Don’t damn the Severn Estuary!

Image at any price The Wildlife Trusts' report - Energy at any price? - launched on Tuesday 2^nd March in the House of Lords, highlights the vital importance of the Severn Estuary. Not just for wildlife but people too. As the Government considers different proposals for harnessing the immense natural tidal power to create electricity, The Wildlife Trusts say damming the Estuary with an old-fashioned barrage would have a devastating impact. Instead, the Government should commit to investigating a range of modern, low-impact technologies.

The Wildlife Trusts believe three innovative options* hold the most promise. The decision should be taken on the basis of causing least environmental damage and being most cost-effective. The Wildlife Trusts want to ensure the chosen option will not be something society regrets in decades to come.

The Severn Estuary provides a haven for the young of commercial fish stocks. It provides a means of transport and trade. It is the site of many recreational pursuits and, by its very nature, brings enjoyment to people of all ages. And the importance of the Estuary for wildlife is recognised through UK, European and International law because of its internationally-important species and extensive habitat areas. By building a barrage, the Government would be reneging on its commitments to protect this wildlife to the highest levels.

Joan Edwards, head of Living Seas for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "It is no exaggeration to say the Severn Estuary is an irreplaceable part of the UK's natural heritage.

"It is a dynamic system which affects all our lives. We want to remind people about what the Severn Estuary means; it is part of our cultural heritage and it also very much part of today too; people rely on it for their livelihoods. We are mobilising our members to take action.

The Life Source "We cannot view our energy needs in isolation from our environment. Altering the Severn's intertidal habitat is so risky. We have a moral and ethical obligation to ensure the best options for the natural environment are pursued. We should not consider out-dated technology which could impact on the Estuary on an unprecedented scale.

"Destroying the Severn Estuary - arguably the eighth natural wonder of the world - would be a deadly sin. We need your support to protect this unique place - join us and become a 'Severn Bore'!"

Join The Wildlife Trusts and become a 'Severn Bore':

Write to your MP - Express your concerns about taking the right decision, for the Estuary and people. Visit theyworkforyou.com
Join our campaign - Keep an eye on wildlifetrusts.org for news, developments and specific details of how to help
Volunteer - Give your time to help with this campaign if you are in Wales and the South West.
Enjoy the Estuary - And visit local nature reserves in the area.

Download our report on the Severn Estuary, Energy at any price?

Download our Severn Estuary leaflet for more information on our campaign!

Click below to view The Wildlife Trusts' three short films about the Severn:
Severn Estuary - Energy at any Price?
A portrait of the Severn Estuary
Uncovering the secrets of the Severn (with Nick Baker)

For more information, please contact:

Anna Guthrie, media & PR manager on 01636 670075 / 07887 754659 aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org
Tanya Perdikou, media & campaigns officer on 01636 670057 / 07887 754657 tperdikou@wildlifetrusts.org

Notes to editors:

The Severn Estuary and The Wildlife Trusts

There are 228 nature reserves, owned or managed by The Wildlife Trusts, in the region, totalling 3,450 hectares.
There are 17 Living Landscape schemes, covering 372,700 hectares (1,400square miles).
Up to 16 nature reserves would be directly affected by a barrage, seven of them on the banks of the river.

Surfing the Bore

About 80 times a year, the incoming tide and the Estuary's funnel-shape create the Severn Bore - and the chance to surf for more than six miles in fresh water.
The Severn Estuary has a 14 metre tidal range - the drop in height of the water from high tide to low tide - the second largest in the world.
The largest tidal range in the world, at 16 metres, occurs in the Bay of Fundy on the east coast of Canada.

Number crunching / Vital statistics

10,000,000 - estimated tonnes of sediment carried to the Estuary on a spring tide.
69,000 - visiting birds, sheltering from the Arctic winter or refuelling during migration.
24,700 - size in hectares of the Severn Estuary; one of the largest estuaries in Europe.
20,958 - extent in hectares of mud & sand flats, the fourth largest expanse in the UK.
5,000 - years for which there is evidence of sedimentation in the Estuary, an invaluable geomorphological and archaeological record.
1,500 - extent in hectares of rock, boulder, mussel/cobble scars, rocky pools and shingle.
1,400 - extent in hectares of saltmarsh, the largest expanse in the South West.
100+ species of fish found in the Estuary.
10 - species of commercial fish including herring, cod, plaice, sole, whiting, blue whiting, hake, horse mackerel, ling and saithe.

*known as the Severn Embryonic Technologies Scheme (SETS). As part of the Government's plan to harness the second largest tidal range in the world - at 14 metres - Decc undertook a feasibility study to assess 10 proposed options. These have now been reduced to five but which do not include those The Wildlife Trusts believe could be the least damaging environmentally. Instead these options, requiring further development and investigation could at a later stage be put back into the short-list - if they can be developed in time.
The Severn Estuary is recognised in UK, European and international law, much of the Estuary is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance) a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Head Office

376 High Street, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1YE
Telephone:01248 351541 Email: nwwt@wildlifetrustswales.org
Registered charity no.230772