Saving a River
The Doon is the most productive salmon river on the entire west coast of Scotland. Anglers come from all over Britain and Europe to fish its waters, supporting 40 full time jobs and contributing £1.5million into the local economy each year. The proposal by Scottish Power will have a huge impact on the Doon salmon fishery.
Canoeists consider the River Doon to be the one of the most important rivers in the south west of Scotland due to its consistent flow and the top section where the river flows through Ness Glen gorge provides a demanding challenge for even the most experienced. There are plans for an outdoor activity centre in the upper Doon Valley and canoeing will be one of the main activities. The activity centre and the jobs it would create will not be viable if the compensation flow is reduced.
The Doon used to be famous for its pearl mussel fishery. Pearl mussels are now fully protected and although they are still present in the Doon the population is in danger of becoming extinct.
Any reduction in water quality; and this will happen if the compensation flow is reduced, will seal their fate and the activities of mankind will have resulted in the extinction of a rare species from the Doon.
The amount of renewable energy that is at stake for Scottish Power could be replaced by a single modern wind turbine, or the loss could be offset by fitting generators to the compensation flow valves at Loch Doon and on the Dee reservoir, utilising an untapped source of energy without any detriment to the environment. Why hasn't this been done?
Developments such as the Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere and the Galloway Forest Park Dark Sky initiative depend on an a high quality natural environment and the River Doon is a key part.
The Doon is a cherished, beautiful and productive river. SavetheDoon.com want to keep it that way and have been successful in motivating a wide coalition behind its campaign. South and East Ayrshire Councils, local MSP's, councillors and community councils, SNH, Doon Salmon Fishery Board, Ayrshire Rivers Trust and thousands of petitioners and individual objectors all reject the proposal as flawed and damaging to the River Doon and Ayrshire. We trust that SEPA will arrive at the same conclusion and reject the proposal.
