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THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 19. Management of
Flood Plain
| Aim: To create and maintain a mosaic of
wash lands and dry lands by allowing the watercourse to overflow on to its natural
flood plain Some BAP species that may benefit: Irish lady's-tresses,
Reed bunting, Pipistrelle bat. Eligible sites: A site that
forms all or part of a flood plain where - - part or parts of the
flood plain are included in the undertaking as the site of another management
activity; and
- the flooding of the site would not adversely
affect other agricultural land.
|
Flood
plan of meandering river in Argyll Photo: © Kilmartin House Trust
Management Requirements: - The natural flooding of the
land must not be hindered and
- Cultivations must not be carried out within
12m of the water's edge (mean summer water level).
- Additional management
specific to each site must be agreed with Scottish Ministers
Other
important information: - The management payment is made where the
whole flood plain is allowed to flood naturally at time of high water level
creating a mosaic of wash lands, dry lands and wetlands. The watercourse must
be allowed to flow naturally with any impediment to natural flooding removed.
This will occur where the watercourse meanders through a relatively flat area
and the overall area may also contain various different habitat types some of
which will be subject to management payments as wetlands, herb rich grassland
etc.
- The flood plain management payment will be in addition to payments
for management of specific areas of habitat within the flood plain.
- Often
the management of a flood plain will involve more than one occupier and perhaps
landowner. Applicants choosing this option must ensure that the interests of adjoining
landowners are not prejudiced by any change in management. In practice this means
that the Department will not approve an application for flood plain management
unless either the flood plain is a discrete area all of which is occupied by the
applicant or if all other occupiers of the affected land have applied for
this option.
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