| Estuaries - North Devon |
|
||
| LBAP Home | Habitats | Common themes |
|
||
| Similar SW LBAPs | Regional Plan | UK National Plan | Link to LBAP |
| none |
Nature's Space - N Devon LBAP |
|
  
|
||||
| Extent/Distribution Estuaries are tidal basins where the rivers meet the sea. They are characterised by wide inlets subject to tidal incursion and a salinity range in the water decreasing towards the head of the estuary from the mouth. In this context, estuaries will also include the fringing vegetation such as saltmarshes of all types through to brackish marshes The Taw Torridge Estuary is the only estuary in North Devon. Watermouth Harbour has been described in as a Ria, which is a tidally flooded valley characterised by steep sides Estuaries being natural harbours have been the focus of development from the early ages of settlement and trading. They have always been the subject of human activity of some sort, either through water from development taking out estuary habitat directly or in time not allowing the estuary to respond naturally to sea level rise (Coastal Squeeze), pollution directly into the water, pollution for diffuse sources within the freshwater catchment, fishing within the estuaries and on the open sea and on the rivers, recreational activity leading to disturbance of birds. OBJECTIVE 1: Ensure that the existing area of estuary is not lost to other land uses TARGET No absolute loss of estuary area OBJECTIVE 2: Ensure that the existing area of estuary is increased to compensate for loss due to relative sea level rise TARGET Create an extra 10% of saltmarsh area by 2010 OBJECTIVE 3: Ensure that water quality is at the optimum standards for the uses
of the estuary OBJECTIVE 4 Ensure that the existing area of estuary is managed to enhance its wildlife value. TARGET Support grazing of saltmarshes as appropriate, support sustainable fisheries Encourage and support natural processes fro natural evolution o the estuary taking into account neighbouring semi-natural habitats maintaining the optimum proportion of constituent biotopes. TARGET Achieve full range of saltmarsh types Foster greater public understanding, involvement and enjoyment of estuary wildlife and its management TARGET [ see above] An Estuary Management Plan was prepared by a partnership with English Nature, Environment Agency, Devon County Council, North Devon district council and Torridge District Council and Taw Torridge Estuary Forum. This plan sets out agreed actions to safeguard the well being of the estuary in conjunction with the economic and cultural activities that take part in the area. Actions include recreation management, recommended development control policies, action for sustainable management of the fisheries, action to help the estuary habitats keep pace with sea level rise, actions to improve water quality. Policy and legislation Ensure planning policies protect estuary sites form inappropriate development
requiring planning permission, by linking to Taw Torridge Estuary Strategy,
Natural Area Profile data and other sources of information. No net loss
in foreshore from any type of development. Ensure the development along the shore within urban development boundaries can only be achieved if a coastal location is absolutely necessary and there is a proven need for the development LEAD: NDDC Planning PARTNERS: DCC, TDC, EA, MAFF Maximise use of Section 106 agreements to create new estuary fringing
habitats through planning gains Ensure that fisheries policies reflect the requirements of the full range of species using the estuary LEAD: MAFF PARTNER: EA Management
Continue or instigate management programmes on supporting habitats Seek to create 26 Ha of new saltmarsh area on Taw Torridge Estuary by 2010 to compensate for intertidal loss due to relative sea level rise, and secure its future management LEAD: landowners and managers PARTNER: MAFF, EA Support full implementation of Estuary Management Strategy for all issues LEAD: NDDC PARTNER: DCC, TDC, EA, MAFF, EN, MoD, Landowners
LEAD:NDCCS Research and monitoring
Monitor extent and types of saltmarsh, diadromous and resident fish populations and bird populations LEAD: DBWPS
Education and awareness raising
Encourage effective local producers and industries to sustainably exploit the environmental value of the estuary. LEAD: NDDC, EA, Chamber of Commerce PARTNER: Local Agenda 21 Encourage the use of the estuary for education and research NDCCS [no information currently available] |
| Home page |