RIVERS AND WETLANDS
The Vision
Rivers and wetlands are an important feature of
the Northamptonshire landscape, providing a range of habitats and supporting a
rich variety of flora and fauna. There is a great need to conserve existing
wetland habitats and to develop wildlife rich valleys by restoring and creating
new wetland areas. Work is required to ensure that water quality in all
wetlands is maintained and, where necessary, improved.
The Habitats
Whilst many river and wetland habitats are part
of the natural landscape of our valleys, a large number of sites in
Northamptonshire have been created by man’s activities and these are also now
important for wildlife.
Habitat Action Plans have been produced for the
following wetland habitats:
General Actions
To implement the Habitat Action Plans and
fulfil the Vision the following actions will need to be taken:
·
Restore river floodplains to create new areas
of wetland
·
Restore high water tables, seasonal flooding of
floodplains and appropriate summer water levels to sustain a variety of
wildlife
·
Restore the natural course of rivers, where
appropriate, to allow rivers to meander in the flood plain
·
Maintain and, where necessary, restore good
water quality standards in rivers, streams and drains
·
Create waterside buffer zones, particularly
adjacent to arable cultivation
·
Improve bank-side management to encourage more
wildlife
·
Ensure there is no further loss of existing
wetland habitat and, where appropriate, enhance its interest
·
Enhance the wildlife value of existing areas of
riverside grassland
·
Maintain riverside pollards as a familiar
feature of our valleys and as an important wildlife resource
·
Encourage the retention and restoration of
field ponds and the excavation and appropriate management of new ones
·
Ensure that the after-use of gravel pits makes
provision for nature conservation interests
·
Ensure that management of canals continues to
be sensitive to wildlife
·
Increase the accessibility and availability of
information on river and wetland management to land managers