Themes and Objectives for the Ash Catchment

These themes and objectives were developed during catchment partnership workshops held during 2014. People and organisations with a stake or an interest in the river were asked to suggest their ideas about what the aims of the catchment management plan should be.  You can view the projects which will help to meet each objective via the Catchment Management Plan.

 The themes and objectives of the Upper Lea Catchment Plan are:

Knowledge

• Learn more about the current state of the river
• Identify specific problems facing the catchment

Water quantity

• Ensure there is enough water to sustain ecology
• Reduce water use within the Ash catchment
• Promote catchment sensitive land use to reduce floodwater runoff

 Ecology and Biodiversity

• Improve water quality
• Remove physical barriers along the river
• Enhance the river's morphology
• Eradicate or control invasive non-native species
• Improve the ecological health of the river bed and banks
• Enhance and restore floodplain habitats

Public education

• Increase public appreciation of and engagement with the river
• Facilitate public access to the river (given suitable access and landowner permission)