the swale, ure, nidd and upper ouse management catchment · the swale, ure, nidd and upper ouse...

1

The Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse Management Catchment

Figure 1 - Suno, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment

A summary of information about the water environment in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment

2

We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife. We operate at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives. We reduce the risks to people and properties from flooding; make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife; protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply the environmental standards within which industry can operate. Acting to reduce climate change and helping people and wildlife adapt to its consequences are at the heart of all that we do. We cannot do this alone. We work closely with a wide range of partners including government, business, local councils, other agencies, civil society groups and the communities we serve.

Published by:

Environment Agency Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH Email: [email protected] www.gov.uk/environment-agency © Environment Agency 2014 All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency.

Further copies of this report are available on the e-consultation tool: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin-management-plans and via our National Customer Contact Centre: T: 03708 506506 Email: [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.gov.uk/environment-agency

http://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin-management-plans



3

Contents Contents ..................................................................................................................... 3

1 Your views count ................................................................................................. 4

2 The Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse Management Catchment (SUNO) ......... 7

2.1 Protected areas ............................................................................................ 8

2.2 Status of waters ........................................................................................... 8

2.3 Improvements to how water bodies are assessed ..................................... 10

2.4 Investigating the water environment in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment .............................................................................. 10

2.5 Challenges and choices consultation 2013 ................................................ 11

2.6 Taking action in partnership ....................................................................... 12

2.7 Measures that could improve the water environment ................................. 14

2.8 Economic appraisal and environmental assessment of measures to improve the water environment .......................................................................................... 15

2.9 Proposed long term objectives ................................................................... 16

2.10 Links to other management plans .............................................................. 16

3 Operational catchments .................................................................................... 18

3.1 Upper Swale Operational Catchment ......................................................... 18

3.2 Middle Swale Operational Catchment ........................................................ 25

3.3 Lower Swale Operational Catchment ......................................................... 33

3.4 Wiske Operational Catchment ................................................................... 40

3.5 Upper Ure Operational Catchment ............................................................. 47

3.6 Middle and Lower Ure Operational Catchment .......................................... 55

3.7 Upper Nidd Operational Catchment ........................................................... 63

3.8 Middle and Lower Nidd Operational Catchment ......................................... 70

3.9 Upper Ouse Operational Catchment .......................................................... 78

3.10 Foss Operational Catchment ..................................................................... 86

4 What do you think? ........................................................................................... 92

4.1 How to respond .......................................................................................... 93

4.2 What the Environment Agency will use the responses for ......................... 93

4.3 How the Environment Agency will use your information ............................ 94

4

1 Your views count Water is essential for life. It allows the natural environment to flourish, and businesses, agriculture and the economy to grow and prosper. The water environment provides many different benefits to society - from supplying drinking water and supporting fisheries to providing an essential resource for business and agriculture, transport routes and a source of recreation that promotes wellbeing. It is critical that this precious resource is managed properly to ensure that the needs of society, the economy and wildlife can be met and maintained in the long-term. Building on years of progress, the Environment Agency has worked with a range of partners over the past two years to agree what the main problems are, that are stopping there being a healthy water environment in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse, and how it should work with others to address them. The consultations, Working Together and Challenges and choices, have helped inform this final step in updating the river basin management plan for the Humber River Basin District. The ‘Challenges and choices’ consultation set out what the Environment Agency had identified as the significant issues facing the water environment. The significant issues were identified using a broad range of information, including the results of investigations, the agreed “reasons for not achieving good status” (previously called reasons for failure) across each catchment and more. We asked if you agreed with these significant issues. The majority of you did but you also raised additional local issues, which will take time to work through with catchment partnerships, to help shape the final river basin management plan. This catchment summary is a support document for the consultation on the draft update to the river basin management plan and for the Catchment Partnerships. It will help you to understand progress with the river basin management planning process so far, at a more local scale. This includes some initial economic appraisal to identify what actions are most cost beneficial. By understanding this information and letting the Environment Agency know what you think, you have an opportunity to influence the decisions about what actions will be taken over the next six years, to improve the health of your water environment. The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) is a Government policy framework that empowers local action to improve the water environment through community partnerships. A renewed focus on the catchment based approach has led to new Catchment Partnerships being set up to drive local delivery. More information is available in the “Taking action in partnership” section or you can contact the CaBA National Support Group:

• www.catchmentbasedapproach.org • Email: [email protected]

The partnerships are working on a wide range of issues, including the water environment but also address other concerns that are not directly related to river basin management planning. The information in this document will inform the work of the Dale to Vale Rivers Network, the Catchment Partnership hosted by the Yorkshire

http://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/


5

Dales Rivers Trust, in developing their vision, aims and priorities; it is not intended to duplicate or overarch the important local work. To view the consultation on the update to the Humber River Basin Management Plan, please visit https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771#section-s1405417886771. This is a public consultation and we, the Environment Agency, welcome everyone's views. Figure 2 shows the location of the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment within the Humber River Basin District. To help you get the most out of the information provided within this catchment summary, we have provided a glossary to explain some of the terms that are used. The glossary can be found on the e-consultation web pages. There are many ways to respond to this consultation (see How to respond for more details), but if you have any difficulties please call our National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506 or email [email protected]. This consultation runs from October 2014 to April 2015. We will issue a response document in summer 2015. This will summarise the comments we received and what will happen as a result. The updated Humber River Basin Management Plan will be published in December 2015, following approval by the Secretary of State.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771#section-s1405417886771




6

Figure 2 - Map of the Humber river basin district and the management catchments within it

7

2 The Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse Management Catchment (SUNO)

Figure 3 - Map of the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment and the operational catchments within it

The SUNO Management Catchment is of great landscape, conservation and amenity value, and attracts many tourists due to the National Parks, natural features such as Aysgarth Falls and historic sites such as Fountains Abbey. It extends from the heights of the North Pennine Moors and the Yorkshire Dales extending down to the low-lying Vale of York in the south. There are 114 rivers, 14 lakes and 4 groundwater bodies in the catchment. There are large rural areas of grassland and livestock farming, with several historic towns and cities including Richmond, Thirsk, Northallerton, Ripon, Harrogate and York. The catchment contains areas of forestry, such as the nationally important ash woodlands, that need to be managed to protect the water environment. Whilst the area is predominantly rural, there is significant industry in the smaller towns & villages towards the south. The catchment is crossed by several major road (A1,A19, A64) and rail links (East Coast Main Line). We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

8

The Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment has been divided into 10 operational catchments. The operational catchments have distinct characteristics and pressures, and require a different mix of measures to achieve long-term objectives for the water environment and reduce the risks of flooding.

2.1 Protected areas There are areas in the catchment where the water environment is recognised as being of particular importance because of the benefits they provide to society. These benefits include rare wildlife habitats, bathing waters or areas around drinking water sources. These areas are known collectively as ‘Protected areas’. Protected areas are a priority for action and protection to make sure we can all continue to enjoy the benefits they provide into the future, and that the investment that has already been made in protecting them is not wasted. Whether a particular part of the water environment is protected or not, we still assess its status every year to understand whether it is healthy or not and whether it’s getting better or worse. Some areas require special protection under European legislation. These designations are designed to manage water, nutrients, chemicals, economically significant species, and wildlife. The management of these areas has been integrated into the overall framework of river basin planning. The table below shows the number of the different types of protected areas in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment, and whether they are complying with the standards that are set out for their protection. Protected area type

Numbers Number compliant

Drinking Waters 10 4 Urban Wastewater Treatment 2 2

Natural England is responsible for assessing the status of Natura 2000 protected areas (N2KPAs). Information is not gathered at the catchment level, instead they collate information about the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that make up all N2KPAs. Information about the status of SSSIs in this catchment can be accessed via http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/search.cfm and through http://www.magic.gov.uk. More information can be found about protected areas, including how compliance is assessed, in the river basin management planning annex: http://ea.objective.co.uk/file/3078877

2.2 Status of waters In 2009 this catchment was divided up into 114 river water bodies, 14 lakes and 4 groundwater bodies. We are proposing some changes to the way the catchment is

http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/search.cfm

http://www.magic.gov.uk/

http://ea.objective.co.uk/file/3078877

9

divided up, which are described in more detail below. In 2009 28% of water bodies were classified at Good Ecological Status (GES) or better. Additional classification information by water body type can be found here: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/ Figure 4 shows the classification for the catchment’s surface waters in 2009, when the first river basin management plan was published, and the most recent (2013) status.

Figure 4 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment in cycle 1

There’s been little change in classification between 2009 and 2013. In this period we have focused on improving our understanding and knowledge of the causes of the water environment not meeting good status. Some of the change in classification is a reflection of additional monitoring and the collection of more representative data. Where there have been changes these are due mainly to additional monitoring that has improved our understanding of the issues or has identified new pressures. Also some monitoring points have been moved if more representative sites were found. Classification changes where improvement projects have been delivered have not yet been realized, as it takes years for biology to gradually adapt to their new environment. This consultation is concerned with the health of all the water in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment, both surface water and groundwater. The two principle aquifers in the catchment are the Sherwood Sandstone and Magnesian Limestone, which are Drinking Water Protected Areas. The Sherwood Sandstone is an important

http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/

10

source of drinking water for public and private supply and the Magnesian Limestone supports many private supplies from boreholes, wells and springs. Groundwater quality in the Sherwood Sandstone is affected in part by high levels of nitrate from diffuse agricultural sources and sewage treatment systems. The rivers and reservoirs in the catchment provide drinking water. A safeguard zone approach is being developed to both protect the drinking water sources on the river and some of the reservoirs in the upper catchment. There are particular issues with discolouration of the water and pollution from Metaldehyde (slug pellets).

2.3 Improvements to how water bodies are assessed Improvements have been made to the way water bodies are defined and classified since the plans were published in 2009. Subject to consultation, the changes will be adopted when the updated plans are published in 2015. You can find more information about these improvements in the ‘River Basin Management Planning Annex’ at http://ea.objective.co.uk/file/3078877. The table below shows the status of the different kinds of water bodies in the management catchment based on these new approaches. Management Catchment

Numbers of water bodies at each status or potential in 2013 (using cycle 2 data)

Water body type

High Good Moderate Poor Bad

Rivers & Canals (including Surface Water Transfers)

0 48 60 7 3

Lakes

0 2 12 0 0

Estuaries and Coastal waters

Ground waters

- 1 - 3 -

For more information on the changes since cycle 1, please see section 4.3 ‘Changes since first cycle (new building blocks)’ within Part 2 (technical annex) of the RBMPs. (http://ea.objective.co.uk/file/3078877)

2.4 Investigating the water environment in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse management catchment

Since the initial assessment of status was made, the Environment Agency and its partners have been working to understand the reasons for not achieving good status. Since 2009, the Environment Agency has carried out 440 investigations in the



11

Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment. These have helped to determine the reasons why water bodies are not achieving good status and the likely causes.

Figure 5 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.

Most of the reasons for not achieving good status in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment are due to physical modification, pollution from waste water, pollution from rural areas. The water industry, land drainage practices and pollution from towns, cities & transport are responsible for most of the changes in the physical modification. The pollution from rural areas is due to a variety of land management practices and the water industry is the sector mostly responsible for the pollution from waste water. All reasons for not achieving good status data are available on the catchment data explorer.

2.5 Challenges and choices consultation 2013 In 2013, through the ‘Challenges and choices’ consultation, the Environment Agency asked for your views on:

• The significant issues that are limiting the benefits society obtains from the water environment (the challenges) and

• The best way to address these issues and what should be done first (the choices).

12

Responses to the ‘Challenges and choices’ consultation identified issues with the impact of upland management practices on protected areas. In particular, impacts from burning and drinking water colouration on parts of the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). In addressing physical modifications, sensitive adaptation rather than removal was suggested, recognising that some historic river adaptations may be heritage assets which contribute to the local character and distinctiveness of a place and are valued by society. The need to address the ‘severe and long standing’ impact of abandoned mines was also featured. For further information on the responses submitted during the ‘Challenges and choices’ consultation, please see the consultation response document here:https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/water/choices

2.6 Taking action in partnership In June 2013, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a policy framework to encourage the wider adoption of an integrated Catchment Based Approach to improving the quality of the water environment, which incorporated findings from the pilot phase. The objectives for the Catchment Based Approach are:

• To deliver positive and sustained outcomes for the water environment by promoting a better understanding of the environment at a local level; and

• To encourage local collaboration and more transparent decision-making when both planning and delivering activities to improve the water environment.

Adopting the approach will promote the development of more appropriate river basin management plans (which underpin the delivery of the objectives of the Water Framework Directive) but will also provide a platform for engagement, discussion and decisions of much wider benefits including tackling diffuse agricultural and urban pollution, and widespread, historical alterations to the natural form of channels. The Environment Agency is a member of the catchment partnership hosted by the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, who are developing a plan to enhance the catchment. This summary has been informed by the Partnership, both formally through the ‘Challenges and choices’ consultation and through the ongoing work to develop measures to protect and improve the water environment. As well as shaping the updates to the river basin management plan, the results of this consultation will be used to inform the work of the Partnership. The Dales to Vale Rivers Network is the name of the catchment partnership, hosted by the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, which covers the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment. The Network’s vision is to achieve:

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/water/choices

13

Improved water quality and biodiversity, a healthy functioning ecosystem and reduced flood risk through realistic and more integrated objectives, sustainable agricultural businesses, better coordination and effective partnerships between the public, private sector and civil society and a wider knowledge and appreciation of our watercourses and catchments. Contact: Rita Mercer - Catchment Partnership Senior Project Officer Mobile: 07807 116141 Email: [email protected] Website: www.yorkshiredalesriverstrust.com During the first cycle of the river basin management plan, a range of partners have been working to improve and protect the water environment. Some of the projects, and their costs, undertaken by all partners who received Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funding during the first cycle are shown in Figure 6. In addition to Defra funded projects, a number of partners have undertaken projects, achieving positive environmental outcomes under the Water Framework Directive which are not represented here.

Figure 6 - Chart showing the money spent on Environment Programme projects in water bodies in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment by project type


http://www.yorkshiredalesriverstrust.com/

14

Ongoing projects in this catchment include:

• The Ripon Multi Objective Project/Laver Restoration Project coordinates land management & habitat improvement work, including tree/hedge planting and farmer awareness raising to reduce sediment runoff

• A project called Reconnecting the Laver involves removing weirs or installing

fish easements to improve fish passage on the Laver & Kex Beck

• On the River Skell, the design of fish easement over Mallorie Weir should be delivered in the 2014 financial year

• Peatland Restoration through the Yorkshire Peat Partnership involves re-

wetting of moorland through grip blocking, re-profiling & re-vegetating to reduce sediment runoff and reduce acid flushes on Nidd, Swale & Ure catchments, with monitoring on the River Nidd

• On Bishopdale Beck there has been habitat improvement work to reduce

poaching and address erosion to reduce sediment runoff

• The Darley Beck Restoration Project focuses on land management improvements to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff & improve habitat

2.7 Measures that could improve the water environment Where a failure has been identified, a range of measures have been assessed that would be needed to improve the status of water bodies. The Environment Agency has made an assessment of the measures needed to achieve positive benefits for the water environment and society. The measures have been grouped together to ensure the cummulative ‘catchment’ effect is considered. Where possible, climate resilient measures have been chosen. However it is considered unlikely that the measures will be sufficient to address all impacts of climate change and we will be assessing the likely gaps before the publication of the final river basin management plans: http://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin-management-plans. As well as the measures needed to improve the status of water bodies, other measures are needed to:

• Protect or improve ‘Protected Areas’ within the operational catchment • Prevent water bodies deteriorating from their current status.

Some of these measures will benefit more than one water body or catchment and some are very specific. The cumulative effect and benefits of measures for the operational catchment have been considered. The measures proposed for this catchment are:



15

Improve modified physical habitats • Removal or easement of barriers to fish migration

• Removal or modification of engineering structure

• Improvement to condition of channel/bed and/or banks/shoreline

• Improvement to condition of riparian zone and /or wetland habitats

• Changes to operation and maintenance

• Vegetation management

Managing pollution from waste water • Reduce point source pollution pathways (i.e. control entry to the water environment)

• Mitigate/remediate point source impacts on receptor

Manage pollution from towns, cities and transport • Reduce diffuse pollution pathways (i.e. control entry to the water environment)

• Mitigate/remediate diffuse pollution impacts on the receptor

Improve the natural flow and level of water • Control pattern/timing of abstraction

Manage pollution from rural areas • Reduce diffuse pollution at source


Manage pollution from mines • Mitigate/Remediate point source impacts on receptor

2.8 Economic appraisal and environmental assessment of measures to improve the water environment

The benefits that measures will bring to society, along with the cost and any disbenefits (negative impacts) of implementing them, have been assessed in economic appraisals. The appraisals aim to identify whether the measures needed to improve the water environment are cost beneficial, in other words, the benefits are greater than the costs. The effects of the measures on the wider environment are also considered, which helps to inform the environmental assessment. The results of the appraisals will help to decide if it is economically, environmentally and socially worthwhile to implement the measures. Environmental and socio-economic benefits and disbenefits (negative impacts) are considered in the economic appraisals. A monetary value has been assigned to some benefits. For surface waters, this is based on society’s willingness to pay for improvements in the water environment1. For ground waters, values used have been ‘transferred’ from other detailed economic studies2. Other benefits and disbenefits

1Willingness to pay values used are from The Environment Agency’s National Water Environment Benefits Survey (2007, updated 2012). 2 ‘Benefits transfer’ is a recognised way of using benefit values from existing academic studies and surveys. Other benefits which have not been monetised have been identified and form part of the overall economic appraisal results.

16

which have not been monetised have been identified and form part of the overall appraisal results.

The majority of the costs of measures, assessed in the economic appraisals carried out, are estimates. Costs are from local and national sources, and are based on previous experience of implementing similar measures. Where more accurate, local cost information is available, this has been used in place of national estimates.

The economic appraisals have been carried out at the operational catchment scale. If the group of measures to improve all water bodies in the catchment to good status is not considered to be cost beneficial (so the cost outweighs the benefits), or would have significant adverse effects on the wider environment, an alternative group of measures to achieve the most for the water environment has been appraised. Assessing the costs and benefits of improving our water environment is an ongoing process and economic appraisals will need to be updated as new and better information becomes available. Your responses to this consultation will help us gather more and better information about the costs and benefits of the measures needed. The economic appraisals we’ve carried out will be refined before the updated Humber River Basin Management Plan is published. For more information on the approach taken for catchment economic appraisals and environmental assessment, please see the draft update to the Humber River Basin Management Plan. https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771#section-s1405417886771

2.9 Proposed long term objectives In the consultation, we ask for your views on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment, based on preventing a drop in status and delivering all improvements which are technically feasible and worthwhile, based on economic appraisal. In the following operational catchment sections, we look at the possible scale of improvement which could happen in the second cycle, based on current knowledge of plans and actions.

2.10 Links to other management plans Achieving the long term objectives for the water environment will require a coordinated approach to making improvements across a number of different planning processes. The Strategic Environmental Assessment Environment Report considers the full range of plans that are relevant to the Humber River Basin District and it’s catchments. To see this report go to: http://ea.objective.co.uk/file/3078908.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771




17

One of the most important links relates to the way flood risks are managed in the catchment. Over the next two years, the Environment Agency will be undertaking considerable planning work, culminating in the publication of the updated river basin management plans (RBMP) and the flood risk management plans (FRMPs). Together, these plans will shape important decisions, direct considerable investment and action, and deliver significant benefits to society and the environment. The two planning processes are working to common river basin district (RBD) boundaries and many key stakeholders have an interest in both. As the plans themselves and the supporting documents/data-sets are complex, we have decided not to integrate them into a single set of consultation documents. Instead we will coordinate the engagement around the planning processes, promoting them together, cross-referencing, and explaining how they relate to each other. We believe this is the best way to make it easy for you to participate in either, or both, consultations. The flood risk management plan consultation coincides with the launch of this consultation. It includes the measures proposed to manage flood risk, and can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-flood-risk-management-plans The flood risk management plan (FRMP) highlights the hazards and risks of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs, and set out how Risk Management Authorities work together with communities to manage flood risk. Measures to mange flood risk can relate to 4 key areas: preventing, preparing, protecting and recovery and review. It can take a single measure, or a combination of measures, to manage flood and coastal erosion risk effectively. In the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchment, the main measures identified relate to: encouraging a greater role for local communities in managing flood risk, pumping station refurbishment and floodgate maintenance, improved flood warning service and improved knowledge of the watercourse network and drainage infrastructure.

http://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-flood-risk-management-plans

18

3 Operational catchments The following sections give an overview of the current state of the water environment in each of the operational catchments; the reasons for not achieving good status; and the measures being proposed to protect and improve the health of the water.

3.1 Upper Swale Operational Catchment

Figure 7 - View of Upper Swale operational catchment

The catchment is entirely rural with a number of small villages, and encompasses the upper parts of the Swaledale valley, running broadly from the high moors on the Cumbria–Yorkshire boundary, across towards Richmond. Historically lead mining was a major industry in the area, but today sheep-farming and tourism are at the centre of economic life here. Popular walks, particularly the Coast to Coast, and the Pennine Way pass through, and Swaledale is also home to many small but beautiful waterfalls, such as Richmond Falls, and attracts thousands of visitors each year. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

19

Figure 8 - Map of the Upper Swale operational catchment

There are 14 river water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 92% of the water bodies in the Swale Upper catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 10.

20

Figure 9 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Upper Swale catchment in cycle 1


Figure 10 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Upper Swale catchment in cycle 2


21

Since 2009, investigations in this catchment have helped to determine the reasons why water bodies are not achieving good status, and the likely causes. These are shown in Figure 11 below:

Figure 11 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Upper Swale catchment by type and source sector

Measures to improve the water environment have been assessed. Some of these measures will benefit more than one water body or catchment and some are very specific. The cumulative effect and benefits of measures for the operational catchment have been considered. The measures proposed for this catchment are shown in the table below:

Improve modified physical habitats • Improvement to condition of riparian zone and /or wetland habitats





We have identified the need for further monitoring and investigation to improve our understanding of the pressures in this catchment. As a result there are a limited number of actions which are focussed on protecting riparian and in-channel habitat. Measures include remediating the impact of abandoned lead mines and learning from and supporting continued targeted moorland grip blocking.

22

Net present value

£1.7 million

Benefit cost ratio

1.6

Present value benefits

£4.4 million

Present value costs

£2.8 million

Scope exists for a project covering the remediation of pollution from extensive, abandoned heavy metal mines in Swaledale and Nidderdale. Many of these sites are Scheduled Monuments and of great regional and local historic value. A project has not yet been initiated although preliminary discussions have taken place between some partners.

All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.1.1 Upper Swale catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment

3.1.1.1 Results and recommendation Measures proposed to improve the water environment to good status in this catchment are cost beneficial; the benefits are greater than the costs. The results of the economic appraisal are shown below.

3.1.1.2 Monetised costs and benefits of implementing the measures proposed for this catchment3

This means that for every £1 that is spent towards improving the water environment in this catchment, you could expect to receive £1.60 of benefits.

3 The benefits and costs are shown in ‘Present Value’ terms, which is a way of expressing the value of costs and benefits that will happen in the future in today’s money. We apply a ‘discount’ rate and benefits to reflect people’s preference for receiving goods and services now rather than later.



23

3.1.1.3 Benefits and costs of implementing the measures proposed for this catchment4

Ecosystem Service Benefits and negative impacts to society

Positive or negative impact ˄˄: very positive ˄: positive 0: neutral ˅: negative ˅˅: very negative

Climate regulation (local temperature/ precipitation, greenhouse gas sequestration) ˄˄

Fresh water, Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Erosion regulation, Water purification and waste treatment, Soil formation, Provision of habitat

˄

Food (e.g. crops, fruit, fish etc.) ˅ The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected]

3.1.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Upper Swale operational catchment

The information presented so far has focused on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment, based on preventing a drop in status and delivering all improvements which are technically feasible and worthwhile. This section focuses on the possible scale of improvement which could happen in the period to 2021, based on current knowledge of plans and actions.

4Improving the water environment has wider benefits than those we have been able to monetise in the appraisals. We have

identified these using ecosystem services. An ecosystem service is a ‘service’ that the natural environment provides that improves our quality of life.



24

The table below indicates what is currently known about the availability of some key mechanisms to deliver improvements by 2021. In this operational catchment: Yes or No Have measures been implemented (or are secured for 2014-15) that will deliver improvements that have not yet been reflected in classification results? E.g. Catchment Sensitive Farming, Catchment Restoration Fund Projects

No

Are there measures planned to deliver Protected Area objectives that will also contribute to improvements in water body status?

No

Has this operational catchment been identified in water company draft business plans as an area for improvement?

No

Has this operational catchment been identified as a priority for action under the new environmental land management schemes (NELMS)?

awaiting prioritisation

Have the local catchment partnership identified measures they are likely to secure funding for, which will bring about improvement within the 2nd cycle?

No

Are any additional improvement measures included in Environment Agency or other statutory plans?

No

Based on our understanding of the information above, and our catchment knowledge, we have medium confidence that this operational catchment will see an improvement towards the proposed long term objectives by 2021.

25

3.2 Middle Swale Operational Catchment

Figure 12 - View of Middle Swale operational catchment

This largely rural catchment sits in the valley between the North Pennine Moors and the North York Moors, but is part of neither. The catchment starts near Newsham, north of the well known market town of Richmond, host to Richmond Castle a major tourist attraction. 3 miles south is Catterick Garrison the largest army garrison in the world, and one of the largest population centres in the area. The catchment is dissected by the A1 motorway from Scotch corner to Pickhill. Protected Areas include: Newton Le Willows Meadows (SSSI); much of this catchment is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone; and parts are included within a safeguard zone to protect those downstream abstractions. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

26

Figure 13 - Map of the Swale Middle operational catchment

There are 17 river water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take five to ten years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 81% of the water bodies in the Middle Swale catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 15.

27

Figure 14 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Middle Swale catchment in cycle 1


Figure 15 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Middle Swale catchment in cycle 2


28


Figure 16 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Middle Swale catchment by type and source sector


29









Manage invasive non-native species • To control or manage non native invasive/alien species




The actions proposed in the catchment include best practice and project work to reduce loss of sediment, nutrients and phosphate from agricultural land through Catchment Sensitive Farming and Land Management Projects. Actions to address point source pollution are proposed to be tackled via Water Company and private investment at waste water treatment works. There are also actions to improve fish passage over some substantial weirs and through flap valves, which would benefit the rest of the catchment. Protected area measures are proposed to protect drinking water from Methaldehyde. The catchment partnership are promoting a potential project on the Mid Swale Tributaries, specifically Skeeby/Dalton/Holme Beck, Scorton Beck, Scurf Beck and Bedale/Newton/Burton Beck. Sedimentation and the need for habitat improvement are the main issues on these catchments. Flooding is also a particular concern at Gilling West. The whole catchment will benefit from planned walkover surveys by volunteers to help identify sources of sediment input and to pinpoint where remedial work should be targeted. Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Tees Rivers Trust are planning a joint project, including bank stabilisation, habitat creation, buffers and sediment traps. Partners potentially include the local Parish Councils, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Campaign for the Farmed Environment and the Forestry Commission. Funding will be sought from the Landfill Communities Fund. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below.

30

Net present value

£7.7 million

Benefit cost ratio

1.68


£18.9 million

Present value costs

£11.2 million

You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.2.1 Middle Swale catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment







31




Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.) ˄˄

Erosion regulation, Water purification and waste treatment, Recreation and tourism, Soil formation, Provision of habitat

˄

Water for non-consumptive use ˅ The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected].

3.2.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Middle Swale operational catchment

The information presented so far has focused on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment, based on preventing a drop in status and delivering all improvements which are technically feasible and worthwhile. This section focuses on the possible scale of improvement which could happen in the period to 2021, based on current knowledge of plans and actions. The table below indicates what is currently known about the availability of some key mechanisms to deliver improvements by 2021.





32

In this operational catchment: Yes or No Have measures been implemented (or are secured for 2014-15) that will deliver improvements that have not yet been reflected in classification results? E.g. Catchment Sensitive Farming, Catchment Restoration Fund Projects

No


Yes


Yes




Yes


No


33

3.3 Lower Swale Operational Catchment

Figure 17 - View of Lower Swale operational catchment

The Lower Swale catchment is largely rural with a number of small settlements, the largest being the market town of Thirsk. The Hambleton Hills, part of the North York Moors National Park, form the eastern edge of the catchment. The west of the catchment runs from the mouth of the river Wiske, near Sandhutton down to the confluence with the river Ure at Myton-on-Swale. The catchment is largely rural and agricultural, although tourism also plays a major role in the economy. There are currently 5 SSSIs in the catchment, with Clifton Ings expected to be designated as SSSI in future. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data

34

Figure 18 - Map of the Swale Lower operational catchment

There are 9 river and 2 lake water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally good. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take five to ten years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 100% of the water bodies in the Swale Lower catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 20.

35

Figure 19 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Lower Swale catchment in cycle 1


Figure 20 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Lower Swale catchment in cycle 2


36


Figure 21 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Swale Lower catchment by type and source sector


37









Manage pollution from rural areas • Reduce diffuse pollution pathways (i.e. control entry to the water environment)


We have identified the need for a pilot in this catchment to improve our understanding of natural flood risk management and more sympathetic maintenance regimes. This project should include a diffuse pollution element to reduce the amount of sediment entering the beck and thus reducing management requirements. There is a need to protect drinking water Safeguard zones through proactive implementation of projects. Other actions include improving fish passage, which would benefit upstream catchments. No specific catchment partnership projects have been identified for the Lower Swale yet. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.3.1 Lower Swale catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment

3.3.1.1 Results and recommendation



38

Net present value

£0.06 million

Benefit cost ratio

1.01


£4.59 million

Present value costs

£4.53 million

Different combinations of measures were appraised where improvement to good status for all water bodies in the catchment was not cost beneficial. The results presented here are for a combination of measures which do improve some water bodies in the catchment and that are economically worthwhile. Some water company measures have been removed. The results of the economic appraisal are shown below.







Fresh water, Erosion regulation, Water purification and waste treatment, Recreation and tourism, Provision of habitat

˄

Water for non-consumptive use ˅




39

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected] The only measure removed from this operational catchment ‘bundle’ is the upstream fish passage at Oakdale Lower reservoir. The catchment partnership board had no specific comments on the removal of this measure.

3.3.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Lower Swale operational catchment

The information presented so far has focused on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment, based on preventing a drop in status and delivering all improvements which are technically feasible and worthwhile. This section focuses on the possible scale of improvement which could happen in the period to 2021, based on current knowledge of plans and actions. The table below indicates what is currently known about the availability of some key mechanisms to deliver improvements by 2021. In this operational catchment: Yes or No Have measures been implemented (or are secured for 2014-15) that will deliver improvements that have not yet been reflected in classification results? E.g. Catchment Sensitive Farming, Catchment Restoration Fund Projects

No


No


Yes




No


No




40

3.4 Wiske Operational Catchment

Figure 22 - View of Wiske operational catchment

The River Wiske rises above the village Ingleby Arncliffe in the north eastern part of the catchment and flows west towards Birkby, where it starts it’s southerly journey to join the River Swale below Kirby Wiske. The main tributaries of the Wiske include the Stell, which joins the Wiske at Hutton Bonville, and Brompton Beck which runs through the main county town of Northallerton before joining the Wiske at Romanby. The area is mainly rural, with agriculture the main economic activity, and Northallerton being the administrative centre for many public services. The Wiske catchment is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

41

Figure 23 - Map of the Wiske operational catchment

There are 6 river water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 83% of the water bodies in the Wiske catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 25.

42

Figure 24 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Wiske catchment in cycle 1


Figure 25 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Wiske catchment in cycle 2


43


Figure 26 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Wiske catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.


Improve modified physical habitats • Removal or modification of engineering structure





Managing pollution from waste water • Mitigate/remediate point source impacts on receptor



44

The actions proposed in the catchment include best practice and project work to reduce sediment from the forestry sectors through Catchment Sensitive Farming and to improve riparian habitat, particularly along the Willow and Otterington Becks. More focus is needed on sympathetic management of drainage ditches and solutions to reduce the amount of sediment causing blockages. There is also a need for some investment in land management to tackle point source pollution and run off from Industrial estates and the A1. Actions to tackle point source pollution are proposed to be tackled via water company investment at waste water treatment works. Eel and fish passage on various land drainage sluices and flap valves would benefit the catchment. A potential Wiske restoration project to include Otterington Beck and Willow Beck Catchments, is being formulated by the Catchment Partnership. The main issues are habitat restoration, vegetation management in the water bodies, sedimentation and raised levels of phosphates. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) previously led a restoration project on the Wiske to establish buffer strips upstream, and it is a Catchment Sensitive Farming priority area. YWT are identifying the gaps and are establishing a new project to continue the work, subject to funding. Flooding is an issue in Brompton and Northallerton from Brompton beck which is in the Willow Beck catchment. A local flood forum has been established by residents. Consideration is being given to natural flood management measures across the wider catchment. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.4.1 Wiske catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment




45

Net present value

£12.7 million

Benefit cost ratio

2.41


£21.7 million

Present value costs

£9 million







Food (e.g. crops, fruit, fish etc.), Erosion regulation, Water purification and waste treatment, Recreation and tourism, Primary production (in river), Nutrient cycling, Provision of habitat

˄

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected]





46

3.4.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Wiske operational catchment


No


No


Yes




Yes


No


47

3.5 Upper Ure Operational Catchment

Figure 27 - Upper Ure operational catchment

The River Ure starts above on the moors above Hawes and flows past small villages of Bainbridge, Aysgarth, and Leyburn. The catchment is largely rural with settlements consisting of small villages and market towns, the largest being Hawes and Leyburn. Agriculture and tourism are the heart of economic activity, with Yorkshire Dales National Park attracting thousands of visitors every year. Protected areas include Semer Water SSSI, and much of the land to the north of this Catchment is part of the North Pennine Moors and designated SAC and SPA. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data

48

Figure 28 - Map of the Upper Ure operational catchment

There are 19 river water bodies and 1 lake water body in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally good. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 94% of the water bodies in the Upper Ure catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 30.

49

Figure 29 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Upper Ure catchment in cycle 1


Figure 30 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Upper Ure catchment in cycle 2


50


Figure 31 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Upper Ure catchment by type and source sector


51













We have identified the need for further monitoring and investigation in this catchment to improve our understanding of the pressures in this catchment. As a result there are a limited number of actions which are focussed on re naturalising the river corridor adding meanders and restoring habitat for fish and invertebrates. Actions proposed in this catchment comprise of Catchment Sensitive farming type projects to address WFD failures from phosphate. Remediating the impact of abandoned lead mines and learning from and supporting continued targeted moorland grip blocking are also required here. Actions to tackle point source pollution are proposed to be tackled via water company investment at waste water treatment works. The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) are working with the landowners, Leeds University and JBA Trust to restore a section of the river at the head of the upper River Cover to a more natural course, and slowing the flow by blocking moorland grips and planting woodland, which will enhance habitats. YDRT are continuing an existing project on Bishopdale Beck, restoring habitats by reinstating banks and controlling stock access to the watercourse. Semerwater is a priority area for Catchment Sensitive Farming and YDRT have run a parallel project to encourage tree planting and habitat management in the catchment. A new project to tackle sedimentation and encourage habitat creation, working particularly with the dairy farmers in the dale, is being planned by the Catchment Partnership. Other aims are to promote understanding, recreation and enjoyment, improve involvement of local people by removing rubbish, tackling invasive non-

52

Net present value

£-0.43 million

Benefit cost ratio

0.06


£0.026 million

Present value costs

£0.46 million

native species and visually enhance the floodplain. Funding will be sought from external sources; HLF and LIFE bids are being considered. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.5.1 Ure Upper catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment

3.5.1.1 Results and recommendation Measures to improve the water environment in this catchment are not cost beneficial; the costs are greater than the benefits. Measures proposed in the catchment are to ensure there is no drop from the current status of the water environment and to improve or maintain protected areas only. The results of the economic appraisal are shown below.






53




Fresh water, Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Water purification and waste treatment, Recreation and tourism, Nutrient cycling, Provision of habitat

˄˄

Erosion regulation, Photosynthesis (production of atmospheric oxygen) ˄

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected].

3.5.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Upper Ure operational catchment


12

Improving the water environment has wider benefits than those we have been able to monetise in the appraisals. We have identified these using ecosystem services. An ecosystem service is a ‘service’ that the natural environment provides that improves our quality of life.



54


No


No


No




Yes


No


55

3.6 Middle and Lower Ure Operational Catchment

Figure 32 - View of Middle and Lower Ure operational catchment

Many of the smaller tributaries in the north west of the catchment touch the edges of the North Pennine Moors and are heavily influenced by the peatlands. The river Ure winds its way south-east to the small market town of Masham, then through a number of small settlements to Ripon and Boroughbridge. Nun Monkton marks the south point of the catchment, although the river runs further. There is a mix of rural farm land, and wooded valleys. In many places the main river and its tributaries have been dammed to create lakes. Protected Areas include: SSSI: Marfield Fen; Hack Fall Wood; River Ure & Ripon Parks; Bishop Monkton Ings; Cow Myers. SACs and SPAs: much of the moorlands in the upper reaches. Some parts are included within a safeguard zone to protect downstream abstraction. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

56

Figure 33 - Map of the Middle and Lower Ure operational catchment

There are 15 river and 4 lake water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 95% of the water bodies in the Middle and Lower Ure catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 35.

57

Figure 34 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Middle and Lower Ure catchment in cycle 1


Figure 35 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Middle and Lower Ure catchment in cycle 2


58


Figure 36 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Middle and Lower Ure catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.


59












The actions proposed in the catchment include best practise and project work to reduce sediment and diffuse pollution from the farming sector and to improve riparian habitat. Continued support of the Peat Partnership project to block moorland grips will also benefit this catchment. There are many actions relating to improving fish passage, which would particularly benefit the River Laver and River Tutt. Catchment Partners are already progressing fish passage, habitat creation and land management projects in this catchment as a priority. We have identified the need for further monitoring and investigation on the main River Ure to improve our understanding of the pressures in this catchment including over abstraction of water. In the Middle Ure, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is leading a project under their Living Landscapes campaign which also ties in with the North Yorkshire and York Local Nature Partnership’s priority area for the Ure. YWT are carrying out a detailed mapping exercise to look at the potential for habitat restoration to improve riparian habitat and water quality on the main river and some of its tributaries. It is hoped that this will form the basis of a substantial funding bid in 2014/15. Major partners will be local landowners and farmers, Ure Salmon Trust, Natural England, MOD and local communities. One of the main tributaries of the Ure is the River Skell. The Partnership are looking at links with the National Trust's concerns about flooding at their World Heritage Site at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, as it is becoming more frequent and having a deleterious effect on the site. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the

60

Net present value

£4.3 million

Benefit cost ratio

1.53


£12.39 million

Present value costs

£8.09 million

measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.6.1 Middle and Lower Ure catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment

3.6.1.1 Results and recommendation Different combinations of measures were appraised where improvement to good status for all water bodies in the catchment was not cost beneficial. The results presented here are for a combination of measures which do improve some water bodies in the catchment and that are economically worthwhile. Some water company measures were removed. The results of the economic appraisal are shown below.






61





Fresh water, Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Erosion regulation, Cultural heritage, Recreation and tourism, Nutrient cycling, Photosynthesis (production of atmospheric oxygen), Provision of habitat

˄

Food (e.g. crops, fruit, fish etc.), Water for non-consumptive use ˅

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected]. Measures removed from this bundle are Spruce Gill compensation flow (although the Environment Agency are still working on this and may find a solution shortly) and Roundhill Reservoir upstream fish passage. Note the Environment Agency are working with Yorkshire Water Services Ltd, (YWS) on providing a compensation flow at Spruce Gill by redistributing the very high flow from Leighton reservoir.

3.6.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Middle and Lower Ure operational catchment


14




62


No


No


No




Yes


No


63

3.7 Upper Nidd Operational Catchment

Figure 37 - View of Upper Nidd operational catchment

The catchment is entirely within the Nidderdale AONB, with the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the west. The river Nidd rises at Nidd Head Spring on Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales and within the first few miles is dammed three times to form Angram, Scar House, and Gouthwaite reservoirs. The land surrounding the reservoirs is a mixture of rough pasture & heather moorland, managed primarily for sheep and grouse. The river flows on through the small market town of Pateley Bridge - the main population centre in the area – to the village of Birstwith. Some reservoirs are designated as Drinking Water Protected Areas and an upper part of this catchment has been designated a safeguard zone. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

64

Figure 38 - Map of the Upper Nidd operational catchment

There are 6 river and 3 lake water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 90% of the water bodies in the Nidd Upper catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 40.

65

Figure 39 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Upper Nidd catchment in cycle 1


Figure 40 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Upper Nidd catchment in cycle 2


66


Figure 41 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Nidd Upper catchment by type and source sector









67

Actions proposed in this catchment comprise measures to tackle fish passage though potential is limited, and Catchment Sensitive farming partnership projects to reduce phosphate levels and sediment input which will lead to habitat restoration work. The River Nidd Catchment Sensitive Farming Partnership will now form a sub group of the Catchment Partnership. There is potential to expand the scope of the existing partnership project in future. Measures also include investigation and remediation of the impact of historic metal mining. The Environment Agency and Nidderdale AONB are hoping to work with catchment partners to target future land management in Upper Nidderdale to remediate the impact of contaminated run off from historic spoil heaps. Nidderdale’s Landscale Partnership will look at ways to tie in the need for remediation with their work on conserving the areas historic value. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.7.1 Upper Nidd catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment




68

Net present value

£6.8 million

Benefit cost ratio

1.91


£14.2 million

Present value costs

£7.4 million







Fresh water, Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Erosion regulation, Aesthetic value, Soil formation, Provision of habitat

˄

Water for non-consumptive use ˅ The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected].

3.7.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Upper Nidd operational catchment




69



No


No


No




Yes


No


70

3.8 Middle and Lower Nidd Operational Catchment

Figure 42 - View of Middle and Lower Nidd operational catchment

The catchment area is primarily rural & agricultural, except for the spa town of Harrogate and its neighbour Knaresborough. The Nidd catchment starts at the village of Birstwith, flowing downstream through Killinghall, skirting the northern edge of Harrogate and through Knaresborough. The river then meanders through rural areas and villages until it reaches its confluence with the river Ouse, at the village of Nun Monkton. The catchment lies within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), includes Aubert Ings SSSI, a Drinking Water Protected Area (DrWPA) and parts are included within a safeguard zone to protect the downstream drinking water abstractions. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

71

Figure 43 - Map of the Nidd Middle And Lower operational catchment

There are 7 river and 3 lake water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 53% of the water bodies in the Middle and Lower Nidd catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 45.

72

Figure 44 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Middle and Lower Nidd catchment in cycle 1


Figure 45 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Middle and Lower Nidd catchment in cycle 2


73


Figure 46 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Middle and Lower Nidd catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.











74

We have identified the need for implementation of several hydromorphology mitigation measures including setting back or removing flood banks, channel restoration, woodland planting and habitat creation, particularly in the Lower Nidd. There is a need to protect drinking water Safeguard zones through proactive implementation of projects. Other actions include improving fish passage such as at Blackstone Weir and at several smaller weirs and flap valves. There are flow issues at Scargill, Beaver Dyke and Ten Acre reservoirs and we have an action plan to gather further ecological data that is likely to support the hydrological findings. If modification to compensation release is not possible then habitat improvement options may be considered. The actions proposed in the catchment also include best practice and project work to reduce run off of nutrients from the farming sector. We have identified the need for further monitoring and investigation in this catchment to improve our understanding of waste water treatment pressures in this catchment. There is a need to tackle riparian erosion and flood plain connectivity in the Middle and Lower Nidd. Subject to funding a potential habitat restoration project, led by the Catchment Partnership, would aim to reconnect the river with its floodplain, improve riparian habitats, and reduce sedimentation. Tree planting through Woodlands for Water could be important, especially on bank sides, targeted through Forestry Commission’s work on mapping opportunities for planting. There may be opportunities to make improvements to recreational facilities which would be beneficial to the local population. The lower Nidd has previously been identified as providing a good opportunity for a demonstration project to show how a wetland can perform multiple objectives and this idea could be explored further. This area forms the middle and lower parts of the Nidd corridor which is of regional significance in Natural England’s Green Infrastructure strategy. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Campaign for the Farmed Environment and the Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership (formerly Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) have worked in this area. The Catchment Partnership is at the initial stages of gathering data to fully identify the issues and opportunities here. Funding from external sources will be sought. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.



75

Net present value

£18.7 million

Benefit cost ratio

2.1


£35.6 million

Present value costs

£16.9 million

3.8.1 Middle and Lower Nidd catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment





76




Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Erosion regulation, Recreation and tourism, Nutrient cycling, Photosynthesis (production of atmospheric oxygen), Provision of habitat

˄

Food (e.g. crops, fruit, fish etc.), Water for non-consumptive use, Soil formation ˅

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected]@environment-agency.gov.uk.

3.8.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Middle and Lower Nidd operational catchment


18


77


No


No


No




Yes


No


78

3.9 Upper Ouse Operational Catchment

Figure 47 - - View of Upper Ouse operational catchment

The River Kyle and its tributaries form the northern half of the catchment, and flows south-east of Tholthorpe village, near Easingwold. At Linton-on-Ouse it turns south and joins the river Ouse just north of Newton on Ouse. The Ouse flows south past Nether Poppleton, via Clifton Ings and Rawcliffe Meadows through the city of York and south to the small village of Acaster Selby. With the exception of the York conurbation the land use is largely agricultural. Special Sites of Scientific Interest include Clifton Ings; Rawcliffe Meadows; Fulford Ings; Naburn Marsh; Church Ings and Acaster South Ings. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

79

Figure 48 - Map of the Ouse Upper operational catchment

There are 15 river water bodies and1 lake water body in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 100% of the water bodies in the Ouse Upper catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 50.

80

Figure 49 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Upper Ouse catchment in cycle 1


Figure 50 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Upper Ouse catchment in cycle 2


81


Figure 51 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Upper Ouse catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.


82














There is a need for the Environment Agency to tackle point source pollution from none mains drainage in this catchment. Protected area measures are proposed to protect drinking water from Metaldehyde. Fish passage through sluices and flap valves will also benefit the catchment. Actions proposed in this catchment comprise of habitat improvement actions and Catchment Sensitive farming type projects to address WFD failures from phosphate and dissolved oxygen. There is the potential for links with the existing APEM Agriculture Project in the Kyle Catchment which is funded by Environment Agency. Other potential partners could include Catchment Sensitive Farming, Campaign for the Farmed Environment, National Farmers Union and Yorkshire Water Services. Funding options will be explored with them All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.



83

Net present value

£9.5 million

Benefit cost ratio

2.62


£15.4 million

Present value costs

£5.9 million

3.9.1 Upper Ouse catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment

3.9.1.1 Results and recommendation Different combinations of measures were appraised where improvement to good status for all water bodies in the catchment was not cost beneficial. The results presented here are for a combination of measures which do improve some water bodies in the catchment and that are economically worthwhile. All water company measures were removed. The results of the economic appraisal are shown below.




84




Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Provision of habitat ˄˄

Erosion regulation, Nutrient cycling ˄

Food (e.g. crops, fruit, fish etc.) ˅ The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected]. Non cost beneficial measures removed from this operational catchment bundle include all water company costs & benefits (these all relate to water quality improvements). Note: removing Naburn Sewage Treatment Works improvements only did not produce a cost beneficial bundle. The Catchment Partnership Board had no specific comments on the removal of these measures.

3.9.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Upper Ouse operational catchment

The information presented so far has focused on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment, based on preventing a drop in status and delivering all improvements which are technically feasible and worthwhile. This section focuses on the possible scale of improvement which could happen in the period to 2021, based on current knowledge of plans and actions.

20


85

The table below indicates what is currently known about the availability of some key mechanisms to deliver improvements by 2021. In this operational catchment: Yes or No Have measures been implemented (or are secured for 2014-15) that will deliver improvements that have not yet been reflected in classification results? E.g. Catchment Sensitive Farming, Catchment Restoration Fund Projects

No


No


No




No


No


86

3.10 Foss Operational Catchment

Figure 52 - Photograph of the River Foss

The River Foss is a large tributary of the river Ouse, which starts as a spring near Oulston reservoir, and flows south, in a series of wide meanders, through the Vale of York to join the river Ouse in York, just downstream from Clifford’s Tower. The catchment is largely rural and the mainly low lying land surrounding the river Foss is intensely farmed, until it becomes more urbanised as it flows through the City of York. There are two protected areas in the catchment including Strensall Common which is within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); and a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. We are in the process of migrating to an improved water body network and classification which will include more accurate water body boundaries and improved tools. During this period you will notice some differences between cycle 1 and cycle 2 data.

87

Figure 53 - Map of the Foss operational catchment

There are 6 river water bodies in this catchment. The status of the water environment in 2009 was assessed as being generally moderate. In 2014, the status of the water environment had not deteriorated. It can take 5 to 10 years for the positive benefits of actions to be reflected in the ecological status. Our current analysis suggests that 50% of the water bodies in the Foss catchment should have a long term objective of achieving good status, as shown in Figure 55.

88

Figure 54 - Chart showing the classification of all water bodies in the Foss catchment in cycle 1


Figure 55 - Chart showing the classification and long term objectives of all water bodies in the Foss catchment in cycle 2


89


Figure 56 - Chart showing the confirmed reasons for not achieving good status of water bodies in the Foss catchment by type and source sector. The above graph includes “central government” as a source sector. This refers to activities carried out by the public sector.


Improve modified physical habitats • Removal or modification of engineering structure






90

The actions proposed in the catchment are for best practise and project work to reduce phosphate and Metaldehyde input from agricultural land and to improve riparian habitat, particularly in the City Of York. Actions to tackle point source pollution are proposed to be tackled via the Water Company and private investment at waste water treatment works and on non mains drainage campaigns. The Dale to Vale Rivers Network (Catchment Partnership) aim to build on existing agricultural advice and best practice projects in this catchment. Diffuse water pollution from agriculture in the Upper Ouse and Foss is a significant issue. There is the potential for links with the existing APEM Agriculture Project in the Foss Catchment which is funded by the Environment Agency. Other potential partners include Catchment Sensitive Farming, Campaign for the Farmed Environment, National Farmers Union, Yorkshire Water Services and the Internal Drainage Boards. Funding options will be explored with them. The Dale to Vale Rivers Network is working with community groups and City of York Council to potentially restore some of York’s urban becks in the long term future. Work is needed to reduce the impact of urbanisation on river channels in York. Funding will be sought from Lottery Funding, commercial sponsorship and other non-government sources. All of these measures are considered to be needed to improve the water environment to as near to good status as practicable. The costs and benefits of the measures have been considered in the catchment economic appraisal, results of which are shown below. You can find out more detail on the status and long term objectives by using the Catchment Data Explorer tool at: http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/.

3.10.1 Foss catchment economic appraisal and environmental assessment




91

Net present value

£16.4 million

Benefit cost ratio

11.1


£18 million

Present value costs

£1.6 million






Water regulation (timing and scale of run-off, flooding, etc.), Erosion regulation ˄˄

Pest regulation, Water purification and waste treatment, Recreation and tourism, Aesthetic value, Intellectual and scientific, educational, Soil formation, Primary production (in river), Nutrient cycling, Provision of habitat

˄

The final appraisal report and associated documents provide a more detailed summary of these results. This can be requested at [email protected].






92

3.10.2 Possible scale of improvement for the Foss operational catchment


No


No


No




Yes


No


4 What do you think? In order to produce a river basin management plan and a flood risk management plan, it is important that the people who understand the local area are able to contribute to these plans. The draft update to the river basin management plan provides information on the river basin district and then asks you to consider a number of questions. To help you provide feedback at the level that is most relevant to you, the catchment summaries summarise the river basin planning information at a more local scale.

• To see the full set of consultation questions, please go to: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771#section-s1405417886771

• To see the flood risk management plan questions, please go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-flood-risk-management-plans




https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-flood-risk-management-plans



93

Your answers to the questions above will help inform the final plans and ensure that the objectives they contain will help drive the protection, enhancement and improvement of the water environment for all its users. For further information on how to provide your answers to these questions, please go to the “How to respond” section below.

4.1 How to respond The Environment Agency would prefer you to respond online at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/wfd/draft_plans/consult?pointId=s1405417886771#section-s1405417886771 This will allow you to manage your comments more effectively, while helping us to gather and summarise responses quickly and accurately. Alternatively, there is a Word response form available for each river basin district which you can download and use to write your response before you submit it online, or you can email it to [email protected] You can view the consultation documents and consultation questions online. But, if you would prefer a printed version of the document, please call the Environment Agency’s National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506 (local rate). Please return written responses by 10 April 2015.

4.2 What the Environment Agency will use the responses for The Environment Agency will use the responses from this consultation to update the Humber River Basin Management Plan. Environment Agency staff dealing with this consultation will see all responses in full. Other Environment Agency staff may also see the responses to help them plan future consultations. A full summary of the responses will be published on the Environment Agency website.

Finding out more

• Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust • Joint Nature Conservation Committee • Natural England





http://www.yorkshiredalesriverstrust.com/

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

94

4.3 How the Environment Agency will use your information The Environment Agency will make all comments (apart from personal information) publicly available on the Environment Agency website. This includes comments received online, by email, post and by fax, unless you have specifically requested that your response be kept confidential. Only names of organisations that respond and not individuals will be published. If you respond online or provide an email address, you will receive an acknowledgement of your response. After the consultation has closed a summary of the responses will be published on the Environment Agency website. You will be contacted to let you know when this is available. You will also be notified of any forthcoming river basin consultations unless you request otherwise. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Agency may be required to publish your response to this consultation, but will not include any personal information. If you have requested your response be kept confidential, it may still be required to provide a summary. If you have any questions or complaints about the way this consultation has been carried out, please contact: Cath Beaver, Consultation Co-ordinator Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH [email protected]


the swale, ure, nidd and upper ouse management catchment · the swale, ure, nidd and upper ouse...

Documents