The next year’ project is Highland Water, the stretch from Queen Meadow to near Queen Bower, which was obviously straightened previously. The proposed course will follow the original path through Queen Meadow.
Ruth tells me that Natural England has made it plain in its recent health check report that the wetland restoration projects in the forest over the next nine years are critical to the success of the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme as a whole. The proposals planned for 2011 included Latchmore and Ditchend Brooks, (presumably these will now occur in 2012). By the end of the scheme it is anticipated that up to £7m will have been spent on restoring areas of the open forest. I believe most of the money came from Europe
Marlene & I recently had the opportunity to attend a walk and talk given by Sarah Oakley, on the work involved in carrying out the wetland project mentioned above. Sarah is an ecologist, employed by the Forestry Commission and is very much involved in planning and supervising the work.
The walk was over Ditchend and we were amazed at the amount of preliminary work to be done before cutting the new course can begin. Ditchend involved more work than usual as it was previously part of the WWII bombing range. That ground had to be scanned for unexploded bombs and other ordnance. Those found (and there were some bombs) had then to be removed and made safe.
It is then scanned for flora & fauna that may be at risk or endangered. Any found have to have an action plan developed. Vegetation that is not to be disturbed is marked.
The proposed route of the stream can now be marked, keeping as near as possible to its original course, as shown on old maps and marks on the ground. Access routes for equipment and storage areas are surveyed and marked out.
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Any materials used in ‘in-fill’ (usually involving clay and gravel) have to be compatible with similar materials already found in the forest. An ‘audit trail’ is established so that material used at any one place can be traced back to the supplier.
After that work can start!
ECOMONIC SITUATION PUTS PONIES AT RISK
There are fears for the future of New Forest ponies after the financial crisis caused prices to plummet at auction
Fees paid for the animals at the regular pony sales in the park have fallen to £10. Forty ponies failed to meet their reserve price of £10.50 and they were sent back to their breeders. It costs the owners more than this to release them onto the Forest. The lack of demand has prompted the officials who run the forest to cut the number of new foals next year to about 100 from about 500. (One wonders how they can control this)
Richard Stride, who is a commoner, said: "The prices are very, very low. Buyers are realising they cannot afford to keep their ponies."
Based on an article in the Times and supplied by Ruth
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