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Approach To Option Selection
The process of choosing the Preferred Flood Management Strategy for the Deben Estuary is made up of several stages. This allows the Agency to check at each stage of strategy development that the appropriate level of detailed study has been given to each option before it is taken forward or ruled out. The process also allows the views of stakeholders to be included at each key stage. This process is set out below:

Stage 1: Defining the Flood Risk and Flood Management Options
The risk of flooding in the Deben with the existing defences is defined. A range of general flood management options that can potentially be applied to any stretch of defence to manage the flood risk are then considered. Stage 1 was consulted on through the ‘Deben Estuary Strategy Options Consultation Leaflet’ in August 2004.
Stage 2: Shortlisting the Flood Management Options
The general flood management options, and combinations of these options, are tested using the computer model of the Deben estuary processes. This model has been validated with members of the general public who have detailed knowledge of the estuary behaviour. The impact of each option on the estuary’s tidal nature, water levels and flows is derived from the modelling. Options that allow us to manage these estuary processes (by improving conditions e.g. reduce the erosion of defences) form a short list of options for the estuary. Options that do not allow us to manage the estuary (e.g. that greatly increase water speeds) are unlikely to be considered further.
We are currently at this stage

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Stage 3: Appraisal of the Shortlisted Flood Management Options
The Shortlisted Options produced in Stage 2, and possible combinations of these options, undergo more detailed technical, economic and environmental analysis to identify the option(s) that will make up the
Preferred Flood Management Strategy. The Government sets strict guidelines as to how any impacts of the options should be assessed, so that they can be compared and prioritised in relation to other flood
management strategies and schemes being undertaken in other parts of the UK.
Stage 4: Identification of the Preferred Flood Management Strategy
The options forming the Preferred Flood Management Strategy identified in Stage 3 will be developed in terms of how and when they will be implemented over the next 100 years, and the Preferred Flood Management Strategy will undergo a final level of technical, economic and environmental assessment. The Preferred Flood Management Strategy will be the subject of further consultation.