River Exe exclusion zones – public meetings

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This notice arrived in the club inbox. If anyone is interested please follow up as shown in the message. Thanks, Bob.

River Exe Estuary – Voluntary Exclusion Zones  

Dear Paddlers,

British Canoeing has been made aware of a proposal to introduce Voluntary Exclusion Zones in the River Exe Estuary by the Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP) on behalf of the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee.  The purpose and intention of these zones which are situated near Exmouth and Dawlish Warren are to protect the habitats for migrating birds.  

British Canoeing and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) are extremely concerned that the proposed protected areas will have a significant impact on the available water space for recreational use in the estuary.

The Exe Estuary Management Partnership is responsible for conducting a public consultation on the proposals.

The dates of meetings and other information including maps of the zones can be viewed in the Review of Zonation and Codes of Conduct on the Exe Estuary’ posted at:  https://www.exe-estuary.org/national-and-local-consultations

British Canoeing would like to encourage paddlers to attend the meeting on  Wednesday 22 March at 2pm, Exe Sailing Club, Shelly Road, Exmouth, EX8 1EG to hear more and represent paddling interests. 

If you are planning to attend it would be helpful if you could inform Steph Clark, EEMP on exeestua@devon.gov.uk

 Alternatively if you are unable to attend the above meeting, there is another consultation event covering the same issues at the River and Canal User Group on Thursday 16 March, 6pm, Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP.  

If attending this meeting it would be helpful if you can inform Jane Evans (South West RDT Secretary) on treasurer@exewatersports.org

For more information on the proposed zones, please follow the link to the East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee meetings and agendas: 
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/committees-and-meetings/south-east-devon-habitat-regulations-executive-committee/

It is hoped representatives from British Canoeing will be available to attend both meetings to question the organisations approach for the development of these zones. 

Whilst supporting measures to protect the marine environment British Canoeing believes the public right and the safety of navigation for recreational boating should be safeguarded.  This includes ensuring management decisions are based on sound, objective and robust evidence with recreational use taken into consideration.  British Canoeing has also made it clear that paddlers require a wider, longer consultation process to enable the paddling community to support the introduction of voluntary exclusion zones.

British Canoeing is concerned that the proposed closing deadline for the consultation 31st March 2017, so please could we urge you to contribute and register your views with the Exe Estuary Management Partnership before this closing date.

Many thanks for your support.

Kind regards

Richard Atkinson (Waterways and Environment Policy Officer, British Canoeing)

and

Jane Evans (South West Regional Development Team & Secretary, Exeter Canoe Club) and 
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British Canoeing · National Water Sport Centre, Adbolton Lane · Holme Pierrepont · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG12 2LU · United Kingdom

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