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  • Crossing with no part of the crossing on the bed or banks

The installation of an outfall or a crossing with no part of the crossing on the bed or banks

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to the installation of–

  1. a crossing where no part of the crossing is on the bed or banks of a river, burn, ditch or loch,
  2. an outfall which discharges into a river, burn, ditch or loch.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

The installation of an outfall or a crossing with no construction on bed or banks 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 to 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 the installation of an outfall or a crossing with no part of the crossing on the bed or banks

  1. Vegetation on any bank of the river, burn, ditch or loch may be removed or modified only to the extent that the works cannot be reasonably be carried out without such removal or modification,

  2. any vegetation removed must not be disposed of into the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  3. the works must not prevent the free passage of migratory fish,

  4. the works must not result in the narrowing of the channel width nor the heightening of either bank,

  5. any works in the wetted part of any river, burn, ditch or loch must not be undertaken during periods in which fish are likely to be spawning in the river, burn, ditch or loch nor in the period between any such spawning and the subsequent emergence of the juvenile fish,

  6. all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the works do not result in increased erosion of the bed or banks of the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  7. the works must not result in the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment which may give rise to harm to the water environment,

  8. any outfall and associated works must be designed and installed to be no larger than is necessary for the proper operation of the outfall, and in any case must not extend more than 20 metres along the length of the river, burn, ditch or loch.

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