The final Environmental Statement for the Mersea Harbour Protection Trust recharge project is now complete and was submitted to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on 22 September with our application for the essential licences to proceed.
This has taken a huge amount of work and combines all the surveys, investigations, risk assessments etc. This document has been produced by Carol Reid, our consultant, peer reviewed and specialist input from Mark Dixon and with massive support from Jim Pullen on graphics, ideas, on site monitoring etc and the RSPB on bird data. It can be viewed in the Download section of the site.
Colchester Borough Council Sustainability Event – “Building Resilient Communities (BRC)” on the 11th November at the Mercury Theatre. Mark Dixon is giving two lectures based on our experience of establishing the Mersea Recharge. – 1. Community action and the difference it can make. 2. How did we do it – developing a plan for your project. http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/19335/Building-Resilient-Communities-Sustainability-Event
ABP Mer Habitat Creation Conference London, 17 November 2016 – “Using Dredge Materials and Other ‘Wastes’ to Benefit Our Coast”. The Mersea Recharge project will be featured as a case study to illustrate opportunities protecting coastal habitats with saltmarsh recharge, enhancing coast protection through beach nourishment and demonstrate the social, economic and environmental value of such schemes. http://www.abpmer.co.uk/buzz/habitat-creation-conference-booking-opens/
The Essex County Council have approved a further £15000 from their 2015/16 CIF fund in addition to similar amounts from 2013/14 and 2014/15 which have funded much of the consultancy and survey work involved in preparation of the final application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for consent to the Recharge.
This latest sum will be put towards the fees and expenses which MMO will charge us for considering the application.
The Essex Community Fund have provided a total of £5000 towards the cost of the recharge. This money has come from two local family trust funds – The Minter Family Trust and the Acorn Fund. It will be used specifically to pay for laboratory analysis of samples to identify and quantify the invertebrate community currently present on the recharge sites.
For details of the Essex Community see www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk
An extensive draft Scoping/Screening Report was submitted to Natural England for comment and approval prior to further work in preparation of the final application to MMO. Whilst the report was found to be largely comprehensive, they have suggested full Environmental Impact Assessment.
You can read this document in our Downloads page.
Local Marine Surveyor Jim Pullen has provided essential topographical and hydrographic data including aerial photography that you can see included in our documents in the Downloads page, that are a crucial part of the consent process.
The Trust has appointed Environmental Consultant Carol Reid to prepare the submission to the consenting bodies, including Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation.
The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) have carried out surveys on our behalf, saving us £20,000. We are really grateful for their ongoing support to help us save Mersea Harbour.
Over 30 Local businesses and organisations have become Members of the Trust, subscribing £6000 between them. Individual Asscociate members have donated a further £750
MP Pritti Patel (Witham– incl Tollesbury) has given her active support in the letter we received.
