Severn Barrage would decimate wildlife, conservationists warn
Damming the Severn Estuary to harness its tidal power would have a devastating impact on life in the area, conservationists have warned.
They say it would affect everything from wildlife to cultural events like surfing today’s Severn bore.
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An artist's impression of the proposed new barrage
The Wildlife Trusts were launching a report today urging the Government to investigate the possibility of more innovative energy schemes to produce green electricity from the Severn.
The trusts warned against considering “out-dated technology” that could see a 10-mile wide barrage built across the estuary, which could have an unprecedented impact on the area.
The conservation groups made their call as surfers prepared to catch the highest Severn bore surge wave of the year, which could crest at more than 5.4 metres (17.7ft) in the estuary.
According to the Wildlife Trusts, the estuary current provides a haven for young fish stocks, has transport and trading links through its ports and is a site for recreation for many people.
It was a “unique and incredibly rich” environment for wildlife, the Wildlife Trusts’ vice president, Nick Baker, said.
From tiny life forms in the mud to huge flocks of wading birds, the estuary’s mudflats, salt marshes and other habitats were home to a wide array of wildlife and were protected by UK, EU and international law.
The trusts warn that damming the estuary – which has the second-highest tidal range in the world – with a barrage that could meet five per cent of the UK’s electricity needs would destroy its habitat.
Joan Edwards, head of the living seas campaign for the Wildlife Trusts, said: “It is no exaggeration to say the Severn Estuary is an irreplaceable part of the UK’s natural heritage.
“We cannot view our energy needs in isolation from our environment. Altering the Severn’s intertidal habitat is so risky.
“We have a moral and ethical obligation to ensure the best options for the natural environment are pursued. We should not consider out-dated technology which could impact on the estuary on an unprecedented scale.”
The Government revived the possibility of building a barrage in the estuary as part of efforts to source energy from green power and cut the UK’s carbon emissions.
It is conducting feasibility studies into the five short-listed proposals for tidal power projects in the estuary, after which they will go out to a second public consultation.
The Wildlife Trusts are urging people who are concerned about the future of the estuary to join their campaign and volunteer for it if they live locally, write to their MP and visit the local nature reserves around the area.
A Department of Energy and Climate Change spokesman said: “The Government is currently carrying out a two-year feasibility study into whether it could support a tidal power project in the Severn Estuary.
“A tidal power scheme could generate up to five per cent of the UK’s electricity – as much renewable electricity as we produced in 2008 across all renewable technologies.
“However, we need to understand the impacts, costs and the benefits before concluding whether a scheme would be a good idea.”
13 Comments
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by Mark, Minsterworth
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:15PM
“We need renewable energy. However, the barrage is not the best way to harness the power of the tides. Tidal flow turbines can be used in the Severn estuary, and in many other places around the British coastline.”
by David, Gloucester
Thursday, March 04 2010, 9:45PM
“"Severn Barrage would decimate wildlife, conservationists warn"
- I'd say whoever wrote that is killing our language. "Decimate" means, properly, cut by one tenth...”
by Peter, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 8:34AM
“Severn Bore ; you can disagree all you like but at the rate mankind is killing species it will not be long before there are no animals left anywhere. The best thing that could happen to the world would be for a plague to wipe out 99.999% of people and allow the world to recover from mans devastation. One can only hope.”
by Ian, Cheltenham
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 1:09PM
“As several posters here have stated, the wildlife will adapt or die. Much like the wildlife has adapted when we continue to cut down rain forests and drain wetlands. Sorry, didnt mean to say adapted, I meant to say died. How arrogant of us to destroy hundreds of species just so we can build a roadway to Wales and dress it up as an environmentally friendly power source.”
by Quedgeley Guy, Quedgeley
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 12:24PM
“There are better ways to extract energy from the River Severn than using a Dam.
The Powers that be know this and I hope that they act accordingly for the benefit of the wildlife as well as our benefit.
Many a mickle is definitely better than a muckle in the form of a dam.”
by Severn Bore, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 10:01AM
“I disagree with Peter - life will survive on Earth after Mankind has gone. What's important is that life survives, not necessarily human life. We may make the environment hostile to Man, but it will always support some form of life which can then continue.
Andy is spot on - Nature adapts brilliantly through climate upheavals, rises and falls in sea level, and all the other apparent catastophes which Man bleats about not being able to control. Species come and go - 99% of all the species which have ever existed have already gone extinct. Maybe after the pandas it'll be us.
My money's on the cockroaches to survive. Who knows, in another two hundred million years they may unearth this edition of TiG and have a good laugh at our expense - or at least what passes for a laugh in a world dominated by intelligent six-foot beetles.”
by Barrage fan, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 9:55AM
“The Pentagon now rates climate change as the number one threat to humanity.
I guess that "Severn Bore" and others like him/her think it's staffed by wooly minded liberals?”
by Jude, FOD
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 9:51AM
“The highest tide of the year today and has anyone seen how many cars are parked along the A48 ? These people come from afar to see a truly great wonder of our County. We would lose a great tourist attraction and the harm the barrage would do to the wildlife, flora and fauna would far outway the benefits. How about wind turbines instead?”
by Severn Bore, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 9:49AM
“Oh no, not another "rising sea level" gloom-monger!
Sea level rise has been grossly exaggerated by people with vested interests such as the carbon-trading billionaire Al Gore and the recipient of EU grant money, IPCC chairman and railway engineer Rajendra Pachauri, keep ypou mind open - if you dare - and read some of the counter-arguments to their claims on the Science and Public Policy Institute Web site.”
by andy, Glos
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 9:34AM
“The conservationists will never be happy until we live in caves again. They all wanted solar power and wind power until it arrived in their back garden, now it spoils their view. 'Cultural events' such as surfing the bore are more important than supplying energy to homes......
The birds won't give a damn as they will adapt more readily than the unimaginative green brigade.”