(1) This is a capital item with a 5 year commitment attached.
(2) A beneficiary is eligible for payment under this option for the removal of vegetation and/or debris on SSSI Sites notified for their geological features where–
(a)such features have been assessed by SNH as being in unfavourable condition due to encroaching vegetation and/or accumulating debris; or
(b)SNH confirms that these features are at risk of falling into unfavourable condition due to encroaching vegetation and/or debris.
(3) The beneficiary must–
(a)submit a management plan to the Scottish Ministers detailing how they will manage the site to benefit the geological features by removing–
(i)accumulating debris; and/or
(ii)trees, tree saplings and scrub;
(b)keep a copy of the management plan and provide this on request by the Scottish Ministers. The management plan must–
(i)describe the area of conservation value that will benefit from the management;
(ii)state the extent of the vegetation/debris to be removed;
(iii)describe the type of management and treatments to be used to achieve this, including any follow up action; and
(iv)mark the areas on a 1:10,000 scale map;
(c)provide a report to the Scottish Ministers on submission of a claim for payment of aid, that includes–
(i)details of the methods of removal used;
(ii)details of the time spent on removing the vegetation and/or debris, if the beneficiary carries out the works;
(iii)details of the locations where the vegetation and/or debris was cleared from; and
(iv)photographic evidence of the work carried out.
(4) A beneficiary may make only one claim for payment under this option in any 5 years. A one off payment will be paid in arrears.
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