Title: River Dart : consultation report
Author: Environment Agency Sowth West Region
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: EA additional title info: June 1997
Abstract:
The River Dart is formed from the East and West Dart rivers that rise in the centre of North Dartmoor. The West and East Dart rivers rise on south-east Dartmoor. This is an upland granite mass that rises to over 600 m AOD. Dartmoor comprises open moorland with high rainfall and acid, peaty soils. Much of Dartmoor is used for extensive grazing by cattle, sheep and ponies. Many of the headwaters also provide valuable spawning grounds for salmonid fish. The perimeter of Dartmoor is typified by steep, undulating land with many of the valley sides comprising deciduous woodland. The area surrounding the open moorland is typified by small enclosures and is mainly used for small scale livestock farming. Field size becomes progressively larger as one moves away from the moorland. The Dart Catchment is predominantly rural, but contains some urban areas, including Dartmouth, Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Development in the catchment can cause environmental problems. A number of water pollution problems can be attributed to development within the Dart Catchment. Problems can occur during building or road construction, for example, through increased siltation and contaminated runoff to surface water drainage systems. Air pollution can damage flora, fauna and buildings and have significant effects on soils and water. It can also cause serious problems for those with asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Sources of air pollution include; traffic, industrial processes and power generation. These sources may be present within or outside of the catchment. The National Air Quality Strategy 1, requires local authorities to review air quality in their district. These reviews will contribute to the knowledge of air quality in the catchment. Increasing population or industrial development puts an extra load on to the water supply, sewerage anfl sewage treatment infrastructure, transport network and waste disposal facilities; landfill sites can release chemicals to surface and underground water and to the soil, both during operation and after closure. Such sites also generate significant quantities of methane, a 'greenhouse gas'. Development in inappropriate areas can cause environmental damage, and developments within floodplains reduce the flood storage capacity and can increase the risk of flooding. Development on contaminated land can lead to the release of toxic material to the environment. Developments can lead to a loss of flora, fauna, features of geomorphological or geological interest, features of archaeological significance and have an impact upon the landscape.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 1997
Publication Place: Exeter
Subject Keywords: Rivers; Local action plans (EA); Consultation
Geographic Keywords: EA South West; Devon; Dart (Devon); South Devon catchment
Extent: 120
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:1227
Total file downloads: 22
Download PDF Display PDF in separate tab