British ecocide

Loch Fitty in Fife to be drained and mined for coal

Scotland's environmental regulator has approved plans for a Fife loch to be drained so it can be mined for coal.

BBC,

13 February, 2013

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has granted a licence for Scottish Coal Company Limited's (SCCL) project to drain Loch Fitty.

The company will build an open cast mine on the site before restoring it to a "higher standard" than it is currently in.

Sepa said the plan offered the best opportunity to improve the loch.

SCCL first approached the regulator about the plans in 2009. Since then discussions have been ongoing about draining the loch, with the application only submitted in 2011.

'Poor status'

The licence was awarded after Scottish ministers decided not to call the application in for consideration.

This proposal will result in a better water environment longer term and ... the proposal is therefore consentable”

Currently, Loch Fitty is classed as having a "poor ecological status", largely due to excess levels of phosphorus.

SCCL plans are predicted to leave the loch's status at "good". Monitoring and inspections will be conducted by Sepa while the work is carried out.

Colin Anderson, Sepa's area manager, said: "Sepa is Scotland's environment watchdog and we have a responsibility under the Water Framework Directive to ensure that where lochs are in poor condition, like Loch Fitty, they are improved as soon as possible.

"When all the positive and negative aspects of the proposal are taken into account, Sepa is of the opinion that, on balance, this proposal will result in a better water environment longer term and that the proposal is therefore consentable.

"Sepa carefully considered every aspect of the proposal when determining SCCL's application for a licence and specialist advice was sought from officers throughout."

Some negatives

Mr Anderson accepted the transformation would impact the local community, but that the long term results would prove beneficial.

"With a proposal of this nature there will of course be some negative aspects, such as the concerns expressed by local residents in relation to the temporary loss of a local amenity," he added.

"However, the proposal offers the opportunity for a loch that is currently at 'poor ecological status' to achieve 'good' status about 10 years earlier than other options available to us would allow.

"We now hope to work constructively with SCCL, Fife Council and the local communities to ensure that this project continues to provide the best possible option for the improvement of Loch Fitty."