The Exe Explorer 2008 is up to date with all of the latest routes around the Estuary including the recently opened Lympstone to Exmouth cycle trail. All of the paths are shown on a large colour coded map which can be used to plan walking and cycling routes which take in amazing views of the Estuary.

Whether you are planning a short stroll or a day’s adventure the Exe Explorer is an invaluable guide covering transport information, such as ferry, train and bus routes as well as accessibility guidance for wheelchair and pushchair users. Why not combine a ferry ride, train journey and a short walk with a family lunch in a local pub of café.

The leaflet also provides concise summaries on some of the key sights of interest and features around the Estuary such as Brunel’s pumping station, picturesque towns to explore and some of the wildlife that can be seen on this internationally important site.

The Exe Explorer is available in Tourist Information Centres in Exeter, Exmouth and Dawlish as well as some local pubs, post offices and libraries. Alternatively you can download the leaflet from this website under the leaflet section or contact the Exe Estuary Officer who will be happy to send you a copy: exeestua@devon.gov.uk / 01392 382236.

If you have a business or club (such as a local hotel or campsite) that would like to receive bulk copies of the leaflet to distribute to guests or members please contact the Exe Estuary Officer who will be able to arrange this.

Look out for other publications from the Exe Estuary Management Partnership in the future including a Newsletter and accompanying leaflets. For more information about the partnership visit our website.

We would like to invite a representative of all of the clubs and organisations around the Estuary who are involved with recreation to attend 2 meetings in order to represent the interests of their club / pursuit and feed in ideas.

Leaflet 1 - Recreation.

We are looking to create a recreation leaflet that covers all of the various recreational pursuits on the estuary from sailing to canoeing and bird watching to rambling.

Leaflet 2 - Events We would also like to create an events leaflet with information on all of the events around the Estuary through out the year that the public may take part in and / or attend to spectate, such as the Exe Regatta.

Aims: It is hoped that through the involvement of local clubs and organisations we can create a leaflet that reflects all of the interests around the Estuary and is useful and informative. The aim of both of these leaflets is to help local residents and visitors get more involved with the Estuary and promote the clubs and organisations offering recreational pursuits.

The representative will be asked to attend 2 meetings:

Meeting 1 - Wednesday 9th April 2008 @ 2.00 pm, Lympstone Sailing Club: Design the content of the leaflet.

Meeting 2 - Thursday 24th April @ 2.00 pm: View draft leaflets and make amendments.

The meetings will be chaired by Neil Downes, the elected Forum Chair, and we would ask a volunteer to kindly take the minutes of the meeting for the group. I will attend and will take on the actions requested by the group to create the leaflets.

If you would like any further information please don't hesitate to contact me, please do forward this email to any groups who have not received it but who would be relevant to attend.

If you would like to attend please email me with the following information: Your Name, Club / organisation / pursuit that you represent, Contact details, Access requirements.

Thank you

Why is the study needed?.

The long sandy beaches of Exmouth and Dawlish Warren are among the most popular holiday destinations in south Devon, attracting thousands of visitors and holidaymakers every year. As well as providing excellent amenity and recreational facilities, both beaches help protect Exmouth and the Exe Estuary by absorbing the energy of waves and currents during storms. The Warren is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR), and lies within Exe Estuary SSSI, Special Protected Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site. However, due to these conflicting pressures, the sand dunes and associated plant life on Dawlish Warren SSSI are considered to be in an ‘unfavourable and declining condition’..

At Exmouth, the beach reduces the risk of the seawall being overtopped. This is particularly important because the town centre is lower than the seawall and homes and local businesses are at risk of flooding..

The sand spit at Dawlish Warren is a natural barrier that prevents waves penetrating the estuary during storms and may help to protect waterside properties from flooding. It is also thought that the spit provides essential protection to the two railway lines that run along each side of the estuary shore. In recent years, the level and extent of the beaches at Exmouth has changed considerably. In 2004, part of the sea wall collapsed and the foundations of other sections have been undermined. There is now a need to increase beach levels to improve its effectiveness as a coastal defence. The beach at Dawlish Warren has also suffered from erosion. Considerable quantities of sand have gone from the foreshore at the western end of the beach - the area of the Warren most popular with holidaymakers. An initial inspection suggests that this sand has been transported by waves and currents to the eastern end of the spit. The loss of this sand reduces the amenity value of the beach and raises concerns about a possible breach of the sand spit and possibly increasing the risk of flooding to properties around the estuary. Network Rail are also concerned that any breach of the Warren, or narrowing of this spit at the western end, could jeopardise the safe operation of the railway. .

Due to these concerns, the Environment Agency are currently drawing up emergency plans that will help reduce the impacts of a sudden breach..

With sea levels forecast to rise over the coming decades, these flood risks could increase significantly..

What will the study tell us?.

We are working to obtain a better understanding of the changes occurring at Exmouth and Dawlish Warren and how best to manage these important coastal defences. The Exe Estuary Coastal Management Study started in March of this year and is supported by the Environment Agency, East Devon District Council, Natural England and Teignbridge District Council. The study will investigate the causes of these changes and suggest strategies to best manage these local defences in the long term..

The study is being carried out by the Halcrow Group, a leading firm of Civil Engineering Consultants, with a local presence in Exeter. Initial stages include the collection of data on the wind, waves and currents, topographic and bathymetric surveys, historical maps and photographs, aerial photographs and records of previous storms. This data will enable Halcrow to prepare reports on the height, direction and frequency of waves and water levels along the coastline. In addition, a draft report has also been prepared on previous changes to the coastline at Exmouth and Dawlish over the last 300 years..

An understanding of the historic evolution of this area gives a valuable insight into the factors that have influenced the changes and will provide the Consultants with a basis for forecasting how the estuary may evolve in the future..

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been prepared to report on the baseline information that has been gathered. This will serve to identify and develop the environmental objectives of any proposed management plan to address the long-term coastal defence and environmental management issues at the site. This SEA has been published on the Exe Estuary Management Partnership website. (Strategic Environmental Assessment).

This study is due to be completed in Summer 2008, after which the various local government authorities and organisations with responsibilities for various aspects of the Exe Estuary will be invited to comment on the findings and recommendations of the study. This will then be followed by a period of public consultation.Strategic Environmental Assessment

If you need further information please contact Mike Baker by telephone on 01395 516551, by email at mbaker@eastdevon.gov.uk or in writing to East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8HL.

The Green Blue is a joint environmental awareness initiative with the RYA and BMF. we work to research environmental issues of relevance to the recreational and marine industries sector. We also support pilot projects with small grants and have an outreach and volunteer programme.

The Project is currently trying to seek out best practice i.e. people or organisations who have been involved in innovative environmental solutions for the marine boating sector. This could be projects which have been completed but could be rolled out elsewhere or projects which need a small amount of seed funding to help them get off the ground. Examples are the anti-foul capture facilities in Hamble, the work done by Weymouth to green their Youth Worlds Championships, water resource management at yacht clubs or recycling facilities in marinas. Perhaps you know of people teaching about wildlife and boating? Projects dealing with sensitive use of RIBs and Personal Watercraft?

If you can think of any projects that could be interested in either promotion, or funding by the Green Blue please have a look at the website www.thegreenblue.org.uk