Save Our Shoreline, February 2011

HOW MUCH MORE CAN OUR BEACHES TAKE?

"In my early days as Conservation Officer I often pointed out that Jersey’s environmental mistakes were usually the result of many small changes adding up to an effect out of proportion to the small incremental changes that were not easy to appreciate at the time. That lesson seems as apposite now as in the 1980s. There must be a States resolve to ‘draw a line in the sand’ and give Jersey’s coastline the respect and protection it deserves....I too share the public unease at the apparent lack of environmental consideration presently emanating from the States." (Dr. Michael Romeril, former Environmental Adviser to the States of Jersey, writing to the Jersey Evening Post, September 25th, 2009. Full letter here.)

LATEST EXAMPLE: THE EMERGENCY ACCESS ROAD - GREEN STREET TO LA COLLETTE

Above: Damage caused by heavy plant on the beach at La Collette. As we all lurch hesitantly into 2011, Save Our Shoreline pause to take a look at how our once unspoiled beaches on the South East Coast are being damaged, both visibly and invisibly. It has to be remembered that the area we are studying is the first coastal 'compartment' of Jersey's South East Coast Ramsar Area, an Internationally Important Wetland area, so designated for its rich abundance of inter-tidal species. SOS was also instrumental in creating the Marine Protection Zone, which was designed to protect all Jersey's coastal areas. Through the medium of this website, SOS has examined in depth the problems that have already been caused, the most recent being by the building of the new incinerator alongside this sensitive area. We are sure that the majority of thoughtful people recognise that it should have been built behind the present one at Bellozanne, as originally planned, but as many of our politicians are fond of saying, "We are where we are". SOS's task is to raise public awareness and constructively try to mitigate further damage. Transport and Technical Services (as a senior planner commented to us recently) are 'Masters of the avoidance technique'. Under the smokescreen of 'Reserved Matters', TTS had the 'Emergency Access Road' approved in the 2008 'EfW bundle' and without the bother of having to consult with residents or conduct a suitably rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment. Accordingly, heavy plant was damaging the beach even in the first week of operations. The shelter which was used particularly by elderly residents was removed, sand was churned into claylike mud, and valuable food sources for resident and migrating birds are being depleted, and disturbance caused to them.

Above left: The rock bund which surrounds the reclamation is in places often packed with material blown from the tip head. This can be lethal to marine and bird life. Above right: Two elderly residents contemplate the impending loss of their attractive granite shelter (since removed) and the oppressive view of the incinerator.

SCOURING - A LONG TERM EFFECT OF RECLAMATION When La Collette was being reclaimed, residents received assurances from then IDC Department (now Planning and Environment) that extensive modelling had been carried out and that loss of sand levels would not happen. It did. Residents were assured that the effect was 'seasonal' and that the sand levels would return. They did not. Sand and shingle was moved along the coast by the changed current and is now deposited under the sea wall at Greve d'Azette. Below left: Over a century ago and right up to La Collette Phase 2, sand and shingle levels in this area maintained at this height. Below right: Sand and shingle levels in this area have dropped by approx 2 metres, making underpinning of the sea wall necessary and condemning a once well used part of the beach to a 'no go' area.