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  • Dredging in a straightened watercourse with a bed width of less than 1 metre

Dredging in a straightened watercourse with a bed width of less than 1 metre

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to the dredging of a river, burn or ditch that–

  1. has an average bed width of less than one metre along the stretch to be worked, and
  2. has been artificially straightened or canalised along the length which is to be worked.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

Dredging in a previously straightened watercourse with a bed width of less than 1 metre is covered by General Binding Rules (GBR 5). 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 dredging in a straightened watercourse with a bed width of less than 1 metre

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

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

  3. the activity must not result in the widening of the bed width of the river, burn or ditch,

  4. all reasonable steps must be taken to prevent the transport of sediments or other matter disturbed by the works into waters beyond the worked stretch,

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

  6. all reasonable steps must be taken to avoid increased erosion of the bed or banks of the river, burn or ditch as a result of the works,

  7. the bed of the worked stretch must be graded at a shallow angle to tie in with the bed level upstream and downstream and there must be no steps or sudden changes in the angle of the bed slope,

  8. the removed sediment must not be left on the banks such that its placement heightens the banks.

Help and guidance

Where relevant you must also ensure you comply with the following when undertaking this activity: