Friday 4 July 2008

RSPB - Working with Nature to cut Flooding

Restoring the UK’s natural flood defences has emerged as a key recommendation of Sir Michael Pitt’s review into last year’s disastrous floods.

Sir Michael’s report has said planning for future floods should include ‘working with natural processes,’ to create a countryside more able slow floodwater and to store it away from towns and cities.

In the process, wetlands would be created, providing homes for wildlife and places for people to relax and enjoy nature.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Director of Conservation, said: “We are very pleased Sir Michael’s review has recognised the importance of working with nature to reduce flooding.

“Restoring our rivers’ natural floodplains would allow them to store vast amounts of water during floods while provide many benefits to people and wildlife at other times.

“New areas of wet grassland, reedbed or wet woodlands could all hold on to floodwaters and slow their progress across the landscape.

“On farmland too, simple measures like more hedgerows and trees could help to slow flood waters and in our uplands, the restoration of peat bogs could have a similar effect.”

He added: “It is now up the authorities to act on the recommendations in Sir Michael’s report.

“When the Environment Agency comes to approve and fund new flood defence schemes, we hope they will give due weight to those which make use of the natural processes.”


See RSPB site for more details:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/media/releases/details.asp?id=tcm:9-193189

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