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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs from the Alde and Ore Shortlisting Options Public Exhibition
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Why do we need another strategy?
Is sea level rise really happening?
If sea levels are rising why don’t you just simply raise the defences?
Why don’t we just build defences like the Dutch?
What will happen to people who own the land?
Who will pay for the work?
I like the estuary as it is now, why do you need to change it?
Why do we need another strategy?
Following on from the recommendations of the Suffolk Estuarine Strategies (1999) a need was identified for greater understanding of the how the Suffolk estuaries work today and how the estuaries will be affected by sea level rise and other changes in the future. Hydrodynamic modelling will address these issues and assist us in determining the future flood defence management of the estuaries in a strategic way. The use of techniques such as managed realignment will help manage future effects of climate change while at the same time replacing lost intertidal habitats. These strategies also bring together recommendations of the recent Coastal Habitat Management Plan. The strategies aim to provide a sustainable approach to flood defence for the future encompassing social, economic and environmental issues.
Is sea level rise really happening?
Predictions for East Anglia are a government figure of 6mm/year average over the next 100 years. This is made up of 4.5mm/year sea level rise and 1.5mm/year of isostatic adjustment (sinking of the land brought about by geological processes that occur locally). This average takes into account the future effects of climate change.
This is based on evidence provided by UKCIP (UK Climate Impacts Programme) and IPCC (Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change). It is the result of work by many hundreds of scientists and represents a balanced body of opinion, tested in the normal manner by peer review. The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory has also studied sea level rise in East Anglia, and their work shows results for the period up to 2075 as “reasonably consistent with the Defra guidance for the East coast of 6 mm per year”. Furthermore, there is much evidence that the Suffolk coast is retreating - at Benacre National Nature Reserve the rate of retreat is between 5 m and 10 m per year, and in the Suffolk and Essex estuaries this retreat has resulted in the loss of a large percentage of saltmarsh which has previously attenuated the wave energy and protected flood embankments.
If sea levels are rising why don’t you just simply raise the defences?
Many of the sea walls are expensive to maintain and have low economic benefit in terms of what they protect and the expenditure needed to maintain them. It will also become increasingly costly to raise defences everywhere. Saltmarsh is a natural flood defence and has been declining in significant amounts, reducing the natural protection afforded to our coastline. Realigning in strategic places, such as estuaries, enables us to manage surge events like the 1953 event better. Tidal water is diverted sideways onto the realignment site and reduces surge water height travelling up the estuary.
We will continue to provide sufficient protection and will maintain a line of defences where it is economically or environmentally justified. However, there are some places where we may be able to realign the defences in a managed way and carry out works more efficiently without major impact on people or property. We want a balanced approach, keeping defences where they will be needed and moving them where doing so will reduce overall cost and result in a more sustainable and manageable estuary.
Why don’t we just build defences like the Dutch?
Although the Dutch have historically ‘built against’ the sea, their approach to flood management is changing. The Dutch Vice Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Drs. J.M. de Vries published a report entitled "A Different Approach to Water - Water Management Policy in the 21st Century". This documented the Dutch Government Cabinet’s position on water management policy in the 21st century and was fuelled by their concerns about increasing water levels in the rivers, flooding, and the accelerated rise in sea level.
It states that “for centuries, spatial planning in the low-lying Netherlands has been a matter of separating and maintaining the separation between land and water. The Dutch government concluded that the current water management system was not capable of responding to future developments. In order to keep the Netherlands safe, liveable and attractive in terms of water for inhabitants and investors for the century to come, a change in water management policy and in the way they approach water is required”.
This change involves the idea that the Netherlands will have to make more frequent concessions in order to curb the growing risk of disaster due to flooding, limit water-related problems and be able to store water for expected periods of drought. This won’t be achieved by building ever taller dykes or continued channel dredging, but by relinquishing areas of previously reclaimed land. This will cost space, but in return they will increase safety and limit water related problems. Only by relinquishing space can they set things right and if this is not done in a timely manner, water will sooner or later reclaim the space in its own, perhaps even dramatic, manner. Their argument to innovate water management policy appears to be widely accepted.
What will happen to people who own the land?
At present we are looking at case studies, whereby landowners have been invited to sell land at strategic points along the estuary where managed realignment was deemed advantageous, for the overall benefit of the estuary. In these situations the Environment Agency would hope to purchase land ourselves in partnership with other organisations, with the agreement of the land owner. For landowners that do not wish to sell but would consider managed realignment on their land there is the option of payments through the Intertidal Habitat Stewardship Scheme. If we can not achieve a sustainable estuary shape through these means it may become necessary in some cases to consider Compulsory Purchase Orders.
Who will pay for the work
?
We will pay for the work from the flood defence budget with support of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Local Flood Defence Committee (LFDC). In some cases we will also seek support through our Regional Coastal Partnership agreement, with organisations like English Nature, National Trust, Wildlife Trust, RSPB and local wildfowling groups to assist in meeting our Habitats Directive and BAP requirements.
I like the estuary as it is now, why do you need to change it
The Suffolk estuaries are already undergoing change as a result of erosion due to sea level rise and coastal squeeze. To maintain the estuary interests such as sailing, fishing and wildlife for the future and for future generations we must act now to help the estuary help itself.
