The changes follow plans and projects at Guernsey Water, who are now working in partnership with a Biodiversity and Recreation Delivery Group, which includes representatives from numerous groups, such as Environment Guernsey, States Works and The Pollinator Project, who have developed biodiversity action plans for 10 Guernsey Water sites, including St Saviour’s Reservoir.
Further plans involve allowing recreational water-based activities at St Andrew’s reservoir.
Guernsey Water’s general manager Steve Langlois said it was a great opportunity to make use of the sites.
‘The primary purpose of our sites will always be to provide water and wastewater services,’ he said.
‘But we recognise the need to do more, so this gives us a great opportunity to promote biodiversity.
Some of the changes include a reduction in contracted cuttings of existing grassland areas and hedges, two habitats which have seen a substantial decline over the last 20 years as highlighted in the recently released 2018 Bailiwick habitat survey.
In addition, the new land management regime will also reduce the amount of herbicides used to a minimum, with the only permitted use being direct injection for the management of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed.
The utility advised that it hoped to conduct further biodiversity studies moving forward in order to monitor how changes were affecting biodiversity, as well as increasing the number of its sites with dedicated action plans.
Mr Langlois also added that opening up sites for water activities has potential in the near future.
‘Further down the line, where it works in harmony with our operations and the environment, it would be good to make even more use of the sites,’ he said.
‘We have fantastic assets like the Millennium Walk around St Saviour’s Reservoir, which opened in 2001, with a 3km-long nature trail enabling the public to enjoy the environment and wildlife that surround the reservoir and we’re looking to do more with that.
‘We’re still in discussions, but we think the possibility of opening up further sites for access for schools to do kayaking and abseiling would be brilliant.’
You need to be logged in to comment.