BC5: Expert dam management

Find out about eligibility requirements for beaver protection infrastructure item

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 17 October 2023
• Last updated: 3 February 2025 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Tiers or standalone items: Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): More than 50% actual costs

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

Up to 90% of actual costs

How this item benefits the environment

It reduces the risk of serious damage from the beavers. It allows them to stay in the catchment area which benefits from the positive impacts of beaver activity.

Where you can use this item

With the support of Natural England, you can use this item to:

• carry out one-off activities to reduce the risk of serious damage

• manage an existing beaver dam where there’s a serious risk of damage (including flooding)

• get advice on the on-going activity needed to reduce risk of further damage

• remove the dam when a licenced beaver manager confirms it’s the only option to reduce the risk of serious flooding

• prevent significant damage to agricultural property, fisheries or infrastructure including flood relief assets

• conserve wild animals or wild plants

• preserve public health or public safety

• prevent the spread of disease

• prevent serious damage to either livestock, food for livestock, crops or horticultural crops

• prevent the spread of disease in wild animals

You can only use in areas where there’s beaver activity in the catchment area that you’re helping to protect. See section 2.1.2 of the Protection and Infrastructure guidance for a list of catchment areas.

You cannot use this item:

• without the advice of a beaver manager who holds a CL50 licence

• more than once on the same location of the riverbank

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• get 2 quotations for the completion of the work if possible – we’ll accept one quotation only where there’s justification

• agree the selected quotation you’ll use with Natural England

• provide with your application a map showing the location of the dam and a photograph of the beaver dam

• check if you need a permit from the appropriate flood risk management authorities – you may need it to work in or close to a watercourse or flood risk management structure

• protect and not disturb fish spawning grounds when carrying out works – read the guidance on permissions you may need to do work in or around a watercourse

• monitor the site and follow the advice on how to manage beavers once a dam removed under BC5

• agree a management plan for the dam with a licenced beaver manager (if needed)

You may need consent from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority (LLFA) or internal drainage board (IDB) before starting any work. Read guidance on owning a watercourse for more information.

The management plan will include advice on how to manage the dam to reduce the risk of serious flooding and ongoing management of the dam site.

Dam removal may need to happen in exceptional circumstances. The licenced beaver manager must carry out the capital dam removal work as set out in the approved management plan and within the agreed timescale.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep a photograph of the river area to show the improvement or dam removal works and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

• a copy of the advice or management plan (or both)

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

BC3: Crop protection fencing mesh and wire for permanent crops

BC4 Tree Guard Post and wire

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Once a dam is removed, the beaver could construct a new dam in the same location. You may find it helpful to read the guidance Beavers: how to manage them and when you need a licence to learn:

• how to manage the dam

• what activities can be done without a licence

You can read more information on the Protection and management of beavers in England.

You must follow the 5-step approach to beaver management before applying. Only apply for this item if you have reached step 5 and there’s still a risk of serious flooding or other damage.

If dam management work is needed during the beaver breeding season from 1 March to 31 August, you’ll need a licenced site registration form. The licenced manager can complete the form. Natural England may request it as part of the application process.

Contact Natural England to find out more information about beaver management groups and how to contact a licenced beaver manager.

Call Natural England’s enquiry line if you have questions about beaver activity on your land. They’ll direct you to the most appropriate advice.

Phone: 0300 060 3900

Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Published 17 October 2023
Last updated 3 February 2025 + show all updates

1. 3 February 2025

   General improvement for clarity.

2. 17 October 2023

   First published.