At the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board we strive to enhance the environment by creating habitats for specific species wherever possible. The Board has a policy of undertaking all dredging an non-regular maintenance works from one bank in order that wildlife refuges can be left on the opposite side.

Over recent years reed beds and reed fringes have been created on/adjacent to a number of watercourses. These provide essential habitat to birds and mammals such a Reed Warblers and Watervoles. In the summer months, when flows are generally low, many catchments are subjected to water level management.

The Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board has been very active in supporting the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan and has undertaken environmental surveys on many of its maintained watercourses. Surveys have concentrated on the presence of BAP species and their habitats. The Board has found active watervole colonies in approximately 50% of its maintained watercourses as a result of these surveys.

The Lincolnshire marshes and fens are one of the last strongholds for this declining species. In many other areas the watervole has met its demise due to predation by non-native American Mink (which have escaped and been released in the past) coupled with over zealous land drainage practices and the loss of aquatic habitat.

The Board is currently doing all it can by strictly monitoring culverting applications and creating refuges/additional habitat wherever practicable.

Chris Manning
Environmental Officer