River Itchen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Operations Likely to Damage the Features of Special Interest

Transcription

1 River Itchen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) DATE NOTIFIED: 16 August 2000 CONFIRMED: 25 April 2001 Operations Likely to Damage the Features of Special Interest This is a list of all operations which could possibly damage this site of special scientific interest. The list covers the whole site although some of the operations may be damaging only on parts of the site or at particular times of year or if carried out in particular ways. The list of operations is not a list of prohibited activities. However, the law requires you to give written notice to English Nature before any of these operations is undertaken on your land. This allows us to discuss the proposals with you and consider their effects on the special interest of the site. In some circumstances the proposals will be damaging and in other circumstances they will be beneficial. You need to tell us about any operations which are proposed on your land and for which you would like consent. (Please note that certain exclusions and other relevant information are defined in the footnotes) 1 Ploughing, rotovating, harrowing and re-seeding (see footnote 1) for cultivation and other purposes. 2 The introduction of grazing and alterations to grazing regimes (including type of stock, intensity or seasonal pattern of grazing). 3 The introduction of stock feeding and alterations to stock feeding practice. 4 Alterations to mowing or cutting regimes on agricultural land (including from haymaking to silage). The introduction of mowing or cutting vegetation to new areas, including cutting and mowing to make new fishing paths, extend existing ones or reopen disused ones. 5 Application of manure, slurry, silage liquor, fertilisers and lime. 6 Application of pesticides, herbicides and veterinary products, whether terrestrial or aquatic, except for (see footnote 2): i) the correct application of approved pesticides and veterinary products to those channels and pools specifically used for fish rearing and holding. the spot-spray or wick (weed-wipe) treatment, in accordance with correct practice of. creeping thistle, spear thistle, nettle, broad-leaved dock, butterbur, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, common ragwort, giant hogweed and notifiable agricultural weeds. 7 Dumping, storage, spreading or discharging of any materials or substances (including effluent disposal) (see footnotes 1 and 4). River Itchen SSSI Page 1 16 August 2000

2 8 The introduction of burning, and alterations to the pattern or frequency of burning. 9 Release into the site of any wild, feral, captive bred or domestic animal (includes any mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird, fish or invertebrate), plant, seed or micro-organism (including genetically modified organisms), except for: i) the release into the site of brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and salmon (Salmo salar) (see footnote 3). the release into the site of grazing stock and game birds where currently undertaken. 10 Injuring, killing or removing any wild animal, and damaging, disturbing or obstructing their eggs, nests and places of shelter, except for: i) fishing, and the removal and killing of any fish species other than bull head (Cottus gobio), lampreys (Lampetra sp.), minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus), three spined stickle-back (Gasterosterus aculeatus) and stone loach (Neomachilus barbatulus) (see footnote 3). i iv) American mink (Mustela vison), brown rat, rabbit, fox, grey squirrel, mole, deer (all species), wasps (where nests in or by the river banks are a nuisance), any non-native crayfish species and mice (when in huts), by lawful means. game birds and bird species covered by the General Licence (Department of Environment, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended 1991). bird species under a specific Department of Environment or Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food licence. 11 The destruction, displacement, removal or cutting of any plant or plant remains, including tree, shrub, herb, hedge, dead or decaying wood, alga, moss, lichen and fungus, except for: i) the selective cutting and removal of water plants in river channels for fishery purposes (see footnote 3). i iv) the relocation of the water-crowfoot (Ranunculus sp.) plants already present in a particular section of the river. the mowing of existing fishing paths, existing rotational scrub control, and rotational or occasional trimming of river bank vegetation. pollarding, pruning or tree surgery, and felling of individual trees for safety reasons or in compliance with a felling licence issued by the Forestry Authority, and any felling and/or removal of conifers. 12 Planting of trees and shrubs, and clear or block felling in woodland. River Itchen SSSI Page 2 16 August 2000

3 13a 13b 13c The introduction of drainage, including moor-gripping, and the use of mole, tile, tunnel or other artificial drains. The modification of the structure of water courses (rivers, streams, springs, ditches, dykes and drains) including their banks and beds, by means such as re-alignment, infilling, damming, regrading, revetment, sheet piling and narrowing (see footnote 1). Dredging and damage or disturbance of the river bed, except for: i) silt displacement by temporary flow manipulation i river bed gravel cleaning the removal of those amounts of river bed gravel and silt necessary for the repair of the adjoining river bank (see footnote 1). 14 Water impoundment, storage and alterations to water levels and tables. Abstraction from surface and ground water bodies and water utilisation including irrigation and the introduction of water meadow flooding (see footnote 4). 15 Excavation, widening or infilling of drains, ditches, ponds, pools, marshes and pits. 16a The introduction of, and alterations to, freshwater fish rearing and production for fishing or food. 20 Extraction of minerals including peat, shingle, sand and gravel, topsoil, sub-soil, tufa and chalk. 21 Construction, re-routing, removal or destruction of roads, tracks, walls, hard stands, banks, or other earthworks (other than the repair of existing ones), and the laying, maintenance or removal of pipelines and cables, above or below ground. 23 Erection of fences and construction of permanent or temporary structures including huts, bridges, board walks, deflectors, groynes and other structures, the undertaking of engineering works including drilling, except for the repair and maintenance or replacement in situ of existing (and functioning) fences, deflectors, groynes, board walks and bridges, huts and shelters. 26 Use of vehicles away from the roads and tracks, and those river banks normally driven along, and the use of craft on the river, except for the use of agricultural machinery on agricultural land, mowing machinery on paths and craft used on the river for fishing or fishery management. 27 Introduction of recreational activities not currently taking place, including water sports and war-games. 28a The introduction of, and alterations to, game or waterfowl management and hunting practice (includes the introduction of mink hunting with hounds). FOOTNOTES. River Itchen SSSI Page 3 16 August 2000

4 1. The repair and maintenance of river banks (Refs. 1, 7, 13b, 13c) Certain types of repair and maintenance operations on river banks with existing fishing paths shall not constitute `Operations Likely to Damage the Features of Special Interest'. They are operations dealing with recent erosion and collapse of the bank or path and involving the placement and spreading of chalk, river gravels and local soil. These operations also require the replacement of the original topsoil/turves and river fringe vegetation as far as is practical, and where this is not possible, reseeding with native grass seed mixes. Also, the repair, maintenance and replacement (with similar materials) of revetments and piling along banks where such structures are currently in operation shall not constitute Operations Likely to Damage the Features of Special Interest. The building up of river banks which have gradually receded, so as to narrow the river channel or achieve a significant alteration to the bank's profile and level, are modifications which do constitute Operations Likely to Damage the Special Interest (Ref. 13b). [Such modifications and certain other operations, including repairs, to river banks may also require a consent or licence from the Environmental Agency, or possibly even planning permission, wherever carried out.] 2. Pesticides and herbicides (Ref. 6) "Correct practice and application" shall be construed as meaning compliance with the requirements of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and any Regulations made under that Act with particular reference to the Control of Pesticides Regulations Pesticides and herbicides must only be used as approved, in line with an Environment Agency licencelconsent, as well as adherence to MAFF or other appropriate guidance issued with the aim of safeguarding aquatic and wetland habitats and wildlife. 3. Fishing and fishery operations, including water weed cutting (Refs. 9, 10i and 11) These activities are subject to regulation by the Environment Agency through byelaws, licences and consents. Where such activities comply with the appropriate consents and licences, English Nature will not require prior notice to be given. However, the exception clauses stated in this `operations likely to damage' relating to ongoing practices cannot be construed as an endorsement by English Nature which could be used against any future changes in policy, or the introduction of strategies and byelaws intended by the Environment Agency to regulate these activities. 4. Alteration of water levels, abstractions and discharges (Refs. 7 and 14) Abstractions and discharges, and certain alterations of water levels, are subject to regulation by the Environment Agency through byelaws, licences and consents. The alteration of river water levels with hatches and sluices largely operates through traditional arrangements and cooperation. The operating of hatches and sluices: River Itchen SSSI Page 4 16 August 2000

5 where currently undertaken to apportion water flows between the river channels, or/ to disperse cut weed, or/ feed subsidiary channels normally containing flowing water -shall not constitute Operations Likely to Damage the features of Special Interest. River Itchen SSSI Page 5 16 August 2000