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| Species |
| (s) = short list |
(m) = middle list |
(l) = long list |
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- Characteristic plant community:
River Water Crowfoot (l)
Starworts
Watercress
Lesser Water Parsnip
- Rich diversity of invertebrate life supporting:
Brown Trout
Salmon (l)
Brook Lamprey (l)
Crayfish (s)
Otters (s)
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Examples of action required when Key Habitat is close
to proposed mineral working site |
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- Must ensure that working of chalk quarries near chalk rivers does not jeopardise flow due to lowering of the water table. No artificial techniques should be undertaken on the river itself to reduce such problems.
- All action taken to protect the rivers should be restricted to the mineral extraction site or between the extraction site and the river.
- Artificial measures to counter loss of ground water such as sealing the bed of the stream can themselves have negative ecological effects.
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| Opportunities during extraction |
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- If near to chalk rivers, otters could be using the area delineated for extraction. Care should be taken not to disturb them.
- Both ground water levels and ground water quality should be maintained. Pollution with fines / silts would damage this habitat very quickly.
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| Opportunities for action before and after extraction |
- Unlikely that chalk rivers can be introduced into worked areas unless by lowering water levels, the water table / aquifers are exposed, and rivers / streams created through bottom of quarries.
- Possibilities should be researched, but effect on aquifers and other streams taken into account.
- Opportunities in restoration plan should be sought to offer habitat for the otter.
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