In April 2002 a levy on aggregate extraction came into being. In effect, this is a tax on the commercial exploitation of aggregates. Part of the money raised by the levy is being used to finance the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). The aim of the ALSF is to address the environmental and social costs of aggregate extraction by delivering environmental improvements, minimising the demand for primary aggregates, and reducing the local effects of aggregate extraction.

Specifically, we will fund projects in areas affected by aggregate extraction, which aim to:-

Aim: To enhance access to sites for scientific study, education, recreation and tourism.

Examples: We support projects which improve or give new public access to sites impacted by aggregates extraction. We have contributed to a new footpath and bridge in County Durham to enable people to see exposed 'marble' and geology; an 'access for all' path and boardwalk on a disused site near Milton Keynes and trail guides, land acquisition, information boards and signage at a site being established as a local nature reserve.

Aim: To improve the quality of life of local communities in areas affected by aggregate extraction, and to build the capacity of communities to be involved in, contribute to, and benefit from their natural environment.

Examples: We give funding to projects which address quality of life issues of communities directly affected by aggregates extraction, in particular those undertaken by community groups developing and delivering projects at a local level. Such projects have included road safety improvements to increase the use of a community hall in South Yorkshire, the provision of a remembrance garden away from the noise and dust of traffic in the North East, appointment of community liaison officers to encourage local involvement, and a local tourism initiative to boost the local economy.

Aim: To increase the recreational and educational opportunities in areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Examples: This is being achieved through a wide variety of projects, including the use of biodiversity and geological features to raise awareness of conservation issues. Projects receiving funding include the promotion of former aggregates sites in Staffordshire for bird-watching and ecological understanding, the provision of off-road links for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and the development of a residential educational and recreational activity centre in the Mendip Hills, in addition to events programmes and interpretative materials for projects fulfilling multiple aims.

Aim: To restore or enhance the landscape value of areas affected by aggregates extraction.

Examples: We contribute to projects which in some way remediate the impact of aggregates extraction has had on the local landscape, by providing communities with enhanced visual amenity and a fuller understanding of landscape and its relationships to aggregates. Projects supported include the raising of awareness and involvement of local communities in the re-creation of heathland at a quarry site in Oxfordshire; landscape management improvements in the Tamar Valley; and an interpretative landscape and geology guide to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Aim: To make maximum use of the educational and interpretative opportunities presented by funded projects, or directly related to the environmental impacts of aggregate extraction.

Examples: We support projects which promote understanding of the minerals industry, and the landscape, environmental and social issues relating to it. This may be achieved through the provision of educational or interpretative materials within projects fulfilling other aims, or in projects where education is the main outcome.

Aim: To support the management of biodiversity affected by aggregate extraction and facilitate improved recovery.

Example: To give grants towards the management and restoration of sites that addresses the threat or impact of aggregate extraction.

Aim: To contribute to national, regional and local environmental action plans and strategic partnerships which deliver biodiversity gains.

Example: To give grants towards projects that contribute directly towards the delivery of Local Biodiversity Action Plan targets (LBAPs) or the delivery of National BAP targets.

Aim: To increase our understanding of how the nature conservation resource within aggregate extraction areas can be re-created or restored and be managed post-extraction.

Example:To support projects which deliver our understanding of how we mitigate for and minimise adverse impacts, and increase net gains, and develop examples of best practice.

Aim: To enhance access to biodiversity sites for scientific study, education, recreation and tourism.

Example: To give grants towards projects that improve access to biodiversity or information on these. Or towards the development of sites as centres of excellence for biodiversity education or scientific study from which others will learn.

Aim: To build the capacity of communities and the various interested groups to be involved in, contribute to, and benefit from their natural environment.

Example: To give grants towards the employment of 'Community Liaison Officers' or to give grants to assist community groups to develop and deliver projects at a local level.

Aim: To improve the quality of life of local communities in areas affected by aggregate extraction through using biodiversity to raise awareness of conservation issues and provide social and recreational benefits.

Example: All projects should to demonstrate improvements in local quality of life issues, through participation, promoting access to green space by different cultural groups, community engagement, addressing social exclusion, providing a focus for education and best practice.

Aim: To improve knowledge of the nature and distribution of geological features in and around areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Example: To support projects that audit the distribution, extent and quality of geological features in and around areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Aim: To improve the conservation management of geological features in and around areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Example: To support projects which enhance the condition of geological features in and around areas affected by aggregate extraction (e.g. Face clearance, Health & Safety work, creation of collecting areas etc.)

Aim: To increase the educational and recreational value of areas affected by aggregate extraction by improving physical access to, and interpretation of, geological features.

Example: To support projects which improve access to, and provide interpretation of, geological features. These projects may include creation of paths and steps, production of educational trails, leaflets, interpretation panels and off-site material such as relevant web sites.

Aim: To improve the quality of life of local communities in areas affected by aggregate extraction through using geological features to raise awareness of conservation issues and provide social and recreational benefits.

Example: To support projects which involve local communities in conservation, education or recreational activities in areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Aim: To deliver more effective geological conservation, focusing on areas affected by aggregate extraction, through encouraging strategic partnerships and action planning aimed at identifying, conserving and promoting geological features in a systematic and co-ordinated way.

Example: To support the production and delivery of both area-based Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs), and company-based Geodiversity Action Plans (CGAPs).

Aim: To achieve more geological conservation on a local / regional basis, with a focus on areas affected by aggregate extraction, through building capacity within, and supporting the work of, the voluntary geological conservation sector.

Example: To support the work of UK RIGS, RIGS Groups, Geology Trusts and other geological societies active in conserving and promoting geology in areas affected by aggregate extraction. This may include employment of project officers etc.

Aim: To safeguard important geological specimens, stratigraphy and structures that may be discovered in working aggregate sites or in areas formerly affected by aggregate extraction.

Example: To support projects which involve the rescue, preparation, curation, display and promotion of important mineral or fossil specimens, stratigraphical information and geological structures in areas affected by aggregate extraction.

Aim: To prevent damage arising from aggregate extraction in areas of high nature conservation value.

Example To give grants towards the buying of land and/or mineral permissions where the threat of extraction can not be mitigated for in another way.

1. Projects which progress towards meeting more than one target;
2. Projects which have support from and/or direct involvement with partner organisations such as, the aggregates / dredging industry, local authorities, fishing groups, community groups and other nature conservation organisations;
3. Projects which explain how they will disseminate and publicise their findings;
4. Projects which target priority habitats or species listed under Biodiversity Action Plans;
5. Marine projects which examine features of geological and/or geomorphological interest;
6. Projects which show innovation or promote best practice;
7. Pilot projects which explain how lessons learnt could have a wider use;
8. Projects which are practical trials;
9. Projects that seek to link geodiversity and biodiversity, or which set bio/geodiversity within the context of the wider landscape.