Scotland’s environmental regulator is urging land managers to ensure practices are in line with environmental regulations after serving two £600 civil penalties to farmers for unauthorised river engineering.
G S Howieson, of Millside Farm, West Linton, was served the Fixed Monetary Penalty (FMP) by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) after the regulator found that unauthorised works on the Tarth Water had been carried out.
After receiving a report about reprofiling activity conducted on the banks of the Tarth Water, SEPA officers visited the site on 19 April 2024 and observed completed works. Mr Howieson was interviewed by SEPA and admitted to instructing a third party to carry out the river engineering works without the required authorisation. Mr Howieson said he had not realised that such authorisation was required.
W R Wilson and Sons, of Mayfield Farm, Tongland, was served the FMP by SEPA for carrying out unauthorised engineering works on the bank of the River Dee.
SEPA became aware of the unauthorised engineering works following concerns raised by the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division who had visited the site on the bank of the River Dee in April 2023.
During their investigation, SEPA officers attended the site, and it was determined that the work had been instructed by Mr R Wilson and carried out between 1 March 2023 and 30 June 2023.
Peter Wright, Unit Manager of SEPA’s Water Industry and Rural Economy team, said:
“River engineering can disrupt nature’s delicate balance, destroying aquatic habitats and causing or exacerbating erosion and flood risk. Subsequent riverbank erosion can also result in loss of productive land and damage to fencing, tracks and other infrastructure.
“This civil penalty should act as warning to others that we will take action if you ignore Scotland’s environmental regulations. If you are considering any works near a watercourse you should get in touch with SEPA first before you start.
“SEPA can provide guidance ensuring that any activity is authorised, regulated and not harmful to our environment. If you act in breach of regulations, whether deliberately or through a lack of care, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”
