Visit & Enjoy

Recreation

Stoke Gabriel Creek

Increased leisure time and increased affluence bring an increased demand for recreation. This demand is felt most strongly in tourist destinations such as South Devon where visitors and residents alike compete for time and space within the the estuary. Boat ownership is no longer the luxury of the wealthy few and boat owners have to share their leisure zone with walkers, fisherfolk, bird-watchers and so on.

Harmonious use of the estuary lies in bringing these groups together, so that each becomes aware of the other's needs and desires. The Dart Forum and the networking facilities of DEEM are means of helping this process. The DEEM partnership also helps broker the links between the regulator and the regulated, so each can learn the others viewpoint.

" Leisure boat ownership is no longer the luxury of the wealthy few "

Find out how DEEM aims to promote recreation and access in the Dart by reading this extract from the Management Plan. The full plan can be downloaded at the end of the extract.

The plan's guiding principles provide the context in which the aims are achieved and the actions carried out.

The full original plan can be downloaded at the end of the extract, however the latest 2006-2011 Periodic Review Dart Estuary Environmental Management Plan (EMP) can also be downloaded here. It is closely linked with the Management Plan for the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has a five year horizon.

Guiding Principles
To manage and enhance the recreational activities of the estuary and ensure they are consistent with the goals of sustainability and the protection of the natural beauty of the Dart
To ensure that the public rights of access to the estuary by land and by water are maintained and if possible improved without threatening wildlife or its habitat
To identify, protect and actively conserve sensitive and remote areas in which protection of the natural beauty and tranquillity are of primary importance
Strategic Objectives
To improve access to the water's edge for launching and recovery of boats.
Ensure integrated approach to provision of water-based recreational facilities and associated land-based requirements
To encourage increased levels of water safety amongst users
To promote co-operation and reduce potential conflict between different user groups
To give increased priority for access for the disabled to recreational opportunities ashore and afloat
To seek to improve public access to both sides of the estuary
To maintain existing rights-of-way and seek opportunities for promoting access for all, including those with disabilities
To discourage access at inappropriate or private sites and encourage use of alternative sites
To integrate recreational activities harmoniously with other estuary users.