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could be completed within the bathing se<strong>as</strong>on which might make direct comparison<br />

between the pre- and post-remediation data sets difficult but would provide data on<br />

bathing se<strong>as</strong>on FIO flux to underpin future policies within this catchment (Crowther<br />

et al., 2003). The latter option w<strong>as</strong> agreed by the project steering group and w<strong>as</strong><br />

implemented.<br />

Rationale for Selecting BMPs<br />

After the audit of the farms within the catchment, plans were devised to install <strong>as</strong><br />

wide a range of BMP me<strong>as</strong>ures <strong>as</strong> possible. The area had many opportunities for<br />

improvements to reduce the risk of diffuse FIO flow to the main watercourse or its<br />

tributaries. However, there were relatively few different ways of implementation <strong>as</strong><br />

most of the me<strong>as</strong>ures involved the installation of fencing and the supply of alternative<br />

water supplies. Prioritisation had to be applied to ensure that the most appropriate<br />

me<strong>as</strong>ures were tested and to keep within project budget. Priorities reflect equal<br />

weight to (i) bathing water compliance, (ii) introducing a range of BMPs including<br />

ponds and wetlands. These priorities were drawn up with reference to the following<br />

selection criteria:<br />

• Whether there w<strong>as</strong> a direct FIO pathway into the bay.<br />

• Intensity of the likely FIO loading.<br />

• Possibility of FIO reduction/treatment between the source and the bay.<br />

• Known ‘hot spots’ from CREH monitoring in autumn 2003.<br />

Me<strong>as</strong>ures Adopted<br />

B<strong>as</strong>ed on the Pollution Audit, pollution impacts were prioritised on a Scale 1 (very<br />

high) to 4 (low) and the following me<strong>as</strong>ures adopted in mitigation:<br />

1. Removal of stock from direct access to the watercourse.<br />

2. Creation of buffer strips between the grazed land and the immediate riparian<br />

area.<br />

3. Removal of stock from the natural wetlands adjacent to watercourses.<br />

4. Creation of retention ponds for treatment of contaminated water.<br />

5. Removal of shallow cattle crossings which are usually also watering points.<br />

6. Removal of short lengths of ditch by installing pipes.<br />

7. Provision of alternative water supplies where stock access to watercourses w<strong>as</strong><br />

prevented.<br />

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION<br />

BMP Me<strong>as</strong>ures<br />

SAC w<strong>as</strong> always aware of the fact that farmers had to be willing partners for this<br />

project to be successful. If me<strong>as</strong>ures proposed were inappropriate to the farm, or<br />

had been seen <strong>as</strong> a feature that imposed constraints on farming activities, farmers<br />

would have been unlikely to accept such me<strong>as</strong>ures.<br />

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