Farm Business Update 2014: Essex YFC, Environment Agency and Water Framework Directive
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The Water Framework Directive and the Catchment Based Approach in your area Michael Neale Catchment Co-ordinator Essex
description
Farm Business Update 2014 presentation of Environment Agency taken from the Essex YFC Event.
Transcript of Farm Business Update 2014: Essex YFC, Environment Agency and Water Framework Directive
The Water Framework Directive and the Catchment Based Approach in your area
Michael Neale Catchment Co-ordinator Essex
Contents
Introduction to the Water Framework Directive
Catchment Based Approach
Key pressures in the Essex catchments
Implementing Water Framework Directive
Key Actions for Farmers - what you can do to help
WIYBY for Farmers
So what is WFD and what does it hope to
achieve?
European Directive, became part of UK law in December 2003,
focusing on ecology.
Integrated Approach to Catchment Management
Aim: Good ecological health for all waterbodies
Good Ecological Status
New Classification System - key aspects:
Biology
Chemical quality (surface & ground waters)
Quantity (surface & ground waters) – ‘hydrology’
Physical structure – ‘morphology’
Considered for each ‘water body’ type – rivers, lakes,
estuaries, coastal waters and ground waters
An Ecology Based Directive
Water Framework Directive - background
11 River Basins
Objective – to improve overall health of water environment by 2027
WFD objectives
Improving land management
More naturally functioning
rivers
Cleaner water for drinking,
recreation and economic use
A reduction in pollution
Sustainable use of water
some farming
practices
Drinking water
quality
Invasive
signal
crayfish
Phosphate from
treated sewage
discharges
nutrient runoff
surface water
sewer abuse
Amenity use
of pesticides
Barrier to fish passage
Typical Pressures on water
environment
Poor
morphology
Invasive fish
species
Low flow/over
abstraction
invasive
Himalayan
balsam
Catchment Based Approach
Working together to understand the issues
Discussing and agreeing on outcomes and priorities
Sharing information and resources
Working together to tackle difficult issues
Working collaboratively to deliver work on the ground that
improves the catchment
WFD Management
Catchments
Essex Rivers - Key Issues
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Physical modifications - fish barriers & unsuitable habitat
Phosphate & Sediment
Abstraction/Low Flow
Nitrate
Pesticides
Physical Modification
Physical Modification
Watercourse maintenance & habitat creation
Phosphate & Sediment
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Pesticides
Nitrate
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How you can help
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Lots of work to be done, this is the start of the process
Opportunities to get involved with new Catchment
Partnerships
River Stour –Matt Holden, Stour Valley and Dedham
Vale Project
South Essex Project Officer – Jane Herbert, Essex
Wildlife Trust
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Keep soil in your field
Fords & tracks near
water
Silt traps Keep livestock out of
water
What’s in Your Back Yard
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby
Essex Rivers Hub
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Key Actions - Summary Know your local catchment and water quality issues –
WIYBY
Support the Catchment Based Approach
Get involved in partnerships; CSF, Essex Wildlife Trust,
E&S Rivers Trust, Thames Chase Trust, ESW
Protect your resources; managing your soil and land
sustainably
Talk to us about opportunities to improve the local
water environment
Thank you
Any Questions?
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