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Note: The most up to date specifications are available on the dedicated ACRES / ACRES CP website under Non Productive Investments – Click Link Here
Improve riverside habitats, stabilising river banks, stop soil erosion into watercourses.
1. Exclude livestock from a strip of land along a drain, stream, watercourse, or river by fencing it off with a permanent barbed wire fence.
2. This action serves the same purpose as the Riparian Margin (Sheep wire) action. It is paid at a lower rate to reflect the greater cost of sheep wire fencing.
3. The fencing materials must be new.
4. Do not attach wire to trees.
5. Make sure to include a gate for access.
6. Do not make the strip too narrow, consider access for future management such as scrub control and for activities such as angling.
Implementation Notes
Fence must be of the type approved.
May not be suitable near Archaeological monuments or overhead wires.
Additional guidance
• An access point into the margin is permitted to allow for stock and agricultural management/ maintenance.
• The use of heavy machinery should be avoided within 2m of the bank.
• Riparian margins are very susceptible to non-native invasive species e.g., Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed. Monitor the riparian margin and carry out appropriate management/ removal of non-native invasive species where necessary.
• The fence should be placed at least 1m out from any riparian margin trees planted to prevent damage by livestock.
Good Locations:
Poor Locations:
What is a riparian margin for?
A riparian margin protects water quality by helping to stop soil or animal wastes being washed off the land into the water, it is also of significant habitat value.
What if I have a monument beside the watercourse?
This will be assessed by an archaeologist on the CP team as there is a risk that a riparian margin will encourage the growth of trees that could damage the monument.
Can I plant trees in the riparian margin?
In most cases you can select the separate NPI Riparian Margins (Tree Planting) as well. This is not compulsory and trees will probably establish themselves naturally over time.
