Overview

The principal aim of the Study is to complete an investigation into the impact of water company operations on the River Itchen candidate Special Area of Conservation required by the Secretary of State. This was defined as "not only concern about the impact of abstraction, but wildlife features not currently at risk - further investigations agreed between English Nature and the Environment Agency". If these show a serious impact, a scheme may subsequently be prepared for implementation. For further details see the Environment Agency publication entitled 'A Price Worth Paying' published in 1998.

Watercress farming in headwater reaches

The requirements of both the European Union (EU) Habitats and Birds Directives are implemented through the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 (known as the Habitats Regulations). The Habitats Regulations are designed to safeguard the most valuable nature conservation sites and threatened species in the EU.


Flow gauging station

Under these Regulations the Environment Agency has a legal duty to ensure that no Agency or water company activity, consent or authorisation has an adverse effect on the conservation integrity of a classified or proposed Special Protection Area (SPA) or Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Habitats Regulations apply to all existing and new authorisations, permissions, consents and licences. In addition, the 'Procedures and Guiding Principles for Applying the Habitats Regulations to New Environment Agency Authorisations and Activities' (Environment Agency, English Nature and Countryside Council for Wales, 1999) stipulate that the Environment Agency, in its role as a competent authority, must comply with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives in planning and carrying out all of its regulatory and operational activities.

The compliance with the Habitats Regulations not only has implications regarding the Environment Agency's decision to grant, amend or revoke licences, permissions and consents, or undertake operational aspects, such as flood defence works, but the Regulations also change the Environment Agency's approach to decision-making. The procedures stipulate that the Environment Agency will always seek advice from English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales on whether specific proposals (new or existing) will have a significant effect on the integrity of SPAs or SACs.

The Itchen sustainability study has advanced understandings of the ecology and hydrology of the River Itchen SSSIs and the cSAC in relation to ecosystem functioning and water use management. The Study focussed on the conservation objectives and the target species defined by English Nature. The Environment Agency and English Nature have both used the Study's information as part of their statutory review of existing permissions required by the Habitats Regulations. The Study may be broadened by members of the Steering Group in the future with respect to probable changes in water use management driven by future legislation and management requirements.

Changes from pasture to arable

Map of the Study area

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Date Last Updated: January 2005