is vulnerable to shifts between extreme events even within one year (e.g. in 2012
there was a shift from drought to small flood events). This chapter reflects on the
governance conditions for drought following two visits to the region—one in
September 2013 following the period of drought, and another again in October
2014 after a period of flooding recovery (Browne et al. 2015).
The chapter is structured as follows: Sect. 5.2 overviews the national water
management and drought context; Sect. 5.3 highlights the geo-hydro context and
overviews specific drought policy and measures taken in the Somerset region with
the non-academic partners in the DROP project. Section 5.4 in particular captures
the assessment of the governance context in Somerset. It highlights our reflections
after the first visit that there were many positive elements emerging. These ranged
from an increasing breadth and variety of instruments and measures used to plan for
drought; increasing number of relationships being built to deal with policies and
on-the-ground measures for drought; and increasing visibility of the issue of
drought for the region after a period of extended dryness, and as a result of
awareness raising activities of a number of stakeholders. The implication of governing for drought in the context of flooding recovery is also discussed related to the
flooding period of 2013–2014 discussed in Sects. 5.2 and 5.2.4. In Sect. 5.5 we
conclude by exploring the potential meta-governance failures in the wider English
water management system. In particular, we highlight the development of political
‘silos’ and fragmentation that were expressed in situ in Somerset in the aftermath of
the flooding events. Policy and implementation silos exist between drought and
flood in the definition of the target of adaptation efforts for a future of climate
change. These silos need to be addressed in ongoing water management policy, and
on the ground adaptation actions in the Somerset region if resiliency to future
events is to be increased.
5.2 National and Regional Climate Change, Water
Management and Drought Governance Contexts
5.2.1 The Geo-Hydro Context of Somerset Water System
and Future Climate Impacts
The Somerset Levels and Moors is a unique manmade wetland landscape of
international importance for nature and archaeology. A significant part of the
low-lying Somerset Moors is designated as a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar
site, which depend upon flooding. The area is also rich in archaeological sites that
depend on waterlogged conditions for their preservation.
The steepness of the uplands, coupled with the geology and soil conditions,
generates quick run-off from short intense rainfall. The upland areas of the wider
catchment (Mendip, Blackdown and Quantock hills) are very steep, but the lowland
areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors are very flat. This means that rainfall run-off
5 Governing for Drought and Water Scarcity …
85
there was a shift from drought to small flood events). This chapter reflects on the
governance conditions for drought following two visits to the region—one in
September 2013 following the period of drought, and another again in October
2014 after a period of flooding recovery (Browne et al. 2015).
The chapter is structured as follows: Sect. 5.2 overviews the national water
management and drought context; Sect. 5.3 highlights the geo-hydro context and
overviews specific drought policy and measures taken in the Somerset region with
the non-academic partners in the DROP project. Section 5.4 in particular captures
the assessment of the governance context in Somerset. It highlights our reflections
after the first visit that there were many positive elements emerging. These ranged
from an increasing breadth and variety of instruments and measures used to plan for
drought; increasing number of relationships being built to deal with policies and
on-the-ground measures for drought; and increasing visibility of the issue of
drought for the region after a period of extended dryness, and as a result of
awareness raising activities of a number of stakeholders. The implication of governing for drought in the context of flooding recovery is also discussed related to the
flooding period of 2013–2014 discussed in Sects. 5.2 and 5.2.4. In Sect. 5.5 we
conclude by exploring the potential meta-governance failures in the wider English
water management system. In particular, we highlight the development of political
‘silos’ and fragmentation that were expressed in situ in Somerset in the aftermath of
the flooding events. Policy and implementation silos exist between drought and
flood in the definition of the target of adaptation efforts for a future of climate
change. These silos need to be addressed in ongoing water management policy, and
on the ground adaptation actions in the Somerset region if resiliency to future
events is to be increased.
5.2 National and Regional Climate Change, Water
Management and Drought Governance Contexts
5.2.1 The Geo-Hydro Context of Somerset Water System
and Future Climate Impacts
The Somerset Levels and Moors is a unique manmade wetland landscape of
international importance for nature and archaeology. A significant part of the
low-lying Somerset Moors is designated as a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar
site, which depend upon flooding. The area is also rich in archaeological sites that
depend on waterlogged conditions for their preservation.
The steepness of the uplands, coupled with the geology and soil conditions,
generates quick run-off from short intense rainfall. The upland areas of the wider
catchment (Mendip, Blackdown and Quantock hills) are very steep, but the lowland
areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors are very flat. This means that rainfall run-off
5 Governing for Drought and Water Scarcity …
85