Beaver license application documents

This document contains a list of appendices related to beavers in the Cairngorms National Park. The list includes an assessment of the potential for Eurasian beavers to naturally colonise the National Park, a feasibility study for beaver release in the Spey Catchment, and information on site selection and release sites. Other appendices include email correspondence with farmers in the Nethy Bridge area, responses to questions, notes from community meetings, engagement records from RSPB Scotland, engagement reports, responses to engagement events, responses from the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) and the Nethy Bridge Community Council, online survey comments, and a monitoring and mitigation plan.

This document contains an assessment of the potential for Eurasian beavers to naturally move into the Cairngorms National Park, focusing on the risks and opportunities that come with them. The assessment looks at beaver habitat suitability, dam capacity, and potential routes beavers might take to enter the park from existing populations. The study also considers possible conflicts with agriculture and fishing. While some areas in the National Park could support beavers, the study concludes that it is unlikely they will naturally colonize the park due to the local landscape and artificial barriers. Recommendations are made for preparing for their arrival, including potential management strategies to reduce conflicts.

This document contains a study commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to assess if the Spey catchment area is a suitable habitat for beavers to be reintroduced. The study uses modelling tools to look at habitat suitability and dam capacity, also considering the potential interactions between beavers and things like aspen trees and fish. The document looks at different areas within the Spey catchment and suggests possible places to release beavers, while also discussing possible challenges and how to manage them. In short, the document finds that the Spey catchment has plenty of good habitat for beavers, but careful planning is needed to make sure they can live there without causing problems for the environment or people.

This document contains RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Scotland's beaver release strategy for the Insh Marshes Nature Reserve, created for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. RSPB Scotland plans to release up to three beaver families between February and April 2024, subject to the Park Authority getting the required licenses and advice from The Beaver Trust. The best sites for the releases have been chosen, taking into account neighbours' opinions, and the timing of the releases will avoid harsh weather to help the beavers settle in well.

This document contains details of beaver release sites planned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland and Wildland Limited in the Cairngorms National Park. The document outlines the location, habitat type, and conservation status of each site, as well as details about the beavers being released, including their origin from the Wild Tayside catchment, the number of individuals, and their health screening process. It also details the release strategy, including transportation methods, release protocols to minimize disturbance, and post-release monitoring plans. The goal is to introduce beavers to suitable habitats, while minimizing disturbance and ensuring the safety of both the animals and the public, with ongoing monitoring and mitigation efforts planned in collaboration with landowners.

This document contains a letter from NatureScot to the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 16 October 2023, regarding consent for the release of beavers at a Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and River Spey – Insh Marshes SSSI. NatureScot has granted consent for the release of beavers over a number of years, at agreed locations, with numbers determined by a NatureScot license. No construction or material changes will occur on the designated sites. NatureScot advises that monitoring of the beaver's effects should be carried out as set out in the Monitoring Plan and should beavers impact the designated sites, remedial action will be taken in accordance with the Habitats Regulations Appraisal. NatureScot has considered the effect of the proposal on overlapping European sites, including River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC), River Spey - Insh Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA), Insh Marshes SAC, Cairngorms SAC and Cairngorms SPA. NatureScot has determined that the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the sites. This consent only exempts legal provisions in accordance with section 13(1) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

This document contains email correspondence from August 2023 between Jonathan Willet and other farmers in the Nethy Bridge area, including Andy Ford, Ali McKnight, John Kirk, and Lewis Pate. The emails discuss action points from a meeting, including forming a farmer's group to advise the Cairngorms National Park Authority, arranging beaver visits, summarizing the NatureScot Mitigation Protocol for the Park Authority website, investigating a Land Management Group for beaver activity, and confirming funding for flood embankment damage caused by beavers. The farmers also shared concerns about needing more time to consider proposals, wanting more information, and wanting a written agreement on mitigation plans. The emails also included weblinks for information relating to beavers in Scotland.

This document contains the response to questions regarding the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) plans to translocate beavers into the National Park. The Cairngorms Nature beaver sub-group, established in 2017, is investigating the potential arrival of beavers. The Park Authority aims to take a lead role in an application to release beavers into the National Park, working with landowners, NatureScot and other stakeholders. The Park Authority is following NatureScot's guidance on beaver translocation and will monitor beaver activity and impacts, with mitigation measures in place if needed. The Scottish Beaver Strategy 2022-2045 guides the approach to beaver expansion and management. The document addresses questions about the number of release sites, beaver dispersal, population management, monitoring, and potential impacts on land managers and the environment.

This document contains records of site visits and meetings held by the Cairngorms National Park Authority regarding concerns about the reintroduction of beavers near Nethy Bridge and Laggan. Farmers and landowners voiced concerns about potential damage to flood banks, agricultural land, and existing conservation projects due to beaver activity. They requested compensation schemes, long-term support, and a beaver exclusion zone. The Park Authority and NatureScot are tasked with addressing these concerns, exploring solutions, and providing additional support to landowners, including advice, help with licensing and mitigation measures. The Park Authority will also map flood banks and beaver habitats to identify high-risk areas and facilitate visits to farms where beavers and farming coexist.

This document contains an email, dated 4 October 2023, sent via the Cairngorms National Park website. The email's subject is "Beaver Project", and the sender states they were unaware of any Laggan consultation regarding beavers. As a farmer they express concern about beavers impacting valuable arable land near the River Spey, recalling past opposition to beavers. They believe beavers can damage arable land, despite perceived flood risk reduction benefits, and highlight existing flood management measures. Although acknowledging the consultation may be too late, they wish their objection to be recorded.

This document contains an email expressing concerns about the reintroduction of beavers in the Kingussie area, sent on 17 October 2023. The sender believes a proper mitigation plan is needed to address the concerns of local farmers and crofters, including financial support for potential damage caused by beavers, and clear guidelines on where beavers should be excluded. The email also raises issues about a lack of consultation with farmers and crofters on Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) policies and questions the fairness of carbon offsetting schemes, suggesting local communities should benefit from carbon capture initiatives rather than large landowners and outside organizations.

This document contains comments from Laggan farmers who attended a meeting on 12 October 2023. The comments express concerns about the potential impact of beavers on the Laggan parish, which is described as a fragile, isolated agricultural area where most farms are owner-occupied. Farmers fear that beavers will damage fencing, ditches, and flood banks, causing financial hardship. They request a "no-go zone" for beavers to protect the floodplain, land-based communities, and livelihoods, similar to the protection requested for salmon smolts.

This document contains RSPB Scotland's record of engagement with landowners, land managers, and the local community near Insh Marshes nature reserve, which was shared with the Cairngorms National Park Authority for a license application. The engagement included face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and video calls from 24 July 2023 to 15 August 2023. Stakeholders like watersports enthusiasts, residents, farms, landowners, shinty club members, tenants, and volunteers expressed varied opinions. Concerns ranged from the impact of beavers on water levels, access, disease transmission, and tourism, to support for the return of beavers and the potential for organized events.

This document contains an outline of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's plan to communicate the process and outcomes of bringing beavers back to the Cairngorms. Communications began in June 2022 with a press release and have continued with engagement events, social media and website promotion, and media coverage. The plan involves different phases including pre-decision, decision, and post-release, using various communication channels to keep residents, visitors, landowners, and other stakeholders informed. The Park Authority is working with partners to monitor beaver habitats, share information, and promote responsible behavior around beaver territories, as well as maintain relationships with landowners and local communities through updates and presentations.

This document contains an engagement report, dated 20 October 2023, about bringing beavers back to the Cairngorms National Park. The Cairngorms National Park Authority worked with partners and land managers on a proposal to reintroduce beavers to the upper River Spey catchment. They engaged with communities through online resources, drop-in events, and meetings with land managers to gather opinions on the proposal. The engagement period included informal events in March 2023 and a formal six-week engagement from August to September 2023. The formal engagement had 515 online survey respondents, 104 event attendees, reached 84,833 people on social media and had 18 site visits with landowners. Overall, the Park Authority sought to understand different views on bringing back beavers, address concerns, and provide information about potential impacts and mitigation measures.

This document contains a summary of the Beaver Blethers held in March 2023 by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority). The Park Authority organised four informal events in Kincraig, Kingussie, and Aviemore to raise awareness about beavers and to allow landowners and local residents to voice concerns about land management. The blethers allowed for respectful conversations and provided time to address issues in detail, and attendees were able to view maps of habitat suitability and damming capacity. Opinion on the beavers was split between landowners/farmers and the general public, but the blethers were well-received and provided a neutral space to bring up concerns that will inform the formal engagement process.

This document contains comments received during formal engagement events held between 17 August and 19 September 2023. The comments reflect a range of views, with many expressing excitement about the prospect of beavers returning to the Spey area and their potential to enhance biodiversity. Some people shared concerns about the potential impacts of beavers, such as flooding and effects on competing species like Japanese Knotweed, as well as aspen stands. Others requested more information and long-term management plans. Overall, the feedback includes both supportive and cautionary perspectives regarding the beaver reintroduction project in the Cairngorms National Park. The total number of comments received was 52.

This document contains NFU Scotland's response to the Cairngorm Park Spey Catchment beaver translocation proposal, dated 20 September 2023. While acknowledging the potential benefits of beavers, NFU Scotland highlights concerns about the negative impacts on those living and working near the translocation site, emphasizing the need for a robust mitigation scheme with guaranteed funding to protect property and productive agricultural land. They welcome engagement with farmers and land managers but urge the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) to identify potential conflict areas, offer mitigation measures, and provide assistance to those affected, including those outside the National Park. NFU Scotland expresses disappointment that NatureScot's beaver strategy does not fully address the costs of beaver damage to farmers and land managers and calls for a halt to further translocations until a fully funded mitigation and compensation scheme is in place, as well as assurances on quick mitigation measures and licensing.

This document contains the Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council's response to the proposed reintroduction of beavers. While acknowledging potential benefits like improved habitat and reduced flooding, the council expresses concerns about negative impacts. They worry about the effect on flood defenses on the River Spey and the local farming community. They also highlight the potential harm to paths, sewage treatment facilities, playing fields (including the Abernethy Highland Games), and the B970 road if water levels rise and suggest a more detailed survey to identify unsuitable areas for beavers, to allow easier mitigation of any negative effects.

This document contains comments received through an online survey regarding plans to reintroduce beavers to the Cairngorms National Park. Many respondents expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, citing the potential for increased biodiversity, improved ecosystem health, flood mitigation, and enhanced tourism. They view beavers as ecosystem engineers that can create valuable wetland habitats. However, some respondents raised concerns about potential negative impacts on farming, forestry, fishing, and existing infrastructure, based on their experiences in other areas with beaver populations. These concerns include damage to crops, riverbanks, trees, and salmon spawning grounds. Some also fear that beaver populations will be difficult to control and that mitigation measures may be inadequate. The need for further consultation with local stakeholders, monitoring, and adaptive management to address potential conflicts was also voiced by several respondents.