which improves efficiency and functionality of water management on this large wet
grassland site to better cope with periods of both water shortage and water surplus,
of which the DROP work is a significant part.
Until the Middle Ages large parts of the Brue Valley were covered in a
peat-forming raised bog. In the UK the area of lowland raised bog is estimated to
have diminished by around 94 % largely through agricultural intensification,
afforestation and commercial peat extraction. Future decline is most likely to be the
result of the gradual desiccation of bogs damaged by a range of drainage activities
and/or a general lowering of groundwater tables. In the Brue Valley the majority of
the raised bog has been lost to peat extraction and agricultural intensification. The
remaining fragments, which are now all within nature reserves, are raised above the
surrounding peat voids and are consequently very difficult to keep wet. The largest
remaining fragment of raised bog belongs to SWT, who have undertaken work to
improve the habitat’s resilience. Through the DROP project SWT has extended the
programme of tree removal and scrub clearance; improved structures, fencing and
gates to improve the grazing regime; and improved the ditch network and bunding
to extend the areas SWT can deliver water to. A significant amount of restoration
work has been carried out on the Westhay Moor raised mire habitat, including the
clearance of 2 ha of scrub. A reed bed on this site was also restored by cutting
channels and installing a structure to allow better water circulation (see Fig. 5.4).
These actions will increase the drought resilience of both these habitats.
5.4 Assessment of Drought Governance in Somerset
Following the first visit to Somerset by the authors in 2013, we noticed several
differences compared to many of the other case study regions presented in this
book. There was much more awareness of climate change and its potential dual
effects on water levels, with a wide range of stakeholders engaged in adaptation
projects across the region. Our major reflections after this visit was that there was
some fragmentation in how roles and responsibilities were defined, particularly
related to initiating engagement and actions during drought periods. As discussed in
Sect. 5.2 this may partially be resolved through the clearer responsibilities outlined
in the new 2015 national drought response framework (Environment Agency
2015a).
However, the ‘seismic shock’ of the 2013/14 flooding altered the status quo for
the discussions on water management. The politicisation of flooding in the region
led to a reinterpretation of water management that became far more one-sided, with
initial policy and practical measures focused largely on engineering type approaches such as dredging. Multiple stakeholders quickly called for the creation of more
discharge capacity, a call that was magnified multiple times by the media and
politicians. Although the Flood Action Plan was eventually developed—and the
partners involved have pushed a more integrated, catchment management approach
that will also increase resilience for drought and water scarcity—the lack of
96
A.L. Browne et al.
grassland site to better cope with periods of both water shortage and water surplus,
of which the DROP work is a significant part.
Until the Middle Ages large parts of the Brue Valley were covered in a
peat-forming raised bog. In the UK the area of lowland raised bog is estimated to
have diminished by around 94 % largely through agricultural intensification,
afforestation and commercial peat extraction. Future decline is most likely to be the
result of the gradual desiccation of bogs damaged by a range of drainage activities
and/or a general lowering of groundwater tables. In the Brue Valley the majority of
the raised bog has been lost to peat extraction and agricultural intensification. The
remaining fragments, which are now all within nature reserves, are raised above the
surrounding peat voids and are consequently very difficult to keep wet. The largest
remaining fragment of raised bog belongs to SWT, who have undertaken work to
improve the habitat’s resilience. Through the DROP project SWT has extended the
programme of tree removal and scrub clearance; improved structures, fencing and
gates to improve the grazing regime; and improved the ditch network and bunding
to extend the areas SWT can deliver water to. A significant amount of restoration
work has been carried out on the Westhay Moor raised mire habitat, including the
clearance of 2 ha of scrub. A reed bed on this site was also restored by cutting
channels and installing a structure to allow better water circulation (see Fig. 5.4).
These actions will increase the drought resilience of both these habitats.
5.4 Assessment of Drought Governance in Somerset
Following the first visit to Somerset by the authors in 2013, we noticed several
differences compared to many of the other case study regions presented in this
book. There was much more awareness of climate change and its potential dual
effects on water levels, with a wide range of stakeholders engaged in adaptation
projects across the region. Our major reflections after this visit was that there was
some fragmentation in how roles and responsibilities were defined, particularly
related to initiating engagement and actions during drought periods. As discussed in
Sect. 5.2 this may partially be resolved through the clearer responsibilities outlined
in the new 2015 national drought response framework (Environment Agency
2015a).
However, the ‘seismic shock’ of the 2013/14 flooding altered the status quo for
the discussions on water management. The politicisation of flooding in the region
led to a reinterpretation of water management that became far more one-sided, with
initial policy and practical measures focused largely on engineering type approaches such as dredging. Multiple stakeholders quickly called for the creation of more
discharge capacity, a call that was magnified multiple times by the media and
politicians. Although the Flood Action Plan was eventually developed—and the
partners involved have pushed a more integrated, catchment management approach
that will also increase resilience for drought and water scarcity—the lack of
96
A.L. Browne et al.