Abbotts Hall operational phase - issues and actions

There were several potential impacts that were identified as possibly affecting the site during the operation phase of the construction of the managed realignment scheme. These included:

• Potential damage to intertidal and sudtidal flora and fauna, due to increased current speeds;
• Smothering of benthic communities due to an increase in suspended sediment;
• Loss of amphibian and other animal habitat;
• Damage to adjacent oyster fishery;
• Loss of feeding and roosting areas for birds on land;
• Damage to the archaeological resource.

In order to mitigate these impact a mitigation measures and general good working practices were adopted covering the following actions:

• Vegetation in the realignment area was mown and hedgerows checked for reptile and hedgehogs;
• A bund (+4m) was erected seaward of a freshwater pond to protect great crested newts in the short term;
• Great crested newts were moved to new ponds to protect the population in the long term;
• Protection of the lagoon sea slug (a rare species) was protected in the short term by maintaining brackish habitats. In the longer term new habitat will be created;
• Action was taken to protect and re-create freshwater and saline habitats, including a new pond suitable for water voles;
• Vegetation was removed to reduce debris and potential impacts on the oyster fisheries;
• No chemicals were used on the agricultural and prior to breaching, avoiding potential contamination of the tidal waters;
• Breach areas were monitored to identify and remove any archaeological remains.