The OnTrent Initiative

1. The OnTrent Initiative Ruth Needham OnTrent Project Manager

2. The OnTrent Vision ‘A Trent floodplain rich in wildlife habitats, landscape and historic features, for the benefit of all, both now and in the future’

3. Trent facts • 274km long • Flows through 3 Region and 21districts • 92% of Trent floodplain is managed for agriculture. Dominant land use grassland upstream changing to more arable in lower reaches. • Heavily modified landscape. • 953km2 of natural floodplain, majority protected by flood banks.

4. How is OnTrent delivered? Raising awareness Projects Policy OnTrent Forum Seminars Training Leaflets Trent Valley Habitat Pack Trent Vale Landscape Partnership SPARC Wet woodlands, Trent River Park, Trent Fisheries. Trent Valley Way Baseline Study Action Program LDF Water Framework Directive Agriculture Flood Management Minerals

6. Agriculture and land use • 9.8% of Trent floodplain in CSS • Few incorporate significant wetland • Uncertain landscape benefits • OnTrent objectives recognised in HL targeting statements • Budgetary constraints • Priority Habitats.

7. OnTrent Priority Habitats

8. Flood management on the Trent • 160km2 area inundated during a severe flood • Heavily modified catchment, resulting in artificially fast flows, increased flows from River Tame • 15,000 properties in the floodplain • OnTrent encouraging EA/Defra to develop flood risk on the Trent more closely linked to land management.1) Changes in land use 2) Flood bank realignment 3) Storage areas.

11. 30 mineral sites on the Trent Long future on the Trent QPA promoting BAP for each site Restoration objectives Mineral restoration

12. Improve biodiversity and a range of habitat-types while avoiding issues associated with bird-strike, e.g. promote wet woodland at the margins of workings. Retain, replace or reinforce traditional floodplain landscape features e.g. wetlands, trees and hedgerows. Create OnTrent priority habitats. Protect and conserve archaeological remains including palaeochannels and alluvial deposits, and maintain historic landscape character wherever possible. If there is no alternative to its destruction, ensure an appropriate record is made of any archaeology, and that landscape restoration is in keeping with historic landscape character. Increase diversity in the design of restoration schemes along the river through a more holistic approach e.g. reconnection to the main river or creation of a braided-river where feasible and establishment of wet grassland. Accommodate sustainable responses to flood risk through the creation of wetlands and washlands, and the managed realignment of the river, where feasible. Improve opportunities for sustainable public access, principally walking and cycling but also provision for limited ability and horse-riding as appropriate. Allow for an appropriate mix of other recreational uses e.g. angling, bird-watching and water-sports. Support interpretation of the natural and historic environment. Involve the local community where appropriate. OnTrent encourage restoration schemes that:

13. In Summary • Large range of organisations influencing the Trent landscape. • OnTrent generating increased awareness of opportunities for floodplain restoration with associated benefits. • Site based projects developing • Still a long way to go!