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  • Bank works using trees or parts of trees

Bank works using trees or parts of trees

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to bank works using the placement of trees or parts of trees in any river, burn, ditch or loch.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

Bank works using trees or parts of trees is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for bank works using trees or parts of trees

  1. The trees or parts of trees must be placed only in or along banks,

  2. the placement must result in an arrangement of live or dead tree stems, branches or roots which, as the water flows through the arrangement, flex or bend and impede its flow with the effect of cushioning the bank from the force of the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  3. the placed trees or parts of trees must be tied, keyed or staked into the bank or bed of the river, burn, ditch or loch so as to secure them in place,

  4. the placed trees or parts of trees must be graded smoothly into the existing line of the bank,

  5. in protecting banks—

    1. the angle or profile of the bank may only be altered for the purpose of enabling the establishment and growth of trees or the placement of trees or parts of trees,
    2. stones may be placed at the toe of the bank for the purpose of preventing the bank being undercut before the trees have become established, provided that any stones used are no larger than the largest stones that have been deposited on the bed within 500 metres of the bank

  6. all reasonable steps must be taken whilst placing the trees or parts of trees to—

    1. prevent any exposed soil or other sediments from entering the river, burn, ditch or loch, and
    2. where soil or other sediments do enter the river, burn, ditch or loch, prevent these from being transported beyond the part of the bank being protected,

  7. once the trees or parts of trees have been placed, any areas of bare earth on the banks resulting from the works must be re-vegetated to minimise the risk of soil erosion, either by covering with grass turfs or lining with a biodegradable geotextile and seeding,

  8. where the trees or parts of trees need to be placed on the wetted part of the bed of the river, burn, ditch or loch or their placement would otherwise be likely to disturb the wetted part of the bed of the river, burn, ditch or loch they must not be placed if there is a reasonable likelihood that there are freshwater pearl mussels in the part of the river, burn, ditch or loch that would be affected.

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