Innovation in the natural environment Craig McGarvey October 2012
Our priorities Act to reduce climate change and its consequences Protect and improve water, land and air Work with people and communities to create better places Work with businesses and other organisations to use resources wisely Be the best we can
Environmental challenges
Water resources
Future pressures – changes in river flow Overall February September decrease in river flows Greatest decreases in summer and on hard rock catchments
FCRM Number of properties at significant risk of flooding
Surface Water � June floods - September floods � Rapid response catchments � Slowing the flow � Weather flood warnings
Water Framework Directive Good status or potential by 2015 No deterioration : the state of the water environment must not fall More sustainable use of water in rivers, groundwater and wetlands High quality habitats for wildlife
Quarter 1 2012. Top 7 Failing Elements Yorkshire Area North East Area Phytobenthos Phytobenthos Phosphate Phosphate Mitigation Measures Mitigation Measures Assessment Assessment Invertebrates Invertebrates Fish Fish Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen Ammonia (Phys-Chem) Ammonia (Phys-Chem) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 0 50 100 150 200 250 3 Moderate 4 Poor 5 Bad 3 Moderate 4 Poor 5 Bad 82 % of all failing elements 98 % of all failing elements
Significant Water Management Issues (Tier 1 RFF) North East Area - RFF Tier 1 Count of Waterbodies Yorkshire Area -RFF Tier 1 Count of Waterbodies (blank) (blank) unknown unknown suspect data suspect data point source point source physical physical modification modification other pressures other pressures natural natural invasive non-native invasive non-native species species flow flow diffuse source diffuse source 0 100 200 300 400 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Quite a few unknowns, physical modification is the biggest issue. Next biggest is point pollution sources for Yorkshire and diffuse pollution sources for North East
Sector (Tier 3 RFF) Yorkshire Area RFF Tier 3 - Count of waterbodies North East Area RFF Tier 3 - Count of waterbodies (blank) (blank) Water industry Water industry Urban and transport Urban and transport Urban Urban unknown unknown Other Other Non coal mining Non coal mining Navigation Navigation N/A N/A Mining and quarrying Mining and quarrying Industry Industry Forestry Forestry Fisheries Fisheries Environment Agency Environment Agency Coal mining Coal mining Angling and conservation Angling and conservation Agriculture and rural land … Agriculture and rural land … 0 50 100 150 200 0 20 40 60 80 100 Top 2 are Water Industry and Agriculture and rural land management.
Innovative solutions
Saltmarsh
Climate change adaptation
WFD Leam catchment
Innovation challenges
Innovation challenges
Innovation challenges
Conclusion... Big environmental challenges Limited resources Partnerships
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