Conservation
The Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board are involved in The Lower Derwent Project. In partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England, Yorkshire Water, The Ouse and Derwent IDB and the Wilberfoss and Thornton Level Drainage Board, the project has concentrated on the sustainable management of the Lower Derwent Valley in Yorkshire.
The project was established in response to concerns about the future of the nationally and internationally important river and flood meadow (or ings) habitats. A computer model package was used to simulate river flow, water level and velocity. An ecological model was developed based on the selection of ecological indicator habitats and species. The indicators chosen were species or communities well known to require a particular water regime and ones which had reasonable data available on their ecology and status in the Lower Derwent Valley.
A management plan has been produced for the Lower Derwent Valley for the period 2005-2010. The plan marks the finish of the Lower Derwent Project. However, the project partners will meet annually to review progress and make any adjustments needed to the plan.
Biodiversity Action Plan
The Lower Ouse IDB and the Market Weighton Drainage Board have prepared a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)for the Ouse and Humber Strategic Sub-catchment Area. This document has been developed in accordance with the commitment in the Implementation Plan of the DEFRA Internal Drainage Board Review for IDBs to produce their own Biodiversity Action Plans by April 2010.
It is hoped that this Biodiversity Action Plan will help the us to maximise the biodiversity benefits from our activities and demonstrate our contribution to the Government's UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
Along with the Market Weighton Drainage Board, we have adopted the Biodiversity Action Plan as one of our policies and we are committed to its implementation. We will review the plan periodically and update it as appropriate.
Download: Ouse and Humber Strategic Subcatchment Area Biodiversity Action Plan (Adobe PDF - 2.45 MB)
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