Conservation Statement

Introduction

The South Holland Internal Drainage Board is situated adjacent to "The Wash" at the southern extremity of Lincolnshire where it is bounded by the tidal reaches of the Rivers Welland and Nene. The area extends to some 38,400 hectares of predominately agricultural land within which the Board is responsible for the maintenance of around 704 km of watercourse.

The topography and character of the district can be effectively divided along an east-west axis between Spalding and Sutton Bridge with areas known as "Marsh" in the north and "Fens" to the south. The former includes much "light" silt land which has been reclaimed from the sea over the centuries and where many watercourses owe the meandering origins to the former creeks. By contrast the latter is predominately comprised of heavy soils with the area including many kilometres of straight, man-made channels.

"The Wash" immediately to the north of the district is of International Conservation importance and included within its many designations is marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under a European initiative. Although not encompassed within the boundaries of the designations, the hinterland is of obvious importance and thereby closely allied.

Statutory Obligation

(a) Part IVA of the Land Drainage Act 1991, as provided by the amendment made by the Land Drainage Act 1994 - Duties with respect to the Environment and Recreation - obliges Drainage Boards to:

So far as may be consistent with the purpose of any enactment relating to the functions of such a Board, to further the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest; To have regard to the desirability of protecting and conserving buildings, sites and objects of archaeological, architectural or historic interest; To take into account any effect which the proposals would have on the beauty or amenity of any rural or urban area or on any such flora, fauna, features, buildings, sites or objects; To have regard to the desirability of:

i ) preserving for the public any freedom of access to areas of foreshore and other places of natural beauty ii) maintaining the availability to the public of any facility for visiting or inspecting any building, site or object of archaeological, architectural or historic interest; and to take into account the effect which any proposals would have on any such freedom of access or on the availability of any such facility.

(b) Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No 1783) - requires Drainage Boards to undertake an assessment of the impact on the environment of projects likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Target Conservation Headings

• Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
• Special Protection Areas (SPA's) designated or proposed for designation under the European Community's Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds
• Species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• County Wildlife Sites
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas
• National and Local Nature Reserves
• Listed Buildings, archaeological sites, (scheduled) ancient monuments
• Structure plans and local plans incorporating county designations of nature conservation sites
• Public Rights of Way
• Any other sites of environmental interest that may be adversely affected by the blanket application of Board's Byelaws

Maintenance and Capital Works

Where applicable, the Board will consult with conservation bodies in compliance with any statutory obligation. This does not preclude consultation with any conservation body that may have positive and helpful input into achieving positive enhancement in connection with the Board's operations.

Herbicide Use

Only herbicides cleared for aquatic use will be used in or beside water. They will only be used in accordance with the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. The storage and use of these substances will also be in compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988. Appropriate consultation will be made with the Environment Agency for approval of application.

Water Level Management

Whilst land drainage is the "Primary Function" of the Board, the principle of "Water Level Management" will be applied providing there is no risk to life or property.

Conservation Strategy

To help attain positive enhancement of the environment the Board has formed a Conservation Committee comprised of officers and members, to which other outside individuals or bodies may be co-opted to develop strategy.

1. The Committee will: Develop operational guidelines to be incorporated within the Board work programmes to safeguard and enhance the existing nature conservation resources taking into account the needs and views of the farming community and other landowners. Identify and assess areas of special interest. Promote the enhancement of conservation interests.

2. Educate staff on conservation matters

3. Efforts will be made to allocate certain responsibilities to members of the Committee with regard to public relations, financial control, alternative working practices and contact with other Boards and conservation bodies.

4. The Committee will put forward pilot schemes to ascertain their cost and benefits within the maintenance works programme and, should the pilot scheme prove successful, every effort will be made to include them in the normal working practices.

5. In the event of Special projects being brought to the attention of the Committee which require special environmental services, advice will be taken and suitable reports prepared if financial resources are available.

6. Economic and environmental appraisals will be made of all pilot schemes to ensure that the financial burden upon the Board is not excessive but correctly balanced against benefits received enabling suitable financial provision to be included within the year on year budgets.

7. A full record will be kept of pilot schemes and their implementation along with their location and associated costing.

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