Saltmarsh Conference 8 October 2015 in the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conference organised by Haidee Stephens, Suffolk Estuaries Officer Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB t: 01394 445210 m: 07850 575971 Haidee.stephens@suffolk.gov.uk Dock Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1PE suffolkcoastandheaths.org
Panel 1. Saltmarsh creation by coastal realignment Andrew Excell, SWT Karen Thomas, WMA Tim McGrath, WWT Merle Leeds, EA
Unplanned realignment following the storm surge of December 2013 Andrew Excell
Hazlewood Marshes Summer 2013
Managing a long-term sustainable habitat to attract wildlife Future Management Targets Monitor sediment accretion and saltmarsh vegetation development. Create breeding wader islands. Monitor and support breeding and wintering waders, waterfowl and gulls. Improve visitor facilities. Reinstate access to Eric Hosking hide on river wall.
Breeding wader island creation project and restoration of public access funded by: Natural England - Revised HLS agreement Environment Agency Touching the Tide Grant Restricted Legacy
Managed Realignment at Abbotts Hall Farm, Essex Lessons Learnt Karen Thomas
Location
Essex Wildlife Trust Led Project Create a Working Farm Mod
Saltmarsh Loss and Erosion = Coastal Squeeze
Planning, Modelling and Design
Engagement
Communication
If you build it. they will come!
Natural Capital
Education and Economy
A landscape scale working wetland benefiting people and wildlife WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Background EA required to compensate for loss of internationally important intertidal habitat Steart peninsula identified as potential site large enough to deliver objective at 500ha it s the largest wetland habitat creation scheme in the UK in Sept 2009 WWT successful in bid to manage site after works complete integration into Project Team advisory role on habitat design, community engagement and visitor management a site that demonstrates good practice and exemplar of wetland creation, climate adaptation and people engagement: a Working Wetland! WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Background 2009: initial designs; extensive stakeholder consultation begins 2010: preferred option presented to stakeholders 2011: trail embankment built; EPS mitigation & archaeological work begins 2012: planning approved by Sedgemoor District Council; construction starts 2013: construction new flood banks completed; hand-over to WWT 2014: opened as WWT Steart Marshes; paths finished; breach completed 3km of new creek; 5km of new embankment 0.5 million m 3 of excavated material WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Inter-tidal habitat creation a change in landscape from improved pasture/cultivated land to saltmarsh accretion will allow for the natural development of dynamic intertidal habitats benefit to specialised plants, migratory waterfowl and fish some areas will inundate infrequently and resemble permanent pasture a working landscape underpinned by an extensive grazing system over 300ha of saltmarsh providing a living, natural flood defence an estimated 650 tonnes of carbon sequestrated per year WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Functional freshwater wetlands improved storage capacity within local IDB rhyne network option to store flood water within higher catchment integral part of a wider local landscape: Bridgwater Bay and Pawlett Hams safe visitor access to enhanced wetland landscape 150ha mosaic of wildlife-rich freshwater wetland habitats a refuge for species such as great crested newt, water vole and otter WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Engaging with People continue to forge strong links with local residents and stakeholders enhanced visitor experience through provision of safe coastal access over 10km of new multi-use paths including regional & national coastal trails develop opportunities for volunteering, skills learning and research WWT staff presence: site manager and community engagement provide access to nature through appropriate levels of interpretation, wardened activities and self guided trails to focal observation points WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Constraints and design WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Vision, changes and management WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Construction WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Computer aided design WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Breach completion WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Reserve enhancements WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Survey, monitoring, review and adaptation WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Survey, monitoring, review and adaptation WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Learning, engagement, training and volunteering http://steart.wwt.org.uk https://twitter.com/wwtsteart https://www.facebook.com/wwtsteartmarshes WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
We need to be brave and bold if we are going to deal with the impacts of climate change. WWT Steart Marshes proves you can protect homes and businesses by using wetland technology that works with nature, not against it. WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray CBE WWT Steart Marshes a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath
Habitat Creation Programme in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex ncpms (National Capital Programme Management Service) Programme team :Paul Miller, Merle Leeds, Peter Doktor & Adam Thurtle
Why do we carry out habitat creation? Legal responsibility, in response to: Construction of a flood defence scheme which impacts on an internationally designated site; Existing structures, due to their impact on features of an internationally designated site (coastal squeeze); and Creation of new habitats where maintaining in situ is increasingly difficult.
Devereux farm intertidal habitat creation Site in Hamford Water, Essex Landowner request to investigate Partnership arrangement established Intertidal HLS Land remains in private ownership
Devereux Farm Modelling work 16 hectares rising ground behind Small breach Monitoring
Devereux Farm First tide in site October 2011 Monitoring of site Saltmarsh colonised within a year, breeding birds and marine life exceeded expectations
Fingringhoe intertidal habitat creation Site adjacent Colne estuary, Essex Essex Wildlife Trust request to investigate 2011 Shoreline Management Plan policy for this area is managed realignment before 2050 Partnership arrangement set up with EWT Sharing of work Intertidal HLS agreement EWT future responsibility for the site.
Fingringhoe intertidal habitat creation 22 hectares Extension to Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve in it s 50 th year Public support Public appeal to raise money Environment Agency in-house workforce completed construction Cost effective partnership
Fingringhoe managed realignment Video of Fingringhoe breach
Conclusions: Projects only taken forward in close cooperation with the landowner Projects only taken forward with a clear legal driver, Compensation Each project carefully assessed for wider impacts, close working with all statutory bodies and interested parties.
Q&A Saltmarsh creation by coastal realignment