Irwell Catchment Pilot

Katherine Causer

January 2012

Catchment Pilots

AimsImproved engagement, information sharing and co-ordination of action (catchment scale)

More action at a local level across society and business

Build approaches that deliver multiple benefits

Catchment Pilots

Key ObjectivesInvolve and listen to others

Shared understanding of catchment problems

Developing a shared vision

Gain commitment from partners

Co-ordinated activity delivering multiple benefits for the environment

More catchment action and ambitious targets

Development of Catchment Action Plans

Irwell Catchment PilotWFD - Current State of Play

78 waterbodies• Rivers – Croal/Irwell/Roch/Irk/Medlock• Reservoirs• Canals• Groundwater

2/3rd classed as Artificial or Heavily Modified Waterbodies (A/HMWB)Nearly all failing to achieve Good Ecological Status or Potential (GES/GEP) because of:

• Diffuse pollution (urban)• Physical modification (urban, water industry, industry)• Point source pollution (water industry)

All water bodies to have achieved GES/GEP by 2027

Irwell Catchment PilotWFD - Current State of Play

Irwell Pilot - Reasons For Failure

Irwell Pilot - Reasons For Failure

Irwell Pilot – our approachDiffuse pollution (urban)

Irwell Pilot – our approachPhysical modification (urban, water industry, industry)

Irwell Pilot – our approach

Collaborative working to:-

deliver mutual benefits

deliver multiple benefits

deliver solutions through Green Infrastructure interventions and provide better ecosystem services

Irwell Pilot – OutcomesDraft outcomes for the Irwell Pilot Steering Group to develop and deliverOutcome 1

By 2027, the rivers Croal, Irwell, Roch Irk and Medlock and their major tributaries support more diverse, abundant and sustainable fish stocks, that can maintain angling activity

Outcome 2 By 2027, the rivers Croal, Irwell, Roch, Irk and Medlock support a wider range of connected habitats. Protected species such as otter and water vole are present in larger numbers and there is a greater movement of species between habitats

Outcome 3By 2021, where feasible and relative to existing infrastructure, the rivers Croal, Irwell, Roch, Irk and Medlock are more natural in appearance and function. This will make them more resilient to changes in flow conditions such drought or flooding, and will lead to a more robust, diverse and accessible environment

Outcome 4

By 2021, rivers in urban areas are cleaner because diffuse pollution (contaminated water running off roads or leaching from polluted land) is reduced

Irwell Pilot – OutcomesDraft outcomes for the Irwell Pilot Steering Group to develop and deliver

Outcome 5By 2027, more people enjoy their local water environments for recreational activities such as walking, cycling, angling and water based activities where appropriate. This will focus particularly on people from town centres, population growth points, regeneration areas, and deprived communities for example, Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Bolton and Bury

Outcome 6Each outcome agreed will have a clear plan of how it will provide young people not in education, employment, enterprise or training, plus the long term unemployed and ex-offenders with the necessary skills, knowledge and training to deliver local environmental improvements throughout the Irwell Pilot area

Outcome 7By 2021, local people feel and act as owners of their local rivers. They get involved in voluntary action to identify their desired outcomes and take action to improve and maintain the rivers. Local action groups (LAGs) will be established on all tributaries of the River Irwell

Irwell Pilot – OutcomesDraft outcomes for the Irwell Pilot Steering Group to develop and deliver

Outcome 8By 2015, all brownfield land in the Irwell catchment has been fully assessed and prioritised. Priority sites are identified in Local Development Plans as opportunities to expand quality green space of wildlife value. Where housing and new business opportunities are identified, green infrastructure should play a key role in their development

Outcome 9By 2027, the West Pennine Moors and rural areas are managed by landowners (e.g. UU, farmers. Local Authorities, MoD) in a way that reduces flooding and improves water quality.

Outcome 10By 2027, all new developments are planned to maximise their contribution to the Irwell Catchment Pilot objectives