Welcome

Dart Estuary Environmental Management

Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM), the local activator for many environmental projects, was a partnership of organisations. It was developed to implement a co-operative action plan on behalf of people who live, work and play in the area, to ensure their activities are pursued in a sustainable way.

DEEM was the executive arm of the Dart Forum, an open association of interested parties whose aim was to promote good environmental practice and sustainable use of the River Dart

DEEM was established in 1998 to develop and implement a non-statutory co-operative action plan, the Estuary Management Plan
(EMP), for the Dart. DEEM is a non-statutory body. It was funded, in part (50%), by local contributing organisations and the remaining funding was from European sources.

***Important Notice***

DEEM will cease operations on 31st August 2007, see press release. From that date this website will no longer be routinely maintained and the contact details no longer valid.

The important issues that will continue to challenge the environment of the Dart Estuary will be overseen by the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Managment Unit. If you have any concernes regarding the management of Dart Harbour and the River Dart as far as Totnes then you should contact Dart Harbour.

As Estuary Officer, I would like to thank the organisations and countless individuals that have supported and assisted DEEM over the past decade to produce many successful projects. As well as these achievements, DEEM leaves behind a legacy to be taken forward in future years. On behalf of my Assistant, Erica Anderson, and me, I wish you all a successful and sustainable future.

Ray Humphreys, Dart Estuary Officer, 31 August 2007

Projects

DEEM has had many notable successes in the protection of the shellfish growing areas of the estuary, which have led to significant improvements in water quality. In addition, DEEM has attracted funding to underwrite community-based projects of woodland walks, restoration of quays, tree planting, and schemes to enhance the natural environment of the estuary and public access to it.

The Steering Committee

The Steering Committee members included funding organisations plus two representatives of non-funding organisations.

The DEEM Team

The Dart Estuary Officer, Ray Humphreys, was assisted on a part-time basis by Erica Anderson.

Tidelines

Tidelines is the Dart Estuary Environmental Management newsletter. It was published twice yearly (Spring and Autumn).

NEWS

Seal Disturbance - the 2006 follow up study

In 2006 (DEEM) asked renowned seal expert, Stephen Westcott, to conduct a follow up report to his initial study in 2000.

The 2000 study looked at the activities of boat owners, both commercial and private, and highlighted the potential impact of uninformed or reckless interference with the seals. It also listed a set of recommendations.

Find out more about Stephen's latest follow up study to monitor disturbance and review the recommendations made after the initial survey.

The Marine Bill – update

Tuesday 15th March 2007 saw the publication of the UK government proposals for legislation covering the governance of the UK "marine spcae". Under the title of "A Sea Change", the White Paper, published by DEFRA, sets out wide-ranging reforms to the management regime of the marine area. The White Paper follows an extensive consultation in 2006 and is open for comment until June 2007. Published alongside the White Paper is a Regulatory Impact Asseeement (RIA) analysing the costs and benefits of the proposals. Both of these substantial documents can be viewed at DEFRA. A summary and overview pdf has been prepared by DEEM which can be downloaded directly from our home page.

UK's first Annual Report Card for marine climate change

The effects of climate change and, in particular, global warming are issues widely recognised as the most important challenge facing mankind. DEEM, as an organisation promoting sustainability, in our case as it relates to our use of the Dart Estuary, takes an active (and where possible pro-active) interest in climate change.

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) is a group that was set up to monitor and report on the impacts of climate change observed in the marine environment. MCCIP has recently produced the UK's first Annual Report Card on marine climate change. The achievement of the report card is that it:-

• tackles the major UK reporting inability disovered when producing Charting Progress
• meets (in part) the target to regularly report on the evidence base as part of the UK Adaption Strategy
• improves the evidence base and impresses the urgency to tackle emissions
• promotes excellence in UK marine sciences
• effectively links the evidence base from scientists to policy actions at the the highest government level
• comprehensively reduces the science/evidence link down from many years to just 12 months
• achieves an apparent global first for any country for regular reporting on marine climate change issues

You can find out more about MCCIP and read the Annual Report Card in full at The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership

ICZM Consultation – DEEM’s response

In June 2006 DEFRA launched their consultation paper “promoting an integrated approach to management of the coastal zone (ICZM) in England”. It aims to generate discussion and debate about ICZM to help them create the right approach towards achieving ICZM in England and formulate and English ICZM strategy. In particular, DEFRA is seeking practical solutions to taking their commitment to ICZM forward.

As one of the individuals and organisations with an interest in the coast, DEEM was invited to comment by 8 Sept 2006 on the proposed objective and questions in the document as well as to raise any further issues that maybe relevant.

For more information see the DEFRA ICZM Consultation paper

You can read DEEM’s response by downloading the pdf from this page.