East Devon Diffuse Pollution Project

The 3-5 billion tonnes of carbon is stored in the UK’s peatlands, and 3.7 million tonnes is lost every year Around 300,000 hectares of soil are thought to be affected by legacy contamination from the UK’s industrial past

The UK’s arable soils have seen a worrying decline in carbon levels since 1978, with widespread and ongoing decline in peat soil carbon. many of our most productive soils will cease to be commercially useful within a generation

East Devon Catchment Partnership Led by DWT and Westcountry Rivers Trust Water Framework Directive issues Co-ordinate catchment action by partners Generate new projects Generate funding

Project basics Maize identified as a major issue Aim: to improve practice in high risk areas £40K CPAF funding Consultant (Chantal Brown) plus EA input 30 high risk farms visited by the consultant 2 x advisory visits plus EA audit, fact sheets May 2015-March 2016

Results Runoff found from all farms 63% of farms (19) had ineffective mitigation 19% of farms (5) had Category 2 (serious) incidents 30% of farms (8) also had pollution from slurry Low farmer awareness … demonstrates a serious issue

27 All ‘early’ varieties, contour drilling Buffer strips, grass re- seed No. Run-off from bare stubble evident, compounded impact by muck heap in field and compacted wheelings towards stream. No run-off from grass re-seed. Cat 3 incident, (minor) Runoff found entering into local pond / watercourse. Soil erosion > 1ha.   Second maize field investigated. Minor runoff found in grass crop following maize. 28 All ‘early’ varieties, contour drilling, plastic, buffers Rough cultivated stubble, sub- soiled, cover crop Yes. No run-off evident although fields very high risk. Cultivated strips were effective and compaction had been removed and surface left rough with the cover crop broadcast on. Cat 2 water incident (serious) Muddy runoff found causing flooding on highways and serious sediment discharge to the local watercourse. Soil erosion > 1ha with erosion gulley. Runoff overwhelmed cultivated strips. 29 Some ‘early’ varieties, plastic Wheat established, Some cultivated strips No. Severe run off from stubble and wheat fields, cultivated strips not effective Muddy runoff found flowing out of gateway, along farm track with serious sediment discharge to the watercourse. Soil erosion > 1ha. Runoff overwhelmed cultivated strips.

Results

Next steps and issues Recommendations from project: training, awareness, responsibility within sector, enforcement Targeted farmers vs voluntary approaches EDCP follow-up: soils manual being produced for the south west