CATCHMENT PLAN

The SDCP works across the 4 key themes highlighted in our vision: water quality, species & habitats, value to people, and water quantity.

Under each of these themes there are several key issues, each of which is split into actions. The references in this plan are used in the SDCP Project Programme.

Water Quality
Pollution from single points or locations (point source pollution)

1. Reduce impact of homes on water quality

2. Reduce impact of business & industry on water quality

3. Improve regulation & development planning for water quality

4. Reduce road run-off pollution

5. Reduce pollution from boats in estuaries

6. Reduce litter and plastic pollution

Pollution from wider areas (diffuse pollution)

7. Understand and reduce the causes and impacts of high nutrient levels, bacterial quality issues and algal blooms

8. Tackle diffuse pollution from rural sources (agriculture & forestry)

9. Reduce pollution from landfill, quarry and mine waste

Species & Habitats
Falling fish populations

10. Monitor fish populations

11. Restore riverine habitats and fish passage

12. Improve regulation & planning for fish populations

Habitat loss, degradation & fragmentation

13. Improve regulation & planning for biodiversity

14. Monitor & share species/habitat data

15. Improve habitat management

16. Tackle causes of losses of wildlife

17. Ensure wildlife can adapt to climate change

Invasive non-native species

18. Monitor INNS

19. Prevent and control INNS

Value to People
Recreational access to sensitive environments

20. Raise awareness and community engagement

21. Improve regulation and control of recreation and access

22. Manage access via public rights of way

23. Preserve historic landscapes

Commercial impact on sensitive environments

24. Work with businesses to reduce environmental pressures

25. Manage seasonal population increases

Population Growth & Development

26. Develop local food industry 

Water Quantity
Catchment Water Retention

27. Improve land management for water quantity

Abstraction

28. Increase community engagement & awareness of water usage

29. Monitor abstractions & low flows

30. Improve regulation & enforcement of abstractions

Reservoirs

31. Reduce impact of reservoirs on fisheries

32. Assess and remove impoundments and barriers relating to reservoirs

Flooding

33. Improve planning & development for flooding

34. Implement habitat management/natural flood management

Climate Change

35. Monitoring & assessment of the impacts of climate change

36. Management of impacts of climate change

Data & Evidence

In 2015, stakeholders and technical specialists came together to undertake a review of all the natural assets we have in South Devon, the benefits they provide us with, and the opportunities to improve or maximise these benefits. You can see the maps and read the review here.

Project Pipeline

We have a project pipeline spreadsheet which is reviewed and updated at meetings. Some of these projects are being developed for a specific funding stream, while others are being recorded and developed to be ‘shovel-ready’ for an appropriate funding opportunity.

These meetings are open to all partners with a project they would like to develop in the South Devon area.

Contact zoeconnelly@wrt.org.uk for details on how to join.