Contact: Alan Williams/Richard Exley, tel 01489 576387

1. Summary

1.1 Following extensive consultation, workshops and focus groups, an Estuarine Management Plan for the River Hamble has now been completed, subject to Members' recommendations and the Executive Member's approval. The Plan is an extensive, technical document, one of a portfolio of plans being prepared for the future sustainable management of the Estuary. It is proposed that a précis of the Plan, together with the objectives, will be published and circulated to the public. It is recommended that the Plan be approved and implemented.

2. Report

2.1 Estuarine management plans are part of a Government initiative to support the requirement for an integrated, sustainable management of the complex coastal zones and, in particular, the appropriate future management of estuaries, sustaining natural and wildlife resources, whilst ensuring they continue to contribute to the economy and the prosperity of local communities and the enjoyment of the public.

2.2 The Hamble Estuarine Management Plan seeks to bring together the various interests on or adjacent to the River and to formulate common aims, as well as agreed policies and actions, for a wide range of topics, including nature conservation, recreation, shore development, safe navigation, fishing and bait digging, moorings, farming, landscape, archaeology, physical processes, pollution and water quality.

2.3 The Estuarine Management Plan is a continually evolving document and the key to implementation of this Plan will be effective monitoring and evaluation.

2.4 The Plan has been written to cover a period of some five years from implementation and will be continuously reviewed by the Stakeholders Steering Group, with the intention of producing an amended version of the Plan through the year 2007.

2.5 In addition to the Steering Group, it is proposed that there will be an implementation forum shadowed by a youth implementation forum. Both these groups will provide guidance, particularly where aspects of the Plan impact on local communities or user groups, and resolve conflicts of interest.

2.6 All these groups will consider and target timetabling of the many and various proposals and recommend priorities. The Harbour Authority will, however, retain overall control of the effective and sustainable implementation of the objectives, setting contracts, supervising and auditing the works.

Recommendation

That the Estuarine Management Plan be endorsed and submitted to the Executive Member for Environment for approval.

7635/AW/RE