Skip to main content

PDF


Title: Redgrave and Lopham Fens restoration project : hydrological and environmental impact assessment. Final report
Author: D. Seccombe
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: EA additional title info: redgrave and lopham fens restoration project: hydrological and environmental impact assessment
Abstract:
This study forms part of work by the National Rivers Authority to appraise options to identify a preferred solution for obviating or mitigating ecological damage to Redgrave and Lopham Fens SSSI, some 7 km west of Diss on the Suffolk Norfolk borders. The Fen is a National Nature Reserve and is an internationally important wetland conservation site designated under the RAMSAR convention. It is considered to be adversely affected by the adjacent Redgrave public water supply sourceworks, and from lowered bed levels in the River Waveney resulting from dredging. Identification of a satisfactory full solution is being undertaken by the NRA in consultation with Suffolk Water Company, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and English Nature. The study was aimed at assessment of the hydrological and environmental impact of a number of options for redeployment of the groundwater abstraction or of otherwise remediating Redgrave and Lopham Fens. These options included doing nothing, seasonal irriggation, relocation of the PWS source works or river restoration. The primary conservation objective for the alleviation of Redgrave and Lopham Fens was agreed by all parties in December 1993 as to restore the full sequence of Target Fen types and re establish the close mosaic of fen types within the fen sequence. This would involve restoration of Chalk groundwater levels at or above fen surface, restoration of groundwater flow, fen management practices expanded and capital works in Post Borehole Move Management Strategy to be implemented. Further environmental objectives applying to the wider scope of the project are groundwater discharge sufficient to restore baseflow to River Waveney, conservation objectives of nearby wetlands should not be compromised by any relocation of abstraction. These objectives were used to assess and compare the impact of options for abstraction redeployment and other remediation measures on surrounding water users, wetland conservation sites, and springs and rivers.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1993
Publication Place: Peterborough
Subject Keywords: Nature conservationNature reservesSite of Special Scientific InterestWetlandsGroundwaterEnvironmental factorsEcological factors
Geographic Keywords: SuffolkNorfolk
Extent: 59; + appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4161
Total file downloads: 308

Download PDF    Display PDF in separate tab