The Rural Stewardship Scheme

18. Management of Water Margin

Aim: To protect water margins from erosion and permit development of tall waterside vegetation, e.g. tall herbs and other flowering plants, scrub and trees that will help to stabilise the bank and provide a habitat for invertebrates, on which fish can feed.

Some BAP species that may benefit: Water vole, Otter, Pipistrelle bat, Marsh fritillary, Freshwater pearl mussel.

Eligible sites: Inbye land which borders still water or a watercourse having a bed width of not less than 0.6 metres and which -

in the case of a site bordering still water, has a minimum width of 12 metres and a maximum width of 24 metres.
in the case of a site bordering a watercourse with a bed width of less than 1.2 metres, has a minimum continuous width of 5 times the bed width of the watercourse, a minimum overall width of 6 metres and a maximum width of 12 metres.
in the case of a site bordering a watercourse with a bed width equal to or greater than 1.2 metres, has a minimum width of 6 metres and a maximum width
of 12 metres on any one side.

Management Requirements:

Bats such as the Pipistrelle use these waterways for feeding
Photo: John Robinson
Livestock must normally be excluded. Exceptionally livestock grazing at no more than 0.6 LU/ha may be permitted in September and October with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
Where trees exist or are to be planted within a water margin, care should be taken to ensure that there will be no excessive shading of the water. It may be appropriate to plant occasional native-species trees and shrubs along a water margin to benefit such species as the Pipistrelle bat.
The site must be maintained by the control of statutory weeds, giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed and, as the case may be, by clearing the watercourse of any obstacle.
Fertiliser including slurry or farmyard manure must not be applied to the site.
Pesticides may be applied only with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
Mowing of the site may be permitted with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers where necessary to control rank vegetation of low conservation value.
No supplementary feeding to occur on the site
Also...
Where fencing under the water margin option prevents stock from having access to traditional watering places, the provision of water troughs may be aided under the Scheme. Alternatively, an access point can be fenced off separately from the water margin being managed, but not through an area for which payment is being sought.
Mature trees and open areas along riverside

19. Management of Flood Plain

Aim: To create and maintain a mosaic of wash lands and dry lands by allowing the watercourse to overflow on to its natural flood plain

Some BAP species that may benefit: Irish lady's-tresses, Reed bunting, Pipistrelle bat.

Eligible sites: A site that forms all or part of a flood plain where -

part or parts of the flood plain are included in the undertaking as the site of another management activity; and
the flooding of the site would not adversely affect other agricultural land.

Management Requirements:

The natural flooding of the land must not be hindered and
Cultivations must not be carried out within 12m of the water's edge (mean summer water level).
Additional management specific to each site must be agreed with Scottish Ministers

Other important information:

The management payment is made where the whole flood plain is allowed to flood naturally at time of high water level creating a mosaic of wash lands, dry lands and wetlands. The watercourse must be allowed to flow naturally with any impediment to natural flooding removed. This will occur where the watercourse meanders through a relatively flat area and the overall area may also contain various different habitat types some of which will be subject to management payments as wetlands, herb rich grassland etc.
The flood plain management payment will be in addition to payments for management of specific areas of habitat within the flood plain.
Often the management of a flood plain will involve more than one occupier and perhaps landowner. Applicants choosing this option must ensure that the interests of adjoining landowners are not prejudiced by any change in management. In practice this means that the Department will not approve an application for flood plain management unless either the flood plain is a discrete area all of which is occupied by the applicant or if all other occupiers of the affected land have applied for this option.

Page updated: Friday, June 23, 2006

Scottish Government