Passionate groups have come to together to help save one of UK’s most important ecological sites where rising temperatures and pollution levels are threatening the habitats of wildlife.
Representatives from conservation, farming and other industries have been taking action individually to try and improve the health of the River Deben for some time, but now for the first time have linked up to create a joined-up plan to help improve the quality of the river under the name of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership.
The group is launching an action plan on Tuesday (14th May) heralding the start of major change for the river and estuary called Recovering the Deben – From Source to Sea.
Dr. Helen Dangerfield Director at Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, who is co-ordinating action on behalf of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership, said: “I am delighted we have been able to establish this initiative. For a long time, so many passionate groups have been working on their own to assist the recovery of the Deben, but together we are so much stronger.
“At the moment, just 11 per cent of the river is meeting ecological standards – that isn’t good enough and is threatening the habitats of many animals who rely on the river.
“Doing nothing is not an option and we are all desperate to see the river and estuary in recovery.”
Fish species recorded in the Deben include brown trout, eels, brook lamprey and bullhead, but all are at risk due to the condition of the water. The waterbirds found in the Deben estuary also face an uncertain future.
The estuary is internationally recognised as being important for its birds and habitats. Polluted water from land and roads and sewage, the developing climate catastrophe and unfavourable human modifications have combined to push this special river and estuary to its limits. Recent flooding and water quality issues affect many who live and work in the area.
Speaking in the House of Commons last Thursday, Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey has backed the group’s plans and asked Environment Secretary Steve Barclay to increase Government funding to the project to help supercharge the work they can do in Parliament last week.
Water Minister Robbie Moore has backed the initiative.
He said: “The River Deben catchment, recognised as a Site of the Special Scientific Interest, is of fundamental importance to businesses, communities and wildlife across Suffolk.
“Following our successful roundtable held last August, the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership has developed an ambitious plan to improve the River Deben and its surrounding environment.
I welcome the action plan being developed by the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership to continue to drive improvements on the iconic River Deben.”
A spokesperson for The Upper Deben Farm Cluster said: “We are pleased to have the expertise offered from this partnership to help form a catchment wide plan that will enable farmers and landowners in our area to be part of a project that will deliver landscape scale benefits for all those who depend upon the river Deben whilst providing more habitat for nature.”
Anna Beames, CEO of Suffolk Farming Wildlife & Wildlife Advisory Group added: “We embrace this valuable opportunity to actively work with farmers and landowners throughout the Deben catchment – demonstrating the positive role of agriculture in effecting change towards more healthy and vital land use.”
The River Deben Association commented said: “The RDA is pleased to be involved in ‘Recovering the Deben From Source to Sea’ project as it is only through the activities and involvement of the catchment community that the plan can become reality.”
Rob Collins, Rivers Trust added: “Collaborative partnership working is absolutely vital to bring about the transformation our rivers and estuaries desperately need, so it is encouraging to see local organisations and individuals in the Deben catchment coming together for long-term, sustainable change. The Deben is such a significant river for communities across East Suffolk, and has a wider ecological importance in feeding a Ramsar wetland, that supports internationally important flora and fauna”.
Residents in the Deben catchment are invited to have their say on the plan via an online survey at www.essexsuffolkriverstrust.org/recovering-the-deben-get-involved
More information about the Recovering the Deben From Source to Sea project, including the recovery action plan can be found on the ESRT website: www.essexsuffolkriverstrust.org/recovering-the-deben