Update on HEAT’s River Brett project

HEAT River Project Meeting – 24th Februar 22

Summary/Overview

Paul Hogger has been leading the HEAT River subgroup for 12 months, which is continuing to develop a programme of monitoring aspects of the river that will build a view of the “health” of the river, working with a team of volunteers from the town. They are looking to build a picture “upstream” and “downstream” by developing partnerships with other groups, to learn from each other, be trained on standard nationwide monitoring techniques, avoid duplication with other groups and create a tangible monitoring plan for 2022 that may then lead to some river restoration activity.

On Thursday 24th February 2022, Paul Hogger chaired a HEAT meeting, drawing together a wide-ranging group of specialists, stake holders and local people who care about the wellbeing of our River Brett. The meeting was to help build communication with like-minded people who can support HEAT’s objective to promoting and encouraging the biodiversity associated with the River Brett, while considering all parties that enjoy and use the Brett. The hope is that we can build an improvement action plans for  the River Brett and the River Stour catchment areas.

The speakers on the evening were:  Steve Farthing (Hadleigh Angling Club), Will Akast (Environmental Agency), Dan Mills (an ecologist with the Environmental Agency), Josie McSherry (Affinity Water), Paul Roberts (a trustee from The Essex and Suffolk River Trust), Ian Hawkins (The Riverfly Partnership).

Other guests: Keith Marsland – Hadleigh Sea Scouts. Fiona Wells – Facilitator & Conservation Advisor for Stour Valley Farmers Cluster. John Hall, Rachael Hurst & Sarah Smith – PACE (a similar group to HEAT based in Manningtree). In addition some 20 members of HEAT took part.

Paul leads the HEAT River subgroup which is developing a programme of monitoring aspects of the river that will build a view of the health of the river, working with a team of volunteers from the town. They are looking to build a picture both upstream and downstream of Hadleigh itself by developing partnerships with other groups, to learn from each other, be trained on standard nationwide monitoring techniques, and create a tangible monitoring plan for 2022 that then leads to some river restoration activity.

The overarching objective is to promote and encourage the biodiversity associated with the River Brett. Key points from the speakers were:

·         A review of the history of the Hadleigh Angling club, changes that have been noted in fish population, the environmental improvement activities that the angling club have supported in the past, and their future thoughts.

·         We need to restore the river as human interference has affected the water quality and quantity impacting on river habitat and river ecology.

·         There are many landowners whose actions affect the river. The EA are working with them to improve habitats and reconnect rivers to flood plains. Tree planting along the banks increases habitat diversity, stabilises banks and provides shade to keep river water cool and suppress the growth of aquatic vegetation.

·         The EA monitors the ecology of rivers but there is a need for more local monitoring. The more ‘eyes on the river’ the better to identify where restoration measures may be most needed.

·         Affinity Water works with local groups to combat Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) including giant hogweed and Himalayan Balsam. Whilst being attractive to bees, they can dominate riverbanks, out-compete native plants and when the plants die in winter, they leave the banks bare and vulnerable to erosion. Signal crayfish are also invasive and have been found in the Brett. Effective control methods are still being researched.

·         The Rivers Trust stresses the need for collaborative working between different groups as all the issues are connected. Working together can amplify efforts and we should all share what we are doing

·         The Environmental Agency and the Natural History Museum have developed a Citizen Science project where participating groups can trigger investigations into breaches. These trigger levels are set by ecologists for each site.

What next?

·         We have 10 HEAT volunteers who being trained on invertebrate (water quality ) monitoring. They will carry out monthly sampling at 4 points on the River Brett

·         We are using the funds from Hadleigh Town Council for this training and to buy meters to monitor sewage outflows

·         We will conduct surveys along the Brett to identify areas for restoration

·         The stakeholder forum will meet on a monthly basis to support HEAT’s river activities

·         Develop a plan for the removal of Himalayan Balsam along the Brett