The Environmental Land Rehabilitation of Blackpool China Clay Pit - Essay Example

?Landscape Architecture Consultancy A Proposal for the Environmental Land Rehabilitation of Blackpool China Clay Pit in St Austell, Cornwall Preparedfor: Cornwall County Council Surname FirstNameInitial 2012. A Proposal for the Environmental Land Rehabilitation of Blackpool China Clay Pit in St Austell, Cornwall. Landscape Architecture Consultancy Report: 2012/05. pp 29. Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Methodology 3 1.1 Project Context 3 1.2 Area of Operation 5 1.3 Scope of Work 7 1.4 Methodology 8 2. Existing Environment 10 2.1 Vegetation Types 10 2.2 Vegetation Condition 10 2.3 Faunal Habitat 10 2.4 Floral Species 12 3. Legal Requirements, Commitments and Funding Sources 15 3.1 Legal Requirements 15 3.2 Proposed Commitments 15 3.3 Possible Funding Sources 16 4. Environmental Rehabilitation Process and Its 17 4.1 Proposed Landscape Rehabilitation and Habitat Creation 17 4.1.1 Lay-out of Proposed Sites 24 4.2 Proposed Visitor Pathway Sites in Rehabilitated Lands 24 4.2.1 Lay-out of Proposed Visitor Pathway Sites 25 5. Adopting Conservation Strategies with Anthropogenic Benefits in Rehabilitated Sites 26 5.1 Application of Ecological Principles in Landscape Design 26 5.2 Impartation of Environmental Awareness and Appreciation to Visitors 26 5.3 Balancing Conservation Objectives with Human Use 26 6. Post Rehabilitation Phase Monitoring and Management 28 6.1 Faunal Population and Habitat 28 6.2 Flora / Vegetation Monitoring 28 7. References 29 1. Introduction and Methodology 1.1 Project Context Since the discovery of china clay deposits in Cornwall in 1746 by William Cookworthy, tons of china clay has been extracted thereby massively growing the kaolin industry (China Clay Mining 2012). During the recent years, the use of china clay has majorly evolved from ceramics to paper, with some by-products such as paint, rubber, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cork and agricultural products (China Clay Mining 2012). Furthermore, the china clay mining area has been dominated by terraced flat-topped tips and older conical waste heaps in the flooded extraction pits. The landscape that has formed in over 250 years is still unstable accounted to the continuous mining activities like digging of pits and dumping of waste. Re-colonisation has been observed in some of the old conical tips but the new terraced tips seemed to adapt well likely because of the non-native grass seed mix that had been applied in the area (Landscape Rehabilitation 2012). The southern end of Cornwall china clay extraction area is where the Blackpool tip and pit site is located (see Figures 1,2&3). It is proximal to St Austell and Wheal Martyn china clay museum. This vast property is owned by Imerys, renowned as the world’s leading company in china clay extraction (Landscape Rehabilitation 2012). Figure 1. Map of Cornwall, United Kingdom (Google Earth 2012) Figure 2. City Map of St Austell and Blackpool China Clay Pit, Cornwall, UK (Cornwall Highstreet2 2012) Figure 3. Picture Map of St Austell and Blackpool China Clay Pit, Cornwall, UK (Google Earth 2012) Recently towards the end of November 2007, Imerys has stopped using the Blackpool working area and have instead affirmed its intention for Blackpool to be restored into a productive landscape like a traditional Cornish landscape. Imerys became interested in working with the local council for this land rehabilitation project, in favour of the local community and potential visitors. This decision made by Imerys posed significant benefits to the local residents especially the 200 workers who had lost their jobs when the china clay extraction operations ceased. Therefore, in response to Imerys’ interest for a land rehabilitation project in Blackpool China Clay Site, Landscape Architecture Consultancy dispatched a group of surveyors to conduct a preliminary assessment of the target area last April 2011. The objective was to provide a status report on Blackpool china clay pit to enable the completion of this proposal to do environmental rehabilitation in the study site. This report addresses the terminology “rehabilitation” synonymously with “restoration” and “reclamation”. The terms “rehabilitation” and “rehabilitated” were frequently used. 1.2 Area of Operation The Blackpool china clay site is about 250 ha (620) acres in area. The land currently consists of excavations and large terraced, flat-topped waste tips (see Figure 4&5). The excavations are filled with water as of the writing of this report. There are old conical tips that were observed to have re-colonised naturally. However, the application of hydroseeding techniques enabled the growth of non-native grass seed mix in the terraced tips. Figure 4. Map focusing Blackpool China Clay Pit, Cornwall, UK (Google Earth 2012) Figure 5. Blackpool China Clay Pit disused lands 1.3 Scope of Work The scope of this Environmental Rehabilitation Proposal for the Blackpool China Clay Pit in St Austen, Cornwall aims to provide: a description of the existing faunal and floral diversity composition within the project area; a description of the legal and statutory requirements associated with the land rehabilitation process; a proposed management plan for the land rehabilitation of the china clay extraction site into a sustainable ecological – tourism site; a proposed strategic plan on the rehabilitation process of the china clay extraction site so the site can achieve its soil foundation stability; and a proposed working group plan on the involvement of the local community in the rehabilitation process of china clay extraction site; The proposed rehabilitated Blackpool china clay site is intended for the creation of a wildlife sanctuary and ecological-tourism park that will house the already existing species and also the potential species that may contribute to a more productive and healthy environment within the site. The rehabilitated site also intends to provide environmental education and conservation participation to the local community and visitors by providing leisure amenities that will be made available through the designated visitor areas within the site. Through this objective, the local community is also aimed to be provided with employment and micro-business opportunities. Generally, Figure 6 depicts the overall concept plan and design of the rehabilitated Blackpool China Clay Site. Figure 6. Concept Plan of the Rehabilitated Land of Blackpool China Clay Pit 1.4 Methodology The objectives of this proposal will be achieved through six general methods enumerated below. Some methods were adopted from Heath (2012a; 2012b) and Reclamation Projects (2012). 1.4.1 Site Investigation This is to implement the current guidance through Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) and associated Soil Guideline Values (SGV), and apply accordingly the appropriate Remediation Options. 1.4.2 Environmental Impact Assessment and Biological Survey This is a thorough survey in Blackpool china clay pit of the existing faunal and floral species and habitats. 1.4.3 Establishment of Rehabilitation Area This is the initiating process of the land rehabilitation achieved by establishing the area soil foundation and protecting it from possible intruders. 1.4.4 Habitat Creation Depending on the habitat requirement of the faunal and floral species targeted to inhabit the proposed rehabilitated area, varied and specific habitats will be created. 1.4.5 Establishment and Designation of Visitor Sites Visitor pathways will be created in alignment with the habitat requirements and site accessibility of the rehabilitated land. 1.4.6 Implementation of Post Rehabilitation Phase Monitoring and Management Monitoring values will be identified where monitoring systems will be based on to effectively manage the rehabilitated site. 2. Existing Environment 2.1 Vegetation Types There is a fair distribution of heaths and grasses found during the survey period in the Blackpool china clay pit. 2.2 Vegetation Condition The Blackpool china clay pit has proliferating non-native grasses which are a product of hydroseeding technique application that probably stabilised the recent terraced tips (see Figure7). Figure 7. Southern view of the Blackpool china clay pit showing the proliferation of non-native grasses in some areas. 2.3 Faunal Species The following animal species were observed from growing heath land areas that are at least around 500metres away from extraction pits. No further animal was identified during searching and trapping methods. 2.4 Floral Species The heaths and grasses that were re-colonising around the site in a natural manner are shown below. No native plant species was observed. It is likely because of the poor nutrients available in the current soil composition of the area. The land is generally occupied by introduced species. Figure 12. Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) Figure 13. Bell heather (Erica cinerea) & European gorse (Ulex europaeus) Figure 14. Bell heather (Erica cinerea), tormentil (Potentilla erecta), heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Figure 15. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) 3. Legal Requirements, Commitments and Funding Sources 3.1 Legal Requirements The examination of the environmental issues and also that of risk and safety that are associated with the rehabilitation management of the Blackpool china clay pit is proposed to be conducted in accordance with the environmental legislation and standards described in Table 1 from Heath (2012a) and Environmental Protection UK (2012). This will notably be applied in areas that could pose risks of contamination or accidents such as the pit slopes. Table 1. United Kingdom Environmental Legislations Legislation Application Environmental Protection Act 1990 investigation, remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites Part II of Environmental Protection Act 1990 Waste to Land establishes procedures for handling wastes from contaminated sites and elsewhere Water Resources Act 1991 protects controlled waters Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 classifies landfills for hazardous, non-hazardous and inert wastes and thus limits the disposal options for waste derived from contaminated sites and elsewhere Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH Regulations 2002) cover health and safety 3.2 Proposed Commitments Landscape Architecture Consultancy has considered environmental objectives associated with the rehabilitation management of Blackpool china clay pit. These objectives that are to be implemented in alignment with this proposal wherein some are perceived in long-term perspectives are: to create and maintain the integrity of local ecosystem that supports fauna and flora, and their habitats; to promote a vegetation conducive for the growth of native species; to impart environmental consciousness and responsibility to the local community as part of capacity building towards management and conservation of flora and fauna, and their habitats. 3.3 Possible Funding Sources The proposed rehabilitation activities necessary to ultimately transform the Blackpool china clay pit area into a wildlife sanctuary with ecological – tourism park amenities may require large sum of monies to be collected from various funding sources coming from local government and grants from the Department of Environment, and other eligible government offices. It is also proposed that a Blackpool Rehabilitation Trust Fund be created that will manage all funding collections for this purpose. Small fund raising activities are also proposed to be regularly conducted to promote the thrust of this project and enable the local community in its participation and involvement in the rehabilitation process and, environmental management and conservation as well. 4. Environmental Rehabilitation Process and Its Management The rehabilitation process of the Blackpool China Clay pit is indeed a big challenge to be accomplished in a mining land that has been exploited in about 261 years. It is a fact when Agricola (1556) stated that “…the fields are devastated by mining operations… Further, when the ores are washed, the water which has been used poisons the brooks and streams, and either destroys the fish or drives them away. Therefore the inhabitants of these regions, on account of the devastation of their fields, woods, groves, brooks and rivers, find great difficulty in procuring the necessities of life, and by reason of the destruction of the timber they are forced to greater expense in erecting buildings. Thus it is said, it is clear to all that there is greater detriment from mining than the value of the metals which the mining produces". It is consequently that the post-mining activities and measures commonly deal with soil restoration or enrichment as the natural properties and intrinsic values of the soil and linked habitats are drastically reduced if not lost. Thus, the rehabilitation process will initially involve the restoration or enriching of the soil quality within the site. 4.1 Proposed Landscape Rehabilitation and Habitat Creation The management implications of the rehabilitation project is outlined in the diagram below (Figure 16). Figure 16. Management Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Blackpool China Clay Pit The site needs a good soil quality where different vegetation could be grown to attract and support wildlife habitats that will be soon be established. The following methods are proposed to initiate landscape rehabilitation within the site: Gather as much information on the original vegetation in the area according to historical records. The maps according to Figures 17 and 18 below depict the china clay areas within Blackpool that seem to be surrounded with scattered distribution of heaths and grasses. Figure 17. Historical Map of Blackpool Pit Area 1854 – 1901(Landscape Rehabilitation 2012) Figure 18. Historical Map of Blackpool Pit Area 1906 - 1959(Landscape Rehabilitation 2012) Conduct small-scale scientific experiments to restore characteristic heath land vegetation. Figure 19. Proposed small-scale experiments to restore characteristic heathland vegetation. For the china clay areas that will be restored as heathlands, this experimental design (Table 2) can be adopted (Putwain P 2005). Table 2. Plot composition Main Plot 25-30 Moorland topsoil 1) direct on the waste 2) on 100mm layer on topsoil Sub Plots 0, 100, 300 kg per ha 17% N : 17% P2O5 : 17% K2O +- companion grasses Agrostis, Lolium, Festuca None +- Grazing The recommended application of 100kg/hectare/year of nitrogen will be followed for the rehabilitated sites that are designated to have public access such as the amenity landscapes and the ecological sites. However, a different proportion will be formulated for the wildlife sanctuary sites as it will house the breeding fauna and flora. Thus, less amount of nitrogen will be applied on those sites (Establishment Issues 2012). Depending on the outcome of the latter procedure, the china clay sites should colonise with lower plants which eventually will contribute as soil-forming materials. To speed up this process, organic amendments on the soil may be required. In this case, applications of sewage sludge, mushroom compost and farmyard manures will be considered (Establishment Issues 2012). With factors of site design including the mobility of fauna and flora that will utilize the site, available time for this rehabilitation phase and local seed availability in mind, natural colonisation and succession will be favoured since it is highly cost-effective and promotes the development of wildlife communities (Establishment Issues 2012). For the zone designation of the eco-tourism park itself, it will be carefully considered that the land shaping, stabilisation, relief of compaction of the soil in the designated zones will be most suitable accordingly (Establishment Issues 2012). Nurse crops will be used to provide herbaceous cover with relatively open canopy thereby allowing the natural seeds to fall. The vegetation would appear green and provide shelter and an ideal environment for the growth of colonising species (Establishment Issues 2012). For the faunal growth and diversity, seeding of soil-forming materials with some species such as the earthworms will be implemented to ensure a sufficient natural colonisation of faunal species. Silts with insect larvae from existing sites will be used in the wetlands that will be created. Rabbits will be excluded from the rehabilitation project not until after five years of establishment to allow trees to grow. Although trees will be guarded with individual tree guards (Establishment Issues 2012). Wetland vegetation will also be established by securing wetland flora species that belong to the free floating plants, floating leaves on rooted plants, submerged species, emergent species and marginal species (Establishment Issues 2012). The diagram In Figure 20 below will be adopted. Some pit slopes can be a good site to create lakes especially if located within a nearby water source. Usage of windmills in this structure will support the habitat (see Figure 21). However, during the development period, the large and deep pit slopes must be fenced to prevent accidents. Figure 20. Plant zonation at the edge of the wetland habitat (Establishment Issues 2012). Figure 21. Example of windmill that can pump water into the main lake from a nearby canal (BM Development History 4) The grassland creation process will follow the best practices to achieve the ideal soil characteristics involving the correct pH, area size that is at least 0.5 m, soil quality without weeds, uncompacted, with organic matter, with subsoil so it has low fertility and cultivated to a fine tilth (Establishment Issues 2012). The random wide distribution of trees and woodland planting method will be adopted. It will be used to create woodland where natural colonising sources may be few but it can give a natural and cost-efficient result on the peripheral area of the eco-tourism park. Small and young trees will be planted as they establish quickly and bigger than older trees. The schedule of tree planting will be set on dull, drizzly days instead of windy, sunny weather as this can reduce the risk to the fine root hairs to be damaged even with a short exposure to dry winds (Establishment Issues 2012). 4.1.1 Lay-out of Proposed Sites Figure 22. Zonation of Proposed Sites for the Rehabilitated Land 4.2 Proposed Visitor Facilities in the Rehabilitated Land When the Blackpool china clay pit has been rehabilitated and developed into a wildlife sanctuary and eco-tourism park, the zones intended for amenity landscapes and ecological sites will be built with visitor facilities to allow safe public access to these areas. The visitor facilities will include a Visitor Information Centre office with parallel Park Cafe, parking lot, picnic area, fences, footpaths, viewing screen, fish feeding and other structures that will be identified as the need arises. 4.2.1 Lay-out of Proposed Visitor Pathway Sites Figure 23. Proposed Visitor Pathway Sites in the Rehabilitated Land 5. Adopting Conservation Strategies with Anthropogenic Benefits in Rehabilitated Sites As the Blackpool china clay pit rehabilitation process is initiated, its topsoil characteristics will be modified into a rich soil quality that promotes faunal and floral growth and abundance. The toxic components that may be found will be all eradicated using appropriate washing processes. All this life-forming, soil-enriching events and environmental cleaning may occur in slow phases within intervals of five or more years. Strict adherence to conservation and management objectives will be required to gain successful results. Having the long term benefits in mind will provide motivation for the authorities and local communities to pursue the greater goal of having a productive wildlife sanctuary and eco-tourism park that can promote an environmental-friendly livelihood to everybody. 5.1 Application of Ecological Principles in Landscape Design The rehabilitated land will be divided into three general zones that will support ecological principles involving the promotion of life growth in the habitats created through provision and balance of basic life requirements such as light exposure, moisture content, temperature regulation, proper amount of nutrients which is also related to cleanliness of an environment among others. All these factors will be essential in habitat creation and, in species attraction so they will inhabit and proliferate in the habitat created. There may be some sensitive species that will require restriction from public access so their breeding and survival can be ensured. Thus, the landscape design will also depend on the habitat requirement of the desired population of fauna and flora that is sought to inhabit the intended wildlife sanctuary and eco-tourism park. 5.2 Impartation of Environmental Awareness and Appreciation to Visitors There will be a huge effort to succeed in this rehabilitation program of the Blackpool china clay pit. As every visitor begins to visualize good results of the rehabilitation, they will be encouraged to cooperate with environmental disciplines that can make the surroundings more lively with the presence of natural habitats and its characteristic faunal and floral components. It is also expected that they can adopt conservation initiatives even in their community and residences through tree planting activities, keeping the environment clean, helping out in recycling to reduce wastes and imparting to their children the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Having witnessed the success of the rehabilitation program, it will enliven people’s environmental appreciation which will encourage them to support and act for the benefit of our natural resources thereby supporting the advocacies of the program. 5.3 Balancing Conservation Objectives with Human Use The proposed rehabilitated land is divided into three zones varying on degree of public access. Each zone is briefly described below. Wildlife Sanctuary Zone – without public access; intended for housing of sensitive mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that require isolation for breeding and survival. When the animals are matured enough to thrive in a minimally disturbed environment, they can be transferred to the ecological site zone. Ecological Site Zone – with public access; area where wildlife species and habitats can be observed or accessed by visitors. It can be a mini-zoo setting or a grazing site. Depending on the animals, appropriate safety facilities will be provided to protect both the animals and the visitors. Amenity Landscape Zone – with public access; visitors can do leisure activities such as picnics, walking, biking, feeding, swimming, as appropriate for the area. 6. Post Rehabilitation Phase Monitoring and Management 6.1 Faunal Population and Habitat Monitoring of the animals that are housed within created habitats includes: Monitoring of the health status of inhabitants of created habitats Monitoring of the increase or decrease in population Observation of new animals that may have come to thrive in the provided habitats 6.2 Flora / Vegetation Monitoring Vegetation monitoring will consist of : Monitoring the extent and rate of colonisation Removal of unwanted or invasive species Nutrient additions if needed Erosion control measures Protection from grazing and trampling Survival of planted trees and the need for replacing those that died. References Agricola G 1556. De Re Metalica ('On the Nature of Metal'). Dover Publications. In Heath M 2012. Mining and Mine Site Reclamation. Landscape Rehabilitation. Ppt file. China Clay Mining 2012. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 at http://www.cornwall- calling.co.uk/mines/clay/clay-mining.htm Cornwall Highstreet2 2012. Image file. Google Earth 2012. Blackpool China Clay Pit. January 1, 2005. Google Earth 2012. Cornwall, UK. April 18, 2012. Environmental Protection UK 2012. Land Quality Policy. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/land-quality/policy/#wa321 Heath M 2012a. Contaminated Land. Landscape Rehabilitation. Ppt file. 34 slides. Heath M 2012b. Mining and Mine Site Reclamation. Landscape Rehabilitation. Powerpoint. 15 slides. Landscape Rehabilitation 2012. 18pp. Putwain P 2005. Landscape Scale Post Mining Restoration in Cornwall UK. Sustainable Economic and Social Links are Essential. Ppt file. 25 slides. Reclamation Projects 2012. Establishment Issues. 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