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3 years Ìý

How muchÌýyou’llÌýbe paidÌý

£257 per pond per year, with a maximum of 3ÌýpondsÌýper hectare (ha) Ìý

Action’s aimÌý

This action’s aim is thatÌýthere’sÌýa pondÌýcontainingÌýclear and clean water with:  Ìý

• a range of semi-aquatic vegetation allowed to develop around the pond edge Ìý

• submerged and floating pond plants Ìý

The purpose of this is to: Ìý

• increase biodiversity Ìý

• help improve water quality Ìý

• provide habitats for native aquatic species Ìý

Where you can do this actionÌý

You can do this action on eligible pondsÌýlocatedÌýon land that’s:  Ìý

• an eligible land type (as defined in sectionÌý5.1.1 ‘Eligible land types’ in the SFI26 scheme information)Ìý

• registered with an eligible land cover on your digital mapsÌý

• declared with a land useÌýcode which is compatible with the eligible land coverÌý

An eligible pond for this action must be: Ìý

• more than 25 square metres up to 2 ha (at the point you apply for an SFI ²¹²µ°ù±ð±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù)Ìý

• under your management control – this includes the whole of the pond edge and the water in the pondÌý

The following ponds are not eligible for this action: Ìý

• ponds used for wastewater, treated effluent discharge activities or road drainageÌý

• sediment ponds, basins,ÌýtrapsÌýor lagoonsÌý

• balancing pondsÌý

• ponds which are largely or fully synthetically linedÌý

• ponds which are likely to need fully draining during this action’s duration, such as irrigation ponds and fire water pondsÌý

• aquaculture pondsÌý

Eligible landÌý

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Pond	Pond	WF03	Ìý

Eligibility of protected landÌý

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Ineligible – you must not enter ponds into this action that are on an areaÌýthat’sÌýdesignatedÌýas an SSSI.Ìý

Historic and archaeological features: Eligible – you must get an SFI HEFER before you do this action (read sectionÌý5.3 ‘Land with historic or archaeological features’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information to find out how to do this).Ìý

Available area you canÌýenter intoÌýthis actionÌý

Not applicable.ÌýYou’llÌýenter the number of ponds.  Ìý

Rotational or static actionÌý

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration. Ìý

What to doÌý

You must manage the pond in a way that canÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aim, including: Ìý

• controlling scrub around the pond edge by lightly cutting it or grazing it with livestock to encourage a range of semi-aquatic vegetation to developÌý

• trying to avoid livestock trampling and poaching the pond edge which can make the water turbid (cloudy)Ìý

You must not: Ìý

• deepen or change the pond’s original profile, including filling it inÌý

• artificially introduce plants or animals to the pond, including fish or waterfowlÌý

• allow supplementary feeding of fishÌý

• feed waterfowl – if there’s public access to the pond, try to discourage wildfowl feedingÌý

• add dyes to the waterÌý

When to do itÌý

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration. Ìý

How to do itÌý

It’sÌýup to you how you do this action, as long as you:  Ìý

• follow this action’s requirements – these areÌýidentifiedÌýby a ‘must’Ìý

• do the action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aimÌý

You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

Evidence to keepÌý

You must keep evidence to show whatÌýyou’veÌýdone to complete this action, such as:  Ìý

• pond management operations at a land parcel level and associated invoicesÌý

• photographs and other documentationÌý

IfÌýit’sÌýnot clear thatÌýyou’veÌýdone this action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it. Ìý

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this actionÌý

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.Ìý

Scheme	Action or option codes
SFI 2026 actions	No SFI 2026 revenue actions
SFI 2024 actions	No SFI 2024 revenue actions
SFI 2023 actions	No SFI 2023 revenue actions
CSHT actions from 2025	ÌýNo CSHT actions
CS options	No CS revenue options
ES options	No ES revenue options

If an action orÌýoptionÌýcannot beÌýlocatedÌýonÌýthe same area, you may be able to do itÌýonÌýa different area in the same land parcel. Read sectionÌý5.6 ‘Land that’s already in other funding schemes or grants’Ìýin the SFI26 scheme information for more details.

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

Managing your pond

Your pond is more likely to contain clear and clean water if you:

• block or remove any artificial drainage flowing into it, so it does not receive polluted water
• prevent fertiliser, manures, pesticides, herbicides and soil run-off from reaching the pond
• establish a buffer strip around the pond

To manage the margin around the pond edge, you can:

• control scrub and other woody growth to provide mainly ‘open’ unshaded habitat (especially on the southern side of the pond) – this will allow in plenty of light
• retain occasional mature trees, low scrub and bramble to help provide nectar and cover for wildlife
• retain some patches of existing habitat for wildlife (such as leaf litter, logs and woody debris)

The best time of year for you to complete pond management works is between September and November, when water levels are low and dry ground conditions make it easy to work in and around ponds. You can then let nature colonise the pond after any works.

If protected species are likely to be present, check if you need to get a wildlife licence before you complete pond management works.

If you’re managing more than one pond, you may want to establish a rotational management system. You can then manage different ponds in different years including any surrounding scrub, trees and pond vegetation.

Natural ponds will usually have fluctuating water levels throughout the year and a drawdown ‘muddy’ zone that’s valuable for wildlife.

Seasonal ponds (which are dry for part of the year) are also important to create a mosaic of ponds across the landscape. They are less likely to support fish, which can predate amphibians and invertebrates.

Preventing or limiting livestock access to the water edge will avoid poaching and help maintain vegetation cover and water quality.

You may find it helpful to read:

• Farm Wildlife’sÌý
• the Freshwater Habitats Trust and the University College of London’sÌý