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Contents
6
3 Editorial
4 News
C
oastal management is a ones which appear weekly on our TV
global issue. No, let’s be screens, attracting unprecedented knowledge and wisdom, and to work
more specific; it’s a global public support for change. Yet change together to lobby governments and
problem. We think we happens only slowly, and in fits and international institutions. At both
know the theory, but nowhere has starts. levels, many recognise that both
society got it right. Not in the UK or commitment and resources are
the USA, not in Holland or Hong Has the coast ever a chance of lacking. And perhaps there is also a
Kong, not in Aceh or Adelaide, not in achieving a similar profile? I think we secret ingredient that’s been
Thailand or Tanzania. First world or can all acknowledge the terrible reality overlooked: the personal energy
third world, north or south, that disasters raise, but they are but required to overcome the inertia of the
democracy or totalitarian state, across moments in time and regarded in the system?
all these divides we share the public and political consciousness as,
difficulties of integrating sectoral simply, events. In fact, they are the In the UK we have a short window of
policies, communicating with result of a systematic failure of opportunity, with the forthcoming
stakeholders, and of giving adequate authorities to govern. That is, to Marine Bill, for Government to show
weight to the importance of the recognise risk and predict impact, to the commitment and to provide the
environment as a source of risk and of take a holistic view, to show leadership resources. Then, perhaps, those of us
wealth. This edition of CoastNET’s and to regulate, and, ultimately, to who struggle to pull all the different
Bulletin, now named The edge, focuses protect lives, livelihoods and property. strands of coastal management
on defending the coast against the together, will have the energy to
mighty forces of nature – forces that What can we do to overcome or continue the battle. It’s got to be worth
are common the world over. reverse this political failure? At the the effort – remember, it’s about lives
local level we must all champion and livelihoods.
In the arena of international politics integration of policy, and promote the
the inertia of conventions and development of holistic visions for
protocols limits progress to decadal coastal regions. These are the basic
timescales. Just look at the pace of tools, and they are simple enough and
change regarding third world poverty perfectly recognisable to anyone in
and climate change… hugely public service today. At the
significant issues for humankind, and international level, we must make Alex Midlen, Chair of CoastNET
C
onsider for a moment …
with the review of the LUP landing a plane seems like a piece of word on the street is ‘Marine Bill’,
system and the debate on cake compared with finding your way although no-one is yet sure what these
the development of MSP, around the issues, initiatives, policies, words will really mean to the coastal
what happens when the two systems Bills and consents process all related to management world and ICZM.
meet and will this be directed by a managing the 19,000 miles of coast
new MA? Does the MCA get left out in around Great Britain and its islands. Development of ICZM
the cold and will SMPs be necessary or With the coast being given a
will they be superceded by another With the effects of climate change higher profile by the EU (with the
initiative under the new MB? In upon us, so very visible in coastal areas Demonstration Programme on
addition whatever will happen to given tsunamis, hurricanes, sea level ICZM report and the subsequent
NTZs and SACs, MPAs not to mention rise and the resulting physical changes ICZM Recommendation, the Water
PPGs (now PPSs), NPPGs and TANs and loss of life that have occurred, Framework Directive, the Habitats
…………..are you still with me? many now consider that defending the Directive to name only a few)
coast is of supreme importance. Government had no option but to
There are nearly as many buttons, However it’s not that simple and issues respond. And respond it did, initiating
levers and lights in the cockpit of an related to the coast are complex, a flurry of activities and reports,
Airbus, as there are acronyms, requiring integrated and far-sighted sending the world of coastal
projects, and ideas relating to coastal management to ensure they are management into information
overload. Now, there is a plethora of into account. There are now calls (include those at the coast)
information relating to the coast and from a wide variety of voices for • The Marine Bill should provide for
its management, in reports, research various inclusions into the Marine better integration at sea, ie marine
papers, books and guidance notes – Bill (for example, the Marine Bill activities
enough to bury a Boeing. It’s almost Bulletin – Wildlife and Countryside
impossible for a mere mortal to Link, August 2005) and all these need The interface between the two systems
get hold of all these documents let to be considered. So where should it (wherever this is…) must be managed
alone read, understand, cogitate and all start? through partnership working (not just
digest it all. through coastal and estuary
Perhaps we need to take ICZM down partnerships ). The Water Framework
The historical aspects of how and to its most fundamental level and Directive, which also spans the land-
where the UK is today in terms of look at exactly what we are trying to sea interface in its aspirations, is
ICZM, can be found in a clear and manage. This must be human another complication that needs to be
concise report by S Gubbay (2002) activities on the coast – and the list is added to the equation and dealt with
which can also be found on our long. A recent CoastNET workshop through the partnership approach.
website: www.coastnet.org.uk under for coastal and estuary partnerships Clearly, for true integration, these
Publications. The main conclusions (March 2005) identified various partnerships must be multi-sectoral.
from this report recognised that coastal activities. These could be
progress in ICZM (or ICM) had been separated into those managed under Of course, even with both systems
mainly through initiatives undertaken the land use planning system, those in place and a partnership approach
by coastal fora and other adhoc falling under the Water Framework which is centrally supported,
projects which were not carried out Directive, those which could be integration will never be deliver-
under a statutory framework and managed under marine spatial ed unless those charged with
therefore not part of any long term planning as well as those which lay implementing both systems
strategy. Work on ICM under the outside all these categories. The understand the need for, and the
devolved administrations and in workshop concluded that the coast is benefits of, integrated management
England has been carried out in a unique resource, spanning the land- and put systems in place at the local,
variable ways and under fairly sea interface, which needs special regional and national level. The
different timescales. This is due to consideration in terms of Marine Bill must ensure that both a
the low political profile as well as management systems. At present the partnership approach and new
limited funding and statutory support management of coastal activities is planning systems are both supported
for ICM. confusing and the need for a clear and implemented; then perhaps, and
system, supported by a statutory only perhaps, we can land the plane.
Managing the land-sea framework was a popular call. There
interface was also clear indication that coastal
Since 2002, the completed National and estuary partnerships could play
Stocktake concluded that, in terms of an important role in integrating
implementing the eight principles of policy and practice but only with
ICZM, there was ‘a mixed and greater statutory support. The report
inconsistent approach’ and that a and conclusions drawn can be found
mechanism planning for the land-sea on www.coastnet.org.uk under
interface was lacking. While marine Publications.
spatial planning may have a role in
the decision making process on the So what hope is there for ICZM?
use of the sea, what happens when • The new land use planning system
marine spatial planning meets the should provide for better
revised land use planning system? integration at the land-sea
Hopefully the Marine Bill will take this interface ie terrestrial activities
cost of sea wall repair here is acre strip of arable land behind the sea
I
t’s a typical late summer’s day on
an Essex farm. High, wispy clouds astronomical, not to say politically wall. The saltmarsh as well as creating
meld into the blue sky, with only unacceptable and an alternative a wildlife haven now exists as a natural
the occasional plane flying solution was needed”, says Graham flood barrier. “We were giving back an
overhead to disturb the idyllic Game, Development Manager with area of saltmarsh that had disappeared
skyscape. A mesh of farm tracks criss- the Essex Wildlife Trust – the NGO over years, a victim of ‘coastal squeeze’
cross the 700 acre farm, while sheep that owns and manages the farm. caused by the harsh sea wall defence”,
lazily munch their way through the “The Environment Agency, having adds Game.
abundance of grass. Intermittently, already piloted a couple of small-scale
collared doves burst out from bushes coastal realignment schemes in the Good for wildlife, good
filled with ripening blackberries and area were looking for a test site much for people?
crickets buzz in the reedy grass nearby. larger. At the same time we were While the saltmarsh is undoubtedly
And out in the distance, a mass of considering sustainable solutions to good for wildlife, supporting a wide
intertidal saltmarsh sprouts on what the flooding problem, keen to stop range of birds, plants and fish, how
was once agricultural land, flourishing talking about how landowners should popular is the project among the local
from the new blanket of seawater now manage their land but to put in community and its fishing and oyster
bathing this land. For this is no practice a working, successful model. industries? “One of the biggest
ordinary farm in Essex. This is Abbotts When Abbotts Hall came up for sale, it concerns prior to the sea wall breach
Hall Farm, a large scale, high risk provided a perfect test site, bought by came from local oystermen and
experiment in coastal realignment and us in 1999 along with partnership fishermen regarding sediment flow
sustainable farming. organisations: WWF-UK, English and suspended sediment damaging
Nature, the Environment Agency, and the often fragile habitats of fish and
The project beginnings arose out of a Heritage Lottery Fund.” oyster”, says Game. “Key to the
need for a less expensive solution to project’s success was involving this
coastal defence than the existing Today, the sea wall has been breached community from day one who, while
policy of repair to the crumbling sea in five places, allowing the tide in and sceptical, were open to the
walls which currently protect most of out which has successfully encouraged experiment. Intensive monitoring
the 400 miles of Essex coastline. “The coastal marshes to grow on the 200 including sensors put along the
estuary and Salcott Creek and tweaks harvesting technique is low impact, of coastal flood defence funding, the
to the system, such as putting ledges handpicked by volunteers”, says Game. total costs to Government of managed
up to control tidal speed have meant “Not only have we shown a market for realignment in suitable areas must be
that local fishermen and oystermen the samphire but we have tapped into more favourable than the bottomless
have not experienced any decline in an existing fishing supply chain, pit of coffers needed for ongoing sea
their catches. As well as these local putting the picked samphire on the fish wall repair. Perhaps, in time, the
industries, we have also ensured that lorries for delivery.” political will for a lower cost coastal
the parish council is represented on alternative to hard sea wall defence in
our management committee.” But what of these landowners who are those areas suitable for such an
not blessed with the grants and approach will become evident. In the
Farming the land volunteers that the Essex Wildlife Trust meantime, Abbotts Hall Farm
While the local fishing industries may have? As Game replies, “we’ve had continues to do what it does best:
have been won over by the landowners visit the site and enthuse demonstrating to all who wish to see,
experiment, what about the county’s about what we’re doing here but always a low cost, natural flood defence
landowners who perhaps stand to lose the same question is asked: where do I method that has the backing of both
the most from such schemes? Here, get the money from to do this?” local community and industry.
demonstrating new profit-making
options was key. Schemes, such as And there’s the rub. While Abbotts Hall Abbotts Hall Farm is situated in the centre of a 25
harvesting sea asparagus, otherwise has provided a fantastic large scale km section of Essex coast between the Colne Estuary
known as samphire, and selling to up- experiment demonstrating the benefits and the Blackwater Estuary. For more information
market restaurants in London as well that can be had from managed about the project contact the Essex Wildlife Trust:
as local delis has demonstrated that realignment, landowners need to have Tel 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk
C Gomersall
Yes
Alex Midlen, Chair of
No
David Green, Head of
CoastNET – SMPs should Infrastructure, Works and
be superseded by an Engineering at Arun District
integrated planning system Council – SMPs provide a valuable tool in
where planners and engineers their own right and valuable background
work closely together at the documentation to the local development
outset. framework.
The new planning So will the new planning system make would have to disagree with you.
AM system, being
emented through the Planning and
impl- any difference? I believe it will if we are
bold in our thinking and ambitious in
The SMP has been one of the
mainstay policies that our planners
Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, what we do. In relation to erosion and use to establish future changes to
provides a radically different flood risk I think we should be using our coastline. In addition they are
approach to planning. Rather than the new planning system directly to looking at the strategic approach to
just allocating land and setting plan for coastal defence and coast fluvial/land drainage flooding for
policies to guide the development of protection, rather than take a round- new development areas. This new
that land, it enables policy-makers to about route through Shoreline work will inform the LDF process
consider the wider spatial impacts of Management Plans (SMPs). One of the when complete.
human activity and to make policies enduring problems of this two-stage
that are not reliant on the granting of approach is a cultural one, with What I believe our planners find
planning permission for their engineers preparing SMPs and more of a challenge is the difficulty
implementation. This is particularly planners charged with translating this they experience in apprehending
significant in relation to the coast. into a planning context. Like any two what policies they should include
The only statutory plan for the coast professions, they speak a different in the LDF. This is particularly so
is the land use plan (with the language and this presents significant when advising developers on
exception of European Marine Site barriers to integration. So let's scrap sustainable policies on where not
Management Schemes, but they are SMPs and get the engineers directly to develop in future years or where
linked to local authority planning involved in the local development there is development now that
responsibilities). In the past their frameworks, working closely with should not be developed in the
scope has been limited, and they have planners from day one. future. This has become extremely
failed to deal adequately with many difficult for them as the LDF is
of the impacts of human activity on We are working very closely reviewed on a three-yearly cycle.
the coast. This is particularly the case
with coastal erosion and coastal
DG with our planning policy
unit here at Arun on the Local
Hence there is time to adapt to
change in later years and not in the
flooding risk. Development Framework (LDF) and I initial LDF.
W
ith the recent attention which includes a coastal impact study.
given to climate change This involves tidal current and wave Marine aggregate dredgers have the
and the associated height modelling using worst case ability to supply very large volumes
assumptions, determination of of marine sand and gravel directly to
factors of sea level rise
coastal frontages, by pumping the
and increased storminess, it’s easy to sediment mobility and linkages to the material ashore.
forget that the coastline of Britain has coast as well as an assessment of the
been under attack from the natural potential for beach drawdown. These
elements for many thousands of years. studies make recommendations for A further perception is that wave and
The supply of marine dredged monitoring and mitigation and a heights and energy at the coast will
aggregates has been one potential licence will not be granted if significant increase as protective banks are
solution to recent coastal change. impacts on the coast are predicted. removed by dredging. In reality, the
Benefits are very simple – firstly large seabed in most dredging areas is flat
volumes can be pumped ashore over The dredged marine aggregate deposits and in waters too deep to affect waves
short timescales without the need for are unrelated to coastal sediments and passing over them. In shallower waters
fleets of lorries. Secondly, marine coastal processes. Most were formed or on nearshore sandbanks,
sediments can be selected to closely during the Pleistocene Ice Ages when bathymetric and in some cases coastal
match the pre-existing, or required, sea level was 50 – 100 m lower than monitoring takes place as a licence
beach sediments in terms of present exposing the continental shelf condition and dredging depth
composition, colour and grading. in a cold, arctic climate. Deposits off restrictions can be imposed as a further
southern Britain occur as river valley safeguard.
Beach replenishment reduces erosion infills and terraces, while further north
rates by providing enhanced ‘soft’ glaciation produced sands and gravels The modern marine aggregate industry
protection to cliffs or dunes by raising in channels and basins. These fossil or has already made a significant
the level of a beach above high tide ‘relict’ sediments have remained contribution to Britain’s coastal
and storm surge levels. This provides immobile since their formation over defence over the last decade, with
additional flood defence for low lying 10,000 years ago, and are not part of schemes such as Lincshore,
land beyond the coast as in the coastal sediment system. Once Happisburgh – Winterton, Eastbourne
Lincolnshire and Norfolk, and also an extracted they will not reform and their and Hurst Spit, Hampshire. Against a
opportunity to enhance or restore the removal leaves shallow depressions in background of further coastal change,
amenity value to a stretch of coastline, the seabed typically 2 – 6 m deep and there will be a continuing requirement
eg Eastbourne. But without the 1 – 2 km long, depending on the for beach replenishment sources in the
availability of licensed reserves of thickness and extent of the resource. future. As a well regulated and
marine sand and gravel, none of these Monitoring surveys of bathymetry and managed industry, the marine
benefits could be realised. sediment transport processes aggregate sector is able to meet these
demonstrate that the dredged needs in both an environmentally
A causative factor of coastal depressions do not infill with modern acceptable and sustainable way.
change? sediments. Instead, bedforms simply
The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association
There is a perception that marine travel across these low relief features.
(BMAPA) is the trade association for the UK marine
aggregate dredging is in fact a aggregate sector. Tel 0207 963 8000 Website:
causative factor of coastal change and A common perception is that by www.bmapa.org
Shifting shores Rob Jarman from the National Trust, explains the
Trust’s new policy on coastal defence
Coastal defence
The role of coastal partnerships is not of the Beachy Head to South Foreland coastal partnerships are playing an
widely understood, due mainly to the SMP, which is one of the first in the essential role behind the scenes
difficulties in defining and evaluating country. As well as establishing a key supporting our nation’s coastal
their input to projects and the lack of a stakeholder forum, a crucial and novel defence work. In light of all this
nationally-agreed function. Much of part of this review was the additional wonderful work, isn’t it amazing that
their work falls within the less tangible formation of an elected members coastal partnerships do not receive any
remit of facilitating communication forum comprising elected members statutory support from central
and co-ordination among organisations from the relevant operating authorities, government?
and users in the coastal area. But the county councils and flood defence
importance of their work behind the committees. The forum kept members
Word out
scenes should not be underestimated, informed about policy developments
The role of coastal partnerships
particularly regarding current coastal and as such members were more Improving communication
“Ensuring local knowledge and opinion
defence policy, following its shift from supportive of the SMP, championing
is taken into account in the decision-
an historical ‘hold the line’ approach to the consultation draft when it came to making process for flood risk
one that seeks to work with natural public consultation. management schemes, is a key element
processes wherever possible. of an estuary officer’s role.”
Tammy Smalley, Wash Estuary Project
actively involved in the Estuary Flood coastal defence issues “Estuary officers act as a conduit for
Management Strategy (EFMS) processes Individual partnerships have developed information from the steering group
a range of innovative techniques to back down to local estuary groups.”
being undertaken along our coasts.
Beverley McClean, Essex Estuaries
Many project officers are members of raise awareness of coastal defences
Partnership Co-ordinator
the steering groups for these projects issues. The Wash Estuary Strategy
and try to influence strategic decision- Group has undertaken a number of “The fact that estuary partnerships are
projects to champion the fact that the already set up is beneficial to the
making for the better of their estuaries
Environment Agency as they can make
and local communities. As a result of Wash is a highly dynamic system that
use of these established networks…this
this improved communication between needs to function as naturally as means that major consultations can be
the community and external agencies, possible. This includes the recently carried out effectively and efficiently”.
completed joint project with Beverley McClean, Essex Estuaries
the risk of public backlash is greatly
Partnership Co-ordinator
reduced. What’s more, these established Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary where
networks provide a mechanism for on- information regarding issues such as Neutrality
going monitoring and review of policy, coastal squeeze, land reclamation and “If any issues of conflict arise once flood
managed realignment are covered in a management strategies are adopted my
which is permanently in place.
role will be to reconcile them through
series of interpretation boards which
networking and awareness raising…for
Neutrality is also a vital component of can be viewed by the 160,000 or more this it is essential that I remain neutral
a partnership officer’s role and forums visitors that pass through the and therefore approachable”.
Sanctuary’s doors each year. The Carol Starkey, Crouch and Roach Estuary
provide an opportunity for people to
Project Officer
air major concerns about proposed Estuary Planning Partnership (EPP) in
flood management plans. The Forth Suffolk has also produced two excellent
Many thanks to people who
Estuary Forum, for example, was set up plain English guides outlining plans, contributed background
to facilitate discussions about the strategies and the people responsible information or case studies to this
issue: The Wash Estuary Strategy Group,
possibility of managed realignment in for the Alde and Ore estuaries.
Essex Estuaries Initiative, The Crouch and
the area. This helped both the Partnerships are also able to work
Roach Partnership, Forth Estuary Forum,
communities and steering groups to together on more strategic and longer- Kent Coastal Forum, The National Trust,
gain a better understanding of their term aims. The proposal currently Suffolk Coasts and Heaths, The Humber
being put together by the Severn Project, Severn Estuary Partnership.
respective problems. Now, they are
better prepared to implement such Estuary Partnership for funding to look
If you’d like to contribute to
schemes in other sites. at the future of flood defence strategy
Groundworks and highlight the
in light of climate change and sea level important work your partnership
Coastal partnerships have also played rise is such an example. does or to submit a case study
an integral role in the recent Shoreline please contact Erin at
Management Plan (SMP) reviews. In It is clear that throughout the country, erin@coastnet.org.uk. The next
Kent, the South East Coastal Group regardless of previous coastal defence issue of The edge will focus on
climate change.
(SECG) has been overseeing the review methods or the state of the coastline,
http://lim-ciirc.upc.es
International Centre for Coastal
Resources Research, Universitat
Politecnica de Catalunya, Spain
The Centre aims to develop and
disseminate tools for coastal zone
management decision making.
Europe-wide http://www.delos.unibo.it/
Outlining a project promoting
www.eurosion.org
environmentally-designed low crested
The Eurosion project aims to provide
structures to defend European shores
the European Commission with a
against coastal erosion and preserve
package of recommendations for
the littoral environment as well as
policy-making and information
coastal economic development. The
management practices to address
project involves 18 partners from
coastal erosion in Europe. Its website
seven European countries and end
contains a wealth of information
users.
relating to European coastal erosion
and defence. Containing a GIS
database, reports online and the
Coastal defence techniques
shoreline management guide, the www.georesources.co.uk
latter of which contains country by GeoResources www.mba.ac.uk
country reports looking at policy Interactive and paper-based resources Marine Biological Association (with
approaches and defence techniques for academia University of Plymouth), UK
and measures taken. A professional body for marine
www.geolsoc.org.uk biologists undertaking a wide range
www.coastalguide.org Geological Society of London of research projects.
EUCC (European Union for Coastal UK national society for geoscience. It
Conservation) offers news, events, publications and www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Proj
EUCC’s website provides a general other resources about coastal defence ects/Flood_and_Coastal_Defence
overview looking at types of among many other subjects. Foresight, UK
approaches to coastal defence and Includes a project which developed a
likely impacts. Academic institutions long-term (30 - 100 years) vision for
involved in coastal defence the future of flood and coastal
http://www.unep.org/ defence in the UK. Completed in 2004
research and development
UNEP United Nations Environmental
www.idraulica.ing.unibo.it
Programme
University of Bologna, Italy This publication is partially funded through
the Corepoint project under the Interrreg 3B
Programme. Corepoint aims to establish
www.ambra.unibo.it/asili/ecolab/page North West Europe as an internationally
recognised region of excellence in coastal
/ecologia.htm
management by encouraging full
Fondazione Flaminia, Laboratory of implementation of ICZM, highlighting best
experimental ecology, Italy practice, providing education by influencing
national spatial policies – for further details
www.civil.auc.dk please see http://www.corepoint.ucc.ie
Aalborg University, Department of civil
engineering, Denmark
Involved in hydrodynamics, hydraulics,
hydrology, coastal engineering,
offshore engineering and wave energy.