Mitigation Measures
In addition to creating mudflat and saltmarsh the following was undertaken to mitigate for losses of freshwater or brackish water habitats that occurred following inundation of the land between the old and new sea walls. These mitigation measures are: -
Borrow Dyke behind Wall B - To mitigate for losses of freshwater/brackish habitats and species within the realignment site new equivalent habitat will be provided through the creation of the borrow dyke habitat behind Wall B (Borrow Dyke B). With advice from RSPB, BTO, and EN. This advice was informed by lessons learned following the construction and maintenance of Borrow Dyke A (the one already in place behind Wall A). was excavated ito give it a rough and variable topography to enhance its potential value to aquatic invertebrates and other species and improve its resilience to drought periods. A 30cm high “cliff” was created on the landward side of the dyke to provide potential water vole habitat.
Islands 1 to 7 -To mitigate for impacts to roosting/breeding water birds as well as important plant species within the realignment site, seven island features are to be created within the new coastal habitat. To encourage a variety of plants species and nesting birds (especially little terns), these island had different material paced on top. Islands 3 and 6 had a covering of gravel and Island 7 had cockleshell (to encourage nesting Little Terns).
Lagoon habitat next to Island 7 - To enhance the value of Island 7,
a lagoon/scrape was excavated directly adjacent to Island 7. It is hoped
that this habitat will support an invertebrate and fish food resource for
waterbirds (especially terns) that may nest or roost on this island.