Access Committee Environmental Audit

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions
Paddlers have been criticised in the past for "contributing nothing" to the River Garry. The conclusion of this audit would be that even if that were true there is almost no evidence that their activity has been detrimental to the river environment. The desire of paddlers, however, to continue to enjoy this white water section, would be best served if the SCA, through the Access Committee and Access Fund, took an ongoing interest in improvements to the environment of the Garry.

Recommendations
1. Continued liaison with landowners and the power project owners to negotiate a more useful release regime which can benefit both anglers and paddlers. For example, a split freshet of say 8 hours on a Sunday and 16 hours on a midweek day might better address the needs of both paddlers and anglers.

2. SCA might consider Access Fund use to address the issue of egress up the bank at the takeout and cleaning up of the small amounts of litter at the river.

3. SCA ought to support, in principle, the work being done by landowners to clear rhodedendron infestations. Material support might be considered here, but it should be pointed out that such infestations are due to landowner neglect in the past, rather than accident of nature.

4. In view of the substantial activity on this section and the limits imposed by the current flow regime, this audit ought to be reviewed again in 5 years. It is suggested therefore that a follow up audit take place in early 2006.