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 conservation; Nature reserves; Site of Special Scientific Interest; Wetlands; Groundwater; Environmental factors; Ecological factors
Geographic Keywords: Suffolk; Norfolk
Extent: 59; + appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4161
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