Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018: ​Proposed Standard Conditions for Registration level activities
2.4.10. Sediment removal: Activity F10
Activity description
Sediment removal from individual exposed sediment deposits within a continuous channel length of no more than 1 kilometre, in any watercourse.
Standard conditions
- Sediment must not be removed from:
(a) within 1 metre of the wetted edge of any individual exposed sediment deposit;
(b) more than 50 percent of the area of any individual exposed sediment deposit;
(c) a length (as measured along the bank toe) of no more than 30 metres of any individual exposed sediment deposit;
(d) the same individual exposed sediment deposit more than once in three years; and
(e) more than one third of the total number of individual exposed sediment deposits within the channel length.
- The individual exposed sediment deposit, from which sediment is removed, must:
(a) be graded, after removal, such that there are no depressions within it and the level of it remains above the wetted channel; and
(b) have a minimum of one third of its length, from the upstream edge of the deposit, left undisturbed.
- Removed sediment must not be placed on the banks of any watercourse, that will result in an increase to the existing bank height.
- The authorised activity and any associated construction works:
(a) must not be undertaken in the wetted part of a watercourse or loch unless it is impracticable to complete the works otherwise;
(b) must not be undertaken in the wetted part of any watercourse or loch when fish are likely to be spawning in the watercourse or loch, nor during the period between such spawning and the subsequent emergence of juvenile fish;
(c) must not have a significant impact on the water environment as a result of:
(i) iridescence or sheen;
(ii) discolouration;
(iii) deposition of solids; or
(iv) increased foaming.
(d) must not cause significant erosion of the bed or banks;
(e) must not cause harm to freshwater pearl mussels;
(f) must not cause harm to fish;
(g) must not cause the spread of invasive non-native species within the water environment;
(h) must not prevent the passage of migratory fish;
(i) must not have a significant impact on any supply of water for human consumption;
or
(j) must not result in the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment, which may cause harm to the water environment.
- Once the authorised activity and any associated construction works have commenced, they must be completed as soon as reasonably practicable.
- Any associated construction works on the bed or bank, must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable after the completion of the authorised activity.
- Where the channel, bed or banks immediately adjacent to the authorised activity, have been adversely impacted by the authorised activity, they must be reinstated at least to their condition immediately prior to the works, as soon as reasonably practicable.
- Where the channel, bed or banks have been adversely impacted by any associated construction works, they must be reinstated at least to their condition immediately prior to the works, as soon as reasonably practicable.
Interpretation of terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bank height | The height of the bank of a watercourse or loch measured vertically from the bank toe to the bank top, including any artificial heightening of the bank (e.g. embankments, retaining walls). |
| Bank toe | The lowest point on the bank of a watercourse or loch, where the bank meets the bed of the watercourse or loch. |
| Bank top | The first major break in the slope of the bank of any watercourse or loch. |
| Bed width | The straight line distance that is between the opposite bank toes of a river, burn or ditch, and which spans the bed of the river, burn or ditch, including any exposed bars and vegetated islands. |
| Invasive non-native species | Has the same meaning as those in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for “invasive species of plant outwith its native range” and “invasive species of animal outwith its native range.” |
| Loch | A body of standing inland water. |
| Watercourse | Includes all rivers, streams, ditches, drains, cuts, culverts, dykes, sluices and passages through which water flows and includes artificial watercourses and underground watercourses. |
| Water for human consumption. | Water that may be ingested by humans, used in the preparation of food or drink, or used in the cleaning of materials involved in the storage or consumption of food or drink. |
| Waterlogged | Soil which is at water retaining capacity, except in a forest where it means where water is visible on the soil surface. |
| Wetted edge | The point where an exposed sediment deposit meets any water. |
Rationale
The standard conditions are similar to those found in existing registration level water authorisations granted under CAR.