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major factor in the stakeholder involvement has been the necessity for communication
between all parties at all stages and that this communication has been based on a
common understanding of the stakeholder requirements and the technical issues.
The success of the intervention for the stakeholders can be commented on through
the continued interest and involvement in the work and apparent willingness to
continue with the work and to roll it out across the catchment.
Through the approach taken, i.e. the monitoring of the impact of intervention of
best management practices in the catchment, it is hoped that the site can act as
a demonstration for others to learn. This will become increasingly important as the
implementation of the WFD moves forward.
It is interesting to note that within the context of the WFD and the River Dee
catchment that SEPA, through their characterisation report, have identified Tarland
as at risk of failing good ecological status through pressures from diffuse pollution
and morphological change. It is also likely that the catchment will appear as a priority
in the Dee catchment management plan that is currently being drafted and consulted
on. Further activity and work to reduce these pressures in Tarland is currently
underway through the North Sea Commission Interreg funding (3 Dee Vision).
CONCLUSIONS
This paper has introduced some of the issues that arise in relation to water quality and
describes stakeholder involvement and participation through which improvements
have been achieved. The programme of action suggested has been designed in
such a way that an evaluation of the benefits of the implementation of measures
can be assessed through the monitoring and survey network already established.
The pressures which generate the problems identified and the solutions with
which to reduce their impact in the Tarland catchment are generic for many rural
and agricultural catchments in Scotland and other parts of Northern Europe. It is
hoped that the lessons learned in Tarland can be used in the development of other
community and catchment based action plans elsewhere.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges the invaluable assistance and help given by
the MacRobert Trust, Scottish Water, SEPA, SNH, Aberdeenshire Council and the
farmers and community of Tarland and Howe of Cromar. Funding for the work has
been from SEERAD, SNH and Aberdeenshire Council.
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