Dredged sediment project in the Blackwater Estuary - Jim Pullen
Recycling sediment to create wildlife habitats
Currently, less than 1% of dredged sediment from the UK's estuaries are utilised for anything other than being disposed at sea.
As ports and harbours are busy channels, they are often in need of maintenance. The sediment that builds up in these channels is removed (dredged) and disposed of at sea. However, these banks of sand and gravel could be more useful and actually recycled for wildlife - and that's where we come in.
How can dredged sediment help wildlife in Essex?
Essex Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Harwich Haven Authority and working together to do more for wildlife and coastal communities.
Thanks to a £25-million programme funded by the Environment Agency, these key partners have joined together to deliver the Blackwater Estuary Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment (BUDS) National Flood Management Project - but we'll call it BUDS for short.
When Harwich Haven Authority dredge their channels, we're going to use this material to build up sand banks in the Blackwater Estuary. These will act as coastal buffers for flooding and mitigate erosion. They also make the perfect place for beach-nesting birds like ringed plover and little terns to nest upon.
Little Tern with chick
Photo: Margaret Holland
Our mission
Through this project, we'll protect 25km of coastal flood defence, 406 hectares of coastal flood plain grazing marsh and 240 hectares of coastal saltmarsh. It will also help protect 289 residential and commercial properties in Tollesbury, Salcott and West Mersea.
