Halvergate Partnership Terms of Reference

Scope

The Lower Bure, Halvergate Fleet and Marshes Drainage District extends to some 4,300 hectares of land and is surrounded by the Main River networks of the , Yare & Breydon Water. Flood embankments bound the perimeter to the North, East & South and upland rises up to approximately 15m above sea level to the West. This low- lying area rests within National Park and is drained by 7 pumps. SSSI (1432 ha), which is part of the SPA, the Broads SAC, the Broadland RAMSAR, is an internationally important wildlife site, and collectively is the largest expanse of traditionally managed grazing marshes in Broadland. The benefit area is covered by the Lower Bure, Halvergate Fleet & Acle Marshes Water Level Management Plan, and is part of the National Water Level Management Plan delivery Programme.

Land use is made up of predominantly grazing marsh, 180 ha fen carr and woodland, and some arable, with the remaining 130 ha being roads, railways, residential dwellings and agricultural holdings. The Berney Marshes RSPB reserve is situated within Halvergate Marshes. There are virtually no hedges, conventional fences or water troughs, therefore use of the land for grazing requires retention of sufficient water in the open ditches for wet fencing and livestock drinking.

Objectives

Due to the critical importance of managing and sustaining this protected habitat, the Broads Internal Drainage Board (IDB) as the Operating Authority has formed the Halvergate Steering Group. Key stakeholders are represented on the panel including Landowners, RSPB, business stakeholders; public bodies including the Environment Agency, Natural , Broads Authority, Broads IDB Members and representatives from the National Farmers Union. The aim of the group is to ensure that the often conflicting business activities, be it livestock management, arable farming or tourist/amenity activities supporting the rural economy are voiced and balanced against significant environmental issues that need resolving.

Success

The aim of the Halvergate Steering Group collectively, is to recognise the importance of the existing land use for food production working with landowners and wider stakeholders to develop and engineer features that can reduce the risk of flooding to people and property, improve water corridor for wildlife and achieve the best possible water level management regime across the whole of the district. This will result in sustained land productivity while improving water storage & transfer, water quality and water level management. This will enable the SSSI to recover and be maintained at its full potential, restoring the natural habitats and species of community interest to a favourable conservation status. Resilience will be inherent in the design; adaptable in light of future predictions of climate change.

A key outcome will be an adopted management plan to enable stakeholders to manage landholdings to their maximum potential.