Steve Wood wrote: > I happened to be on the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan website a > little while ago and the water voles page says the following: > > "Redundant canals provide excellent water vole habitat - good examples > include the Cannock Extention Canal SAC, the Wyrley and Essington Canal > near Bloxwich and the Wyrley and Essington Canal / Anglesey Branch at > Chasewater." > <http://sbap.org.uk/actionplan/wildlifeaudit/print.php?id=120> > > When was it decided that any of these are redundant?
SAC means Special Area of Conservation. The data form for the Cannock Extension Canal SAC says: "The population of Luronium natans in this cul-de-sac canal is dependent upon a balanced level of boat traffic. If the canal is not used, the abundant growth of other aquatic macrophytes may shade-out the Luronium natans unless routinely controlled by cutting. An increase in recreational activity would be to the detriment of Luronium natans." http://is.gd/23vHR So that acknowledges that some boat movement is necessary to maintain the current species, so that hardly makes it a redundant waterway. Some talking out of arseholes going on, I think. -- Martin Clark Pennine Waterways Website http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk
