Farmer fined for illegally altering River Dee in Aberdeenshire

A farmer has been fined for illegally altering the River Dee in Aberdeenshire without permission.

W R Wilson and Sons were issued with the £600 fine after an investigation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) found they had conducted unauthorised engineering works on the banks of the river near Ballater.

Concerns were raised with SEPA following an inspection by the Scottish Government’s rural payments and inspections division in April 2023.

Officers attended the site, and it was found that work has been carried out under Mr R Wilson instruction between March 1 and June 30, 2023.

The farmer had failed to obtain an authorisation for the work.

Engineering works conducted in the water environment, including riverbank reprofiling, can result in erosion of adjacent land and damage aquatic habitats, and can affect populations of invertebrates, plants, birds and mammals.

This activity can also block the passage of migrating fish and damage spawning habitats.

All works require require authorisation by SEPA.

Kirsty McHarg SEPA unit manager for Southwest Scotland, said: “River engineering can disrupt nature’s delicate balance, destroying aquatic habitats and causing or exacerbating erosion and flood risk.

“This civil penalty should act as warning to others that we will take action if you ignore Scotland’s environmental regulations.

“If you are considering any works near a watercourse you should get in touch with SEPA before you start. We can provide guidance to ensure that any activity is authorised, regulated and are not harmful to our environment.

“If you do the wrong thing, whether deliberately or through a lack of care, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”