The Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment (BUDS) project will see the port authority reuse material removed during routine navigational dredging to restore eroded saltmarsh at the RSPB Stour Estuary reserve. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis project will safeguard the Haven\u2019s vital navigation channel while turning routine dredging into a nature-positive opportunity,\u201d said Jim Warner, harbour engineer at Harwich Haven Authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaintaining the Haven\u2019s navigation channel is essential to the national economy and supports thousands of local jobs, whilst ensuring the smooth operation of one of the UK\u2019s busiest ports.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the BUDS initiative, we\u2019re able to reuse the sediment from this work to help restore and protect the Haven\u2019s vulnerable saltmarsh. This approach delivers long-term benefits for both local communities and the wildlife that depends on these coastal habitats.\u201d<\/p>\n
Circular economy<\/strong><\/p>\n Rather than disposing of dredged material at sea, sediment removed from Copperas Bay will be pumped behind temporary bunds and coir rolls to stabilise shorelines and accelerate habitat restoration. <\/p>\n Saltmarsh loss driven by sea-level rise and land-use change has increased pressure on estuarine ecosystems.<\/p>\n By restoring regularly inundated intertidal zones, the project aims to support biodiversity, including salt-tolerant flora and overwintering wading birds, while enhancing natural flood defence.<\/p>\n Researchers from the University of Essex will monitor ecological recovery, assessing vegetation regrowth and sediment dynamics.<\/p>\n