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Wetland Futures Report 2013: The Value of Healthy Wetlands
Wetlands remain under threat from a range of sources
including:
•
Nutrient pollution, especially fertiliser run-off from
agricultural land. The
Scottish Environment
Protection Agency
(SEPA) is currently working in
a number of catchments to address low levels of
compliance with the diffuse pollution regulations.
•
Drainage of agricultural land - we do not believe
the regulations offer sufficient protection. The
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture)
Regulations require that new drainage works on
uncultivated or semi-natural areas are screened for
the need for EIA. In Scotland, there have been only
30 screening decisions since 2002 while there have
been 248 screenings in Wales since 2002 and 394
in England since 2006. We are concerned that these
regulations are not being adhered to or enforced.
Drainage continues to damage wetlands, particularly
those that fall outside of the protected areas network.
Early in 2013, SEPA reduced the level of authorisation
required for dredging agricultural ditches. The RSPB
raised concerns about the impacts of this on freshwater
species and habitats. SEPA subsequently stated that
dredging must not be done if it will lower the water table
in surrounding wetlands. However, it will be vital that this is
adhered to in practice.
•
Abandonment of wetlands can also be a problem
where wetlands have been fenced under agri-
environment agreements and subsequently
deteriorate from lack of management.
Funding for wetland creation and restoration is a limiting
factor and there is over-reliance on the limited Scottish Rural
Development Plan and agri-environment budget. Alternative
mechanisms must be identified for wetland conservation.
The implementation of the Flood Risk Management
(Scotland) Act 2009 brings opportunities for wetland
conservation as natural flood management techniques
form part of the Act’s sustainable approach. In addition,
Scottish Water’s work on sustainable land management in
drinking water catchments could be developed further to
be positive for wetland conservation.
It was disheartening that peatlands were not considered
as wetlands and excluded from the definition of water
resources in the Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013.
Nicola Sturgeon MSP said,
“Peatlands are, as their name
suggests, a form of land, whereas the bill is about water
resources in the conventional sense”
. This highlights a
need to educate decision-makers and politicians about
wetlands, in terms of both their ecology and their value.
However, there has been some positive action with
Scottish Government providing funding for peatland
restoration e.g. through the Green Stimulus Package.
The policy landscape is proving challenging for
achieving progress on conservation issues as next year’s
independence referendum dominates, and the Scottish
Government pursues its economic growth agenda.
Scotland: wetland policy challenges and opportunities
Lisa Webb, Water Policy Officer, RSPB Scotland
Highlands of Scotland
photo: Hannah Freeman
