Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

A cursory look at the rationale driving

watercourse management

in Derby.

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Why Bother

• Heritage – Should it worry us

• Achievement – Will anyone notice

• Sustainability – Does it make a difference

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Plan of whole catchment

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Detail of Area Considered

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

What can be done

• Do Nothing –

Works already done,

minimise further

disturbance of nature,

allow natural ecology to

find balance.

• Do minimum –

Prevent flooding, do not

allow situation to worsen

• Do something –

Carry out regular

assessment, remove

degradation, provide

regular maintenance,

restore and improve as

deterioration takes place.

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Who can do it • Riparian Owner • Incentives needed - Why should they other than personal

satisfaction

• Finance – Regularly limited by funds available

• Economics – Large schemes on private land crippling for

individual

• Time – Insufficient available to dedicate to large operation

• Energy – Sheer effort required can be beyond most

individuals

• Skill – Protected Species may be involved

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Induced flood potential through lack of understanding

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Who Else could do it

• Ecological Groups (Do Gooders) • Unable to be there at correct or required time

• Cost limitations with finances frequently limited

• Skills – often marginal or not across board to give needed

input

• H&S Considerations – Often unable to be met through

group structure

• Specialisation – Often required to take further advice

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Balsam Bash

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

How About Public Body

• Incentive – Public Duty and practical duties

• Finances – Public purse & grant allowance where available

• Time – Not restricted to part time or availability of

disparate groups

• Skills – Trained specialist staff used to carrying out similar

functions

• H&S requirements – Formal contracts using known &

approved formulae with compliance contractors

• Specialisation – Availability to divide work into specific

disciplines to suit requirements

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

Current proposals

Ian Frearson Land Drainage & Flood

Defence Manager

How Do We Do It

• Think Big – Whole problem not just part of it

• Think CAMP – Consider whole catchment not

solely area directly affected

• Think Long – Approach scheme with a view to

long term benefit (125 years design life for

structures)

• Think Others – Remember that actions taken now

may not affect environment for some years