You’ll find answers below to the most common questions we get asked at SAFAG but if you can’t, please do let us know by email: contact@safag.org.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What if NFM measures on my land create other problems downstream?
Individual measures will have a small effect (although collectively a large effect) and our modelling process and ‘on the ground’ planning should minimise this risk.
What if heavy rainfall were to wash away any NFM interventions on my land?
Maintenance programmes are a core part of our project schema.
This could take some of my land out of use, affecting potential income.
Few, if any, of our proposals would be on productive land. If they are, we would investigate funding options.
What is a ‘catchment-based’ approach?
This focuses on multiple small interventions that reduce flood risk at, or close to source in order to reduce downstream flood peaks and also to improve water quality and biodiversity.
Isn’t widespread dredging the simple answer?
This may provide short term benefits, but it is not a solution nor is it economically viable. However, sediment removal and watercourse maintenance to aid flow may be appropriate in parts of the catchment.
What evidence is there that these Natural Flood Management interventions work?
Studies are ongoing, but Natural Flood Management schemes across a variety of catchments such as Pontbren, Pickering and Stroud have shown favourable results in reducing flood peaks.
Who pays for all of this?
We are investigating funding options with all relevant agencies and commercial enterprises and aim to achieve our objectives with little or no cost to the landowner. Support is also being sought ‘in kind’. For example Woodland Trust has already pledged the supply of thousands of trees.