Aquatic management final

Sensitive Management of Aquatic Environments

by Nick Hartley, Managing Director/Principal Consultant

Ebsford Environmental Ltd

www.Ebsford.co.uk

http://www.ebsford.co.uk/

Who are Ebsford Environmental ?

Ebsford are a full “end to end” Environmental and Ecological Company, capable of offering a range of terrestrial and aquatic consultancy and contracting services. • Specialist Environmental contractor• Established in 2011 to provide alternatives to established and outdated

methodologies• Work for a range of clients including Local Authorities, Private

clients, contractors and consultants• Hold EA Environmental Permits and individual WAMITAB qualifications• In addition to Aquatic services are one of the founder members of INNSA

All our systems have an underlying environmental and sustainable theme

Ebsford.co.uk or follow us @ebsford

A little bit about me!

• Originally worked on Japanese knotweed projects and was the MD of TCM.

• Set up Ebsford Environmental with Mark Prout to offer bespoke solutions to both Invasive vegetation and Aquatic restoration issues

• Have worked on a number of high profile projects and clients including Hampton Court, The Royal Parks, Eden Project, 2012 Olympics.

• Specialise in sediment management, aquatic restoration, native flora and aquatic clearance.

• Like Michael Bolton and long walks barefoot on the sand

• Why do we need a more sensitive approach?

• What’s the alternative? Meet the Truxor

• Effective management – The Ebsford approach

• Case studies – Lake restoration – EA Sports Chertsey

– Silt Pumping – Chesterfield/Cromford Canal

– Aquatic clearance – Forestry commission

• Other services

Issues coveredtoday:

Why do we need a more sensitive approach?

• More sites are being given higher ecological and environmental classifications meaning traditional techniques are becoming less suitable.

• Larger machines cause a high level of disruption and have issues with access

• Ecological issues on site limit bank work and machinery size

• Legislation over de-watering, dredged materials and waste classification means storage or disposal is complex and costly

• Clients are looking for more sustainable solutions at all stages of their supply chain

Why do we need a more sensitive approach?

What’s the alternative? – Meet the Truxor

• Multi-purpose amphibious machine

• Interchangeable attachments capable of:• Aquatic or semi-aquatic excavation

• Silt pumping

• Sediment removal using clamshell

• Aquatic weed clearance

• Heavy duty vegetation clearance

• Extremely mobile and manoeuvrable, can access 1:2

• Powered by bio-degradable oil and diesel

• Lightweight, weighing less than 1400 kg

• 4m x 2m x 2m, can access even the most difficult of sites

• Ebsford current operate 3 machines across the UK

• Utilised on over 90% of Ebsford’s aquatic projects



Effective Management – The Ebsford Approach

• Initial consultation conducted to assess full scope of works

• Preliminary site visit undertaken to provide scoping report

• Feasibility study takes place on larger projects to include:• Depth tests and chemical analysis of sediment

• Liaison with LA, EA or CL:AIRE in advance of formal submission

• Analysis of cause and consequence

• Specialist reports including Hydrology, ecology and agricultural

• Full design of outline proposals

• 10 point aquatic management strategy

Effective management – The Ebsford

approach

Case Study – EA Sports Chertsey

• Project was for restoration of a 10,000 sq m lake prior to completion of new European headquarters

• Proximity to road and installation of high tech features meant site was inaccessible to larger machinery

• Urban area meant disposal or relocation of silt was impractical

• Project included:• Installation of 800m of aquatic fencing

• Removal and relocation of circa 7000m³ sediment

• Creation of new marginal zones with specific native flora to give low level impact

• Protection from high numbers of wildfowl

• Installation of reed beds and phytoremediation to inflows and channels

• Aerating fountains to improve overall health of lake

• Clearance and protection of heavily overgrown and eroding islands





Case Study – Forestry Commission – Cross Lane

• Project was for the management of a 30,000 sq m wetland area located in Wallasey

• Poor management has seen rapid establishment of Phragmites australis throughout the site.

• Formal channels had become overgrown and terrestrial

• Site was prone to regular flooding, causing damage to surrounding residential areas and marsh areas to form in neighbouring amenity areas.

• Previous attempts to find a solution had been unsuccessful with machinery not able to work in semi-aquatic environment

• Ebsford cleared 1000m channel and implemented a 5 year maintenance program

Case Study – Forestry Commission

Case Study – Forestry Commission

Case Study – Chesterfield/Cromford Canal

• Project was for the dredging of in excess of 10,000m³ across almost 3km of canal in Derbyshire.

• In addition to being a SSSI, the site is also home to one of the most widespread populations of watervoles in the UK.

• The site was unable to be closed during the works meaning heavy interaction with the public.

• Encroachment within 1m of the bank was forbidden in certain areas so larger machinery was unfeasible.

• Complex permitted meant that silt needed to be dewatered on neighbouring land using silt bags.

• Receptor site identified was over 2km from the furthest area meaning silt required pumping in total 2.2km, thought to be the longest distance ever pumped by amphibious machinery.

• Proximity of both receptor sites to the canal network meant filtration of water and retaining of silt was crucial






Ebsford Environmental – Other Services

• Invasive terrestrial and aquatic vegetation

• Aquatic landscaping

• Bio-engineering, erosion control and bank stabilisation

• Green roofing

• Native flora

• Wildflower meadows

Thanks for listening – Back to the knotweed !!!!!!!!!

Documents

Aquatic management final