A Dumfries and Galloway farmer has been fined nearly £8,000 for straightening a river without permission.
Messrs McNeil Ltd, which farms between Lochans and Portpatrick in the west of the region, were hit with the variable monetary penalty (VMP) by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) after it was deemed their unauthorised actions had had a “lasting environmental impact”.
The environment energy was made aware of concerns around activity at Pinminnoch Burn near Portpatrick and a witness told them work to realign the burn began in June 2020 and took place over a few months.
Satellite imagery of how the burn looked before, after and during the work took place showed the burn had been diverted, with a company director admitting to SEPA officers during interview that Messrs R McNeil Ltd had carried out the work and they hadn’t asked permission.
As well as being hit with a VMP £7,833, the company was also ordered to pay SEPA costs of £2,349.90.
SEPA unit manager for south west Scotland, Kirsty McHarg, said: “River engineering can disrupt nature’s delicate balance, destroying aquatic habitats and causing or exacerbating erosion and flood risk.
“In this case the route and functioning of the watercourse were altered permanently and the work has resulted in a loss of habitat. While a SEPA ecology survey has shown that invertebrate levels are recovering, there has still been a lasting environmental impact.
“This civil penalty should act as a warning to others that we will take action against those who ignore Scotland’s environmental regulations.
“I would urge anyone planning to carry out works in or near to watercourses to get in touch with us before they start, we’re happy to provide advice and guidance. No channel modifications should start before an authorisation from us has been granted, to ensure the right mitigation is in place and no harm is being caused.
“I want to be very clear that those who seek to do the right thing will find a helpful and supportive regulator. If you do the wrong thing, whether deliberately or through a lack of care, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”