This South Esk Catchment is of immense value to a variety of users from the local community, to businesses, and tourism providers. It is a source of drinking water, irrigation for crops, watering for livestock, a valuable habitat for wildlife, and acts as a basis for tourism, recreation and salmon fishing. In fact it is a central asset, underpinning much of the rural economy of Angus.
At first glance this attractive area would appear to be in perfect condition due to the wide range of wildlife it supports. However, monitoring and consultation suggest otherwise. Ongoing pressures placed on the area and continual changes in the law which affect activities carried out in the area have reinforced the need to develop a more joined-up approach to the way this water resource is managed. To tackle these matters, representatives of various organisations have been meeting regularly since 2004 with the aim of developing a catchment management plan.
A great deal of consultation with the public to capture people’s views on what they considered the main environmental, social and economic issues to be. As a result, a Catchment Management Plan (CMP), which brings together all of the users of the River South Esk catchment has been developed to guide the future management of activities within the catchment in a sustainable way.
Website link here.