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Silt, soil, the River Glaven and a new project to reduce these pollutants.
The waters within the Glaven are at risk from many different pollutants. One of these is soil, which can cover fish spawning grounds and build up to increase the risk of flooding. The River Glaven has been identified in a new project as one of those at risk from agricultural soil runoff.
How were rivers chosen for this project?
The Environment Agency and English Nature were asked to prioritise the rivers in England in terms of their risk from agricultural diffuse pollution i.e. pollution originating from a large area. This was done using map layers such as soil type, slope, model data, location of certain crops and conservation status. Once the top 40 catchment areas were identified, the initiative was rolled out in April 2006 at a cost of approximately £22 million over two years.
Much of Norfolk was identified as at risk from ‘diffuse pollution’. Norfolk now has catchment sensitive farming officers for the North Norfolk rivers, the Nar, the Wensum, the Little Ouse, the Yare, Bure and Ant and the Waveney.
The waters within the Glaven are at risk from many different pollutants. One of these is soil, which can cover fish spawning grounds and build up to increase the risk of flooding. The River Glaven has been identified in a new project as one of those at risk from agricultural soil runoff.
How were rivers chosen for this project?
The Environment Agency and English Nature were asked to prioritise the rivers in England in terms of their risk from agricultural diffuse pollution i.e. pollution originating from a large area. This was done using map layers such as soil type, slope, model data, location of certain crops and conservation status. Once the top 40 catchment areas were identified, the initiative was rolled out in April 2006 at a cost of approximately £22 million over two years.
Much of Norfolk was identified as at risk from ‘diffuse pollution’. Norfolk now has catchment sensitive farming officers for the North Norfolk rivers, the Nar, the Wensum, the Little Ouse, the Yare, Bure and Ant and the Waveney.
Introducing Rosanna Dollman
Catchment sensitive farming officer, Rosanna Dollman, is working in the North Norfolk Rivers catchment, including the rivers Stiffkey, Glaven, Heacham and Burn. She will be focusing on the rivers Stiffkey and Glaven for the first 2 years
Catchment sensitive farming officer, Rosanna Dollman, is working in the North Norfolk Rivers catchment, including the rivers Stiffkey, Glaven, Heacham and Burn. She will be focusing on the rivers Stiffkey and Glaven for the first 2 years
Aims of the project
The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative aims to raise awareness of diffuse water pollution and encourage early voluntary action by farmers to tackle the problem –website = http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf/delivery-initiative.htm
The EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000. In order to comply with WFD, the UK must protect, enhance and restore all surface and groundwater bodies, and aim to achieve good ecological status by 2015. Because of diffuse water pollution from agriculture, 80% of rivers, 50% of lakes, 25% of estuaries and coasts, and 75% of groundwaters are currently estimated to be at risk of failing WFD targets. The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative forms part of the work being done to achieve these targets.
There have been several previous projects to reduce diffuse soil pollution over the past few years. These include work by the Environment Agency in 2003 and 4 in training agronomists in reducing diffuse pollution and the work which started in 2005 by Natural England’s Dougal McNeill as the lead catchment sensitive farming officer for the pilot project in the River Wensum. However, this is the first time there has been this level of resources available to tackle diffuse pollution in these rivers.
Other pollution risks
Other sources of pollution in the Glaven are also being tackled and controlled, such as those from pollution incidents reported to the Environment Agency pollution hotline (0800 807060), mud on the road, and treated water discharged from sewage works – link to EA website - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
The article above has been prepared by Lisa Turner, Environment Agency, Norwich, 01473 706572.
Please contact Lisa for further information on this subject
The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative aims to raise awareness of diffuse water pollution and encourage early voluntary action by farmers to tackle the problem –website = http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf/delivery-
The EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000. In order to comply with WFD, the UK must protect, enhance and restore all surface and groundwater bodies, and aim to achieve good ecological status by 2015. Because of diffuse water pollution from agriculture, 80% of rivers, 50% of lakes, 25% of estuaries and coasts, and 75% of groundwaters are currently estimated to be at risk of failing WFD targets. The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative forms part of the work being done to achieve these targets.
There have been several previous projects to reduce diffuse soil pollution over the past few years. These include work by the Environment Agency in 2003 and 4 in training agronomists in reducing diffuse pollution and the work which started in 2005 by Natural England’s Dougal McNeill as the lead catchment sensitive farming officer for the pilot project in the River Wensum. However, this is the first time there has been this level of resources available to tackle diffuse pollution in these rivers.
Other pollution risks
Other sources of pollution in the Glaven are also being tackled and controlled, such as those from pollution incidents reported to the Environment Agency pollution hotline (0800 807060), mud on the road, and treated water discharged from sewage works – link to EA website -
The article above has been prepared by Lisa Turner, Environment Agency, Norwich, 01473 706572.
Please contact Lisa for further information on this subject
Update from local catchment sensitive farming officer
Between August and December 06 local farmers and stakeholders were consulted during the production of a Catchment Appraisal. This gathers together all available data about diffuse pollutants from agriculture such as nutrients, sediments and pesticides.
The evidence available suggests that soil erosion and runoff from arable fields leading to sedimentation of the rivers is the key issue to focus on in the project.
Given the varying physical (soil type, slope) and land use (pigs, potatoes, sugar beet, cereals) characteristics of the catchment it was also necessary to identify a ‘target area’, in which to focus the advice delivery for the duration of the project.
The target area is the red area on the map and covers the rivers Stiffkey and Glaven. This area was chosen as it has the steepest slopes, highest ‘connectivity’ between farmed land and watercourses, and the most compelling evidence for erosion and sedimentation of the rivers. The Catchment Appraisal should be available in full on the DEFRA website in 2007.
In order to tackle the problem of soil erosion/runoff and consequent sedimentation the CSF project advises farmers to complete an Entry Level Scheme Soil Management Plan.
Free workshops and 1:1 advice (farm visit) on completion and implementation of ELS Soil Management Plans are available to farmers.
The plan gives farmers an opportunity to formally record the existing good practice in the catchment in minimising soil erosion. It is also an opportunity to rethink management of any problem fields they may have that run in wet weather or when certain crops are grown.
Completion of Soil Management Plans throughout the catchment will stand farmers in good stead as it gives Defra hard evidence of management to reduce soil erosion and runoff and minimises the risk of increased regulation in the future to meet the Water Framework Directive.
Between August and December 06 local farmers and stakeholders were consulted during the production of a Catchment Appraisal. This gathers together all available data about diffuse pollutants from agriculture such as nutrients, sediments and pesticides.
The evidence available suggests that soil erosion and runoff from arable fields leading to sedimentation of the rivers is the key issue to focus on in the project.
Given the varying physical (soil type, slope) and land use (pigs, potatoes, sugar beet, cereals) characteristics of the catchment it was also necessary to identify a ‘target area’, in which to focus the advice delivery for the duration of the project.
The target area is the red area on the map and covers the rivers Stiffkey and Glaven. This area was chosen as it has the steepest slopes, highest ‘connectivity’ between farmed land and watercourses, and the most compelling evidence for erosion and sedimentation of the rivers. The Catchment Appraisal should be available in full on the DEFRA website in 2007.
In order to tackle the problem of soil erosion/runoff and consequent sedimentation the CSF project advises farmers to complete an Entry Level Scheme Soil Management Plan.
Free workshops and 1:1 advice (farm visit) on completion and implementation of ELS Soil Management Plans are available to farmers.
The plan gives farmers an opportunity to formally record the existing good practice in the catchment in minimising soil erosion. It is also an opportunity to rethink management of any problem fields they may have that run in wet weather or when certain crops are grown.
Completion of Soil Management Plans throughout the catchment will stand farmers in good stead as it gives Defra hard evidence of management to reduce soil erosion and runoff and minimises the risk of increased regulation in the future to meet the Water Framework Directive.
Rosanna Dollman, Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer for the North Norfolk Rivers (Heacham, Burn, Stiffkey, Glaven), and the river Nar.
122A Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RN Tel: 01603 663895 rosanna.dollman@naturalengland.org.uk
Reporting pollution incidents
The Environment Agency has a pollution hotline, which is manned 24 hours a day to received details of pollution incidents.
These reports are passed onto an Environment Officer in the Norwich office during office hours, or an on-call officer out of hours. The Environment Agency assesses each pollution report and attend if necessary and we will provide feedback to the complainant if required.
In the Norwich office the Environment Agency get about 55 pollution incidents reported per month.
Reports come from all different sources, e.g. members of the public, the fire service (large fires or those which may affect a river), Anglian Water (sewerage system problems) and industries who have had an accidental spillage. The Environment Agency pollution hotline is 0800 807060.
The Environment Agency has a pollution hotline, which is manned 24 hours a day to received details of pollution incidents.
These reports are passed onto an Environment Officer in the Norwich office during office hours, or an on-
In the Norwich office the Environment Agency get about 55 pollution incidents reported per month.
Reports come from all different sources, e.g. members of the public, the fire service (large fires or those which may affect a river), Anglian Water (sewerage system problems) and industries who have had an accidental spillage. The Environment Agency pollution hotline is 0800 807060.
Source Field
Diffuse pollution
