< Previous | Contents | Next >
THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 18. Management of
Water Margin
| Aim: To protect water margins from erosion
and permit development of tall waterside vegetation, e.g. tall herbs and other
flowering plants, scrub and trees that will help to stabilise the bank and provide
a habitat for invertebrates, on which fish can feed. Some BAP species
that may benefit: Water vole, Otter, Pipistrelle bat, Marsh fritillary,
Freshwater pearl mussel. Eligible sites: Inbye land which
borders still water or a watercourse having a bed width of not less than 0.6 metres
and which - - in the case of a site bordering still water, has a minimum
width of 12 metres and a maximum width of 24 metres.
- in the case of a
site bordering a watercourse with a bed width of less than 1.2 metres, has a minimum
continuous width of 5 times the bed width of the watercourse, a minimum overall
width of 6 metres and a maximum width of 12 metres.
- in the case of a
site bordering a watercourse with a bed width equal to or greater than 1.2 metres,
has a minimum width of 6 metres and a maximum width of 12 metres on any one side.
| Management Requirements:
| 
Bats such as the Pipistrelle use these waterways for feeding
Photo: John Robinson
| - Livestock must normally be excluded. Exceptionally
livestock grazing at no more than 0.6 LU/ha may be permitted in September and
October with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
- Where
trees exist or are to be planted within a water margin, care should be taken to
ensure that there will be no excessive shading of the water. It may be appropriate
to plant occasional native-species trees and shrubs along a water margin to benefit
such species as the Pipistrelle bat.
- The site must be maintained by the
control of statutory weeds, giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed and, as the case
may be, by clearing the watercourse of any obstacle.
- Fertiliser including
slurry or farmyard manure must not be applied to the site.
- Pesticides
may be applied only with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
- Mowing
of the site may be permitted with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers
where ecessary to control rank vegetation of low conservation value.
- No
supplementary feeding to occur on the site
Also...
- Where fencing under the water margin option prevents stock from having access
to traditional watering places, the provision of water troughs may be aided under
the Scheme. Alternatively, an access point can be fenced off separately from the
water margin being managed, but not through an area for which payment is being
sought.
Mature trees and open areas along riverside < Previous | Contents | Next > | 
