Barnsley Biodiversity Action Plan. Post-15 BAP. Updated to 2023

 Biodiversity

 Action

 Plan

Legal protection.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets standards and targets to protect, improve and promote the sustainable use of water through a system of integrated water management.


Landowners with land adjoining a water course have responsibilities set out in Environment Agency guidance.

Living on the Edge’


Water courses are also protected by inclusion in designated sites.


Certain species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.


Links for further information:

Don Catchment Rivers Trust

Freshwater Habitats Trust

Freshwater invertebrates - Buglife


Quality of rivers and streams

Over past years, the quality of both the rivers Don and Dearne have improved due to legislation and work by the Environment Agency.


Currently assessment by the Environment Agency reports the ecological quality of the majority of streams and rivers in Barnsley as moderate.


One water course (Carlton Dike) has been identified as having previously bad ecological quality and work has been taking place to bring it to moderate quality.


River Dove is assessed as poor as is Thurnscoe Dike


The significant issues include the impact of water company discharges, run off from brown field land and agricultural land and physical modifications. Environment Agency information

Conservation

Although the water quality and conditions of our rivers and streams has improved due to legislation, changes in industrial practice, direct conservation action and public awareness raising, more can be done.


Factors causing loss or decline of priority habitat

Positive conservation management

Rivers, streams and running water are best sustained for wildlife by:


River Don

 Running Water Conservation

Weir on River Don near Tin Mills Weir on River Don