Barney Beck, Healaugh – Environmental Statement Not Required

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment

(Land Drainage Improvement Works) (Amended) Regulations 1999

SI 1999/1783

BARNEY BECK – Revetments and Drainage Improvement Works

The Mining Remediation Authority, on behalf of the Environment Agency under the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme, gives notice that it proposes to carry out erosion protection works at Barney Beck Upstream of Healaugh, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, OSGR NY9596502226 to NY9714100645.

Mine wastes, in the form of spoil heaps from historical mining activities, directly borders some sections of Barney Beck. The mine wastes contain high concentrations of metals, particularly lead, cadmium and zinc. These improvement works will reduce metal pollution within the water course by preventing erosion of spoil from the abandoned mine into the river.

The proposed work includes installation of rock roll revetments with five locations, two locations with minor regrading, and three locations requiring minor regrading. Installation of a shallow v ditch and two drainage pipes are also proposed. The works will be undertaken along 232m of Barney Beck. The works are proposed to start in Autumn 2025 and are expected to take 2 to 3 months to complete.

The likely significant effects of the works on the environment have been considered in line with Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations. The works fall within a sensitive area, being covered by designations for landscape and nature conservation. Due to the limited size and scale of the works, the long-term ecological improvements and that there are no other known projects in the area which would give rise to cumulative effects, the Environment Agency considers that they are not likely to have any significant environmental effects on the receiving environment. As such, the Environment Agency does not intend to prepare an environmental statement.

Although an environmental statement is not proposed, consultation has been undertaken with Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. A Stage 1 Habitat Regulations Assessment has been produced. The decision has also considered environmental and heritage factors associated with the site and an Environmental Action Plan has been prepared for use during the project.

These documents can be provided by emailing metalsmines@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Any person wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works should do so, in writing, to the address specified below, within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice.

Kerry Jones, Environment Agency, c/o National Customer Contact Centre, PO Box 544, Rotherham, S60 1BY