Cringle Quarry Mitigation Works Proposal

Proposed mitigation works to compensate for the loss of wet and dry heath through the pending expansion of Cringle Quarry

Background

As the result of an application from the lessee (A V Craine & Sons Ltd) to extend Cringle Quarry, SLR Consulting Ltd (SLR) was employed by the Lessee to carry out an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA).

From the findings of the EcIA, it was decided that if approval for the extension were granted, a scheme of mitigation works had to be agreed between the Lessee and DAFF. These works would be to off-set the loss of habitat from the proposed extension.

It was decided at an early stage that the mitigation scheme should focus on three key factors that were highlighted in the EcIA.

a. The loss of internationally important moorland habitat – 75% of the world’s heather moorland is found in the British Isles. Large areas of moorland have been lost over the last century through cultivation and commercial forestry.

b. The loss of a known Red Grouse breeding and brood rearing territory – Red Grouse have suffered a serious decline on the Island since the mid 1970’s. This is thought to be due to a combination of loss and fragmentation of habitat, several poor breeding seasons and an increase in predation. However, in areas such as Cringle Great Park, the population has increased since its all time low and has now stabilised due to continued management of the heath by the Forestry Division’s shooting tenants - Yn Possan Lhiggey¹.

c. The loss of valuable wintering (and possible breeding) habitat for upland waders - species such as Snipe and Curlew have also suffered a large decline in numbers both locally and over much of their international range. This again is largely due to loss of habitat combined on occasion with inappropriate management of habitat.

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Possible mitigation schemes

The following options have been considered and investigated by this Department:

1. The clearance of failed forestry at Earystane, with the reinstatement of the underlying heath.

1. The clearance of failed forestry at Dreembeary and allowing the cleared area to revert to open heath.

1. The clearance of failed forestry at South Barrule Plantation allowing the cleared area to revert to open heath.

1. The conversion of nearby in-bye land (semi-improved grass land that was formerly heath) back to dry heath at Round Table Park.

1. The creation of upland wader scrapes and grouse brood rearing habitat in the southern uplands to compensate for the loss of similar habitat at Cringle Great Park.

1. The construction of a vehicular track to improve access to the southern side of South Barrule for heathland managers and the Fire and Rescue service.

Findings of the investigations into the above schemes

1. Earystane - This option was discussed but later dismissed. This was due to several factors including cost of works, loss of Short Eared Owl and Hen Harrier nesting habitat and the predominance of European gorse in the underlying heath.

1. The clearance of 67.5 acres of commercially planted conifers at Dreembeary could directly compensate for the loss of dry heath at Cringle Great Park. Dreembeary was open heathland until 1992 and was one of the last sites planted under the now defunct upland aforestation programme. The initial planting and continued maturation of the nursery crop (the cash crop has failed to grow sufficiently) is a potential barrier to the localised movements of Red Grouse and other moorland birds. Whilst this site is some distance from the Cringle Quarry, the proposed clearance work would reconnect the 350 acres of moorland at the ‘12 Shares’ with the much larger Central Hills ASSI and provide an open flight path for moorland birds (see enclosed map).

1. The removal of failed pine from a section of South Barrule plantation. This area would remain within the plantation’s perimeter, but would be managed in a similar manner to the neighbouring moorland and be of ecological benefit to the adjacent hill. (See

enclosed) map. This would be subject to ensuring that there are not significant ecology interests in retention, which is being ascertained.

1. The conversion of nearby in-bye land at Glen Rushen - This option was supported by the Forestry Division and the Wildlife and Conservation Office. Soil samples, maps, photographs and peat depth surveys were supplied to two off-Island specialists for consideration. However, only one of the two companies supplied a quote for the proposed works. Due to agricultural considerations, however, it was felt that it could not be readily pursued as a viable option.

1. The proposed expansion of the Quarry will directly result in the loss of important habitat for breeding Red Grouse and wintering waders such as Common and Jack Snipe. The creation of wet scrapes (small invertebrate-rich ponds) would create valuable Grouse brood rearing habitat, supply drinking spots during dry spells and increase feeding sites for waders. It may also be of benefit to create some larger pools that would provide valuable habitat and a source of water for fire fighting. After consulting with the Lessee, it was decided to employ the advisory services of The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) ². Hugo Straker from the GWCT made an advisory visit to the southern hills in July this year. Hugo was accompanied on his tour of the hills by Shaun Gelling and Dr. Peter McEvoy from DAFF. He also met with the Lessee on Cringle Great Park. The results of this advisory trip are enclosed.

1. Track access - This option was investigated in some detail and several potential routes were highlighted. However, after heavy rain in September, a decision was made to reject this option due to concerns over localised flooding meaning that a new track would likely exacerbate the issue as a plantation management concern.

The proposed mitigation plan

In order to quantify a fair value and extent of the proposed works, the value of the package of mitigation is based on the quoted overall cost to the Lessee (£23,281.60) for the restoration of Round Table Park (option 4) which was initially the favoured option. The aim has therefore been to put together a package to achieve that value, whilst also, of course, achieving the ecological benefits required to sufficiently mitigate the development of the Quarry.

All works would be carried out under the Department's guidance and at the appropriate time of year to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

It is proposed to pursue options 2, 3 and 5 as a scheme of mitigation as follows:-

In regard to option 5, the Lessee to provide around 10 days mini excavator and operator manpower to create, wet scrapes. It is envisaged that these scrapes would be spread over as wide an area of the southern hills as possible.

In regard to options 2 and 3 The Department would itself undertake to clear the two sites detailed in order to enable these sites to re-establish as heath and thereafter to be managed in a similar manner as adjacent heathland. This is subject to the Lessee providing benefit to the Department to a similar monetary value.

In order to facilitate the plantation at Dreembeary to be freed-up for restoration and in order to offset the Department manpower and necessary equipment purchase to undertake the clearance work for 2 and 3 as above, the Lessee is to provide a balance value of machinery and operator manpower and/or aggregate material which together with option 5 above would equate to a total contract of £23,281.60.

For calculation purposes, the hourly rates for machinery and operator would be taken as being an average commercial rate for the job at the time.

This machinery and operator manpower and/or aggregate would be made available by the Lessee over the following 3 years in order to complete appropriate tasks through reasonable mutual agreement with the Department. Activities are likely to include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• 360' excavator work and operator manpower to undertake ground preparation for replanting adjacent to dreembeary. This would enable replanting of nearby poor-quality plantation to compensate for the cleared sites;
• Forest roading improvement or creation works across the estate;
• Pond creation at Conrhenny.