Catchment Management Plans – why are they important?

Catchment management plans bring together all aspects of the water environment.

They take into account who uses the water in a catchment, both for business, recreation and amenity, and what steps are needed to protect and enhance this resource. Working together with all water users in the community is key to a successful catchment management plan.

Stakeholder engagement to fully understand the needs of the catchment, weaknesses, potential scope for development/enhancement is essential. Additionally, issues, which are business critical, can be raised and included within proposed mitigation measures. A functional, successful catchment has many moving parts and demands that need to be fully understood to ensure that all users are considered when making mitigation and enhancement decisions about the water environment.

The River South Esk Catchment Partnership in Angus are preparing a new Catchment Management Plan this year. The Partnership is made up of several charities and government bodies who share a desire to protect the catchment; working closely with landowners to improve the natural environment for the benefit of biodiversity, society and the economy. The Partnership wish to engage and support the farming community within the catchment to ensure that their needs and ambitions are encapsulated within the new plan.

The Partnership are hosting an evening meeting on 17 June to highlight the plan and invite the farming community to be involved in its development.  Recognising that each farm is unique, Ann-Marie would be keen to meet farmers to discuss how the Partnership can aid farmers within the catchment.

If you farm in the South Esk Catchment in Angus and would like more information about the Catchment Management Plan consultation evening meeting, to arrange a free visit from Ann-Marie,  or would like to be added to the Catchment Partnership e-mail distribution list, please contact Ann-Marie directly on amm@eskriversangus.uk or 07766 032779.