INDEX

CONSULTATIONS      

consultation outcomes:

UK NEWS        

INTERNATIONAL NEWS     

PROJECTS & RESEARCH

PUBLICATIONS

Reports from Events

 

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

CONSULTATIONS     

public consultations launched on the challenges for improving scotland’s water environment

(Posted 21 March 2014)             

Two public consultations have been launched by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to help inform the next stage of Scotland’s plans for sustainable management of rivers, lochs, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater.

Officially launched in December 2013 on SEPA’s website, the six month consultations are aimed at local authorities, stakeholder groups and water users to help protect and improve the quality of the water environment within the Scotland and Solway Tweed River Basin districts.

The consultations focus on the need for a step change in management approach for four primary issues:

  • Rural diffuse pollution
  • Impacts on the physical condition of the water environment
  • Toxic substances and urban diffuse pollution
  • Contaminated land causing pollution to surface and groundwater

The results of the consultation will inform the next round of River Basin Management Plans due to be published in 2015. These will describe the actions needed to further protect and improve the quality of the water environment and prevent deterioration.

The consultation closes on 22 June 2014.

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/news/2014/public_consultations_launched.aspx)

 

consultation outcomes:

Marine licensing: revision of fees and charges

(Posted 21 March 2014)

This consultation invited views on proposals to revise the fees structure for marine licensing as operated by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

These proposals seek to recover a higher proportion of the costs the MMO incurs in dealing with marine licensing applications whilst at the same time minimising the impacts on businesses through efficiency measures and, for certain smaller projects, by providing a public subsidy. The summary of responses was published on 17 March 2014.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/revision-to-marine-licensing-fees-and-charges

 

UK NEWS        

get interactive on scotland’s environment web

(Posted 21 March 2014)

See the ‘Get Interactive’ web page which allows you to interact with a range of environmental data in a variety of different ways and offers a range of tools, including:

  • What’s in my area? Simply enter your post code to find out what’s happening in your local environment.
  • Discover Data which allows you to view, analyse and interact with the latest environmental data.
  • Map View. With 165 map layers and data supplied by 10 different organisations, you are now able to look at up-to-date environmental data all in one place.
  • Resources section, which provides a one-stop-shop for recommended data resources.
  • Environmental Games. A selection of recommended games to help make learning about the environment fun.

(http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/)

 

marine conservation society

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The 'Supermarket Seafood Survey' uncovers how seriously UK retailers are taking sustainability - by assessing their seafood policies, sourcing, labelling and other indicators. Conducted every two years, the data for this survey was collected in 2013. 

Some supermarkets have shown a real improvement. Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer are leading the way in joint first place, whilst the Co-operative comes in a close second and Waitrose third. Lack of participation by some supermarkets, however, is keeping consumers in the dark when it comes to choosing sustainable seafood.

Read the full story at:

(http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Fishing+for+our+future/Supermarket+survey?utm_medium=email&utm_source=marine+conservation+society+&utm_campaign=3605926_Main+MCS +Enews+-+January+2014&dm_i=104K,25ACM,56T8K8,7R5O7,1)

 

catchment based approach – defra update

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Over the autumn and winter, Defra has been:

  • Setting up catchment partnerships that cover the whole country as well six cross-border partnerships.
  • Setting up training for the new catchment partnership hosts.
  • Working with Business in the Community (BITC) to improve water in the UK.

Defra and Environment Agency colleagues have been working hard with partners in the third sector to set up catchment partnerships covering the whole of England.  Defra made £1.6 million available in FY 13-14 to enable the establishment of catchment partnerships.  This has led to 87 catchments being set up across England including six cross-border partnerships covered by 111 different partnerships.  In addition, the Environment Agency has signed off over £200,000 of project recommendations from the CaBA (Catchment Based Approach) Support Group to help partnership working.

There have also been training and knowledge transfer events to support the new catchment partnership hosts.  Start-up conferences were held at the end of last year.  A series of workshops are currently taking place covering a range of topics including stakeholder engagement, diffuse pollution and mapping and modelling.

To help collaborative working, Defra is joining up with Business in the Community (BITC) in convening a Water Taskforce, in partnership with United Utilities, to oversee a ‘9 Billion Challenge’ water project. This explores what we need to do to ensure high quality, affordable, sustainable supplies of water for the UK, in the right quantity and of the right quality, now and into the future.  The Taskforce comprises the water industry, government, community groups and a range of businesses in other key sectors. In addition to developing the top ten asks for business and an engaging communications campaign, the Taskforce has identified three key innovation networks to take forward:

  1. What not to flush – exploring behaviour change issues and product innovations that will help to keep drains and sewers flowing freely.
  2. Building sustainable and resilient places – making sure that buildings and infrastructure are able to cope with fluctuating demand and supply of water, including SuDS.
  3. Catalysing interest and engagement with the natural environment through water – exploring ways to engage with CaBA to engage businesses and wider community groups with improving the health of catchments.

More information on the Water Taskforce is available at:

(http://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/marketplace-sustainability-programme/9-billion-challenge-water-project)

During the next few months Defra will continue to identify opportunities for catchment partnerships to join up with other Defra-funded initiatives. There are genuine co-benefits if they work together locally, as shown in the CaBA pilot where such initiatives were co-located. Defra will also continue to work with colleagues in other areas to ensure that their policies facilitate more local integration, and enable coordinated input from the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Natural England to remove any potential blocks.

 

defra announce new environMEntal scheme for farmers to prioritise biodiversity

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Improving biodiversity and water quality will be prioritised in the new environmental land management scheme as part of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Farming Minister George Eustice announced on 26 February 2014 that the new scheme will provide funding for farmers and land managers who deliver benefits for wildlife, improve water quality and create woodland.

From 2016, the new environmental land management scheme will be targeted so that farmers can help deliver environmental priorities specifically related to their local area, focussing particularly on increasing biodiversity, helping wildlife and improving water quality. For example, if one area is home to rare farmland birds, farmers will be reimbursed for enhancing this habitat. If, in another area, agricultural pollution has affected local rivers, farmers will be able to apply for funding to reduce soil erosion and run-off from their fields.

The existing Environmental Stewardship and England Woodland Grant Scheme will be brought together into a universal scheme that will be open to applications from both farmers and foresters.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-environmental-scheme-for-farmers-to-prioritise-biodiversity)

 

fracking and groundwater

(Posted 21 March 2014)

There is concern about the possibility of fracking causing methane to leak into UK groundwater. The British Geological Survey (BGS) are assessing which aquifers naturally contain methane and other gases to measure what impact, if any, the fracking process may have on our groundwater.

In the following two short films, John Bloomfield (BGS hydrogeologist) explains what implications the process may have on groundwater, and Mike Stephenson (NERC) looks at the facts and fears surrounding shale gas.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGM5rRFwF8I&list=PL7937E582F13B492F&index=2)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKW4_UGVGBw&list=PL7937E582F13B492F&index=3)

 

fishing quota register provides greater transparency

(Posted 21 March 2014)

A new register will provide greater transparency for anyone with an interest in our fishing industry by allowing them to see who has access to the UK’s fishing quota.

A Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA) register has been published to provide greater transparency around who has access to fish quota within the UK.

FQA units are the main means by which fishing quota is allocated amongst the UK fishing industry. EU countries receive a share of the Total Allowable Catch for each quota fish stock, and within the UK these are largely distributed into what are known as FQA holdings. Each FQA gives the holder access to a share of the quota for particular fish stocks.

The register was produced between all the UK fisheries administrations, the Marine Management Organisation and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fishing-quota-register-provides-greater-transparency)

 

marine planning – a guide FOR local authority planners

(Posted 21 March 2014)

MMO (Marine Management Organisation) has produced a short animation to explain marine planning. It compares land-use and marine planning and aims to assist land-use planners in their understanding of the important links across the land-to-sea interface.

Many local authorities are directly affected by marine planning, including coastal authorities, those with estuaries and tidal waters in their area, and land-locked authorities through issues such as infrastructure links.

(http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/marineplanning/about/index.htm)

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS     

the squeeze on europe’s coastline continues

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Europe’s coastal regions are increasingly vital for its economy, yet their natural assets on which it depends continue to degrade. This is according to a new report from the European Environment Agency, which calls for better information, planning and management decisions to balance multiple demands on the coastal environment.

Read the report at:

(http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/the-squeeze-on-europe2019s-coastline-continues)

 

ec report shows nitrate pollution still an issue

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The latest European Commission report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive shows that nitrate concentrations have decreased slightly in both surface and groundwaters and that sustainable agricultural practices are more common, but that nitrate pollution and eutrophication are still putting water resources under strain in many member states.

See the report at:

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-nitrates/)

 

european marine site bye-laws

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Following a public consultation between September and October 2013 and a formal notification to the European Commission and other member states, the Secretary of State has now confirmed Marine Management Organisation (MMO) bye-laws to protect reef features from bottom towed fishing in specified areas between 0 and 12 nautical miles.

(http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/protecting/conservation/ems-byelaws.htm)

 

p&G to eliminate phosphates from all laundry products

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Procter & Gamble has announced that its entire portfolio of laundry detergents – including the Ariel, Tide and Ace brands – will be phosphate-free within 24 months.

The company has been reducing the level of phosphates in its products since 2005, and once completely phased out, will have saved almost 500,000 metric tonnes per year compared with peak usage in 2005.

(http://www.edie.net/news/print.asp?id=25804)

 

PROJECTS & RESEARCH

waste seashells can solve waste water problem

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The thousands of tonnes of waste seashells created by the edible seafood sector could be put to use in a new waste water cleaning project being undertaken at the University of Bath. Waste mussel shells have been used to create a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way of ‘polishing’ waste water, which could be used to remove unwanted substances such as hormones, pharmaceuticals or fertilisers.

Read more at:

(http://www.bath.ac.uk/research/news/2013/09/30/waste-seashells/)

 

seafloor damage – science for environment policy (thematic issue)

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Damage to the seafloor, due to a range of human activities, including fisheries, sand and gravel extraction and navigational dredging, has affected large areas of the seabed for over a century. Recent reports by EU Member States estimate that, in some parts of Europe, over 75% of the seabed has been physically damaged. This damage has destroyed critical marine habitats and led to significant biodiversity loss. This thematic issue of Science for Environmental Policy covers research topics including Impacts of seafloor trawling extend further than thought; What are the impacts of depositing dredged sediment on the seafloor?; and Offshore wind farm foundations could alter seafloor ecosystems of the North Sea.

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/45si.pdf)

 

fracking research needs to consider the bigger picture

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Studies on fracking too often focus on its technical aspects, and not the wider environmental, economic and regulatory context needed for political decision-making, according to a review of existing research by a US researcher. The review provides a framework for understanding these complex issues that could benefit the fracking debate and decision-making about fracking more widely.

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/356na6.pdf)

 

better integration of temporary rivers into the water framework directive

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Improvements to EU water policy have been proposed in a recent study, to help ensure that temporary rivers and streams in the Mediterranean are adequately protected in line with the goals of the Water Framework Directive. The researchers suggest new classifications for river types, and highlight the importance of distinguishing between natural and human-derived causes of intermittent water flow.

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/357na3.pdf)

 

microbeads pollution – beauty brands committing to microbead phase-out as environmental threat grows

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The threat plastic pollution poses to marine wildlife is now a recognised issue amongst consumers, businesses and governments, but is the damage from microplastics, found in many beauty products, a problem literally being washed down the drain?

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, ranging from around 5mm in size down to the microscopic, that are almost impossible to clean up once they enter the ocean. Used in many personal care and beauty products such as facial exfoliators and body scrubs, once washed down the drain, the beads are too small to filter out during wastewater treatment processes and invariably end up in the sea. Once there, microbeads can become embedded in marine habitats, altering the properties of these environments, and are also eaten by marine fauna, particularly filter feeders such as mussels, causing circulatory and digestive blockages, malnutrition and even starvation.

While consumers remain fairly unaware of the damage caused by microbeads, the beauty product industry is beginning to wake up to the issue. Some of the multinationals that own the most widely used face and body scrub brands are publicly committing to phasing out microbeads.

After Unilever, who owns brands such as Dove and Radox, announced in December 2012 that all of its products worldwide would be plastic-free by 2015, other multinationals started following suit. Beiersdorf (owns Nivea) and L'Oréal said they would stop the use of microbeads, while Gillette and Olay owner Procter & Gamble agreed that its products would be free from microbeads by 2017 at the earliest.

Major health care company Johnson & Johnson said it has already started phasing out
microbeads and was no longer developing products containing them.

(http://www.edie.net/library/view_article.asp?src=nl&id=6420&utm_source=weeklynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=feature&utm_camp aign=weeklynewsletter)

 

wildlife at risk from hidden river of rubbish

(Posted 21 March 2014)

A vast amount of plastic rubbish is submerged along the Thames and is threatening aquatic wildlife, warn scientists from the Natural History Museum and Royal Holloway, University of London. 

This unseen stream of plastic flows along the river bed of the upper Thames estuary. Tidal movement breaks the plastic into smaller and smaller fragments, which are then eaten by birds, fish and other wildlife. This introduces toxic chemicals into the food chains of river ecosystems and the North Sea, into which the Thames flows.

Using nets designed to catch Chinese mitten crabs, the team documented rubbish collected during a three month trial. More than 8,000 pieces of plastic were gathered from the river bed. This included cigarette packaging, food wrappers and cups, with more than a fifth of waste comprised of sanitary products.

(http://www.theenvironmentmagazine.com/news/2014/jan/wildlife-at-risk-from-hidden-river-of-rubbish.aspx)

 

natural water retention measures

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) are measures that aim to safeguard and enhance the water storage potential of landscape, soils and aquifers, by restoring ecosystems, natural features and characteristics of water courses, and by using natural processes. They are green infrastructure solutions and they support adaptation, reducing the vulnerability of water resources.

The NWRM initiative is a project of DGENV for collaboratively building knowledge and promoting best practice on Natural Water Retention Measures in Europe. 

See the website for further details: (http://nwrm.eu/)

 

low ultrasound controls algal blooms

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The Netherlands’ company LG Sound b.v. has developed an algal control method that uses low intensity ultrasound to selectively prevent algal blooms. Funded by the EU, the project used in-situ monitoring equipment to detect and determine algal species and to predict blooms based on water quality parameters. Fundamental research on the most common type of algae present in lakes, such as their morphological characteristics and effects on the ecosystem, is combined with knowledge about their detection, prediction, and sensitivity for specific ultrasound frequency programs.

See the full article in the November/December 2013 edition of ‘World Water’ at:

(http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?eid=31ce7f92-df98-4a8f-afe0-9d3da3547937&skip=true)

 

PUBLICATIONS

demonstration test catchments – latest newsletter

(Posted 21 March 2014)

Topics include an update of the DTC measures work now underway on the Eden, Avon/Tamar and the Wensum; Avon DTC linking up with CSF (Catchment Sensitive Farming) and FATI (Farm Advice, Training and Information) to deliver field trials on cultivation techniques; DTC providing evidence-based support to catchment partnership initiatives; the role of farm advisers in improving the uptake of mitigation measures; and helping knowledge exchange between the Demonstration Test Catchments and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

(http://www.demonstratingcatchmentmanagement.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DTC-Newsletter-Dec-2013.pdf)

 

Reports from Events

integrated water and land use management – benefits, delivery and evidence (11 december 2013)

(Posted 21 March 2014)

The aim of this conference was to highlight the growing work between professional land use and water managers on projects where multiple benefits have been sought, and to explore the range of guidance and evidence that is supporting this process to develop effective business cases to deliver major programmes.

Talks included water resources and catchment management solutions; integration from policy to field scale – the Defra synergies project; integrated water management in the urban environment; assessing multiple benefits from flood schemes; and emerging evidence from the use of the ecosystem approach.

See the presentations at:

(http://www.ciwem.org/events/conference-outputs.aspx)

 

Delivering Flood & Coastal Schemes & Projects: Partnering, Joint Funding and Frameworks - Developing Practice and Emerging Lessons (30 January 2014)

(Posted 21 March 2014)

This was the CIWEM Rivers and Coastal Group Annual Conference. Ways of working and funding arrangements involved in the delivery of major flood and coastal schemes and projects are changing fast. The aim of this conference was to showcase the developing and innovative partnership approaches to the effective delivery of schemes and projects. This included identification of multiple benefits, working with partners, large consortia projects, framework agreements, shared services agreements, different contractual arrangements and risk management.

See the presentations at:

http://www.ciwem.org/events/conference-outputs.aspx