Many of these links have been taken from a document produced by the Environment Agency and Dorset and Nottingham Wildlife Trust – many thanks to them. If you find any other useful documents, please let us know.
Biosecurity
Rapid Resource Kits
A holistic approach to Invasive Alien Species management in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal ecosystems across England. This page links to freshwater and marine resources including toolkits and videos.
Chines
Modelling the effects of climate change and sea level rise on the evolution of incised coastal gullies
Summary of the key findings of a three year study assessing the impacts of climate change (in terms of temperature, rainfall, and coastal wave regimes) and sea level rise on the evolution of a series of incised coastal gullies (‘Chines’) found in the soft cliff environment of the SW Isle of Wight, UK
South West Isle of Wight Chines Catchment
Map of issues with the Chines streams
More Chines related research can be found on our dedicated page here
Download PDF
Education and on-line courses
For numerous home education ideas please see these this page.
Climate Change: Solutions
This is a free-online course from the University of Exeter.
Farming and Land Management
Constructed Farm Wetlands
A guide for farmers on treating agricultural water pollution and enhancing biodiversity
Management of Wetlands for Wildlife
FAQ Using herbicide in or near water – May 2017
Agricultural Reservoir Design Guide
Guide produced by Isle of Wight AONB but has a much wider use.
Flood defences ignore the rules of physics
A well argued personal view on the need to stop dredging and restore the functionality of flood plains.
New Rules for farmers for water quality protection 2018
The rules will require good farming practice, so that farmers manage their land both to avoid water pollution and to benefit their business. They provide a step by step checklist to make sure that fertilisers are spread to meet crop and soil needs. Other rules safeguard water quality by requiring farmers to judge when it is best to apply fertilisers, where to store manures and how to avoid pollution from soil erosion.
Protecting Peatlands and Carbon-rich Soils
This report provides guidance on peatland protection and restoration, describing the availability of mapped data to determine extent and type of peatland, the provision of information to determine the reduction in emissions from restoration projects, explanation of associated ecosystem service benefits and, examples of business models. Its really useful for those considering restoration projects.
Garden Stream Management
Dorset Wildlife guide to best practice.
Watercourse maintenance for landowners
A beautifully illustrated a simple best practice guide prepared by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, but relevant throughout the country.
Farm Ponds and Reservoirs Design Guide
Specifically written for Isle of Wight National Landscape (previously AONB) but with relevance anywhere and everywhere.
Bring Ponds to Life
A guide to the restoration, creation and management of ponds – particularly aimed at landowners and managers.
Fishing
Fishing tips for beginners
An American site, but with some useful basic fishing tips.
How to buy a rod licence
UK government website on how to stay legal.
The Angling Trust
he Angling Trust is a representative body for all anglers in England and Wales, and includes coarse and carp angling, sea and game fishing.
The Isle of Wight Freshwater Angling Company
The Company was formed in 2014 and is dedicated to progress fishing and improve facilities for the Island. Currently owning three lakes, we aim to improve facilities across the island and create havens for those passionate about fishing.
Information on permitted sizes for sea fish catches
The Southern IFCA also has a responsibility to enforce certain National and European fisheries legislation as well as employing a number of other regulatory mechanisms such as codes of practice and voluntary agreements.
Flooding – dealing with it and preventing it
Useful information from Isle of Wight Council
What to do, who to contact etc
Essential Guide to Flood Planning and Preparation
Does what it says on the tin!
Devon Pathfinder Community Flood Resilience Report- Final
Case studies of local community action
Home owners guide to flood resilience
Details on how to find out whether your home is at risk, how to protect yourself from flooding, insurance and flood protection products
How to minimise flood damage to your home
Useful information from Direct Line Insurance
Flooding and home insurance
Go Compare guide to flood risk insurance
Community Resilience Planning (Isle of Wight Council)
Advice on how communities can work together to formulate a plan.
Preparing for Emergencies – Guide for Communities
This guide will help you take the first steps to think about why and how you can help your community to be prepared for an emergency
Community Emergency Plan Toolkit
This document is a step-by-step guide to help you and your community produce a Community Emergency Plan.
Community Emergency Plan Template
This template is designed for you to fill in the details of your community emergency preparations.
Minimising the risk
Flood plan guidance for communities and groups.
Personal Flood Plan Template
Flood plan for individuals
Real Time Flood Risk
Real-time check for flooding flooding in your area
Met Office Severe Weather Warnings
Register your email here for severe weather warnings
Red Cross Emergency App
App to assist in emergencies
Met Office Severe Weather Warnings
Explanation of how to interpret these
Flood Risk Awareness Guidance
A guide to staying safe
Prepare your Property for Flooding
A guide on how to protect property
Flooding and Historic Buildings
Advice from Historic England if you live or work in an historic building
Sandbags
A guide to sandbags and their usage
National Flood Forum
The National Flood Forum is an independent charity and an excellent source of information on all aspects of flooding. They have a tool which can estimate the cost of protection products depending on your home and an excellent directory of all kinds of products and companies which can help reduce the risk of flooding, or reduce the impacts flooding – and speed of recovery.
Six Steps to Property Level Protection
Know Your Flood Risk
National Safety Council
Tips for being prepared at home for various natural emergencies
American Red Cross
More good tips for being prepared
Guide to water damage restoration
How to safely handle water damage and home flooding clean up
Flytipping
Fly tipping responsibilities: Guide for local authorities and land managers
Does what it says on the tin
Heritage
Weirs and salmon stock
How the historical rise of waterpower initiated the collapse of salmon stocks
Highways
Working together to ditch highway flooding
Partnership leaflet specific to Isle of Wight about rights and responsibilities
Design manual for roads and bridges
Life-cycle provisions related to highway drainage systems
The Pitt Review
Report produced following the 2007 floods
SuDS for Roads
Guidance document with Scottish focus, but remains relevant to the rest of the UK
Legislation and Policy
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
Convention on Biological Diversity 1992
Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora 1992
Council Directive of the Conservation of Wild Birds 1979
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Environment Act 1995
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Land Drainage Act 1991
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Protection of Badgers Act 1992
Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003
Water Framework Directive
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
Local Information
Links to information relating to specific water courses appearing on the water-course page. For some water courses there are stacks of documents, so please look.
Isle of Wight Wetlands Habitat Action Plan
Isle of Wight Rivers EA Publication
Fishing on the IoW – what you can and can’t do, who deals with issues
Planning and Water Framework Directive
Advice Note on the Water Framework Directive for Local Authorities across the Midlands
Advice Note providing information to local authorities on the important contribution they can make to local improvements in the water environment and to meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive.
Local Authority Services and the Water Environment Executive Summary
Summary document with information on WFD and Local Authorities
Planning Advice for Integrated Water Management
This Advice Note provides a one-stop-shop to de-mystify water management and demonstrate the benefits of building it into plans and planning decisions. It
shows planners how to turn the challenges of managing water into opportunities, to provide the new homes and infrastructure that communities need at lower financial, environmental and social cost. Over 30 case studies of best practice, drawn from across the water sector, support the Advice Note by showing planners what is possible.
CaBA Guidance for Planners
Produced by Lewisham Council but useful for all LPAs.
Building a Better Environment (Environment Agency, 2013)
This document gives an overview of the role of the EA, Forestry Commission and Natural England in the development process as well as initial advice on how to manage the environmental impact and opportunities of development. It also signposts to further information and provides links to the consents and permits which may be required.
Rivers and Catchments
Catchment Data Explorer – Rivers
Environment Agency Tool for information on Isle of Wight rivers
Catchment Data Explorer – TraCs
Environment Agency Tool for information on Isle of Wight Coastal and Transitional Waters
River Basin Districts
Link to a map of River Basin Districts in England and Wales
River Basin Management Plans
More information on RBMPs which set out measures to improve water in rivers, lakes, estuaries, coasts and in groundwater.
South East River Basin Management Plan 2015
Most up to date RBMP
Catchment Based Approach: Improving the quality of our water environment. (DEFRA, 2013)
Document providing general information on the Catchment Based Approach to water management, including objectives and key ways of working
CaBA Website
Information hub for Catchment Partnerships
River Restoration
Rivers by Design
A step by step guide for planners, developers, architects and landscape architects on how to maximise the benefits of river restoration in development projects
Manual of River Restoration Techniques
Manual which aims to help river managers identify potential restoration techniques for use in river restoration and sustainable river management, including 64 case examples
European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR)
The ECRR is a European network based on a framework of national networks (national centres for river restoration) whose mission is to enhance and promote river restoration and sustainable river management throughout Europe, to disseminate information on river restoration experiences and approaches and to foster the establishment of national river restoration networks in as many European countries as possible. It shares the same goals of many river restoration national centres, but it acts at the international level, as a “network of networks”. The website provides information on how and why to restore rivers, both in rural and urban locations.
European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR) Healthy Catchments
Information on river catchments, managing water for flood risk and the Water Framework Directive
Weirs
Design, maintenance, modification and removal
Good Ecological Status
‘Good ecological status’ is a key term in the EU Water Framework Directive – the policy framework through which European freshwaters are managed. Member states are required to conserve and restore their rivers and lakes to good ecological status by 2027. But what does ‘good ecological status’ mean, and why does it matter?
Managing Woody Debris and Rivers, Steams and Floodplains
This booklet aims to promote best practice to farmers, riparian landowners, site managers, drainage boards, anglers, foresters, local authorities, highways engineers, water policy makers, teachers, students and the general public.
Assessing the potential hazards of using leaky woody structures for natural flood management
This guidance is primarily aimed at NFM scheme developers who use leaky wooden structures (LWS), but will also inform landowners, commissioning bodies, contractors and consenting bodies about the risks they need to consider when planning the installation of these structures.
Surveying
Sustainable Drainage
Susdrain Case Studies
Water sensitive urban design in the UK
Water sensitive urban design is the process of integrating water cycle management with the built environment through planning and urban design. This document considers how a water sensitive house, block of flats, neighbourhood, commercial area, development and city might look.
Green Infrastructure
Manual for practitioners to help raise awareness about green infrastructure.
The ability of reedbeds to remove nutrients
Report by Centre for Hydrology for RSPB, summarising research papers.
Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens
UK Government website on do’s and don’ts.
Front Gardens and Permeable Paving
Royal Horticultural Society website with lots of advice.
Water-saving and eco-friendly living
Water saving for businesses
Water-saving initiatives can help organisations to demonstrate sustainability, reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping achieve green certification and showing leadership in environmental management. This is a free downloadable guide.
The following links are to mainly American websites, but the information contained is relevant here too:
Water Conservation: Why Saving Water is Important
How conserving water affects your wallet: 5 ways
32 Ways to Conserve Water at Home
How to Build an Eco-Friendly House
The Essential Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel
10 Water-Saving Devices You Can Install Yourself
Water Conservation in the Bathroom
How to Choose a Low-flow Shower Head
13 Ways to Implement Water Conservation in Your Garden
4 Easy, Affordable Ideas for Creating a Water-Friendly Yard
Organic Gardening for Beginners
The Least Eco-Friendly Things You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
How to Approach Household Cleaning in an Eco-Friendly Way
15 Eco-Friendly Food Swaps You Need to Make Now
How Water Conservation Saves Energy and Reduces Greenhouse Gas
Working in Partnership
There are many organisations involved in delivering WFD targets who can be contacted for information and advice:
Environment Agency
DEFRA
Internal Drainage Boards
Local Catchment Partnerships
Local Lead Flood Authorities