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Chetney Marsh habitat creation
Proposals to improve the A249 in Kent would have resulted in loss of both breeding
and wintering birds from the Swale SPA. As mitigation for these losses a 25ha
compensation site was identified on the Chetney Marshes. The area had been coastal
grazing marsh, which was converted to arable following the infilling of the
drains with a consequent loss of former wildlife interest. Agreement was reached
with the owner for the establishment of a hydrological and grazing management
regime. The aim was to re-create coastal grazing marsh and provide habitat for
breeding and wintering waterfowl displaced by highway improvements, including
a new Swale bridge crossing on the A249 at Sheppey. The scheme involved two
schedules
of work:
- Works to reshape the land and re-create the hydrological system;
- Management to help the development and maintenance of the area for birdlife
and as far as is possible establishment of other interests of coastal grazing
marsh.
Comment: These schedules
give an indication of the type of work and management control required when
seeking to re-create coastal
grazing marsh. Detailed hydrological studies (Hollis
et al. 1993) have also helped improve the understanding of the hydrological
functioning of part of the North Kent Marshes.
References
Hollis, G.E., Fennessy, S. & Thompson, J.R.
1993.
A249 Iwade to Queenborough: Wetland Hydrology: Final Report, (Report to Ove Arup and Partners).
Wetland Research Unit, Department of Geography, University College London.
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