SRA Annual Report 2021-22: Strategic Approach to Mitigation
To help Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) and its partners streamline flood risk management projects on the Somerset Levels and Moors, Natural England is developing a Strategic Approach to Mitigation.
Mitigation means actions that must be taken – by law – to offset any unavoidably negative effects that projects will have, considered individually and in combination.
A Strategic Approach to Mitigation will help to:
- reduce costs and risks
- enable projects to go ahead
- secure environmental benefits
- support local community, farming, business and tourism interests
- satisfy local and national policies
Activities in 2021-22
In March 2021, the SRA Board approved a bid from Natural England for two years’ funding for developing and implementing a Strategic Approach to Mitigation for the SRA, with four main interlocking strands:
1. Developing a methodology for mapping wider wetland areas, especially Functionally Linked Land (FLL) of critical importance to wintering birds
This project is nearly finished. After a third round of winter habitat and wetland bird surveys in February 2022, most key areas have been covered. Natural England’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team have produced maps and tables that show the quantity and quality of areas of land that are functionally linked to the Somerset Levels and Moors Special Protection Area (SPA). A forthcoming report will be shared with SRA partners so its contents can be used to help improve water level management in areas of Functionally Linked Land.
2. Developing a protocol for monitoring the condition of the Somerset wetlands
Natural England has begun examining ways in which water level telemetry data could be better used, with a view to discussing findings with the Environment Agency and Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium (SDBC). It has secured support in principle from the Environment Agency, SDBC and RSPB for this project. A joint working group is to be set up to help pinpoint and solve problems with water level management and habitat condition for the benefit of the Special Protection Area. Bird data analysis work is also due to be commissioned from the British Trust for Ornithology to ensure that a monitoring programme is based on the most accurate and up-to-date bird data.
The purpose of moves 1 and 2 is to establish a baseline against which it will be easier to detect environmental changes. Several important benefits will result from this endeavour. For example, more accurate and up to date information about sensitive locations will help the SRA and its partners to produce legally compliant schemes more quickly, at a lower cost. Critically important works could also be fast-tracked, because with the right kinds of understanding, mitigation activities could be agreed more swiftly and done upfront.
3. Initiating the updating of Water Level Management Plans and establishing operational protocols including a set of Environmental Trigger points across Somerset
Natural England has been working with SDBC on a brief for the production of a research report contextualising water level management on the Somerset Levels and Moors. The aim is to ensure that Water Level Management Plans are updated in ways that take into account all relevant factors, such as flood water storage, climate change, water quality, peat restoration, requirements for protected sites and agri-environment schemes.
4. Developing alternative solutions to the current suite of Raised Water Level Areas
Natural England has held positive discussions about this project with Somerset Rivers Authority, the Environment Agency, Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium, the RSPB and Somerset Wildlife Trust. Following a group meeting at Moorlinch in October 2021, recommendations for action are being developed. The results of research commissioned by the RSPB into alternative water level management scenarios for Moorlinch SSSI and West Moor SSSI are also being analysed.
The purpose of moves 3 and 4 is to ensure that the Somerset Levels and Moors Special Protection Area is in a better condition, and therefore more resilient to any potential impacts of future schemes.
Constructive conversations are being held about land being used for several functions and how this could be organised and paid for. Somerset Rivers Authority as a partnership is helping various initiatives to bear fruit. See, for example, the increasing number and vigour of the Moor Associations described in the W5 section of this report.