§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to promote an extension of river corridor surveys to a full riparian zone survey; and if he will make a statement. [40124]
§ Mr. ClappisonBetween 1989 and 1995, the former National Rivers Authority carried out river corridor surveys along 30,000 km of river in England and Wales. The primary purpose of such surveys is to map, in detail, habitat and vegetation of the channel and banks and to identify features of special interest which require protection. The surveys also record riparian features and land use in a 50 m strip either side of the watercourse.
The Environment Agency is now developing the river habitat survey system for assessing the habitat quality of rivers and streams based on their physical structure. RHS provides a classification system according to river segment type and a comparison with the predicted state of an unmodified channel. The methodology reflects channel features, vegetation in and around the channel, trees, land use, alien plant species and wildlife. An interim report with preliminary results was issued in March. A full report with final results form the period 1994–96 will be published in May 1997.