Update on the implementation of the first plans

• Pilot catchments & the restoration plan

• Priority catchments• WEF• Local measures

River basin district Percentage of waterbodies at good or better

2008 2015 2021 2027

Scotland 65 72 77 97

Solway Tweed 49 53 61 91

Pilot catchment & restoration plan• 4 pilot catchments (Esk, Dee, Glazert & Nith)

• Approaching the end of phase 1 – scoping the opportunities for measures delivery

• Phase 2 - local engagement to discuss detailed design and preparations for implementation will be undertaken now to March 2015

• Phase 3 – April 2015 to March 2016 implementation of measures

• Updates available; http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning/implementing_rbmp.aspx

• Restoration plan is due for publication

Diffuse Pollution (rural)

Diffuse pollution from rural sources

• Highland sheep event 30th May• Continued liaison between land unit and ops• SEARS training days 54 RPID staff• Fisheries event – Inverness

• Coming up;• further agriculture training for SEPA staff• SNH staff training North 6th Oct

Water Environment Fund

• New unit manager – Rachel Harding-Hill Dingwall

• Recruited 3.5 specialists and a technical administrator

• Update will be coming soon…

North Highland local measures update

Water body/

catchment

Project title Stakeholder Progress (Sept 2013)

Balnagown River Balnagown fish barriers Cromarty Firth DSFB and Trust

Catchment-scale electro-fishing survey shows impact of obstructions to fish migration.

River Peffery Peffery Restoration (Phase 3)

Cromarty Firth DSFB Large deadwood introduced. Strathpeffer weir eased by SW.

River Naver Pearls in Peril SNH Physical restoration including re-profiling of previously built up banks to stop erosion downstream. Re-established alluvial fan at mouth of river.

River Moriston Pearls in Peril SNH Encystment of host fish with glochidia.

River Mallart Pearls in Peril SNH Removal of weir, reopening of back channels, improvements to river gravels.

Rivers Evelix and Kirkaig

Pearls in Peril SNH River Water walkovers. DP work timetabled for 2014.

Water body/

catchment

Project title Stakeholder Progress

Black Water Hydro review

Halladale River Quick win Unclear. 3rd cycle measure.

Pressures on water body are morphological e.g. croys, high impact re-alignment.

River Fleet SEPA plus partners Discussions ongoing re: sluice gates and collection of level data will be required. Regulatory decisions to be made based on this information.

Rosemarkie Burn Rosemarkie project Ness and Beauly Fishery Trust

River Orrin Rhododendron project Cromarty Firth DSFB and Trust

Rhododendron cleared, follow up spraying ongoing. Native tree planting on river banks.

Orrin, Peffery, Strath Rannoch

Riparian restoration Cromarty Firth DSFB and Trust, FCS, Woodland Trust

Ongoing project, native tree planting along riparian corridor.

Water body/

catchment

Project title Stakeholder Progress (Sept 2013)

Various Pearls in Peril SNH Pearls in the Classroom to be run by number of FTs.

Small water bodies in the Torridon coastal catchment

Small Water Bodies SNH Contracted desk study to identify ecologically important SWBs and WFD pressures on them.

Shin catchment Shin phosphorus modelling

FCS, Kyle DSFB Modelling ongoing to build up picture of what’s happening in the catchment. Stakeholder involvement once more data available.

Ness Glen Urquhart INNS Coille Alba Progressing well overall but hampered in a couple of places where access refused.

Strath Rannoch Large deadwood project Cromarty Firth DSFB and Trust, FCS

Ongoing project to investigate results of large deadwood on fish populations. Will be delivered in part this week.