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Chapter 6: Funding and delivery
6.1 Resources
Respondents noted that, although difficult to put forward specific recommendations for resourcing at such an early stage in the development of these proposals, there were general principles which could be agreed upon. To successfully deliver a Coastal and Marine National Park Plan, and so demonstrate how Scotland values its environment and manages its resources, most respondents that commented on resources noted the need for:
- adequate resources, accompanied by a commitment for the lifetime of the plan.
In order to meet these aims, consultees suggested combining resources from several sources, including from:
- Scottish Executive core funding;
- local agencies, and other interested organisations;
- national Natural Heritage grants;
- visitor fees, following international models; and
- volunteer schemes.
Although the scale of funding was noted to be largely dependent on the size and location of the Park, respondents noted funding should be sufficient for both capital expenditure and running costs. For funded projects, respondents distinguished between those needed to meet the environmental, economic, and community development aims of the National Park, suggesting:
- commissioning detailed research projects to delimit knowledge of the marine environment and set baselines for monitoring;
- development of local infrastructure, including roads, and possibly free ferry services;
- supporting existing local initiatives and providing new project grants, particularly for sustainable development;
- a compensation payments system and programme including buying out licenses and land during any necessary restructuring of local industry; and
- establishment of gateway centres and both educational and recreational resources.
Respondents also recommended that running costs be minimised to make available as many resources to fulfil the Park's aims as possible, advocating that:
- a minimum, or not more than 20-50%, of resources be expended on administration; and that
- local landowners should continue to manage the landscape, maintaining local cultural heritage.
Should a more detailed financial plan be proposed in the light of this consultation, respondents again emphasised the importance of:
- utilising the experience of existing authorities, particularly the Wadden Sea National Park and Scotland's terrestrial National Park Authorities;
- noting that activities in the marine environment are normally more expensive than the terrestrial equivalent; and
- ensuring that resources for a Coastal and Marine National Park do not take from those allocated to existing conservation and sustainable development projects, and that the economic impact on local agencies, including local authorities, should be cost neutral or beneficial.
6.2 Monitoring arrangements
The National Parks (Scotland) Act sets out the legislative context for delivering the aims of a National Park. As with the financial implications of establishing and running a Coastal and Marine National Park, respondents noted the difficulty of providing specific comment on issues regarding delivery at this early stage. However, respondents highlighted the value of effective monitoring arrangements for:
- evidencing the impact of designation on conservation and both the social and economic development of local communities;
- providing an evidence base to underpin future policies for sustainable development and marine conservation, including for the establishment of additional Coastal and Marine National Parks;
- supporting IFGs in fulfilling their responsibilities for ensuring sustainable use of marine resources, as mapped out in the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland;
- directing Park resources to areas and structures in most need, maximising value for money; and
- developing the infrastructure upon which comprehensive scientific studies can build a better understanding of the marine environment, including for mapping, biodiversity studies, and the impact of climate change.
Consultees then went on to suggest how existing local resources may be employed to deliver these arrangements, including:
- partnership work with marine research institutions, particularly in establishing baselines for monitoring indicators;
- involvement of recreational divers in monitoring and information gathering activities; and
- engagement of local land managers, as well as conservation and heritage groups.
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