WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. FRONT PAGE Image: Cairngorms National Park Authority logo CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK Environmental Report Draft Core Paths Plan Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Images: Colour photos of canoeist; digger working on path; cyclist; wooden trail marker; two walkers enjoying the view from a hill over a village; pony trekkers; less-able visitors on forest trail Consultation April 2008 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK PAGE 2 Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan Draft How to Comment The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report is published alongside the Draft Core Paths Plan for use during a public consultation period which runs for three months to 30 June 2008. The Report assesses the potential environmental effects that the Draft Core Paths Plan may have on the environment. Comments on the Environmental Report and Draft Core Paths Plan are requested at any time before 30 June 2008. A form for commenting on the Draft Core Paths Plan can be found inside the front cover of that document. There is no comment form for this Environmental Report, any comments you may have on the report should be sent to: Cairngorms National Park Authority FREEPOST NAT 21454 GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY PH26 3BR Please note that all responses will be made public. The Draft Core Paths Plan and this Environmental Report are available to view at the Cairngorms National Park Authority offices at: 14 The Square Grantown-on-Spey Moray PH26 3HG Tel: 01479 873535 Fax: 01479 873527 Albert Memorial Hall Station Square Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5QB Email: corepathsplan@cairngorms.co.uk They can also be viewed at a number of local libraries and post offices within the Park. Alternatively the consultation documents can be downloaded from the Cairngorms National Park Authority website: www.cairngorms.co.uk/access/corepaths For a large print version of this publication, please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority on tel: 01479 873535. COVER PHOTOS: CNPA, David Gowans, Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Upper Deeside Access Trust CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan Draft • April 2008 PAGE 3 contents page How to Comment 2 Contents 3 1. Non-technical Summary 6 Summary of the SEA process 7 Figure 1.1 – SEA Process Summary 7 Summary of the likely significant effects of the Draft Core Paths Plan 8 The differences SEA has made to the Draft Core Paths Plan 8 Next steps 8 2. Introduction and Background 9 The Cairngorms National Park 10 Map 2.1 – Cairngorms National Park 10 The National Park Designation 11 The National Park Authority 11 The Cairngorms National Park and the Planning System 12 The Cairngorms National Park Authority as an Access Authority 12 3. The Purpose of the SEA and Draft Core Paths Plan Context 13 The Purpose of the SEA 13 The Cairngorms National Park Authority Core Paths Plan 14 Figure 3.1 – Core Paths and Wider Access 14 Objectives of the Core Paths Plan 14 The Structure of the Core Paths Plan 14 Figure 3.2 – Contents of the Draft Core Paths Plan 15 Links to other plans and programmes 16 Cairngorms National Park Plan 16 Enjoying the Cairngorms - Cairngorms National Park Outdoor 16 Access Strategy 2007-2012 The Local Plan 17 Other plans and policies 17 4. Methodology 18 The Cairngorms National Park Authority’s approach to SEA 18 Figure 4.1 – The SEA Process 18 SEA screening 19 Environmental baseline 19 SEA scoping 19 Developing environmental objectives and criteria 20 Assessing the Draft Core Paths Plan 20 Figure 4.2 – Environmental effect scoring 20 Figure 4.3 – Example of SEA assessment sheet 21 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan Draft • April 2008 PAGE 3 contents (continued) page Figure 4.4 – SEA Area Network Assessment Matrix 22 The Environmental Report 22 Modifying the Core Paths Plan and revising the Environmental Report 22 Finalising monitoring proposals 22 Statement of compliance and environmental considerations 23 Monitoring significant environmental effects of the Plan to 23 inform review Consultation in the SEA process 23 Difficulties encountered in the SEA process 23 Information gathering and availability 23 Difficulties encountered in the assessment 24 Natura Sites 24 5. Environmental Baseline and Issues 25 Environmental baseline of the Cairngorms National Park 25 Figure 5.1 – Key baseline facts 25 Map 5.1 – International nature conservation designations 28 Map 5.2 – National nature conservation designations 28 Map 5.3 – Ancient woodland sites 29 Map 5.4 – National Scenic Areas 29 Map 5.5 – Scheduled Monuments and other monument records 30 Map 5.6 – Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas 30 Map 5.7 – Informal recreation (paths and tracks) 31 Environmental issues in the Cairngorms National Park 32 Figure 5.2 – Key trends and issues in the Cairngorms National Park 32 Limitations of data 34 Evolution of the environment without the Draft Core Paths Plan 34 6. SEA Objectives 35 Figure 6.1 – SEA objectives 35 Figure 6.2 – SEA criteria 36 7. Core Paths Plan Strategic Alternatives 39 8. Assessment of the Draft Core Path Plan Aim and Objectives 40 How environmental issues were considered in developing the 40 aims and objectives The significant environmental effects of the aims and objectives 40 Judgements of the significance of environmental effects 40 Cumulative effects 40 Proposed mitigation 40 Uncertainties and risks 41 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan Draft • April 2008 PAGE 5 contents (continued) page 9. Assessment of Area Network Proposals 42 How environmental issues were considered in developing 42 the Area Network Proposals The significant environmental effects of the Area Network Proposals 42 Judgements of the significance of environmental effects 42 Figure 9.1 – SEA assessment summary 43 Commentary on likely significant effects 43 Action Area A – Central Cairngorms 44 Action Area B – Eastern Cairngorms 44 Action Area C – Upper Deeside 44 Action Area D – Upper Donside 44 Action Area E – Glenlivet and Tomintoul 45 Action Area F – Lower Badenoch and Strathspey 45 Action Area G – Upper Badenoch and Strathspey 45 Action Area H – Glenmore and Rothiemurchus 45 Cumulative effects 45 Proposed mitigation 46 Uncertainties and risks 46 10. Future Development of the Core Paths Plan and SEA 47 Timetable 47 Proposals for monitoring the environmental effects 47 SEA indicators and targets 47 Figure 10.1 – Proposed SEA indicators and targets 47 Annex 1 Links to Other Plans and Programmes 50 Annex 2 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 51 Annex 3 and Annex 4 Please note that Annex 3 and Annex 4 are available on request. Please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority - see contact details inside front cover. Annex 3 – Assessment Record for Aim and Objectives Annex 4 – Assessment Record for Area Networks Use of Ordnance Survey Mapping This Environmental Report is illustrated with maps to clearly show the geographic location of features relevant for the purposes of consultation. This document contains mapping data which is the property of Ordnance Survey and any unlawful use or copying other than for the purpose of viewing and printing is prohibited. The document is for reference purposes only. No further copies may be made. The representation of features or boundaries in which Cairngorms National Park Authority or others have an interest does not necessarily imply their true positions. For further information please contact the appropriate authority. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan Draft • April 2008