SCaMP

1. 0 SCaMP Welcome and thank you for coming etc Practicalities � fire alarms, toilets, admin etc Welcome and thank you for coming etc Practicalities � fire alarms, toilets, admin etc

2. 1 SCaMP - agenda

3. 2 SCaMP - welcome Pivotal time for SCaMP Reflect on progress and success to date Moving the programme forward

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5. 4 SSSIs United Utilities owns 58,000ha of land 17,478ha are SSSI Government�s 2004 spending review 95% of SSSIs in England to be favourable or unfavorable recovering by 31/12/10 England achieving 67.4% target on 31/3/2005 United Utilities SSSI land was achieving 31% at the same time What I�d like to do is to share with you the progress made through the SCaMP programme on the impact of the status of SSSI land. United Utilities owns approximately 58,000ha of land of which about 30%, or about 17,500ha of land are Sites of Special Scientific Interest of which 13484Ha is in the two Scamp 1 areas. As part of the government�s 2004 Spending Review, it developed a number of Public Service Agreement targets, including one related to the status of SSSI land with the PSA target being that 95% of that area should be at its target condition, i.e. favourable or unfavourable-recovering by the end of the calendar year 2010 � this was considered to be an ambitious target. United Utilities bought into this ambitious target and set the same target as one of its principal SCaMP1 objectives. What I�d like to do is to share with you the progress made through the SCaMP programme on the impact of the status of SSSI land. United Utilities owns approximately 58,000ha of land of which about 30%, or about 17,500ha of land are Sites of Special Scientific Interest of which 13484Ha is in the two Scamp 1 areas. As part of the government�s 2004 Spending Review, it developed a number of Public Service Agreement targets, including one related to the status of SSSI land with the PSA target being that 95% of that area should be at its target condition, i.e. favourable or unfavourable-recovering by the end of the calendar year 2010 � this was considered to be an ambitious target. United Utilities bought into this ambitious target and set the same target as one of its principal SCaMP1 objectives.

6. 5 SSSIs � Southern Catchment 2005 - Pre SCaMP 7412 Ha of SSSI in the South. Longdendale = Dark Peak SSSI Goyt = South west peak and Leek moors SSSI Piethorne and Castleshaw are in South Pennine SSSI This chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� southern catchment. In essence, any shade of green was achieving target condition either favourable (dark green) or unfavourable recovering (light green). To put the extent of the challenge into context, before the SCaMP programme started, i.e. 31 March 2005, around 14% of United Utilities� SSSI designated land in the southern catchments was at target condition compared to 67.4 for the whole of England. If government had set a challenging target then United Utilities had set itself a much greater challenge, certainly in the southern catchment, within a slightly tighter timescale! 7412 Ha of SSSI in the South. Longdendale = Dark Peak SSSI Goyt = South west peak and Leek moors SSSI Piethorne and Castleshaw are in South Pennine SSSI This chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� southern catchment. In essence, any shade of green was achieving target condition either favourable (dark green) or unfavourable recovering (light green). To put the extent of the challenge into context, before the SCaMP programme started, i.e. 31 March 2005, around 14% of United Utilities� SSSI designated land in the southern catchments was at target condition compared to 67.4 for the whole of England. If government had set a challenging target then United Utilities had set itself a much greater challenge, certainly in the southern catchment, within a slightly tighter timescale!

7. 6 SSSIs � Bowland catchment 2005 - Pre SCaMP This next chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� Bowland catchment where the target for England was already being achieved. 6072Ha Similar habitats in both SSSI�s � upland, moorland habitats blanket bog, upland heath and important breeding bird populations.This next chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� Bowland catchment where the target for England was already being achieved. 6072Ha Similar habitats in both SSSI�s � upland, moorland habitats blanket bog, upland heath and important breeding bird populations.

8. 7 Moorland drainage What are the reasons for the poor condition Grips dug over forty years ago to improve land for grazing � happened in Bowland and Southern areasWhat are the reasons for the poor condition Grips dug over forty years ago to improve land for grazing � happened in Bowland and Southern areas

9. 8 DMS Grip blocking Working with Natural England and DMS we have blocked grips mainly using peat dams, shown here in the Goyt valley in the Peak District. Putting in these dams will rewet the moor, but won�t achieve favourable condition because other attributes of the blanket bog haven�t been met. What we are doing is using the Scamp capital investment to kick start a natural process. By rewetting we create the conditions for a more natural moorland flora to develop.Working with Natural England and DMS we have blocked grips mainly using peat dams, shown here in the Goyt valley in the Peak District. Putting in these dams will rewet the moor, but won�t achieve favourable condition because other attributes of the blanket bog haven�t been met. What we are doing is using the Scamp capital investment to kick start a natural process. By rewetting we create the conditions for a more natural moorland flora to develop.

10. 9 Four year effect of Grip blocking Goyt � grip blocked and infilling with vegetation naturally Outcome � reduced amplitude of water table, water table closer to surface, so blanket bog condition will be wetter and more consistently wet with fewer drying periods. Here we can see the effect of starting the natural process. These three photographs illustrate the outcome following the blocking of grips that you saw in practice on the previous slide � the amazing transformation and the condition of the land as a consequence of that simple activity.Here we can see the effect of starting the natural process. These three photographs illustrate the outcome following the blocking of grips that you saw in practice on the previous slide � the amazing transformation and the condition of the land as a consequence of that simple activity.

11. 10 Effect of Grip blocking on the water table These graphs illustrate the impact on the water table of grip blocking from PAA who are doing our hydrology monitoring. The red line indicates the depth of the water table below the surface. The top graph illustrates the wide ranging level fluctuation seen in sites where grips have not been blocked and the bottom graph illustrating the much reduced amplitude of water table fluctuations but also a generally higher water table level overall, both of which are key intended outcomes of blocking grips. These graphs illustrate the impact on the water table of grip blocking from PAA who are doing our hydrology monitoring. The red line indicates the depth of the water table below the surface. The top graph illustrates the wide ranging level fluctuation seen in sites where grips have not been blocked and the bottom graph illustrating the much reduced amplitude of water table fluctuations but also a generally higher water table level overall, both of which are key intended outcomes of blocking grips.

12. 11 Effect of Grip blocking on vegetation Grip blocking has resulted in increased Sphagna in places Following on from the water table changes that SCaMP has demonstrated, there is also evidence to show increases in sphagnum and mosses on different types of land. Increases in Sphagna can be seen in wetter, grip blocked sites where they were already present on sites and where burning is stopped and grazing reduced. In addition, where sites are drier, mosses are increasing significantly again when no burning and reduced grazing is seen. # is significantly different 1 � blocked 2 blocked 3 � active grip 4 � un gripped 5- plastic dams General increase of key moorland species including shagnum, other mosses, common cotton grass, wavy hair grass and bilberry where the conditions suit them. It will take time for the wetness to influence the vegetation but changes are starting.Following on from the water table changes that SCaMP has demonstrated, there is also evidence to show increases in sphagnum and mosses on different types of land. Increases in Sphagna can be seen in wetter, grip blocked sites where they were already present on sites and where burning is stopped and grazing reduced. In addition, where sites are drier, mosses are increasing significantly again when no burning and reduced grazing is seen. # is significantly different 1 � blocked 2 blocked 3 � active grip 4 � un gripped 5- plastic dams General increase of key moorland species including shagnum, other mosses, common cotton grass, wavy hair grass and bilberry where the conditions suit them. It will take time for the wetness to influence the vegetation but changes are starting.

13. 12 Grazing Other reasons for not meeting the target condition which I�ve just touched on is over grazing. Changes to stocking were negotiated with tenants using agri environment schemes through Natural England This picture also illustrates the air pollution particularly in the south which historically caused problems. The close proximity of major populations also leads onto another major SSSI issue....Other reasons for not meeting the target condition which I�ve just touched on is over grazing. Changes to stocking were negotiated with tenants using agri environment schemes through Natural England This picture also illustrates the air pollution particularly in the south which historically caused problems. The close proximity of major populations also leads onto another major SSSI issue....

14. 13 Fires Reasons for not being in good condition Burning, Both too much controlled burning and wildfire seriously damage the vegetation We limit how much and where our tenants can burn We actively work with partners such as the Peak District National Park and different Fire services to prevent and fight wildfires on our landReasons for not being in good condition Burning, Both too much controlled burning and wildfire seriously damage the vegetation We limit how much and where our tenants can burn We actively work with partners such as the Peak District National Park and different Fire services to prevent and fight wildfires on our land

15. 14 Bare peat In Longdendale in the Peak District and Langden head in Bowland The combination of wildfires, overgrazing, and in the Peak particularly, industrial air pollution, has completely removed the vegetation across many areas. This bare peat is rapidly eroding into our reservoirs.In Longdendale in the Peak District and Langden head in Bowland The combination of wildfires, overgrazing, and in the Peak particularly, industrial air pollution, has completely removed the vegetation across many areas. This bare peat is rapidly eroding into our reservoirs.

16. 15 Gully formation The rapid erosion also leads to gully formation which act to dry out the moorland similar to grips but on a much larger scaleThe rapid erosion also leads to gully formation which act to dry out the moorland similar to grips but on a much larger scale

17. 16 Moorland revegetation The revegetation of bare peat, seen here on land close to Chew reservoir. First we stabilised the ground using double chopped heather brash in these bags. Elsewhere we used a geotextile. The revegetation of bare peat, seen here on land close to Chew reservoir. First we stabilised the ground using double chopped heather brash in these bags. Elsewhere we used a geotextile.

18. 17 Moorland revegetation The land was then given an application of lime, fertiliser and a nurse crop of grass seed. The heather brash contains a lot of seed which has germinated very well.The land was then given an application of lime, fertiliser and a nurse crop of grass seed. The heather brash contains a lot of seed which has germinated very well.

19. 18 Moorland revegetation The land was then given an application of lime, fertiliser and a nurse crop of grass seed. The heather brash contains a lot of seed which has germinated very well. With continued lime and fertilizer the heather will expand to cover the formerly bare areas. Once established the heather will survive without continued artificial inputs and over time more plant species will colonise these areas. Again a capital investment has started a natural process and we are moving the SSSI towards its target condition. Future work here will focus on gully blocking to rewet the moors and the spreading of Sphagnum species. The land was then given an application of lime, fertiliser and a nurse crop of grass seed. The heather brash contains a lot of seed which has germinated very well. With continued lime and fertilizer the heather will expand to cover the formerly bare areas. Once established the heather will survive without continued artificial inputs and over time more plant species will colonise these areas. Again a capital investment has started a natural process and we are moving the SSSI towards its target condition. Future work here will focus on gully blocking to rewet the moors and the spreading of Sphagnum species.

20. 19 View over Chew reservoir in 2007 This is another photo of the restoration taken overlooking Chew reservoir where we are having a site visit this afternoon. The dark areas are bare peat.This is another photo of the restoration taken overlooking Chew reservoir where we are having a site visit this afternoon. The dark areas are bare peat.

21. 20 View over Chew reservoir in 2009 Two years later and we can see that they are all revegetatedTwo years later and we can see that they are all revegetated

22. 21 Moorland revegetation Further examples can bee seen at Arnfield, in the north of the Longdendale catchment as illustrated in pictures taken at the same location over two years.Further examples can bee seen at Arnfield, in the north of the Longdendale catchment as illustrated in pictures taken at the same location over two years.

23. 22 Monitoring Moorland revegetation Having seen the situation visibly in the previous slides, the data that has been collected when represented graphically also illustrates the significant reductions in bare peat and the converse increases in vegetation cover. 1 � LSF 5- LSF 6a �LSF + brash 6b � LSF + geojute 7 - untreatedHaving seen the situation visibly in the previous slides, the data that has been collected when represented graphically also illustrates the significant reductions in bare peat and the converse increases in vegetation cover. 1 � LSF 5- LSF 6a �LSF + brash 6b � LSF + geojute 7 - untreated

24. 23 Gully blocking Work has also been done to start blocking the gullies. This is to raise the water tables as in the grip blocking. Here we�ve used heather bales on small gullies which are just starting to erodeWork has also been done to start blocking the gullies. This is to raise the water tables as in the grip blocking. Here we�ve used heather bales on small gullies which are just starting to erode

25. 24 Gully blocking And here we�ve used stone dams on larger gullies. In time sediment will gather behind these blocks allowing the colonisation of more natural plant community.And here we�ve used stone dams on larger gullies. In time sediment will gather behind these blocks allowing the colonisation of more natural plant community.

26. 25 SSSIs � Bowland catchment 2005 � Pre SCaMP What effect has these types of work had on the condition of our SSSIs in Scamp? This chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� Bowland catchment. In essence, any shade of green was achieving target condition. What effect has these types of work had on the condition of our SSSIs in Scamp? This chart illustrates the position at the start of the SCaMP programme in United Utilities� Bowland catchment. In essence, any shade of green was achieving target condition.

27. 26 SSSIs � Bowland catchment 2010 � Post SCaMP As we can see it is all now in recovering condition.As we can see it is all now in recovering condition.

28. 27 SSSIs � Southern Catchment 2005 � Pre SCaMP The situation was much worse initially in the Southern area. In 2005 only 14% was meeting the PSA The situation was much worse initially in the Southern area. In 2005 only 14% was meeting the PSA

29. 28 SSSIs � Southern Catchment 2010 � Post SCaMP This is where we are now at over 96% Future work is to consolidate these capital works, maintain appropriate amounts of livestock and ensure that vegetation management continues to benefit these important habitats. This is where we are now at over 96% Future work is to consolidate these capital works, maintain appropriate amounts of livestock and ensure that vegetation management continues to benefit these important habitats.