Other projects

Living River

The Living River Project is a £1 million partnership project which aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the River Avon system, particularly among people living in the catchment, and focuses on how the natural heritage of the river system has developed through people's use of it through the ages.

Through an innovative suite of actions the Living River Project will complete 3 programmes:

• Biodiversity restoration - at sites the public can access and enjoy
• Access and Interpretation - creating and enhancing physical and intellectual access to the natural heritage across the river system
• Education and Training - providing education events and resources, and offering training opportunities to help people understand their relationship with the river system and take responsibility for it

Catchment sensitive farming

Catchment Sensitive Farming is a pro-active approach to diffuse pollution, aiming to reduce agricultural sources of diffuse pollution within river catchments. Forty catchments, including the Avon have been identified as priority areas for action, and will be targeted under a range of measures aimed at improving farm practices and reducing water pollution from agriculture. Dedicated advisers are working on a one to one basis with farmers, as well as leading a series of initiatives including workshops and farm demonstrations to encourage best practice.

Wessex Chalk Streams Project

The Wessex Chalk Streams Project acts as a 'one stop shop', working with riparian landowners and managers to promote wildlife-friendly river enhancement and management of the River Avon system Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Wiltshire, which includes the tributaries, Wylye, Nadder, Till, and Bourne. It also focuses on the River Ebble as well as associated wetlands and areas suitable for wetland restoration.

Forest Friendly Farming

The Forest Friendly Farming Project aims to develop practical ways of supporting , communing and woodland management in the New Forest and Avon Valley. We can help gain funding through Natural England`s Entry Level and Higher Level Schemes as well as the Forestry Commission and New Forest countryside grant. Please contact Ian Stone for the New Forest or Rhys Morgan for the Avon Valley on 02380 424205.

Review of Consents

Under the Habitats Directive, all outstanding decisions, permissions, consents or authorisations should be reviewed likely to have a significant effect (alone or in combination) on a Natura 2000 site. On the River Avon SAC and Avon Valley SPA the Environment Agency has responsibility for the majority of the existing consents relevant to the site. Planning authorities must also review all outstanding planning permissions granted but not yet fully implemented.

Water level management plans

The Water Level Management Plan (WLMP) initiative provides a means by which the water level requirements for a range of activities in SSSIs and Natura 2000 sites, including conservation, agriculture and flood defence, can be balanced and integrated.

In the lower Avon, implementation of the plans aims to establish appropriate water level management in the SPA/SSSI, reversing the decline in grazing marsh habitat, breeding waders and wintering wildfowl. The plans take into account the needs of the river, but primarily focus on restoring appropriate water levels in the floodplain. In the upper Avon, the priority for WLMPs is to ensure appropriate water level management for the SAC, taking into account seasonal variations in flow. Enhancement of Desmoulin's whorl snail habitat in the upper Avon should only take place at locations and times when this will not impact on the riverine interests.

Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS)

Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) aim to make information on water resources allocation more publicly available and allow the balance of needs between abstractors and the aquatic environment to be determined in consultation with interested parties. CAMS aim to set out a strategy for sustainable management of water resources at a catchment scale.

Wessex Water low flows programme

Since the late 1980s there has been concern about the environmental impacts of groundwater abstraction from various points in the catchment. This issue is being addressed through a number of initiatives including the Environment Agency's Review of Consents programme, and Wessex Water's Low Flow and Solutions projects.

Wessex Water has been investigating the impact of abstracting water for public water supply from the aquifers which feed the Avon catchment through the Statement of intent study on the Chitterne Brook and River Wylye which was signed in June 2002 by Defra, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, , and Natural England Wessex Water has significantly reduced abstraction from Chitterne one of the largest sources on the Wylye catchment, and augmented flows to trial a solution under the terms of a Statement of Intent. Wessex Water are monitoring the effect of these changes on aquatic flora and fauna. Further studies are also underway into the impact of the other sources on the aquatic flora and fauna, both alone and in combination, which will inform the Environment Agencies review of consents. The most appropriate long-term solutions will be agreed pending the results of the Review of Consents and other relevant projects.

• General information on low flow rivers
• Wessex Water low flow programme

Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive is the most substantial piece of European water legislation to date. It requires all inland and coastal waters to reach "good status" by 2015. It will do this by establishing a river basin district structure within which demanding environmental objectives will be set, including ecological targets for surface and ground waters.