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Purpose and timing of paper

Review of mechanisms to control ecological impacts resulting from hydromorphological changes Alice Baverstock. Purpose and timing of paper. Issue: are existing mechanisms for delivering hydromorph measures sufficient (for Article 11.3i)?

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Purpose and timing of paper

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  1. Review of mechanisms to control ecological impacts resulting from hydromorphological changesAlice Baverstock

  2. Purpose and timing of paper • Issue: are existing mechanisms for delivering hydromorph measures sufficient (for Article 11.3i)? • Commitment in Defra’s 3rd consultation paper on WFD transposition to “further consideration” of this issue • Consultation planned alongside consultations on agricultural and non-agricultural diffuse pollution measures (December 2006 – March 2007)

  3. Directive requirements • WFD requires us to prevent/mitigate ecological effects resulting from physical changes to water bodies • But it accepts that some physical changes (and their ecological effects) are necessary – hence the alternative objectives for HMWB and new modifications

  4. Scope and scale of action needed • RBC1 showed morphological changes as the most significant pressures on water bodies in England and Wales (affecting 48% rivers, 59% lakes, 89% estuaries and 78% coastal waters). • But this isn’t the number of water bodies where we will need to take action. Need more information about • Additional types of modifications • Which changes are causing ecological effects (some information in draft paper, but data and science gaps) • Sectors/activities responsible for the modifications which have the impacts (including important split between useful vs redundant modifications)

  5. Existingmechanisms We have a range of mechanisms which could be used for delivering measures to control the relevant activities • Flood management and land drainage mechanisms • Dredging and disposal (TRAC) mechanisms • Dredging and disposal (freshwater) mechanisms • Construction and development (TRAC) mechanisms • Land use planning mechanisms • Abstraction and impoundment licensing mechanisms • Fisheries mechanisms • Diffuse pollution mechanisms • Restoration mechanisms • Cross cutting impact assessments

  6. WFD proofing existing mechanisms • None of these mechanisms was designed with the WFD requirements (on hydromorph or anything else) in mind. • So we need to “WFD proof” them. This includes making sure those responsible for the mechanisms understand WFD requirements and amend their: • appraisal mechanisms • guidance and policy documents • operational handbooks • environmental standards. • Draft consultation paper lists some of the things which will need to be amended, but list needs improvement.

  7. Planned amendments to mechanisms 1 There are lots of planned and ongoing changes to these mechanisms. Where these changes are happening, they should be “WFD proofed” too. Planned changes include: Flood management • Revision of land drainage byelaws • EA regional flood defence business plans Marine licensing etc • Marine bill review of licensing, marine spatial planning, sea fisheries committee reform • New licensing for aggregate dredging • EIA regulations for FEPA and CPA

  8. Planned amendments to mechanisms 2 Land use planning • PPS25 on development and flood risk • Drawing together water references from PPS and PPGs • Government Code for sustainable buildings Fisheries • Possible salmon and freshwater fisheries bill • Review of fisheries appraisals Diffuse pollution • See diffuse pollution consultation papers Restoration • Biodiversity frameworks • Regional habitat creation plans for flood management • Asset system management plans for flood management

  9. Possible ideas on further changes These are only “possible ideas” as we don’t yet have a good enough picture of the ecological impacts which need tackling to compare against existing mechanisms for requiring action, and so find the gaps. • Amend land drainage consent charge? • Amend maintenance exemption for deposit of dredgings? • Regulate disturbance of sea bed? • New offence to disturb bed of inland water? • Power to require restoration? • Funding for restoration?

  10. Topics for discussion • Timing and purpose of the paper Should we publish something along these lines as a consultation paper in December? Or policy statement in December? Or for consultation later? • Coverage of the paper. Which parts of this paper need to be added/expanded? What should be left out? • Restoration. What practical action needs to be taken – scope and scale? What is currently done? What mechanisms work, and which don’t? • Existing mechanisms What is the best approach to amending existing delivery mechanisms to “WFD proof” them?

  11. Hydromorphology A fish swims into a wall. Damn

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