Summary The River Axe is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The SSSI also incorporates Geological Conservation Review interest. The UK Government’s ‘Biodiversity 2020’ strategy includes a commitment to ensure that at least 50% of designated SSSIs achieve ‘favourable condition’, (ie the site is being adequately conserved and is meeting its 'conservation objectives’) and that 95% of sites are maintained in ‘favourable or recovering’ condition by 2020. The 2011 Natural England condition assessment (ECUS, 2011) of the River Axe SSSI showed that the site is in unfavourable condition. The reasons for unfavourable condition include physical modifications such as weirs, poor riparian habitat quality due to overgrazing and invasive plants, diffuse water pollution and siltation. For the River Axe SSSI, Natural England has identified a range of actions or ‘remedies’ required to get the river into favourable condition. The actions required include developing a whole river restoration plan and initial implementation of actions. Other actions include implementing a diffuse water pollution plan, catchment sensitive farming initiatives, and an invasive species control strategy. In addition, the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires all EU Member States to protect and, where possible, enhance the condition of all bodies of water. The Water Framework Directive requires protected areas including the River Axe Special Area of Conservation to be meeting their objectives by 2015 (or in cases where there are significant pressures to address, 2021 or 2027). The river is not currently achieving the required standard of Good Ecological Status (GES). As the River Axe is not currently achieving it’s SSSI or WFD objectives the Environment Agency, Natural England and others are obliged to undertake work to ensure that the required standards are achieved in the future. The development of a whole river restoration plan and its implementation (in combination with other actions) is required so the River Axe achieves its SSSI and WFD objectives. Aim of the restoration plan The aim of this strategic restoration plan is to identify high level river restoration or enhancement actions to address the physical modifications to the River Axe which are contributing to unfavourable condition. This includes the following specific objectives: 1. Determine the impacts of physical modifications on the geomorphology and ecology of the river. 2. Provide an outline restoration plan for the river on a reach-by-reach basis, taking into account immovable constraints. 3. Identify potential delivery mechanisms. The catchment has a complex history of man-made changes, many of which have significant cultural, heritage and social values associated with them. The realistic aim for the Axe SSSI 1 DRAFT FOR COMMENT is to manage and restore as much dynamic function to the river as possible, within current immovable constraints in order to provide the conditions required for river wildlife to flourish. We are not aiming to restore the entire river to an unmodified state. This draft plan outlines the assessments made and the restoration options that have been identified to naturalise river processes, support catchment sensitive farming initiatives, encourage riparian management that favours biodiversity and implement an invasive species strategy. It provides a framework for the improvement in the physical habitat condition of the river over long timescales, and will inform future decision-making. Working with others Natural England and the Environment Agency are jointly responsible for leading development of the strategic plan. However a range of interested parties and mechanisms will also be involved in developing and implementing particular options - this requires effective and positive engagement with landowners, land managers and stakeholders. Natural England and the Environment Agency will take steps to involve relevant individuals and representative groups in developing actions from this strategic plan. We will work with the East Devon Catchment Partnership and other interested parties to take it forward, with detailed discussions taking place with landowners and managers to develop reach specific actions. Whilst some actions will be completed relatively quickly over the next few years, other measures will take more time to develop, and be implemented over long timescales. The detail of any restoration projects will be developed in conjunction with landowners and other stakeholders, in order to identify constraints and design appropriate restoration options. Permissions from landowners, Natural England and the Environment Agency will be required for restoration projects, all of which will be subject to a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Landowner participation is key to delivery and detailed discussions and agreement with landowners about specific river reaches is recognised as being an essential part of developing detailed restoration projects and undertaking site specific actions in coming years. The importance of agriculture to the rural economy is recognised and a valid consideration when developing river restoration projects. It is acknowledged that that restoration measures affecting land use may only be appropriate for certain locations, will require support (such as from Countryside Stewardship) and may be implemented over long time scales. Actions will only be taken forward once agreement has been gained from the relevant stakeholders, and will be carried out in close partnership to ensure effective delivery and viability of the solution. This plan will assist in the targeting and uptake of agri-environment schemes and provide an opportunity for farmers to seek financial assistance to adapt land management practices if required. The restoration plan may be used as means of supporting farmers who wish to apply for grants or other funding streams, to fund adaptive floodplain land management, for example woodland planting may be funded through grant schemes. 2 DRAFT FOR COMMENT How to comment on the draft plan The Environment Agency and Natural England invite you to comment on this draft plan. We want to hear your views, suggestions, concerns, constraints, so together we can work up and deliver a final agreed action plan. The draft river restoration plan is available for comment at http://www.therrc.co.uk/sites/default/files/files/Designated_Rivers/Axe/axe_v1.pdf from 7 December 2015 to 17 January 2016.