Lagoon and Reedbed Conservation inc August 2018 Doc









        CROMWELL BOTTOM LOCAL NATURE RESERVE:
        LAGOON AND REEDBED CONSERVATION PROJECT

Introduction
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group and Calderdale Council are working in collaboration to facilitate the conservation and enhancement of the lagoon and associated reedbed. Members of this partnership are very mindful of the ecological importance and the aesthetic value of the site. (For example, this is the only large reedbed located within Calderdale.)

Why conservation work is needed
·     Reed beds, if left undisturbed, are impermanent, and undergo a natural succession from open water, through progressively drier reed bed, to scrub.
·       Ultimately, they dry out completely and become broadleaved woodland.
·      At Cromwell Bottom it is evident that the area of open water is decreasing, that the reed bed is drying out, and that the area of scrub is increasing.

How the conservation work is undertaken
·      The methods traditionally used to rehabilitate reed beds are to grub out some or all of the scrub and to lower the reed bed, and/or to raise the water level.
·     The proposal for Cromwell Bottom is to use a combination of these methods; the works to be carried out in phases as funding becomes available.
·       New and improved viewing areas will also be developed.

How the work has been planned
·    Members of the partnership have liaised extensively with individuals and organisations that possess appropriate expertise. For example, in 2017 the Council commissioned an invertebrate survey of the lagoon basin and the wet woodland lying immediately west of the basin.

The proposed first phase of the work
·      It is proposed that Phase 1 of the work should be to grub out most, or possibly all of the scrub located at the northern end of the lagoon basin, and to create open water with islands at this location.
·      The work, involving the use of an excavator, would be carried out by professionals who have expertise in working on nature reserves.
·     Help by volunteers, particularly with the creation of the final structure of the islands, would also be very welcome.
·       It is proposed that this phase would be carried out in late September or October 2018.

What to do if you would like further information, want to ask specific questions, or wish to comment on the proposal
Please contact members of the partnership before 04/09/2018 using one of the following e-mail addresses:   
 countryside@calderdale.gov.uk                                             cromwell.reedbed@gmail.com

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