At Cayton we have encountered some delays and additional work for HLS wader scrape excavation in lowland peats where there is deemed to be a potential for archaeology. Whilst being careful to locate well away from known Historic Envt Record features and making efforts to consult local expert opinion, the local concensus was that a Watching Brief was still required during the entire operation. Eg For 60 shallow scrapes across 77ha, totalling around 2ha this has added substantially to costs and time in 2010.

Out of general interest and a heads up for anybody planning restoration works on peatlands which are SSSIs or SACs and require licenced felling works. Be aware of the EIA (Forestry) Regs 1999, as the FC has a zero threshold on these sites and requires various scoping/screening processes to be done in order to establish if an Environmental Statement has to be written. Be very aware of this as can add considerable time to project proposals and when felling licences are actually approved (therefore implications to timing of works on the ground).

Has anybody had any/doing any survey/monitoring of reptiles on retoration sites? In particular adders, common lizards, slow worm. Looking for other sites to compare data, impact on restoration works prior to commencing restoration work on lowland raised mire, Drumburgh Moss.

Anyone tried this? I read of a project in Japan that did. A plastic damp-proof course was installed in a narrow trench and backfilled.

I'm keen to try it for post-forestry bog restoration on sites so severely dried that damming ditches is not enough. Idea is to install the membrane in a ring, following the contours. Further rings could be added.

Problems I foresee are how to install, how to join lengths of membrane, expansion problems, erosion at low points and burrowing animals with sharp teeth.

Could it work? Thoughts or experience welcome.

Has anyone built any dams/ditch blocks of any kind recently on common land? If so, did you consider section 38 of the Commons Act 2006? I would be interested to know whether you obtained advice from the Planning Inspectorate or legal advice of any kind, and if so what it was. If you considered that the dams are exempt, I would be interested to know that, too. Thanks.

Hi all,

We always specify that vehicles, if allowed, should be low ground pressure.
Has anyone got any background for using low-ground pressure vehicles on deep-peat?

What are people specifying as low-ground pressure and how have you come to these conclusions?

Does anyone know of any academic work that has been undertaken to assess the impact of vehicles on deep peat?

Cheers,
Matt

Does anyone know of any bog restoration projects in Northern Ireland that have involved clearing forestry plantations?

I'd be interested to hear about any.

Dear all,

I'm trying to collate information on the costs of restoring moorland / heathland wildfire sites in the UK for a review I'm carrying out of this subject. If anyone can provide me with such information I'd be very happy to hear from you. You would, of course, be duely acknowledged for your help / contribution.

If you require any further information on the project please contact me.

Many thanks in advance,

Jon Walker

Dr Jonathan Walker
Research Manager

Moors for the Future Partnership
The Moorland Centre, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZA, UK

Can anyone suggest possible sources to fund restoration of afforested peat bogs by cash-strapped owners such as community woodland groups?

The UK Committee of the International Peat Society is holding a convention in Belfast on 24-26 April 2009. The 24th is an excursion, the 25th a seminar and workshop on 'Peatland restoration in the British Isles and Southeast Asia' and the 26th is mostly devoted to IPS activities. The event is open to anyone, not just IPS members. More info on www.peatsociety.org