Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study

In March 2011, Richard Benyon, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, announced that these pilots should:• Provide a clear understanding of the issues in the catchment

•Involve local communities in decision-making by sharing evidence and listening to their ideas

•Work out priorities for action and

•Seek to deliver integrated actions that address local issues, in a cost effective way, to protect local resources

Nene Integrated Catchment Management pilot study area

Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot studyoutline methodology for engagement

• Draw together existing information

• Identify relevant studies, strategies, policies and plans

• Identify major initiatives

• Identify key partners and stakeholders

• Adopt a bottom up approach to engagement

• Establish initial issues and priorities

The Nene Valley Strategic Plan

Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study issues in the Nene catchment area

• Growth and development (good ecological status and no deterioration a major challenge with proposed scale of growth)

• Mineral extraction

• Water abstraction & sewage treatment discharge

• Nature conservation – Upper Nene Gravel Pits SPA/SSSI

• River modification

• Rural areas - largely addressed through CSF, Revital-ISE & NIA

A need to focus on urban areas under pressure

Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot studyoutline of urban plan preparation

• Engage partners and stakeholders on urban walkovers

• Draw together organisations that might not otherwise meet

• Provide opportunity for stakeholders to access waterside sites

• Outline key issues and provide an open forum

• Provide opportunities for questions, input and suggestions

• Record comments, map proposals and photograph

• Prepare maps showing key issues and proposals

Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot studyLessons learned

• A dedicated lead / co-ordination role is essential

• Engagement must start early and be ongoing

• Local authorities and regulators need to be on board

• Important to have a shared vision

• Partnership working is more than the sum of its parts

• Resources go further when shared

• Shared information increases opportunities for wider action

Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan into Catchment Partnership

• Undertake more detailed and widespread engagement

• Working towards the formation of the Partnership under the

umbrella of the Local Nature Partnership

• Initial Integrated Catchment Plan to be formally adopted by LAs,

and the Leadership Group (& partners)

• Embed NICMP in planning process

• Catchment Partnership to undertake a prioritisation process for

the proposed projects

• Achieve good ecological status for catchment

• Secure social, economic and environmental benefits