Coastal Groups

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	Coastal Groups Research commissioned by MAFF (now Defra) approximately 15 years ago suggested that the coastline of England and Wales could be divided into major sediment cells; a sediment cell being defined as a length of coastline which is relatively self-contained as far as the movement of sand or shingle is concerned and where interruptions to such movements should not have a significant effect on adjacent sediment cells. The boundaries of the sediment cells, (which are illustrated in Figure 4.4 below), generally coincide with the mouths of large estuaries or prominent headlands. These sediment cells form discrete units which broadly coincide with the establishment of a number of strategic ‘Coastal Groups' comprising local authorities, the Environment Agency and other interested organisations who have key roles in coastal risk management. An important factor in the development of sustainable coastal risk management policies is cooperation between adjacent coastal local authorities in order to ensure that the activities of one authority does not have a detrimental effect on its neighbours. In addition, it is important to be able to share knowledge and experiences and to commission research and disseminate findings as widely as possible. This co-ordination has been further improved through the Environment Agency Strategic Overview, which led to the creation of seven more streamlined Coastal Groups in 2008. One of the first coastal groups to be established in England and perhaps the most influential (DOE, 1993) was the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC), which was founded in 1986. This group has played an important role in strategic coastal risk management as an intermediary between the Environment Agency, central and local government as well as delivering a valuable sub-Regional research programme. More recently SCOPAC has divided into two organisations with ‘SCOPAC' concentrating on fulfilling a lobbying and awareness-raising role for the coast and the ‘Southern Coastal Group' acting as the technical regional coastal group for central southern England. A key role for Coastal Groups has been encouraging the successful development and implementation of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and the implementation of coastal risk management in practice. Coastal Sediment Cells and Sub-cells The coastline consists of a series of interlinked physical systems, comprising both offshore and onshore elements. Sediment (clay, silt, sand, gravel etc.) is moved around the coast by waves and currents in a series of linked systems (sediment transport cells). Simple cells comprise and arrangement of: • Sediment source areas (eroding cliffs, rivers, the sea bed); • Areas where sediment is moved by coastal processes; and • Sediment stores or sinks (eg. beaches, estuaries or offshore sinks). Along a particular stretch of coastline there may be a series of such cells, often operating at different scales. Major cells, many with sub-cells have been suggested for the coast of England and Wales . These represent a practical sub-division of the coastline into lengths that follow sediment cell principles while enabling suitably sized groups to be formed to consider coastal defence issues at the strategic level. This provides the necessary framework for Operating Authorities to prepare Shoreline Management Plans (SMP's). In 2008 the Environment Agency assumed a ‘Strategic Overview' for both flood and coastal erosion risk management. This new role can only be fulfilled successfully through effective joint-working with Local Authorities. Figure 4.5 (above) illustrates the high level of collaboration that exists already, for example in South-East England . Coastal Groups such as the Southern and South-East Groups are developing standard terms of reference, thereby assuring a greater degree of national consistency (see below). KEY POLICY AIM To give sound advice on coastal issues and be a strong influencer in optimising strategic and sustainable policies, plans and programmes to best manage the risks from coastal risk management. To be a natural and chosen forum for coastal practitioners to discuss coastal defence problems and share best practice. To be efficient in operation and provide best value for the public purse. PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES 1. To be a source of expertise on the coast and to advise and influence the Regional Flood Defence Committee(s) and other stakeholders on matters relating to the coast. To attend the RFDC and work closely with officers and members. 2. To contribute to the Environment Agency's preparation and implementation of a long-term investment strategy for the management of flood and coastal erosion risks including both long-term plans and delivery of annual programmes of works and maintenance. 3. To prepare a Business Plan and Annual Report for the group and to present them to The Coastal Forum. 4. To recommend to the Environment Agency who is best placed to undertake the lead for individual shoreline management plans and to work with others (eg. the Solent Forum and the Dorset Coastal Forum) towards integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). 5. To advise upon research and development needs within the sediment cell in relation to issues of coastal engineering, and shoreline management. 6. To share expertise and examples of best practise between group members and to share resources between member organisations when mutually acceptable and advantageous. 7. To identify, develop and share best practice with regard to procurement, delivery and general management of coastal erosion and sea flooding risks; to influence members to adopt best practice. 8. To encourage the development of a co-ordinated approach to the collection and storage of data relevant to the effective management of risks at the shoreline. 9. To continue development of regional strategic coastal monitoring programmes and work with the Environment Agency towards the creation of a co-ordinated and integrated national strategic coastal monitoring programme.

Coastal Groups

Research commissioned by MAFF (now Defra) approximately 15 years ago suggested that the coastline of England and Wales could be divided into major sediment cells; a sediment cell being defined as a length of coastline which is relatively self-contained as far as the movement of sand or shingle is concerned and where interruptions to such movements should not have a significant effect on adjacent sediment cells. The boundaries of the sediment cells, (which are illustrated in Figure 4.4 below), generally coincide with the mouths of large estuaries or prominent headlands. These sediment cells form discrete units which broadly coincide with the establishment of a number of strategic ‘Coastal Groups' comprising local authorities, the Environment Agency and other interested organisations who have key roles in coastal risk management.

An important factor in the development of sustainable coastal risk management policies is cooperation between adjacent coastal local authorities in order to ensure that the activities of one authority does not have a detrimental effect on its neighbours. In addition, it is important to be able to share knowledge and experiences and to commission research and disseminate findings as widely as possible. This co-ordination has been further improved through the Environment Agency Strategic Overview, which led to the creation of seven more streamlined Coastal Groups in 2008. One of the first coastal groups to be established in England and perhaps the most influential (DOE, 1993) was the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC), which was founded in 1986. This group has played an important role in strategic coastal risk management as an intermediary between the Environment Agency, central and local government as well as delivering a valuable sub-Regional research programme. More recently SCOPAC has divided into two organisations with ‘SCOPAC' concentrating on fulfilling a lobbying and awareness-raising role for the coast and the ‘Southern Coastal Group' acting as the technical regional coastal group for central southern England. A key role for Coastal Groups has been encouraging the successful development and implementation of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and the implementation of coastal risk management in practice.

Coastal Sediment Cells and Sub-cells

The coastline consists of a series of interlinked physical systems, comprising both offshore and onshore elements. Sediment (clay, silt, sand, gravel etc.) is moved around the coast by waves and currents in a series of linked systems (sediment transport cells). Simple cells comprise and arrangement of:

• Sediment source areas (eroding cliffs, rivers, the sea bed);

• Areas where sediment is moved by coastal processes; and

• Sediment stores or sinks (eg. beaches, estuaries or offshore sinks).

Along a particular stretch of coastline there may be a series of such cells, often operating at different scales. Major cells, many with sub-cells have been suggested for the coast of England and Wales . These represent a practical sub-division of the coastline into lengths that follow sediment cell principles while enabling suitably sized groups to be formed to consider coastal defence issues at the strategic level. This provides the necessary framework for Operating Authorities to prepare Shoreline Management Plans (SMP's).

In 2008 the Environment Agency assumed a ‘Strategic Overview' for both flood and coastal erosion risk management. This new role can only be fulfilled successfully through effective joint-working with Local Authorities. Figure 4.5 (above) illustrates the high level of collaboration that exists already, for example in South-East England . Coastal Groups such as the Southern and South-East Groups are developing standard terms of reference, thereby assuring a greater degree of national consistency (see below).

KEY POLICY AIM
To give sound advice on coastal issues and be a strong influencer in optimising strategic and sustainable policies, plans and programmes to best manage the risks from coastal risk management. To be a natural and chosen forum for coastal practitioners to discuss coastal defence problems and share best practice. To be efficient in operation and provide best value for the public purse.

PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES
1. To be a source of expertise on the coast and to advise and influence the Regional Flood Defence Committee(s) and other stakeholders on matters relating to the coast. To attend the RFDC and work closely with officers and members.

2. To contribute to the Environment Agency's preparation and implementation of a long-term investment strategy for the management of flood and coastal erosion risks including both long-term plans and delivery of annual programmes of works and maintenance.

3. To prepare a Business Plan and Annual Report for the group and to present them to The Coastal Forum.

4. To recommend to the Environment Agency who is best placed to undertake the lead for individual shoreline management plans and to work with others (eg. the Solent Forum and the Dorset Coastal Forum) towards integrated coastal zone management (ICZM).

5. To advise upon research and development needs within the sediment cell in relation to issues of coastal engineering, and shoreline management.

6. To share expertise and examples of best practise between group members and to share resources between member organisations when mutually acceptable and advantageous.

7. To identify, develop and share best practice with regard to procurement, delivery and general management of coastal erosion and sea flooding risks; to influence members to adopt best practice.

8. To encourage the development of a co-ordinated approach to the collection and storage of data relevant to the effective management of risks at the shoreline.

9. To continue development of regional strategic coastal monitoring programmes and work with the Environment Agency towards the creation of a co-ordinated and integrated national strategic coastal monitoring programme.